Top STEM Summer Programs for High School Students

Preparing to apply for college starts early.  Summers are prime times for students to explore their interests and for students aiming for top universities to distinguish themselves.  Applying to summer programs is similar to applying to colleges.  Applications include essays and require test scores, transcripts, and recommendations.  There are other programs available, but these are very highly regarded.  Since they are quite selective, it is wise to apply to additional programs as well.  At Celtic College Consultants, we have helped students find their passions, create a powerful college prep plan, and be accepted into top universities across the country.

STEM Programs

1.     Research Science Institute/Center for Excellence in Education at MIT

June 25 - August 5, 2017 

Each summer, 80 of the world's most accomplished high school students gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Research Science Institute (RSI). RSI is the first cost-free to students, summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.This extremely competitive competitive science and engineering summer program combines on campus work in scientific theory with off campus work in science and technology research.  During the program, students will read the most current literature in the field they choose.  They will draft and execute a detailed research plan and deliver conference style oral and written reports on their findings.  Many use their research projects as a basis for entry to science competitions like the Intel Science Talent Search, International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Siemens Science and Technology Competition.

Students invited to the program receive free tuition, room, and board.  Their only expense is transportation to and from MIT.  Invited students typically have PSAT math scores of at least 740 and reading of at least 700.  Their ACT math scores are typically at least 33 with at least 34 verbal scores. The program is not for high school seniors.  Applications close January 26th.

The program's schedule:

Week 1 - Intensive STEM courses with top professors

Weeks 2 - 6 -  Individual research projects conducted under experienced scientists

Week 7 - Students prepare written and oral presentations on their research

2. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University

June 26 - August 8, 2017

For the summer between junior and senior year, this annual research program at Stony Brook University offers hands on research in the STEM fields.  The acceptance rate for this competitive program is around 12%.  Like RSI, the application process requires an essay and recommendations.  Students need to be nominated by their high schools; each high school is limited to three nominations.  Applications must be sent by January 18th.

During their time on the Stony Brook campus, Simons Fellows are matched with Stony Brook faculty mentors, join a research group or team, and assume responsibility for a project. The Simons Fellows conclude their apprenticeship by producing a written research abstract and a research poster.   At the closing poster symposium, students are presented with a $1,000 stipend award.

There are several other programs at Stony Brook for scientifically inclined high school students. 

3. The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

June 12 - August 3, 2017

Students are juniors or seniors and must be 16 years old to participate in this annual program.  There is no cost to the program; student researchers receive a $500 stipend.  Students will spend 40 hours/week in the lab.  There are no dorms; students come to campus each day so Bay area residency is a soft requirement.  There are 8 institutes (immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, bioengineering, stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, bioinformatics, genetics and genomics).  Students indicate their area of interest.

Application period: December 15 - February 25th.

4. COSMOS (California State Summer School for Math and Science)

UCSD –  all clusters:
UCSD Computer cluster: – embedded computers
UC Davis – all clusters:
UC Irvine – clusters (academics drop down menu)
UCSC – all clusters (see drop down menu)
UCSC – computer networking & robotics:

An annual intensive four week summer residential program for students completing grades 8-12.  Apply to only one campus.  Typical students have a 3.5 GPA. Application period is 1/17 – 2/17, math & science teacher recommendations are needed.  It’s very selective.  Only 160-200 students/campus.

5. Michigan State University High School Honors Science/Math/Engineering Program

June 18 - August 5, 2017

An annual seven week intensive residential summer research program for students between junior and senior year in high school.  Students will work on a research under the mentorship of a university researcher.  This program costs $3,800; financial aid is available.

Applications are due March 15th.  Students must be in the upper 20% of their high school classes, have taken at least three years of college prep math and two or more years of science.

6. MIT Launch Summer HS Entrepreneurship Programs

June 12 - July 8 or July 11 - August 10

This four week summer program helps students explore entrepreneurship by launching businesses.  The first week is more intensive with time in the classroom to lay the foundation, after which classes are only in the mornings with the majority of time spent working on your startup - interviewing customers, planning, and prototyping.The program costs $6095 and financial aid is available.  It is open to students in grades 9-12.

Application deadline: February 20 (Best to apply early - Early deadline is in December.)
The admissions committee looks for candidates who show initiative, action-orientation, coachability, and a fit with our values. We look for students who show to us that they have what it takes to become successful entrepreneurs. There are no minimum grade or activity involvement requirements.  A video is required as part of the application.

7. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

Program I and Program II both run July 10 - August 5, 2017

Intensive study in advanced math for talented rising juniors and seniors.  There are two courses: Program I and Program II, with unique topics for each course.  Students are enrolled in one program each summer and may return for a second summer.  The $6,500 tuition includes room and board and transportation to and from the San Francisco International Airport.  Need based financial aid is available.

Program I: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory, with research in cryptography, constructibility, coding theory, and symmetry.

Program II:  Algebraic Topology, with research topics to be determined. 

Applications are due March 3, 2017.  SUMaC students are selected based on their grades in math courses, their performance on standardized math exams and math contests, their teacher recommendations, their reasons for wanting to come to SUMaC as expressed on the SUMaC application, and their performance on the SUMaC admission exam. Particular emphasis is placed on the admission exam, which is a collection of challenging math problems for applicants to work on at home over an extended period.


U of Iowa Secondary Student Training Program
June 21 - July 28, 2017

SSTP is an annual five and a half week residential summer scientific research program for sophomores and juniors. Students will conduct research in a university research group under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will also produce a research poster and paper as a part of the program.

The program has a fee of $5295. This fee covers all room, board, materials, and admission to all regularly scheduled activities. 3 semester hours of credit are given by the University of Iowa and cost approximately $900 . Students and their families will assume responsibility for transportation to and from SSTP and incidental expenses, such as souvenirs and snacks. Consideration for financial aid will be made after the students are selected.

Applications are available November 1 and are due February 3. 

Additional Programs:

Research in Science & Engineering at Boston U.

Canada/USA Math Camp

Summer Academy for Math & Science at Carnegie Mellon U.

Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics

Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

MIT Minority Introduction to Science & Engineering

MathILy at Bryn Mawr College

Michigan Math and Science Scholars

Monell Center Science Apprenticeship Program

National Institutes of Health Summer Internship in Biomedical Research

Ross Mathematics Program at Ohio State U.

Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists