15 College Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways

• These 15 college programs span a wide range of disciplines across Pennsylvania’s universities, from AI and data science at Carnegie Mellon and Wharton to medicine, engineering, and the arts at Penn, Lehigh, Pitt, and Temple.
• Program formats vary considerably, from free residential experiences like the Lehigh Summer Engineering Institute to fee-based intensives like Penn’s Pre-College Programs, so cost and format are worth weighing together as you compare options.
• Several programs, including the Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program and Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program, are completely free, while others charge substantial tuition, often with scholarships or financial aid available for select students.
• Many of these programs pair you directly with faculty mentors, researchers, or healthcare professionals on hands-on projects, giving you exposure to college-level academic work and potential career pathways before you commit to a major.
• If you want a longer, mentored research experience that results in an independent paper rather than a structured course, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offer a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across 600+ specializations.

15 College Programs for High School Students in Pennsylvania

If you’re a high school student interested in exploring a potential college major, developing academic skills, or experiencing university-level coursework, participating in a college program can help you gain exposure to your chosen field. These programs are typically designed to introduce you to academic concepts, research methods, and professional disciplines through structured coursework, mentorship, and project-based learning. You can participate in lectures, seminars, and laboratory sessions under the guidance of faculty members, researchers, or industry professionals.

What Do College Programs for High School Students Include?

College programs for high school students introduce you to university-level subjects, academic research, and specialized fields of study. STEM programs often include laboratory experiments, data analysis, coding, engineering design projects, or scientific research methods. Humanities and social science programs may involve archival research, academic writing, policy analysis, debates, or seminar-style discussions. Business and entrepreneurship programs can include market research, financial analysis, case studies, and business plan development. Arts programs typically focus on studio practice, portfolio development, performance techniques, or creative projects. You may work with laboratory equipment, statistical software, programming languages, and research databases, among others. 

Why Should You Choose a College Program in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is home to a diverse network of universities, research institutions, healthcare systems, and cultural organizations that offer educational opportunities for high school students. The state hosts several nationally recognized institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, and Temple University, which support pre-college programs across disciplines such as engineering, medicine, computer science, and business. Pennsylvania’s major metropolitan regions also provide distinct academic and professional ecosystems. Philadelphia is a leading center for healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences research, and public policy, while Pittsburgh is known for its strengths in robotics, artificial intelligence, engineering, and healthcare innovation. These regional hubs allow students to engage with faculty members, researchers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry experts across a wide range of fields. In addition, the state’s combination of research universities, specialized colleges, hospitals, museums, and nonprofit organizations creates opportunities to explore both academic subjects and potential career pathways. 

1. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program

The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) introduces high school students to professional fields such as medicine, nursing, engineering, dentistry, and law through mentorship, experiential learning, and college readiness activities. Through partnerships with Penn’s graduate and professional schools, you will be matched with a specific academic track in fields such as medicine, nursing, engineering, dentistry, or law to participate in experiential learning activities related to your area of interest. The program includes workshops on topics such as study skills, time management, SAT preparation, financial literacy, and college application writing. You will also engage with faculty members, professional school students, and university staff while learning about educational pathways and careers in your chosen field.

2. Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College AI Scholars Program

The AI Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, four-week residential summer program designed for rising high school seniors interested in artificial intelligence and computer science. Before arriving on campus, you are required to complete a preparatory Python course that introduces foundational programming concepts, regardless of your prior coding experience. During the program, you can participate in college-level coursework covering core topics in artificial intelligence and computing while attending lectures led by Carnegie Mellon faculty and researchers. You will also work collaboratively on research-based group projects that apply AI concepts to specific problems and present your findings at a final symposium. In addition to the academic curriculum, the program includes mentorship opportunities, college readiness workshops, and seminars on topics such as admissions, financial aid, and academic success. 

3. Penn 2-Week Summer Academies

The 2-Week Summer Academies at the University of Pennsylvania are intensive, subject-specific summer programs that allow high school students to explore academic disciplines through university-level instruction and experiential learning. You can choose from several specialized academies in fields such as astronomy, forensic science, mathematics, and environmental policy, among others. The courses are taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty members and experienced professionals, with support from graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants. You can participate in lectures, laboratory activities, field experiences, research exercises, discussions, and collaborative projects designed around the program’s subject area. 

4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback you can use to improve future projects. Apply here!

5. Penn 3-Week Summer Academies

The 3-Week Summer Academies at the University of Pennsylvania are summer programs for high school students to study a specific academic discipline through university-level coursework, research activities, and experiential learning. You can choose from biomedical research, chemistry, economics, and neuroscience, among others. Based on the academy, you’ll participate in laboratory experiments, research investigations, lectures, discussions, collaborative projects, and field-based learning activities designed around the program’s academic focus. 

6. Lehigh University Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)

The Summer Engineering Institute at Lehigh University is a residential summer program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering, technology, and related STEM fields. The program introduces topics such as robotics, bioengineering, computer science, and nanotechnology, among others. You can participate in laboratory activities, research experiences, and collaborative projects across multiple areas of engineering and science. You will work closely with Lehigh faculty members, undergraduate mentors, and fellow participants while using university laboratories and research facilities. The program also includes seminars, virtual field experiences, and interactions with professionals working in science, technology, and engineering industries.

7. University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Research Training Program (RTP)

The Health Sciences Research Training Program (RTP) at the University of Pittsburgh is a research-focused educational program for high school students covering science, medicine, and health professions. Through the program, you will work with a faculty mentor in a basic science, clinical, or health sciences research setting, with the structure of the experience tailored to your academic interests and learning goals. Activities may include laboratory experiments, clinical research, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific inquiry projects. The program introduces you to research methodologies, laboratory and clinical research techniques, and the processes involved in biomedical investigation. Opportunities to present research findings and engage in scholarly communication are also incorporated into the experience.

8. UPenn’s Wharton Data Science Academy

The Wharton Data Science Academy at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week summer program focused on the foundations of data science, statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Through a combination of lectures, guided labs, case studies, and collaborative projects, you can explore the methods and tools used to collect, analyze, and interpret data. The program covers topics such as probability, statistical inference, data visualization, and regression analysis, among others. The coursework incorporates programming languages and platforms, including R, RStudio, R Markdown, and selected Python-based tools for topics such as neural networks and large language models.

9. Pennsylvania College of Technology: Summer Camps

The Summer Camps at Pennsylvania College of Technology introduce high school students to technical, healthcare, creative, and applied professional fields through hands-on instruction and industry-focused training. You may learn aircraft maintenance procedures, perform automotive diagnostics, operate manufacturing and engineering equipment, create digital designs, develop culinary techniques, or explore healthcare simulations and clinical skills. Many camps emphasize the use of professional tools, specialized software, and industry-standard technologies that are regularly used in Penn College’s academic programs and workforce training initiatives. Instruction is provided by faculty members and technical specialists who guide participants through practical exercises, demonstrations, and project-based activities. You will also gain exposure to educational pathways and careers within your selected field while working in laboratories, workshops, studios, and training facilities on campus.

10. The Penn Medicine Summer Program

The Penn Medicine Summer Program at the University of Pennsylvania is a four-week academic program that covers medicine, healthcare, and biomedical sciences. Organized around the structure of medical school education, the curriculum explores topics such as anatomy, surgery, psychiatry, and clinical medicine. You can participate in activities such as gross anatomy and pathology laboratories, suturing workshops, CPR certification training, medical simulations, and clinical observations. The instruction is provided by physicians, faculty members, and healthcare professionals affiliated with the Perelman School of Medicine. There will be visits to research facilities and discussions with medical practitioners, providing additional exposure to current developments in healthcare and biomedical research.

11. Drexel Public Health Pre-College Programs

The Summer Institutes at Drexel University are pre-college academic programs that allow high school students to explore a wide range of disciplines through university-level coursework and experiential learning. The program offerings span fields such as engineering, business, entrepreneurship, and computing, among others. Your experience may include laboratory experiments, design projects, simulations, field visits, case studies, collaborative assignments, and studio-based work. The instruction is led by Drexel faculty members and utilizes the university’s laboratories, studios, maker spaces, and other specialized facilities. 

12. York College of Pennsylvania Summer Academy

The Summer Academy at York College of Pennsylvania features subject-specific courses in nursing, engineering, finance, environmental science, and other fields through laboratory activities, simulations, and project-based learning. The program’s Spartan Prep track is designed specifically for students in grades 9–12 and has week-long programs in areas such as nursing, engineering, exercise science, and creative writing, among others. The activities may include laboratory experiments, simulations, creative projects, leadership exercises, and collaborative assignments. Specialized facilities across the York College campus, including laboratories, studios, athletic facilities, and classroom spaces, support the components of the curriculum.

13. The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI)

The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week, for-credit summer program that combines engineering design, entrepreneurship, and business strategy through coursework, case studies, and team-based product development projects. Offered through the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology in partnership with Penn Engineering and the Wharton School, the curriculum includes lectures, simulations, laboratory activities, and collaborative exercises focused on technological innovation and venture creation. A central component of the program is a team-based prototyping project, during which you will develop a technology-based product or venture and create a corresponding business strategy and go-to-market plan. Guest lectures, industry simulations, and visits to companies and innovation-focused organizations provide additional perspectives on technology and business ecosystems.

14. Tyler School of Art and Architecture Pre-College Programs

Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture offers Pre-College Programs for high school students interested in art, design, architecture, and related creative disciplines. The programs include two-week workshops, portfolio preparation courses, and specialized institutes in areas such as architecture and environmental design. Depending on the program you select, you may create original artwork, complete design projects, participate in studio critiques, develop portfolio pieces, or explore architectural representation and design methods.

15. The Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences

The Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences (PSEAS) at Pennsylvania State University is a residential summer program focused on agricultural sciences, environmental sustainability, food systems, and natural resource management through coursework, field experiences, and research-based projects. Throughout the program, you will explore topics such as food systems, environmental sustainability, animal and plant sciences, and global food security. Visits to research centers, agricultural facilities, natural ecosystems, and other sites across Penn State’s University Park campus and surrounding areas are part of the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of college programs are available to high school students in Pennsylvania?
You’ll find a mix of formats, including mentorship-based programs like Penn’s Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program, technical and research-focused programs like Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program and Pitt’s Health Sciences Research Training Program, and subject-specific academies like Penn’s 2- and 3-Week Summer Academies. Arts-focused options like Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture Pre-College Programs and career-oriented programs like Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Summer Camps round out the mix if you’re exploring fields outside traditional STEM or business tracks.

Do you need prior coursework or experience to apply?
It depends on the program. Some, like the Penn Medicine Summer Program, require you to have already completed a high school-level biology class, while others, like Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program, build in a preparatory course before the program begins regardless of your prior coding background. Programs like the Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program and Lehigh’s Summer Engineering Institute don’t list specific subject prerequisites, focusing more on grade level and residency.

Are there free options available?
Yes, several programs on this list don’t charge tuition. The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program, Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program, Lehigh’s Summer Engineering Institute, the University of Pittsburgh’s Research Training Program, and Penn State’s PSEAS are all free to attend.

Which programs are restricted to Pennsylvania or Philadelphia residents?
A number of these programs have residency requirements. The Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program is limited to Philadelphia residents, Drexel’s Public Health Pre-College Programs are limited to Philadelphia-area students, and Penn State’s PSEAS is limited to Pennsylvania residents. Others, like Penn’s Pre-College Programs and Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program, are open more broadly, including to international students in some cases, so it’s worth checking each program’s specific eligibility rules.

Which programs focus specifically on data science, AI, or computing?
If you’re interested in AI, data science, or computing specifically, Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College AI Scholars Program and Wharton’s Data Science Academy are the most directly relevant options, covering topics like machine learning, statistical inference, and neural networks. The Management & Technology Summer Institute at Wharton also blends technology and business through a team-based product development project, which is worth considering if you want to combine technical skills with entrepreneurship.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured college program?
Yes. If you’re looking for a competitive, mentored research program beyond a structured course, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs lets you engage in advanced research and develop a 20-page research paper on a subject of your choosing, with guidance from a professor or PhD scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?
Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. Carnegie Mellon’s AI Scholars Program has one of the earliest deadlines at February 1, while several others cluster later in February, including Penn State’s PSEAS (February 27). March brings a wave of deadlines, including the Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (March 22) and Wharton’s Data Science Academy (March 25), while May 1 marks the deadline for several of Penn’s Summer Academies and Pre-College Programs. Horizon, by contrast, has multiple deadlines throughout the year across its Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts, giving you more flexibility if you miss an earlier cutoff.

Image source: Carnegie Mellon University