Summer immersion programs are focused experiences that allow you to dive into a subject beyond the high school syllabus. Rather than just learning from textbooks, these programs place you in real college classrooms, labs, studios, or workplaces and give you an idea of what it is like to choose a particular subject as your college major or a career option. You gain practical experience by having the opportunity to solve simulated medical cases, build engineering projects, create art portfolios, or debate ideas with professors and other fellow participants.
Why choose an immersion program as a high schooler?
Summer immersions give you firsthand exposure and help you determine whether you will enjoy working in a particular field before making a big decision. These programs offer advantages that traditional schools may not always provide. You will engage in solving real-world problems, work with new people, and learn to manage your schedule.
Whether you are considering a career in medicine, engineering, or the arts, or simply want to get a taste of college life, here are 15 summer immersion programs for high school students.
15 Summer Immersion Programs for High School Students
1. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X) at Stanford University
Location: Remote or Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $1,725 for remote participants | $3,325 for in-person participants (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 12%
Dates: Session 1 (Virtual) June 8 – 19 | Session 2 (Virtual) June 22 – July 3 | Session 1 (In-person) July 6 – 17 | Session 2 (In-person): July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 1
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders
Organized by the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the CNI-X program introduces you to fundamental concepts in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through interactive lectures. Some of the topics that you will study here include clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, and more. Beyond this, students also work as a team on a research project to identify a social issue related to the fundamental concepts they learned and develop a solution.
2. MEDscienceClinical
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,250 for the four-day program; $2,800 for the five-day program (limited scholarships available for Boston area students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in June, July, and August
Application Deadline: January 1 – March 15
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders
This program aims to put you in simulated medical emergencies and teach you what to prepare for and do in those situations. Through these exercises, you will not only learn clinical skills such as interpreting vital signs, suturing wounds, inserting IVs, and intubating, but also develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in birthing simulations. If you sign up for the five-day session, you will also receive training in trauma care, Stop the Bleed, and American Red Cross CPR/AED certification.
3. Summer at UChicago 3-Week Immersion
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $9,300 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 2 | Session 2: July 7 – 23
Application Deadline: February 11 (Priority deadline) | March 12 (Regular deadline)
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who are at least 14 years old
This three-week immersion program offers a diverse list of courses, ensuring you find one that suits your interests, whether in STEM, humanities, law and politics, social sciences, or languages. Based on your choice, you will attend undergraduate-level classes taught by university professors, researchers, and industry experts. Your schedule in this program will include workshop discussions, research projects, and other hands-on activities. While this is a residential program, students from Chicago can commute instead of staying on campus, as the rest of the participants do, and the courses are graded.
4. Discover Psychology: Summer Academy at Clark University
Location: Clark University, Worcester, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: The exact application window is not specified, but it is February 10 – May 28 for summer sessions at the university
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
If you are interested in psychology, this immersive program dives into various branches of the field, including clinical, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, among others. You will be involved in thought-provoking conversations with researchers and contribute to hands-on projects whose outcomes you will present at the Clark Research Festival. The program’s syllabus also explores the real-world implications of psychology. With a curriculum that aims to provide you with both academic and practical knowledge, Discover Psychology readies you for college and careers in the field.
5. Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, and some institutes available online
Cost: Most institutes are $3,500 (need-based scholarships available for US students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the institute
Dates: Multiple sessions across June and July
Application Deadline: Opens on November 1 and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders with a clean high school disciplinary record
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program is a suitable option if you want to experience college life and get an idea of what to expect from an undergraduate syllabus. You can choose from more than 20 institutes that focus on topics like artificial intelligence, biology research, engineering, filmmaking, law, and many more. Your classes will have a strong academic component, along with opportunities to network and receive mentorship. The one-week program helps you decide if a particular subject is the right option for you to pursue as a major or a career in the future.
6. UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $350 registration fee; total cost of the program will depend on the number of units you are enrolled in. Need-based and merit scholarships are available for students enrolled in a high school in California
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: Opens February 18 and closes on April 1 for international students and May 1 for domestic students
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders with a minimum GPA of 3.8
Another program that allows you to experience college life firsthand is UCLA SCIP, where you learn alongside undergraduates. Participants can register for one or two SCIP courses and select from a wide variety of subjects such as economics, gender studies, linguistics, mathematics, theater, and more. You will be scheduled for lectures, workshops, and seminars while also engaging in co-curricular activities. This experience can teach you how to balance academics and other aspects of your college life.
7. Summer Science Program
Location: Various colleges and universities across the US (see list here)
Cost: Fee varies based on your household income
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Programs begin mid- to late June
Application Deadline: January 29 (international students) | February 19 (domestic students)
Eligibility: 11th graders who are between 15 and 19 years old
SSP International’s Summer Science Program places you in a research university where you will have the opportunity to conduct research in the following fields: astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and synthetic chemistry. Enrolling in this five-week program grants you access to advanced lab equipment for conducting experiments. You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with fellow researchers and learn from renowned scientists. The program is intensive, requiring students to dedicate 60 hours per week to research.
8. Georgetown University Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends are provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 24
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who are members of the Cristo Rey Network, KIPP Foundation school systems, or other invited schools, networks, or community-based organizations.
This is a college prep program that readies students who are considering applying to a highly selective college or university with a low acceptance rate. In this three-week program, your schedule will consist of class sessions, field trips, group discussions, seminars, and workshops. Another important component of the immersion program is the Georgetown Experience Seminars that cover topics across international relations, business, cybersecurity, and more. Georgetown University’s SCIP aims to prepare you for your upcoming college life and connect you with fellow participants who also have a strong academic record.
9. Medical Immersion Scholars Academy
Location: Medical Immersion Scholars Academy, Oakland, CA
Cost: $1,950 program fee + $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in summer and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
The MISA program is created for students aiming to become doctors or pursue any career in the health sector. This is a five-day immersive experience that equips you with clinical skills through participation in clinical simulations, phlebotomy training, and collaborative exercises. The practical approach to learning ensures that you gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical concepts you learn. The ultimate goal of the program is to ensure that you gain the confidence to work in a medical setting.
10. School of Art Pre-College Immersion Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Early-bird pricing is $750 (applicable until April 30); $775 until May 30 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 32 students
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: Extended until May 30
Eligibility: High school students from Texas
Catered to students who want to know what it is like to be a fine arts major, this program gives you the opportunity to become a fine arts student at Texas Tech University for a week. In this residential program, you will attend art-related workshops and extracurricular activities. These workshops led by TTU artists teach various art-making techniques across different mediums. The program culminates in an exhibition showcasing select participants’ projects. Additionally, you will learn about the diverse career paths available with a fine arts degree.
11. Shriners Children’s Philadelphia Research Summer Immersion Program
Location: Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders, plus college students
This intensive immersion program is focused on deepening your understanding of clinical research and preparing you for a career in clinical research, particularly in pediatrics. You will gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in clinical research. During the five days, you will explore research trends within the clinical field and come up with new research ideas. Students are required to share them on the final day of the program, explaining how the research will contribute to the field.
12. Studio Art Summer Immersion (SASI)
Location: College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
Cost: TBA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 20 – 24 and exhibition on July 25
Application Deadline: Typically open from January to March
Eligibility: 10th to 12th graders
SASI is a summer program for high school students who want to try their hand at studio art. If you are also considering a career in the field, this program invites you to take college-level courses to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of studio art. Students study drawing, painting, digital photography, and sculpture. You will also spend your time in the program working on art projects that combine various mediums. Participants typically leave the program with a portfolio that can be submitted along with college applications.
13. Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics (SVSM)
Location: Various university campuses across North Carolina
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Virtual week: June 28 – July 4 | On-campus program: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: October 15 – January 5
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders whose custodial parents or guardians have legal residency in North Carolina no later than December 1 of the current year
Students attending this four-week residential program take research-centric courses in science and mathematics. Course offerings have included discrete mathematics, DNA fingerprinting, forensic archaeology, neuroscience, and super builders. The program also gives research experience by allowing you to work on an independent or collaborative research project. You are required to take the online Research Prep Course before coming to the campus.
14. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: Most activities are hosted at the University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; only 30 lab spots available
Dates: June 22 – July 31; the online orientation is on May 29, June 10 & 11, and the in-person orientation is June 16 – 17 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
This summer program invites high school students with an interest in research to conduct research across a wide range of disciplines. If you get selected, you will be placed in one of the research groups of the program, which includes the SpHERES Young Scholars, the Grainger Engineering Young Scholars (GEnYuS), and the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP). You will also participate in enrichment sessions that prepare you for college and careers, especially in science and engineering. By the end of the six-week program, you will share your experience and research in the form of a poster at the symposium, which will be held on the final day.
15. Rady Children’s Summer Medical Academy
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26 | Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 10
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders who will be 15-19 years old on June 1
This Summer Medical Academy introduces you to the healthcare industry through a range of sessions. You will engage in lectures, skills clinics, practical activities, group projects, career panels, and interactive discussions. This program encourages you to explore the various career prospects in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare you for today’s healthcare environment.
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 – University of Illinois