For ambitious high school students, summer can be more than a break — it can be the time that defines their academic path. Competitive STEM summer programs allow students to engage in advanced coursework, pursue original research projects, and demonstrate the intellectual drive that elite colleges seek.Yet not all programs are created equal. While there are thousands of camps and enrichment activities, only a select group carry true weight with admissions officers. These programs are competitive, often with acceptance rates below 10%, and provide students with experiences that rival those of undergraduates.Below, we have put together a curated list of 25 of the most prestigious STEM summer programs in the U.S., open exclusively to high school students. They span math, medicine, biology, engineering, computer science, and interdisciplinary research; and each one is rigorous, selective, and transformative.
1. PROMYS – Boston University
The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists is a six-week immersion in number theory and proof-based math. Students are not simply learning — they are discovering mathematics as real mathematicians do. Through challenging problem sets and open-ended investigations, participants build proof-writing skills and gain a deep appreciation for mathematical reasoning.PROMYS accepts only about 60–80 students each year out of hundreds of applicants. Their application focuses problem-solving essays, ensuring only the most motivated students are admitted.PROMYS alumni often go on to major in math, data analysis, or theoretical computer science at elite universities. The rigor and prestige of the program make it one of the most respected math opportunities in the U.S.
2. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
BWSI is a four-week intensive engineering and technology program run by MIT and Lincoln Laboratory. Admission is earned by completing online coursework in the spring, ensuring students have mastered foundational skills before stepping into advanced projects.On campus, participants tackle challenges like programming autonomous racecars, building drones, designing CubeSats, or creating AI-powered assistive technologies. Students work in small teams mentored by MIT faculty and engineers.Though free to attend, admission is highly competitive: thousands begin the online qualifying courses, but only a few hundred are invited to campus. For students interested in robotics, aerospace, or applied AI, BWSI stands as one of the most prestigious pre-college experiences available.
3. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) – Carnegie Mellon University
SAMS is a six-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon that prepares talented rising seniors for STEM majors. It emphasizes both academic enrichment and community, particularly for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.Participants take college-level courses in mathematics, computer science, and engineering, while also working on group projects and attending seminar. The program is fully funded, with all tuition, housing, and meals covered. Although a rare occurrence among these kinds of programs, the courses are also transcripted by CMU and participants receive college credit. With roughly 90–100 students admitted out of over 1,000 applicants, SAMS is both selective and highly regarded. Alumni frequently go on to attend Carnegie Mellon, MIT, and the Ivy League, with SAMS providing both the skills and the confidence to succeed.
4. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
SIMR is an eight-week internship at Stanford School of Medicine where high school juniors and seniors conduct full-time biomedical research. Students are paired with Stanford faculty in fields such as cancer biology, neuroscience, bioengineering, and immunology.The program is tuition-free and includes a stipend. About 50 students are admitted each year from more than 1,500 applicants, making the acceptance rate around 3%.SIMR alumni speak highly of their time at the program, and say it was absolutely transformative for their future. For those considering medicine or biomedical science, SIMR is one of the most prestigious opportunities in the U.S.
5. Ross Mathematics Program
Founded in 1957, the Ross Program is a legendary six-week math camp with the motto “think deeply of simple things.” Students dive into number theory and learn to construct rigorous proofs, guided by faculty and advanced undergraduates.The program is a discovery-based math school — students uncover mathematical truths through problem sets rather than lectures. The emphasis on independent thought and proof-writing has trained generations of mathematicians.Ross admits around 120 students across multiple sites, with acceptance rates near 15%. For students passionate about math, it is considered a rite of passage and a badge of distinction in applications.
6. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT
RSI is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious summer research program for high school students. Each year, 80 rising seniors are selected from around the world to attend this free six-week program at MIT.Participants spend one week in intensive STEM coursework and five weeks conducting mentored research. They produce a paper and presentation at a professional level, and gain critical research experience.With an acceptance rate near 5%, RSI is harder to enter than many Ivy League colleges. Alumni frequently go on to win national competitions and attend top universities.
7. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
The NIH High School Summer Internship Program places talented students in biomedical research labs across the National Institutes of Health campuses nationwide. Interns work directly with NIH scientists and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research.This is a paid program, and admission is extremely competitive. Hundreds of high school students apply for a limited number of slots. Participants not only gain technical skills but also professional mentorship at one of the most respected research organizations in the world.For students interested in medicine or biomedical research, HS-SIP is one of the most prestigious internships available.
8. Stanford Math Camp (SUMaC)
SUMaC offers advanced courses in abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology, topics typically only briefly touched on in high school, if at all. The program is offered in both a four-week residential format at Stanford and a three-week online version.About 40 high school students are admitted to each cohort out of hundreds of applicants, giving SUMaC a very competitive acceptance rate of 5–7%. Students are challenged to think at a truly collegiate level and are guided by Stanford professors and graduate students.SUMaC alumni often continue to study math or computer science at elite institutions, and the program is widely respected by admissions officers.
9. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
The Clark Scholars Program admits only 12 students worldwide each summer, making it one of the most selective research programs available.Over seven weeks, students work one-on-one with Texas Tech faculty in disciplines ranging from biology to physics. Each scholar completes an independent project, writes a research paper, and presents findings at a symposium. A stipend is provided, and the program is free to attend.One of the most remarkable aspects of this program is how low their acceptance rate sits - around 1–3%. High school students interested in physics concepts, scientific methods, and biological data analysis will find this program extremely competitive but highly rewarding.
10. Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center Summer Research
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is world-renowned for its work in genetics and molecular biology. Its summer research program allows high school students to conduct experiments in advanced labs under the guidance of leading scientists.Topics often include DNA science areas such as gene expression, sequencing, and molecular biology techniques. Admission is highly competitive, with students selected for both aptitude and motivation.For those passionate about biology and genetics, Cold Spring Harbor provides one of the most prestigious high school experiences available.
11. Garcia Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
The Garcia Program is a seven-week immersion in polymer and materials science research. Students are empowered to design their own research projects, guided by faculty and graduate mentors, and take classes to support their broader education in the subject.Participants frequently publish papers or present at national science competitions. Around 50 students are selected each year, typically with a preference for those 16 or older.Whehter you are interested in nanotechnology, 3D printing, or medicinal applications, this program's niche focus on strong outcomes make it a strong competitor among student research institutes.
12. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
CSSI is a selective three-week program for graduating high school seniors interested in computer science. The program is hosted by Google and prepares students for the transition into CS majors at top universities.Students are able to take intensive classes, collaborate on projects, and learn directly from Google engineers. The program is free, but admission is highly competitive nationwide.For students passionate about technology, CSSI is both prestigious and practical — alumni frequently enter top-tier CS programs.
13. Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM)
HCSSiM is a six-week program known for its playful yet rigorous approach to advanced math. Students work through creative problem sets, attend seminars, and join a vibrant community of mathematicians.Acceptance rates hover around 5–7%, with 30–40 students admitted each year. The culture emphasizes collaboration and joy in discovery, making HCSSiM unique among math programs.For students drawn to creative problem-solving, HCSSiM is a highly respected choice.
14. Broad Summer Scholars Program – Broad Institute
Broad Scholars is a six-week genomics and biomedical research program affiliated with MIT and Harvard. About 20–30 Massachusetts rising seniors are admitted each year.Participants work alongside Broad scientists on research projects in cancer biology, computational genomics, and infectious disease. The program is free and provides a stipend.Though a regional program, Broad Scholars is highly prestigious due to the institute’s global reputation in biomedical research.
15. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
The Jackson Laboratory, or JAX, offers a 10-week paid internship in medical research topics like genetics and genomics. High school students in their junior and senior years are selected nationwide to work in professional research labs.Students receive a stipend of roughly $6,500 and conduct independent projects under the guidance of JAX scientists. Alumni often publish or present their work, and many pursue careers in biomedical science.JAX is one of the most competitive and respected high school biology research internships in the country.
16. MathILy – Bryn Mawr College
MathILy, short for Mathematics Infused with Levity, is a five-week residential program blending serious mathematics with a playful, collaborative culture.Only about 30 students are admitted from hundreds of applicants, giving the program a highly selective profile. Students are given the space and tools to explore topics like combinatorics, optimization, and knot theory.Despite being newer than programs like PROMYS or Ross, MathILy has quickly become recognized as a premier math program.
17. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) – Boston University
RISE offers two tracks: a Research Internship and a Practicum. In the Internship, students join BU faculty labs full time. In the Practicum, students tackle computational research projects in bioinformatics or data science.The program lasts six weeks and admits around 190 students from over 2,000 applications — about a 7% acceptance rate.RISE is recognized as one of the leading pre-college STEM research programs. Many of their students go on to leverage their RISE projects for national science competitions or even publications, making the program a strong stepping stone toward selective college admissions.
18. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
This seven-week program is designed for high school girls interested in computer science. Students take intensive classes, work on coding projects, and receive mentorship from leading women in tech.Programs are hosted in major cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco. Admission is competitive, with thousands of applicants nationwide.Girls Who Code has very strong brand recognition and is respected by admissions as a selective CS pathway.
19. Hk Maker Lab – Columbia University
Hk Maker Lab is a free three-week summer program at Columbia Engineering. High school sophomores and juniors from New York City design and prototype engineering solutions to real-world problems.Students learn design thinking, build prototypes, and pitch their inventions at a final showcase. About 20 students are admitted each year.The project-based learning system implemented by the program mirrors the future professional life students will enter once they graduate college, and is an excellent choice for those interested in hands-on engineering.
20. Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP)
SMYSP is a five-week residential program at Stanford for low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented juniors from Northern California.Only 24 students are selected. They participate in college-level coursework, hospital shadowing, research, and mentorship.For students meeting eligibility, SMYSP is one of the most prestigious pre-college medicine programs in the nation.
21. NASA High School Internships
Beyond SEES, NASA offers selective internships at centers like JPL, Goddard, and Ames. Students have the opportunity to work with NASA engineers and scientists on aerospace, engineering, and computer science projects.These are paid positions and do require U.S. citizenship. Given the high degree of name recognition, admission is extremely competitive nationwide, with only a limited number of slots per site.A NASA internship is among the most recognizable and prestigious opportunities for students passionate about space and engineering, and can instantly set you apart from other applicants.
22. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Founded in 1959, SSP is one of the oldest and most respected pre-college STEM programs. Over 5½ weeks, students complete a full research project in astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics. However, with the prestige comes a lot of work - approximately 60 hours a week of research. Students will also get to meet and ask questions of world-renowned experts and guest speakers in a variety of field, learn about different careers in STEM, and how these experts have triumphed against adversity in their research and jobs.Alumni include Nobel laureates and leading scientists. Who knows - maybe this program is your stepping stone to working on a NASA mission.
23. Tufts TUBERS Program – Tufts University
The Tufts University Biomedical Engineering Research Scholars program is a six-week commuter opportunity open exclusively to Boston-area juniors and seniors.Only 10–20 students are admitted each year. Participants work in biomedical engineering labs and gain hands-on experience and mentorship.Though regional, TUBERS is competitive and highly respected within the Boston academic community, home to Harvard University and some of the brightest minds in the world.
24. MITES – MIT
MITES (Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science) is a six-week residential program for rising seniors, with a mission of supporting underrepresented students in STEM.About 70–80 students are admitted from thousands of applicants (~3% acceptance). Students take advanced STEM courses taught by MIT faculty and staff.The program is tuition-free and highly respected, with many alumni going on to attend MIT or Ivy League schools.
25. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
The Simons Summer Research Program gives 40 academically talented, motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in 6 weeks of hands-on research in science, math or engineering. Simons Fellows work with distinguished faculty mentors in Stony Brook labs, learn laboratory techniques and tools, become part of active research teams, and experience life at a research university. They boast a competitive 4–5% acceptance rate, but the lucky few who are accepted have seen outcomes that include publications and science fair accolades. It is no wonder that Simons holds a spot one of the most prestigious high school research programs.
Conclusion
No matter where you are in your high school experience, summer is an absolute critical time that can build your skills, enhance your resume, and prepare you for life as an undergraduate student. Admission into even one of these summer programs signals exceptional talent and drive. Whether you are interested in math, medicine, engineering, computer science, or research, these experiences will provide you the kind of preparation that sets you apart in the Ivy League and beyond.
