Summer can seem like a chance to rest and relax, but it’s possible that you usually feel bored and unstimulated for a large part of it. University programs for high school students can change that by turning your break into a challenging, transformative experience you’ll remember for years.

Picture yourself exploring politics in seminars, experimenting in college labs, and discussing social justice with students from across the globe. You can do all of that in university programs. These programmes give early access to your academic future, blending meaningful exploration with a glimpse of college life.

What are some university programs that I can apply to as a high school student?

Finding the right university program can be a tough task. For example, there are numerous programs to choose from, and some of them may not appear to be very rewarding. Additionally, they might be excessively expensive or not contribute substantially to your academic knowledge. That’s where guidance could be helpful, because not all programs are equally valuable.

Various universities offer a number of programs in STEM, business, medicine, humanities, engineering, and arts. Whether exploring a passion or trying something new, participating offers a clear, meaningful glimpse into your future academic path.

You’ll learn from industry experts and distinguished faculty, participate in college-level discussions, and interact with like-minded peers. Throughout the program, you will develop teamwork, confidence, and independent-thinking skills.

You’ll need commitment during the program, so select one that clearly helps you meet your goals. To help you choose, we’ve created a list of 15 University Programs for High School Students. They are picked for their research opportunities, faculty expertise, academic rigor, and global repute.

15 University Programs For High School Students

1. MITES Summer – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (travel, housing, and meals covered)
Dates: Late June – early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1st
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as high school juniors

MITES Summer lets you immerse yourself in a six-week residential STEM curriculum designed for high school juniors interested in science and engineering. You’ll take advanced coursework across math, science, and humanities. You will study electives like machine learning, genomics, or architecture that go beyond the typical high school syllabus. Daily lectures, recitations, and lab tours at MIT give you a firsthand look at real research and engineering work.

You’ll also receive a written evaluation from your instructors and gain access to college admissions-preparation support. Because the program is fully funded, it makes advanced STEM education accessible and removes cost barriers limiting opportunities. Finally, by living on campus and working with peers, you’ll develop technical skills and understand undergraduate STEM study better.

Why it stands out: You’ll get to join a robust alumni community (90% in selective universities) and potentially obtain career and academic support.

2. Research Science Institute (RSI) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Late June – early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 10th
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current juniors), including international students selected through approved partner organisations.

The Research Science Institute is known as one of the most competitive summer research programs available to high school students. Hosted at MIT, RSI blends on-campus scientific theory coursework with mentored research guided by experienced scientists and professors.

Students complete individual research projects in fields like physics, computer science, and molecular biology, ending with a paper and presentation. The program mirrors the research experience of university graduate students, integrating seminars, lectures, and collaborative discussions. RSI gives students a realistic view of academic research culture and builds skills essential for success in future STEM programs.

Why it stands out: You’ll have the opportunity to complete actual research projects at RSI’s cutting-edge labs that are ordinarily inaccessible to high school students.

3. Immerse Education’s Boston Summer School

Location: Miller Hall, Suffolk University, Boston
Cost: Summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme.
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

Many students choose Academic Insights over official university-run programmes because it offers far smaller class sizes, more direct time with tutors, and a level of structured academic support that university summer schools rarely match. Instead of large undergraduate lectures, it’s designed for high-school learners with guided seminars, regular feedback, and a clear academic pathway.

That structure is paired with the full residential experience:  accommodation, meals, and a curated extracurricular timetable, so the academic work sits alongside a safe, social, and genuinely enjoyable introduction to campus life.

In Boston, the programme places you in one of the world’s most academically vibrant cities. You’ll study in groups of an average of 7 with tutors who bring experience from universities such as Harvard and MIT, learning through seminar-style classes, hands-on workshops, and a weekly 1:1 tutorial to help you deepen your understanding of your chosen subject. With over twenty subjects, you’ll build an independent project and receive feedback showing what studying in Boston’s university scene feels like.

Why it stands out: You gain a personalised, academically rigorous experience in a global education hub, with teaching designed specifically for school-age learners and delivered in a way that makes university-level study feel accessible, exciting, and genuinely achievable.

4. Harvard Pre-College Program – Harvard University

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Approximately $6,100
Dates: Two-week sessions from late June – late July
Application Deadline: February 11th
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors aged 16–18, including international students.

The Harvard Pre-College Program immerses students in an intensive academic environment that mirrors undergraduate study. Participants take one non-credit course in fields like economics, psychology, computer science, or humanities, taught by Harvard faculty and instructors.

Coursework emphasizes active discussion, critical analysis, and writing at a university level. Outside the classroom, students attend college readiness workshops and residential activities designed to build community and independence. By experiencing Harvard’s academics and campus life, students gain a clear sense of the expectations and pace of a top research university.

Why it stands out: It offers on-campus residence and faculty and undergraduate interactions, so you’ll get an idea about what academic and student life at a leading university involves.

5. Stanford University – Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Location: Online programme offered by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
Cost: $3,200 tuition
Dates: Session 1: June 15–26, 2026, Session 2: July 6–17, 2026
Application Deadline: 13 March 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific Time
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application, including international students.

The Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes at Stanford offer high school students the opportunity to engage in intensive, single-subject study of areas such as computer science, business, or philosophy through small classes and faculty-led discussions. You’ll complete assignments, participate in seminars, and attend workshops that emulate college-level academics and support self-directed learning. 

The residential format allows you to experience campus life, peer collaboration, and exposure to university-level teaching. You’ll receive a completion certificate and feedback on your work, helping you clarify academic interests and future college major choices.

Why it stands out: You’ll be exposed to Silicon Valley-style thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship, helping you demonstrate those skills on future college applications.

6. University of Pennsylvania — Pre-College Residential Program

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $14,962 for one course unit; up to $23,056 for larger loads
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th graders with a minimum GPA of 3.5, domestic and international

This program lets high school students live on UPenn’s campus and take real undergraduate courses with university students. You’ll select a course unit and engage in lectures, seminars, and assignments that mimic college study structures. Faculty feedback, college-library access, and campus support services are integrated into the experience.

You’ll also participate in co-curricular activities and excursions that expose you to campus culture and student life. By the end, you’ll earn credit or a certificate and discover whether a research-heavy university route suits you.

Why it stands out: It’s home to the Wharton School and Perelman School, making it especially rewarding if you’re looking to study business, finance, or medicine at the university level.

7. Columbia University – Summer Programs for High School Students

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: ~$12,764 for a 3-week residential session
Dates: Session A: June 29 – July 17; Session B: July 21 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling/varies by session
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students entering grades 9–12.

The Columbia University high-school summer program offers a residential academic immersion at an Ivy League campus in NYC. You’ll choose subjects like business, neuroscience, law, or creative writing and join seminar-style classes taught by university-level instructors. The structure includes morning and afternoon lectures, with independent work and peer-group assignments to build analytical and communication skills.

Residential life on the Morningside Campus provides a realistic preview of college living, including access to libraries and campus resources. By the program’s end, you’ll earn a certificate and gain a clearer understanding of university academic expectations and major selection.

Why it stands out: You’ll be taught by experienced tutors and have independent work components, so you’ll get an understanding of what university-level academic work looks like.

8. Brown University – Summer@Brown

Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Cost varies by course length, housing/meals, and chosen format
Dates: Multiple 2-, 3-, and 4-week sessions from June 15 – July 25 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
Eligibility: Domestic and international students completing grades 9–12 or aged 14–18.

Summer@Brown gives high school students a look at Brown’s Open Curriculum through non-credit courses taught by university faculty. Participants choose from 300+ offerings across subjects such as biomedical engineering, philosophy, psychology, and public policy. Classes emphasize discussion and critical thinking rather than exams, mirroring Brown’s undergraduate teaching philosophy.

You’ll stay in campus housing, join time management and study workshops, and meet peers from across the globe. Assignments and seminar participation provide feedback similar to a liberal-arts college environment. The program helps students explore potential majors while adapting to the independence and rigor of university study.

Why it stands out: Brown is famous for its Open Curriculum that emphasizes students taking independent academic paths without general education requirements, so you’ll be studying in an environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, exploration, and interdisciplinary study.

9. UChicago – Pre-College / Immersion Program

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Starting from $2,500 (1-week residential)
Dates: June 14 – July 4 / July 7 – July 26 (3-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Priority: Feb 11, 2026; Regular: Mar 12, 2026
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17 (rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors), including international students.

The UChicago Pre-College Immersion Program lets high school students take undergraduate courses taught by University of Chicago faculty. You’ll participate in small-seminar classes, complete written work and group projects, and engage in discussions that replicate college-style academic rigor.

The residential format gives you a campus living experience, access to student resources, and collaboration with peers worldwide. Structured assignments and feedback sessions help you assess your readiness for university coursework and refine your academic interests. By the end, you receive a certificate of completion and clearer insight into potential majors and college environments.

Why it stands out: It’s known for intense liberal-arts education and Socratic-style learning, so you’ll be exposed to intellectual debate and analytical thinking.

10. UCLA – Summer Sessions for High School Students

Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $385 per unit tuition + registration fee ($350) (housing/meal charges separate)
Dates: June – September (majority of courses span 6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; consult Summer Sessions calendar
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students aged 15 and older.

This program enables high school students to enroll in UCLA undergraduate-level courses and gain college credit alongside regular students. You choose from approved courses, pay tuition per unit, and use campus resources like libraries, labs, and lecture halls.

Residential options are available for students aged 17+ who can apply for campus housing separately. The program requires self-motivation and maturity, as you follow regular course rhythms without a separate high-school-only support structure. It provides direct exposure to university academics and helps you assess how you might cope with college-level work and independence.

Why it stands out: It’s a top-tier R1 research university, so you’ll get a solid foundation in research and the opportunity to network with leading researchers.

11. UC Berkeley — Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential Track

Location: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $14,650 (Session D, six weeks) / $15,950 (Session C, eight weeks)
Dates: June 23 – August 15 OR July 7 – August 15 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: March 10 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students (domestic & international) who will be at least 16 by June 22 and have completed 10th or 11th grade; minimum B average required.

UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars program places high school students in undergraduate courses and residential settings that mirror college academics. You’ll select from lower-division Berkeley courses offered through Summer Sessions, live in campus residence halls under supervision, and participate in structured workshops on college readiness and application strategy.

The program includes excursions, community-building activities, and access to campus resources such as libraries and advising. Through assignments, graded coursework, and transcripts offered by Berkeley, you’ll gain exposure to what university study entails. This experience helps clarify academic interests, major choices, and what it takes to thrive in a research-oriented campus environment.

Why it stands out: You’ll get research exposure and get access to Berkeley’s STEM, social science, and policy networks.

12. Cornell University – Pre-College Studies

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: ~$1,840 per credit; e.g., a 3-credit course costs about $5,520 (tuition only)
Dates: June 2 – June 20 / June 23 – July 11 / July 14 – August 1 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: May 5 / May 19 / June 16, depending on session
Eligibility: Domestic and international students aged 16–18 who have completed their sophomore year of high school.

The Cornell Pre-College Studies program allows high school students to enroll in regular Cornell University undergraduate courses and earn official credit. You’ll attend lectures, complete assignments, and engage with faculty in fields ranging from engineering and business to the humanities and veterinary science.

The residential option (if chosen) places you in a campus residence hall with access to student resources, labs, and social programming. A strong emphasis on college-style study helps you build academic habits and assess which majors or disciplines might interest you. By completing the program, you earn a Cornell transcript and gain insight into the demands of university-level learning.

Why it stands out: You’ll have the rare opportunity to take undergraduate courses and obtain official Cornell credits.

13. New York University — Pre-College

Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies depending on number of credits taken
Dates: May 18 – August 12, 2026
Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students entering 11th or 12th grade.

Through NYU Pre-College, high school students join undergraduate-level courses alongside NYU undergraduates and earn real college credit. You’ll choose from over 30 academic areas, such as engineering, journalism, or computer science, and attend lectures and seminar discussions in a New York campus setting.

You will live in NYU housing and gain access to resources, including libraries and labs, helping you experience campus life. You’ll complete assignments and may receive graded credit, which reflects university-level expectations. The program helps you explore specific fields while assessing how well you handle advanced academic work and independence.

Why it stands out: You will be attending classes alongside NYU undergraduates, so you could build valuable connections and get insights into NYU’s academics and student life.

14. Georgetown University – Hoya Summer High School Sessions

Location: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Cost: $6,465 for 2-week residential non-medical academies; up to $9,085 for 3-week non-medical residential courses.
Dates: July sessions (e.g., July 20 – July 26) for academy tracks; five-week college-prep sessions (tentatively June 1 – July 3)
Application Deadline: April 15 (tentatively) for many sessions; Early Bird deadline January 31 (application fee waived)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 with a GPA of at least 3.0 

The program lets high school students choose accelerated academies or credit courses taught by Georgetown faculty, working alongside undergraduates. You’ll engage in seminars and workshops in areas such as business, international relations, forensics, or AI, follow structured assignments, and often earn college credit or a certificate. Residential attendees live on campus, attend class, participate in extracurricular workshops, and have opportunities for peer networking and campus integration.

The college-prep track includes a full undergraduate course plus seminars on essay writing, test preparation, and the application process. Overall, the experience provides direct exposure to university-level academics, campus life, and the kinds of skills that support informed decisions about your major and college trajectory.

Why it stands out: Its faculty and curriculum are well-reputed in global policy networks, making this program especially valuable for prospective politics, international affairs, and public service majors.

15. Emory University – Pre-College Program

Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Cost varies by program type.
Dates: June 14 – June 27 / June 28 – July 11 / July 12 – July 25 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school sophomores and juniors aged 15–18.

Emory’s Pre-College Program introduces high school students to undergraduate academics through both credit and non-credit courses taught by Emory faculty. You’ll choose from subjects such as psychology, global health, computer science, and economics, and attend small seminars designed to mirror liberal arts–style instruction.

Coursework includes readings, writing assignments, and discussions that develop analytical and communication skills. Residential students live in campus dorms, take part in co-curricular workshops on college admissions and student life, and explore Atlanta through supervised outings. The program helps you gauge readiness for university study and understand academic and residential life at a selective university.

Why it stands out: You’ll connect with professors who are renowned in their field and have access to Emory’s long-standing networks in healthcare, academics, and nonprofit domains.

Hoping to Study in the US?

Imagining yourself studying in the US becomes far more real when you spend the summer on campuses like Harvard, MIT, or Stanford, meeting students from around the world and exploring subjects you genuinely care about. 

Whether you’re debating ethics at Harvard, building engineering projects at MIT, or exploring psychology in Boston, the university programs for high school students listed here help you test out academic paths in a supportive environment.

You gain confidence, independence, and a clearer picture of what studying abroad could look like.

If you want to explore top US universities in more depth, you can browse our free Ivy League guide.