If you are a high school student in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University offers a wide range of summer programs that let you explore academic fields such as science, medicine, humanities, and creative writing in a real university setting. These programs include both Emory-run offerings and select external programs hosted on campus. Depending on the program you choose, you might take non-credit courses, participate in academic experiences, or enroll in college-level classes alongside undergraduates for credit. Some programs are residential and allow you to live on Emory’s campus, while others follow commuter or short-term formats. Across all options, you will engage in university-level learning, meet students with similar interests, and gain exposure to diverse academic settings and learning environments.
What do Emory summer programs for high school students include?
Emory summer programs vary by subject and format, but most are designed to introduce you to university-level learning across academic disciplines such as science, medicine, law, humanities, and business. In classroom-based programs, you might attend lectures, participate in discussions, and complete assignments designed around college-level content. In pre-health and science-focused programs, you may engage with clinical simulations, lab activities, or case-based learning that show how professionals apply scientific and medical concepts in the real world. Debate and humanities programs often focus on structured argumentation, reading analysis, writing, and discussion-based learning in small group settings. Many programs also offer opportunities to interact with Emory faculty, researchers, and guest speakers from professional fields, providing insights into academic and career pathways. Residential programs allow you to live on campus, participate in supervised community activities, and use university facilities such as libraries and study spaces. Some programs offer college credit, meaning you can take courses alongside undergraduate students, while others are non-credit and focused on exploration and skill development.
Here’s a list of 15 Emory summer programs for high school students:
1. Emory Pre-College Program
Location: Residential: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, commuter: Atlanta metro area, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $70 non-refundable application fee, $350 enrollment deposit, $5,510 for residential, $3,925 for commuter, additional course and other fee may apply; financial aid available for U.S citizens and permanent resident
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 400 students each year through multiple sessions
Dates: 2 weeks; Session A: June 14 – 27, Session B: June 28 – July 11, Session C: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are at least 15 years of age and who have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0, international applicants whose primary language is not English must show a 700+ on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing or 30+ on the ACT english subset
The Emory pre-college program introduces you to college-level coursework and campus life at Emory University. You can enroll in a two-week noncredit course taught by Emory faculty, where classes are structured at a college level and include assignments and written assessments. You can choose from a wide range of subjects such as Neurons, Brains and Behavior, Fundamentals of Cancer Biology, Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties, Developmental Psychology, Branding and Marketing, and Archaeological Investigation: Pompeii and Herculaneum. The program allows you to live on campus or commute, while accessing university facilities and participating in a residential student community. Outside the classroom, you can take part in organized activities and excursions around Atlanta, along with evening events led by residence life staff, helping you connect with other students and experience campus life. You will also attend enrichment sessions that explore college pathways and academic disciplines across Emory’s schools.
2. Emory Summer College Program
Location: Online or in-person at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $70 non-refundable application fee, 6-weeks (3 credits): $6,485 for residential and $6,493 for commuter, 6-weeks (4 credits): $8,581 for residential and $8,589 for commuter, additional course and other fees may apply; financial aid available for U.S. citizens and permanent resident
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 6 weeks; Session 1: May 15 – June 26, Session 2: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: Session 1: April 24, Session 2: June 5
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are at least 15 years of age and who have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0, international applicants whose primary language is not English must show a 700+ on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing or 30+ on the ACT english subset
The Emory Summer College Program is a nonresidential program in which high school students enroll in Emory undergraduate courses and earn transferable college credit. You can take classes alongside current Emory undergraduates, with courses available both online and on campus. You can choose from more than 40 subjects, including Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Creative Writing, Physics, Psychology, and foreign language sequences. By participating in the program, you will earn an official Emory University transcript, which carries credits that can be transferred to other institutions. Online courses will be conducted through Canvas and Zoom, with synchronous live sessions requiring a computer, webcam, and high-speed internet. Students taking on-campus classes have access to Emory’s facilities and campus community.
3. Emory Pre-Med Institute
Location: Residential: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, commuter: Atlanta metro area, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee, $8,264 for residential and $5,874 for commuter, additional course and other fees may apply; financial aid available for U.S. citizens and permanent resident
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 3 weeks; June 28 – July 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are at least 15 years of age and who have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0, international applicants whose primary language is not English must show a 700+ on the SAT evidence-based reading and writing or 30+ on the ACT english subset
The Emory Pre-Med Institute introduces high school students to the scientific and clinical foundations of medicine, through classes and other experiences. You will learn directly from Emory physicians and faculty, with classes covering subjects such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy. You can also attend workshops led by physicians, participate in research lab sessions, and join discussions with professionals across different health fields. The program also includes seminars focused on college preparation and academic pathways in medicine. Site visits to locations such as Emory Clinics, Grady Hospital, medical simulation labs, and imaging centers are part of the program. The experience begins with a White Coat Ceremony, and students who complete the program receive a certificate and a letter of recommendation.
4. Summer Learning Series
Location: Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA
Cost/Stipend: $70 non-refundable application fee, $4,775; financial aid not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Session I: Sound & Vision: May 31– June 12, Session II: Belief & Beyond: June 21– July 3, Session III: Strange Systems: July 12– 24
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors on track to graduate the next year, who are at least 16 years old by June 1 and who do not turn 19 by July 24
The Oxford College of Emory University Summer Pre-College Program is a noncredit summer program in which high school seniors take college-level courses across science, humanities, and social science, taught by Oxford College faculty. The program is organized into three themed two-week sessions, including Sound & Vision, Belief & Beyond, and Strange Systems, and within each session, you can choose from three different courses based on your interests. Course options include Physics of Music, History of Rock and R&B, Visual Literacy in Graphic Novels, What is Religion, Game On: A History of Video Games, Anthropology Adventure and Discovery, What Makes a Species, Economics and Empathy, and Twisted Topology & Demented Dimensions. Classes are discussion-driven and seminar-style, with access to Oxford’s labs, library collections, study spaces, and academic support centers. Outside of coursework, you will receive guidance from faculty mentors and peer tutors throughout the program.
5. Emory Youth Theological Initiative Summer Academy
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Sliding Scale: $1000-$7,000 (at-cost: $5,500, low income: $1,000), families can decide how much they pay based on income levels; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who will be in the 11th and 12th grade, who will be at least 15 years old by July 12; rising 10th graders may be allowed under special circumstances
The Emory Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) Summer Academy gives high school students the opportunity to explore questions of faith, theology, and social justice alongside peers and adult mentors. The program is rooted in community, and you live, learn, worship, and spend time with other students from diverse racial, cultural, and theological backgrounds. Through discussion-driven and seminar-style sessions, you’ll examine questions such as how to interpret religious texts, how to relate to other faiths, and how theology connects to justice and social change. The program introduces theological thinking and analytical skills that are usually associated with seminary-level study, while making them accessible for high school students. Beyond structured sessions, the daily schedule includes worship, communal activities, and shared living as part of an intentional residential community. Upon completing the program, you can request a transcript documenting your participation in the academy.
6. Oxford College at Emory-Summer Experience Program
Location: Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free for accepted students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students from each school system
Dates: June 1 – 5
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th grade students from the Newton County School System and Putnam County Charter School System
The Oxford College of Emory University summer experience program is a one-week residential program that gives high school students a preview of college academics, campus life, and the college preparation process on Oxford’s campus. During the program, you’ll take classes taught by Oxford faculty in subjects such as Political Science, Chemistry, and English. You can also participate in workshops that cover topics including course selection, types of colleges, the application process, and financial aid. You’ll also participate in sessions that help build practical college readiness skills, such as study strategies, essay writing, and ways to engage with faculty in a college setting. Beyond the classroom, the program includes scheduled activities such as field trips, community service, health and wellness sessions, and group-based events.
7. The Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC) Summer Experience
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend offered to 11th graders
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Current sophomore with at least a 3.0 GPA, enrolled in at least one honors, AP or IB course, enrolled at Carver STEAM, Douglass, Jackson, South Atlanta, or Washington High School, eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch program and who can actively participate in 12 after school sessions during spring semester and summer institutes before junior and senior years
The Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC) Summer Program, hosted by Emory School of Medicine, helps high school juniors and seniors strengthen their academic skills, explore healthcare careers and prepare for college. Rising juniors can take a SAT preparation course led by a test preparation instructor, with a pre-test, post-test, and targeted study areas provided throughout the program. Seniors can participate in more advanced simulated clinical sessions, interact with patients and simulators, and attend workshops on procedures such as suturing and basic life support. All students can attend presentations and Q&A sessions with healthcare professionals from a variety of medical and allied health fields, with information from these sessions compiled into a personal college and career portfolio. You’ll also visit local colleges and healthcare facilities to compare different learning and work environments. Graduate and professional school students will serve as program advisors, providing guidance not only on academics but on the soft skills involved in academic and professional success.
8. NextGen High School Internship Program
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend offered to interns
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 1
The Emory NextGen High School Internship Program introduces high school students to STEM careers through lab rotations, clinical experiences, and lectures. As an intern, you will rotate through a variety of labs and clinical settings, gaining direct exposure to both research and patient care environments. General information sessions and lectures run alongside the rotations to help explain what you observe and do in each setting. The program also extends beyond Emory’s campus by incorporating visits to programs and businesses across the greater Atlanta area.
9. Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,400 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old by program start date and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program gives high school seniors the opportunity to conduct mentored research in active cancer research laboratories, guided by Winship physicians and lab-based researchers. You will be paired one-on-one with a Winship investigator and become part of a research team working on ongoing cancer research projects. Beyond laboratory work, you will attend faculty-led lectures on cancer biology and career paths in oncology, and engage in roundtable discussions with cancer survivors. Field trips take you to sites including the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Emory Proton Therapy Center. The program concludes with a symposium where you can present your research to Winship doctors, researchers, and graduate students.
10. Envision NYLF Law & CSI at Emory
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $4,499
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 25 – July 2
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
The National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Law and CSI is an eight-day residential program hosted on Emory University’s campus that introduces high school students to the world of law and forensic science through simulations, case studies, and sessions with professionals. The program includes forensic investigation activities in which you analyze simulated crime scenes using methods such as fingerprint analysis, hair and fiber examination, blood pattern analysis, and criminal profiling. You’ll also participate in a recreation of a Supreme Court case, taking on the roles of justices and attorneys while preparing written briefs and oral arguments. In addition, a multi-day mock trial lets you review evidence, question witnesses, and present arguments in a courtroom setting. You can also attend speaker sessions featuring professionals such as criminal profilers, investigators, and legal practitioners.
11. Emory National Debate Institute (ENDI)
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $2,200 resident; $1,850 commuter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: May 31-June 13
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
The Emory National Debate Institute (ENDI) is a two-week residential summer program run by Emory University’s Barkley Forum in which you develop policy debate skills through instruction, practice rounds, and lab sessions. The curriculum is based on the upcoming high school policy debate resolution, with participants grouped by experience level. You will work in small lab groups led by Emory debate coaches and college debaters, practicing core debate skills such as flowing, speech organization, and argument construction. The program also includes practice debates that mirror tournament formats and expectations. In addition to debate preparation, ENDI includes sessions on broader topics such as argumentation, critical inquiry, and public speaking.
12. Emory Healthcare VolunTEEN Program
Location: Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 17 to February 27 or until full capacity is reached
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 by June 1
The Emory Healthcare Summer VolunTEEN Program gives high school students the opportunity to volunteer within a real hospital setting at Emory University Hospital, where you’ll support hospital and clinic departments while gaining firsthand exposure to a healthcare environment. You will be assigned to one department for the duration of the program, working alongside staff in clinical and non-clinical areas such as guest services, emergency department, nursing units, and retail spaces. Your responsibilities vary by placement and may include organizing supplies, delivering items, and assisting with routine departmental tasks. The program is structured as a volunteer experience rather than an internship or physician shadowing program. You will follow a regular schedule within your assigned department throughout the session.
13. Envision NYLF: Medicine & Health Care at Emory
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Fee of $4,499
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 25 – July 2
Application Deadline: Varies each year
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
The National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine and Health Care is a residential pre-college program hosted on Emory University’s campus that introduces high school students to careers in medicine and healthcare through simulations, workshops, and sessions with professionals. You will rotate through clinical skills stations where you can learn and practice techniques such as measuring blood pressure, suturing, surgical knot tying, and conducting basic patient assessment. The program includes simulation scenarios in areas such as emergency response and triage, where you work through structured case situations. In addition, you’ll attend sessions led by professionals including physicians, nurses, and biomedical specialists. You’ll also visit medical or simulation facilities and attend seminars on topics such as medical ethics and education pathways. The schedule provides an overview of the medical school application process.
14. iD Tech Camps at Emory University
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Fee starting at $1,079
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on specific camp
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 7 – 17
iD Tech Camps at Emory University is a weekly STEM program held on Emory’s campus in which students ages 7 – 17 take courses in coding, game development, robotics, and digital arts, taught by instructors recruited from top universities. You can choose from courses in areas such as Python coding and AI, Roblox and Minecraft game design, BattleBots robotics, 3D printing and modeling, and machine learning. Students are grouped by skill level from beginner to advanced. You can spend approximately five hours each day in the lab working on course projects, with breaks for outdoor activities and recreational games on campus. Both day and overnight options are available, with overnight campers having access to Emory’s residence halls and dining facilities. At the end of the program, you will receive an iD Tech diploma and a transcript outlining the skills you explored, along with a USB containing your course project files. A two-week Teen Academy option is also available for students seeking a more advanced, pre-college level experience that includes the development of a course portfolio.
15. Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Varies each year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 28 – July 11
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders who are at least 15 years of age and who have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0
The Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties course is a non-credit summer course in which you examine the relationship between constitutional law and society. During the course, you’ll examine topics such as freedom of speech, search and seizure, privacy rights, and the impact of technology on civil liberties. You’ll also learn the key concepts and frameworks used in American constitutional law. You will analyze real-world examples to understand how legal principles are applied in different social and political contexts. Discussions often focus on how law shapes and responds to social, cultural, and technological developments. You can also examine how interpretations of civil liberties change over time.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, 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: Emory University