15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Columbus, Ohio

Key Takeaways

• These 15 programs span STEM, humanities, arts, and health sciences across Columbus institutions like Ohio State, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Otterbein University, alongside Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs, which offers a virtual research track for students who want a fully remote option in fields like data science and political theory.
• Program formats vary considerably, from short one-week day camps like HumCog and PACT to longer six-week residential experiences like the Ross Mathematics Program and Nationwide Children’s MHHD program.
• Costs are generally modest compared to many national pre-college programs, ranging from free options like the Young Writers Workshop to a few hundred dollars for most Ohio State offerings, though the Ross Mathematics Program and virtual Ivy League options like Yale and Cornell run considerably higher.
• Several programs, including the Nationwide Children’s Youth & Young Adult Employment Program, are paid opportunities that combine real workplace experience with structured learning, distinct from the tuition-based academic camps on this list.
• Many Ohio State programs share a similar structure, pairing morning lectures from faculty and researchers with afternoon workshops or hands-on activities, making it easy to sample multiple disciplines across a single summer if you’re open to attending more than one.

If you’re a high school student looking to take your learning beyond the classroom, consider participating in a summer program, as they offer structured learning experiences and a way to explore your field of interest in great detail. Some programs are designed to combine formal instruction with hands-on projects, often including mentorship from faculty, industry professionals, or advanced college students. Many of the best summer programs include college-readiness elements, such as lectures that mirror university courses and exposure to laboratory methods or studio practices. 

Why should you choose a program in Columbus, Ohio?

Columbus is home to a major public research university, several private colleges, a large pediatric research hospital, a zoo with extensive education programming, and a growing tech and innovation sector. This means the range of summer programs for high school students in Columbus, Ohio spans STEM, health sciences, arts and design, humanities, and data science in unusually rich ways. Depending on the program you choose, you might get to learn concrete skills like coding in Python, analyzing biological data, writing and revising fiction, or building and testing prototypes. You can expect lectures, labs, workshops, rehearsals, fieldwork, or group projects that culminate in tangible outputs such as research posters, performances, portfolios, or written work. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 summer programs for high school students in Columbus, Ohio.

For more specific programs, you can check out these guides on environmental science programs, astronomy programs, or summer camps for high school students in Ohio. 

1. Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease (MHHD) 

In the Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease program, you’ll participate in a structured, college-style course focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms of human disease. You will build a layered understanding of how diseases arise, are studied, and treated, with a particular emphasis on biomedical concepts for medical and research careers. You’ll engage with lectures from research experts, complete readings and quizzes, and work on both an independent molecular pathophysiology project and an apprenticeship-style group project. You’ll also be required to read two books before class, preparing you for active discussions and practicing time management. Optional hospital-based experiences can offer you additional exposure to simulation labs and clinical settings. Your experience culminates in a final class where you’ll present your work to family and teachers.

2. 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 lets you choose 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!

3. Ross Mathematics Program 

The Ross Mathematics Program is a six-week intensive summer experience designed to immerse pre-college students in mathematical discovery. As a participant, you’ll live and work in a community of mathematically motivated peers, exploring number theory beyond the standard high school curriculum. Over six weeks, you’ll practice writing rigorous proofs, presenting solutions, and discussing alternative approaches, transforming your understanding of mathematics. The program’s philosophy emphasizes thinking deeply about simple concepts, so much of your time is spent grappling with challenging problem sets. Daily life includes lectures, problem sessions, and informal discussions with counselors and faculty who guide you toward discovering key ideas yourself.  

4. Nationwide Children’s Youth & Young Adult Employment Program

The Youth & Young Adult Employment Program offers you a structured paid summer work experience blending job responsibilities with intentional learning about the health care environment. You will be placed in a department within the hospital or its community initiatives, working approximately 20 hours per week on appropriate tasks. Over either a four-week or eight-week session, you can expect to assist with administrative functions, support departmental projects, or contribute to program activities. Simultaneously, you will attend sessions on financial literacy, professional skills, and workplace expectations. By the end of the program, you will have gained practical workplace skills, insight into hospital operations, and a record of paid employment.

5. Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Buckeye Vet Camp 

Buckeye Vet Camp gives you a structured introduction to veterinary medicine and life as a veterinary student at Ohio State, immersing you in seminars, laboratories, and other in-depth activities for nearly a week. You’ll participate in mock lectures modeled on first-year veterinary courses, helping you understand the level and style of instruction. Laboratory sessions and clinical skills workshops allow you to practice hands-on techniques, such as basic physical exam procedures, under close supervision. Team-building exercises and a community service project foster collaboration and a sense of responsibility. As a residential student, you’ll stay in university housing and experience the daily routine of a veterinary student.

6. Ohio Supercomputer Center: STEM Institute 

At the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s STEM Institute, you’ll join a two-week residential program to learn how high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and computational science tackle complex problems. Working in small project teams, you will use OSC’s supercomputers to run simulations and analyze data, investigating questions such as disease spread and game design. The academic side includes lectures on Unix, Python, supercomputing concepts, and cybersecurity, giving you conceptual understanding and practical skills. You will tour facilities like the State of Ohio Computer Center and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, exposing you to diverse research. Your team will work on a substantial computational project, culminating in a presentation to peers and staff.

7. Ohio State University: Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars (SLIYS) 

In the Summer Linguistic Institute for Youth Scholars (SLIYS), you’ll explore linguistics as the scientific study of human language through a structured one- or two-week online program. Taught by Ohio State faculty, graduate students, and researchers, SLIYS 1 introduces foundational topics like phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and language documentation. You will analyze sounds, structures, and patterns of languages using formal methods. A distinctive feature is the fieldwork component, where you’ll meet daily with a native speaker of an unfamiliar language to elicit data and infer its grammar. The experimental component allows you to interact with researchers and discuss their design and findings. If you complete SLIYS 1, you can continue to SLIYS 2 for more advanced topics.

8. Ohio State University: Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute (HumCog) 

The Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute, HumCog, is a week-long day camp where you’ll investigate big questions about the mind, creativity, and human experience. You’ll spend mornings in lectures delivered by professors and researchers from disciplines like psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and philosophy, learning how different fields study thinking and culture. Afternoons are devoted to group discussions, workshops, and hands-on activities, analyzing narrative structures or exploring how the brain processes language. You’ll move across campus, gaining a sense of a large research university environment. Throughout the week, you’ll develop projects connecting cognitive science concepts to humanities topics. The program emphasizes discussion and collaborative inquiry, with close work with peers and college-student Team Leaders. HumCog also helps you build professional relationships and offers a certificate of completion.

9. Ohio State University: Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp 

The Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp introduces you to philosophy as a rigorous, question-driven discipline through a week-long program at Ohio State. You’ll join a community of inquiry, discussing central themes in contemporary philosophy like ethics, political philosophy, or epistemology. Under the guidance of professors and graduate students, you’ll engage in close reading of philosophical texts, participate in guided discussions, and engage in debates. The program emphasizes critical thinking as a skill set, helping you practice identifying assumptions and analyzing logical structures. Sessions are designed to be both rigorous and engaging, incorporating small-group work and thought experiments. 

10. Ohio State University School of Music: Youth Summer Music Programs  

Ohio State’s Youth Summer Music Programs give you access to a range of instrument- and ensemble-specific camps designed to deepen your musical skills and understanding. You will connect with faculty, graduate students, and fellow young musicians. As a high school student, you can expect to engage in daily rehearsals, sectionals, master classes, and theory or ear-training sessions focusing on improving technique, ensemble performance, and musical literacy. Faculty craft diverse activities that might include sight-reading, improvisation, chamber music, and performance preparation. Many programs culminate in concerts or showcases where you’ll perform for family and the campus community. 

11. Ohio State University Department of English: Young Writers Workshop 

The Young Writers Workshop at Ohio State is a week-long residential summer program that immerses you in creative writing under the guidance of faculty, alumni, and current MFA students. If selected, you’ll live on campus, attend daily workshops and mini-courses, and spend substantial time working on your own writing in a supportive community. The curriculum includes focused study of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, with an emphasis on one genre you choose, allowing you to develop both breadth and depth in your craft. Sessions may cover character development, narrative structure, imagery, voice, and revision strategies. You’ll also attend readings and sessions with visiting writers, exposing you to different styles and career trajectories. You can also share your own work at an open mic, gaining public reading experience.

12. Ohio State Dance Summer Intensive for High School Students

The Ohio State Dance Summer Intensive offers you a one-week immersive experience in contemporary and African-based dance practices, choreography, and repertory on campus. As a daytime non-residential program, it provides full days of classes, giving you a conservatory-style schedule while allowing you to return home. Each day, you’ll take at least one contemporary and one African movement class, along with choreography and repertory, exposing you to multiple movement vocabularies. Additional sessions introduce you to dance in college and career pathways. The week culminates in a sharing and showing where you present material, providing a clear performance context for your work.

13. Yale Summer Session Online

Yale Summer Online offers the opportunity to earn actual Yale College credit by taking rigorous, five-week undergraduate courses entirely from home. Through a mix of mandatory live Zoom sessions, recorded lectures, active discussions, and faculty interactions, you will experience a structured, synchronous learning environment that is not self-paced. Taught by Yale faculty, these courses maintain the exact academic standards and workloads expected of full-time undergraduates. Upon successful completion, each course awards one Yale College credit (equivalent to four credit hours). 

14. Cornell Pre-College Online Programs

Cornell’s Pre-College Online Program gives you the unique opportunity to earn official college credit by taking authentic undergraduate courses taught by university faculty. You can choose from a wide array of subjects including business, veterinary medicine, STEM, international relations, and the humanities. Because these are standard undergraduate classes rather than tailored high school electives, you will be held to full college standards through rigorous research papers, projects, exams, and class discussions. Upon successful completion, you will earn official Cornell credit and start building a university transcript that highlights your academic capability.

15. Girls Who Code Pathways Programs

The Girls Who Code Pathways program offers a virtual learning experience designed specifically for high school girls and non-binary students of all skill levels. Over six to seven weeks, you will explore tracks such as Web Development, Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI, and Game Design at your own pace without rigid daily schedules. Through hands-on coursework, you will build real-world, purpose-driven tech projects that can address community issues or spark your creativity. Beyond independent coding, you will connect with a supportive global community via a private Discord, join advisor-led workshops, and attend events hosted by major industry partners. Completing courses earns you certificates to showcase in your portfolio and unlocks exclusive alumni benefits, including long-term career support and networking opportunities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of summer programs are available to high school students in Columbus, Ohio?

You’ll find a mix of formats, including biomedical and health science programs like Nationwide Children’s MHHD program and Buckeye Vet Camp, humanities and cognitive science programs like HumCog and PACT, and STEM-focused options like the Ross Mathematics Program and the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s STEM Institute. Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a different kind of option, letting you conduct independent, mentored research remotely across a wide range of subjects rather than joining a fixed in-person Columbus program.

Do you need prior coursework or experience to apply?

It depends on the program. Nationwide Children’s MHHD program requires experience with high school biology and chemistry, while the Ohio State Dance Summer Intensive requires intermediate or advanced dance experience. Others, like HumCog and PACT, don’t list specific subject prerequisites and are designed as introductions to their respective fields.

Are there free or low-cost options available?

Yes, a few programs on this list are notably affordable. The Ohio State Young Writers Workshop is completely free, and several other Ohio State programs, like HumCog, PACT, and the Dance Summer Intensive, charge only a few hundred dollars, often with financial aid available. This makes Columbus programs generally more budget-friendly compared to many national pre-college options.

Which programs are paid rather than tuition-based?

Nationwide Children’s Youth & Young Adult Employment Program stands out as a paid opportunity, placing you in a hospital department for structured work experience while you also attend sessions on financial literacy and professional skills. Most other programs on this list charge a program fee rather than offering compensation.

Which programs let you earn college credit?

Yale Summer Session Online and Cornell’s Pre-College Online Programs both award official college credit from their respective universities, though at a considerably higher cost than the local Ohio State offerings. Most Columbus-based programs, like the Ross Mathematics Program and HumCog, focus on skill-building and enrichment rather than transferable academic credit.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a structured Columbus program?

Yes. If you want a mentored research experience without needing to commute to a specific Columbus-area program, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, entirely online. 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. Nationwide Children’s MHHD program has one of the earliest deadlines at February 13, followed by the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s STEM Institute (January 15 to April 1) and the Ross Mathematics Program (March 8). Several others, including HumCog and the Young Writers Workshop, close May 31, while Buckeye Vet Camp runs slightly later, with a deadline of April 10. 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: Ohio State University