High School Summer Programs
- Programs for 9th Graders477
- Programs for 10th Graders588
- Programs for 11th Graders662
- Programs for 12th Graders577
Nichable lists 696 programs, summer and year-round for high school students right now. 8% of them pay students, and 69% accept 9th graders. More figures
Summer programs run from a single week to eight weeks and range from academic pre-college courses at universities to intensives in a specific field — engineering, writing, entrepreneurship, medicine. They're a way to go deep on one interest before committing to it in college, and many offer need-based or merit-based funding.
Cost varies more here than in any other category: some highly selective national programs are fully funded (sometimes even paying a stipend), while others charge tuition comparable to a college course. Neither format is inherently better — a free, less-selective local program and an expensive, highly selective national one can both be worth doing, depending on what you're actually trying to get out of the summer.
What counts
- · Pre-college courses at universities
- · Subject-specific intensives in STEM, writing, business, or the arts
- · Residential and commuter formats
- · Fully funded and need-based-aid programs
- · Highly selective national programs alongside local and regional ones
Real summer programs right now
Every summer 2027 listing: programs, research, internships and jobs, soonest deadline first.
66 upcoming deadlines for summer and year-round programs, by month, with a calendar you can subscribe to.
How to actually get one
- · Apply to a mix of selectivity levels rather than only the most competitive, famous-name programs — a strong local or regional program is a legitimate outcome, not a consolation prize.
- · Always check for a financial aid or fee-waiver option before ruling out a program on cost alone — many paid programs have more aid available than their sticker price suggests.
- · If a program offers both residential and commuter tracks, commuter is usually meaningfully cheaper and just as legitimate on an application — don't assume you need the residential experience to get real value out of it.
- · Read what a typical day actually looks like, not just the subject area — some 'intensives' are mostly lectures, others are mostly hands-on project work, and that distinction matters more than the program's name.
Common questions
How much do summer programs cost?
It varies widely — some highly selective programs are fully funded, others charge tuition similar to a college course. Need-based aid is often available; check each program directly.
Do I need to live on campus?
No — many programs offer a commuter or fully remote option alongside residential tracks.
How selective are they?
It ranges enormously, from open enrollment to more selective than college admissions. Apply to a mix rather than only the most competitive names.
Does a paid summer program look worse on an application than a free one?
No — admissions offices generally judge what you did and learned, not whether the program charged tuition. Cost is a real practical constraint, not a quality signal by itself.
Can I do more than one summer program in the same summer?
Yes, if the schedules and your energy allow for it — a shorter one- or two-week program can often be paired with a part-time job or another activity in the same summer.