Summer is one of the best times to expand your learning beyond the classroom. For high school students, joining a college-based program can be a valuable way to test out potential majors, meet motivated peers, and get a feel for what life on a university campus is really like. These programs often blend academic study with hands-on projects, workshops, and social activities—giving you both learning and community in one experience.
Massachusetts is home to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, many of which offer summer programs specifically for high school students. These programs give you a chance to explore academic interests, experience college life, and develop new skills in a supportive environment. Whether you’re interested in science, writing, technology, or the arts, this blog features 15 college summer programs across Massachusetts that can help you make the most of your summer.
15 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on the program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Program Dates: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year. Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August).
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating a high level of academic achievement are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research experience for high school students, offering extensive 1-on-1 mentorship across a wide range of subjects. You will work with Ph.D. mentors on an independent research project, culminating in a research paper at the end of the 12-week program. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on the program type.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. May.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. Beginners can join the AI Scholars program, a 10-session boot camp covering AI fundamentals, machine learning, and data science, with opportunities to work on real-world projects. More advanced students can participate in the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where you will work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique project, supported by an in-house publication team to help secure placement in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance Rate: 10%.
Dates: June – July.
Application Deadline: February 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents and belong to underrepresented/underserved communities are eligible to apply.
MITES is a competitive six-week residential program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for high-achieving high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds interested in STEM. You will take rigorous courses in math, physics, life sciences, humanities, and an elective, while attending workshops on STEM careers, college admissions, and personal development. The program also includes social activities and networking with peers and mentors, and concludes with detailed written feedback from instructors.
4. Northeastern University – Young Scholars Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: June 23 – July 31.
Application Deadline: March 2.
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents (within commuter distance) who have completed their junior year of high school are eligible to apply.
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University offers high school students hands-on research experience in labs across the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences. You will work on active research projects alongside faculty and graduate students, gaining exposure to experimental techniques and lab practices. The program also includes seminars on advanced scientific topics and sessions about the undergraduate STEM experience.
5. Broad Institute – Broad Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA.
Stipend: $3,600.
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Highly selective; 18 students.
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8.
Application Deadline: November 13 – January 22.
Eligibility: Rising Massachusetts high school juniors and seniors who are US citizens are eligible to apply.
The Broad Summer Scholars Program offers high school students the chance to conduct hands-on research. Over six weeks, you are paired with professional scientists and engage in original research across areas like chemical biology, computational biology, and genomics. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars, mentorship opportunities, and events focused on career exploration and college readiness. You will attend lectures by leading researchers, take part in a college fair, and build connections with peers and professionals. The program culminates in a research presentation.
6. Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Summer Research Experience
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA.
Cost: Check here for updates.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: Check here for updates.
Application Deadline: Check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) Summer Research Experience at WPI offers high school students the chance to explore how math and computer science can be applied to solve complex biological and medical problems. You’ll work alongside WPI faculty and student researchers on real-world projects. This program provides hands-on exposure to bioinformatics tools and techniques while helping you build foundational research skills in a university setting.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Women’s Technology Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free for students with family income less than $120,000.
Acceptance Rate / Cohort Size: Highly selective; 20 students.
Dates: June 28 – July 26.
Application Deadline: January 15.
Eligibility: Female high school students in grade 11 who live in the US are eligible to apply.
The Women’s Technology Program (WTP) at MIT is a four-week summer academic experience designed for high school students entering their senior year who are curious about engineering. The program combines interactive classes, lab sessions, and team-based projects to help you explore key engineering principles in a hands-on environment. WTP is geared toward students who have strong foundations in math and science but have had little or no prior exposure to engineering. The program allows you to dive into a new field, build technical skills, and experience learning in a collaborative setting.
8. University of Massachusetts – Turing Summer Program
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: July 7 – 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students entering 10th and 11th grades and interested in using Computer Science and Technology for societal good are eligible to apply.
The UMass Turing Summer Program is a three-week academic experience designed for high school students interested in exploring computer science and its real-world applications. Through daily classroom instruction and lab sessions, you will learn the fundamentals of Python and apply it to topics like data sensing, analysis, and visualization. The program also highlights how computer science can be used to address challenges in fields such as healthcare and energy, giving you a broader perspective on its practical impact.
9. Harvard University – HMS MEDscience
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Cost: $2,800. Need-based scholarships are available for Greater Boston area residents.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple sessions between mid-June and mid-August.
Application Deadline: January 1 – March 25.
Eligibility: Current high school students are eligible to apply.
MEDscience at Harvard Medical School immerses high school students in simulated medical scenarios that develop critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communication skills. In Harvard’s simulation labs, you will act as healthcare providers, diagnosing and managing realistic patient cases in an “Emergency Room” setting. You will also learn clinical techniques such as suturing, airway management, and IV placement, and engage with experts through career discussions. Additional specialized programs include lab-based research (MEDscienceLAB), robotics innovation (Moonshot Program), and forensic science training (MEDscienceLAB Forensics).
10. Smith College – Summer Pre-College Programs
Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA.
Cost: Ranges between $2,726 – $9,728. Need-based financial aid is available.
Cohort Size: Approximately 320 students across programs.
Dates: Varies depending on the program.
Application Deadline: December 10 – May 1
Eligibility: High school students who identify as female or gender-nonconforming are eligible to apply.
Smith College’s Pre-College Program offers a range of summer courses designed for high school students, including two STEM-focused options: the Summer Science & Engineering Program and the Sustainable Futures Program. In the Summer Science & Engineering Program, you will work directly with Smith faculty on research projects in areas like biology, chemistry, and engineering. The Sustainable Futures Program blends science with public policy, giving you the chance to explore environmental issues through fieldwork and collaborative problem-solving.
11. Tufts University – Mini Med School
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA.
Cost: Ranges between $3,525 – $6,750. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: Session 1 (Commuter only): June 23 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 18 | Session 3: July 20 – 27.
Application Deadline: December 2 – May 1.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors or recent graduates who have completed at least one year of biology and are 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply.
Tufts University’s Summer Mini Med School offers high school juniors and seniors an early look into the world of medicine. The program covers key topics like infectious diseases and immunology, combining lectures with hands-on clinical training, case studies, and visits to the Tufts Medical Campus and nearby healthcare institutions. You will participate in simulations, anatomy lab visits, and Q&A sessions with medical professionals to better understand the path to a healthcare career. The program also includes a collaborative capstone project designed to reinforce learning and communication skills. See previous capstone projects here.
12. Northeastern University – Bioengineering Immersion
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
Cost: $6,895. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: July 20 – August 1.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18 years are eligible to apply.
Northeastern University’s Bioengineering Immersion program is a two-week, lab-based experience that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of bioengineering. You’ll explore topics like tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and circuit design while working hands-on in university labs to build 3D cellular models and learn key research techniques. Alongside lab work, you’ll hear from professionals in biotech, pharma, and healthcare during industry visits and guest talks, gaining insight into real-world applications like prosthetics and drug delivery systems. The program also includes student panels where you can ask questions about college life, research opportunities, and Northeastern’s co-op program.
13. Wolfram – High School Summer Research Program
Location: Bentley University, Boston, MA.
Cost: $4,200. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: June 25 – July 12.
Application Deadline: April 15.
Eligibility: Current high school students below 18 years of age are eligible to apply.
The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is a two-and-a-half-week immersive experience where you will develop research, coding, and analytical skills through project-based learning. You’ll explore topics in math, science, and technology using the Wolfram Language, attend lectures and workshops, and receive one-on-one mentorship from experts, including Stephen Wolfram. You will also complete an independent research project, resulting in a computational essay and interactive paper that can be shared at conferences or submitted to journals. The program also includes collaborative sessions, creative electives, and an optional pre-program workshop to help you get comfortable with the Wolfram Language before diving into your project.
14. Northeastern University – Cybersecurity and Privacy
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA.
Cost: $6,895. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: July 6 – 18.
Application Deadline: February 28.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18 years are eligible to apply.
The Cybersecurity and Privacy program is a two-week course that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of digital security. Through interactive lectures, lab-based exercises, and team competitions, you’ll explore key topics like network protection, system vulnerabilities, and online privacy. You’ll take part in Capture the Flag challenges that simulate real-world cyberattacks, applying your knowledge to solve problems and strengthen defenses. Guest speakers from the cybersecurity field provide additional insight into current threats and careers.
15. Boston College – Boston College Experience for High School Students
Location: Virtual or in-person at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA.
Cost: Ranges between $3,000 – $5,600.
Acceptance Rate: Selective.
Dates: Session 1: June 30 – July 11| Session 2: July 14 – 25 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8.
Application Deadline: April 8.
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 14 years are eligible to apply.
The Boston College Experience offers high school students the chance to explore college life while diving into academic subjects of interest. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the two-week non-credit program allows you to take one course per session in fields like business, philosophy, government, forensics, creative writing, and more. You can choose to attend in person, either as a residential or commuter student, or participate online. Alongside coursework, the program includes extracurricular activities and weekend excursions around Boston, giving you a well-rounded preview of college academics and campus life.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Northeastern University