If you’re a high school student looking to strengthen your profile before college, you should consider enhancing your academic profile by attending an extracurricular/academic program designed for high school students. High school programs offer motivated students the chance to go beyond the standard curriculum, build advanced skills, and gain experience. You also get the opportunity to network with professors and experts in the field.
Whether you’re looking for a pre-college program, an internship, or a research immersion, there are several programs for high school students in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These programs address a wide range of subject areas as well, such as medicine, engineering, computer science, business, architecture, neuroscience, and even music. In this article, we’ve rounded up 15 standout programs in Ann Arbor that can help you improve your skillset and knowledge.
Here are 15 programs for high school students in Ann Arbor, Michigan:
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June)
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school; Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4); No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! 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 based on program type
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here.
3. Michigan Math & Science Scholars Summer Program (MMSS)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $1,300 tuition fee, $1,100 residential fee (optional), $100 application fee. Limited need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Session 1 from June 22 – July 4, Session 2 from July 6-18, Session 3 from July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified. Registration generally opens during the fall.
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars program is a pre-college program designed to expose high school students to advanced topics and research. There are three 2-week sessions, and you can attend all of them if you like. Each session will focus on a single course, of which there is a wide variety to choose from, including astronomy, biophysics, neuroscience, forensic physics, anthropology, quantum computing, and niche mathematics topics like graph theory and calculus. You can expect plenty of hands-on work here, working in research and computer labs as well as engaging in field work.
4. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500. Need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: June 13-27
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are US citizens/permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program for high school students interested in business. Through the program, you will learn how companies run, explore career pathways, network with business leaders, and experience life as a college student. You will learn through a combination of classes, workshops, guest speakers, field trips, and group projects. The program has an action-based curriculum, featuring hands-on tasks such as pitching solutions to real-world corporate challenges.
5. University of Michigan’s Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Free. Students will receive a stipend, but the amount has not been specified.
Program dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current juniors attending high school in the state of Michigan who are at least 16 years of age and are US citizens/permanent residents
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship Program allows high school students from under-resourced areas to learn about science research and engage in hands-on laboratory experiences. During the program, you will join a team of researchers and take on an independent research project in one of the life science fields of research, such as biology, chemistry, zoology, neuroscience, and genetics. You will engage in lab work, analyse data, and end the program with a presentation of your findings.
6. Summer Engineering Exploration Camp
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: July 6-12
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-11. Preference is given to students who have limited access to engineering. International students can apply as well.
Organised by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Michigan, the Summer Engineering Exploration Camp is a one-week, residential camp for high school students interested in engineering. During the program, you will get a broad introduction to engineering and its various disciplines, such as civil, chemical, and electrical engineering. You will also work in groups to solve an engineering design challenge and engage in team building and social activities.
7. University of Michigan’s Doctors of Tomorrow
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Free
Program dates: The program takes place over multiple years
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school freshmen
The University of Michigan’s Medical School organises Doctors of Tomorrow, a multi-year program that offers academic preparation, clinical immersion, and leadership development for high school students interested in medicine. The program begins with Doctors of Tomorrow Foundations, during which high school freshmen will work on a capstone project under the guidance of a first-year medical student. This is followed by Doctors of Tomorrow Rising, which connects 11th- and 12th-grade students with internships in healthcare. Students who matriculate from the university can then apply for the Doctors of Tomorrow Succeed program.
8. University of Michigan’s ArcStart
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $4,950. Scholarships are available
Program dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. International students can apply as well.
ArcStart is a residential, pre-college program that introduces high school students to the field of architecture. As a participant, you will get a solid understanding of the built environment, the principles of architectural design, and concepts of urban planning. You will experience a college architecture studio, visit an architecture firm, learn how to use various drawing, drafting, and modelling tools, and work on a digital portfolio.
9. University of Michigan’s Summer Pre-College Programs
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from July 6-19, Session 2 from July 20 – August 2
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9-11
The Stamps School of Art and Design’s summer pre-college program offers high school students Portfolio Prep sessions during which they can build their skillset and develop a competitive portfolio. You will attend undergraduate-level classes and spend the majority of your time in the studio, learning about colour, texture, three-dimensional composition, video, animation, and more. In addition to building a portfolio of artwork, you will also learn all the basic concepts, tools, and vocabulary of the field.
10. University of Michigan’s Electrify Tech Camp
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $900. Limited scholarships are available
Program dates: Varies with each camp
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students who completed at least one year of high school by June
The University of Michigan’s Electrify Tech Camp offers several camps for high school students, addressing various topics within electrical and computer engineering. As of 2025, there are four camps focusing on nanotechnology, quantum mechanics, laser engineering, and power electronics and systems. The coursework includes advanced topics like energy harvesting and quantum entanglement, and hands-on activities such as building a solar cell, designing a semiconductor chip, and working with circuits, transformers, and electric drives.
11. University of Michigan’s Girls in Music & Technology
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $750. Limited scholarships and need-based awards are available
Program dates: August 4-15
Application deadline: March 1. Although applications are assessed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All students entering grades 9-11
The MPulse Girls in Music and Technology program allows high school students to explore the intersection of music and technology, diving into topics like electronic music composition, history of electronic music, computer programming for music, and other technical aspects of live performances. You will have access to an individual audio workstation and learn how to use tools like Ableton Push, MIDI keyboard, and MAX MSP. You will also meet with guest artists and engage in weekly showcases of your work.
12. miRcore Research Camps for High School Students
Location: Camps take place either at the University of Michigan or the Scripps Research Translational Institute
Cost: $70 application fee. Tuition fees range from $680-$3,300, depending on the camp and whether it is a virtual or in-person program.
Program dates: Varies with each camp
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students
MiRcore’s summer camps for high school students offer an intensive research experience in the field of biology and medicine. There are a number of camps available, and you can choose from topics like computational biology, biotechnology sequencing, genome sequencing, R programming and machine learning. While each camp differs slightly, you can expect field trips, wet lab experiments, project presentations, and plenty of work like DNA extraction and identifying RNA markers.
13. Concordia University’s Pre-College Program
Location: Concordia University, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $160 per credit
Program dates: May 11 – August 14
Application deadline: May 1 for the summer session
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Concordia University’s Pre-College Program allows high school students to get an early taste of university, taking classes alongside other undergraduates and experiencing life as a commuter college student. The program runs through the spring, fall and summer months and even offers the chance to earn college credit. You can choose from topics like anatomy, nurse prep, psychological wellness, chronic conditions, and more.
14. Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: None. A stipend is provided, but the amount has not been specified
Program dates: July 6 – August 1
Application deadline:
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students
Organised by a non-profit named Charles Harper Charities and the University of Michigan, the Harper Academy 4 Future Nuclear Engineers is a residential summer program for high school students that dives into nuclear engineering. You will learn basic math and science concepts as well as advanced topics like deep time, speculative design, and community energy systems. You will also engage in hands-on lab visits, contribute to research projects, and discuss nuclear energy with local communities.
15. NSLC’s High School Summer Programs
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Ranges from $3,095-$4,295
Program dates: Multiple sessions are offered
Application deadline: None. NSLC will accept applications as long as space is available
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14-18 who have completed at least one year of high school
The National Student Leadership Conference has a number of different programs at the University of Michigan, offering advanced coursework and experience on a college campus. You can choose from topics like business, engineering, law, medicine, leadership, nursing, psychology, and neuroscience. The coursework generally focuses on hands-on learning through field trips, simulations, and activities like building an aquatic robot, learning how to suture wounds, or presenting a business pitch to entrepreneurs.
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 – NSLC