College admissions - especially those at an Ivy League level - only grow more competitive each year. With admittance rates in the single digits at Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton, strong grades and scores are now the expected baseline. This is true both broadly and for computer science. For example, UC Berkeley's CS major acceptance rate is as low as 3%, and UCLA's is approximately 4.1%
What makes applicants stand out is also constantly evolving. Now, more than ever, it takes evidence of intellectual initiative and real work at a university level — especially research and selective academic programs. For this reason, we have compiled a curated list of the most credible computer science and CS-adjacent summer options open to high schoolers, most of which take place on real college campuses. These programs are all known for rigor, faculty mentorship, and impress-factor on applications.
Better yet, programs like the ones listed here go beyond the ‘skim test’, and are far from just a 'summer camp.' This means that they don’t just look good — rather, they stand up to scrutiny and help develop real skills that set you apart. If your goal is truly an Ivy-League or equivalent CS path, you must prioritize programs that (1) demand authentic work, (2) put you in front of faculty or industry mentors, and (3) produce real-world results you can point to — code, papers, talks, or competitions. It is this tangible end result that gets you one step closer to the top of the list with admissions officers.
With Summer 2026 on the horizon, now is the time to ensure you are applying to the right programs.
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Dates: Six weeks, late June–early August
Application Deadline: December (U.S.), March (International)
Eligibility: Rising seniors; global applicants welcome
Accepts international students: Yes
RSI begins with one week of intensive STEM coursework followed by five weeks of mentored research. Students are matched with MIT and Harvard researchers to pursue individual projects, culminating in a final paper and symposium. Alumni frequently publish in scientific journals or perform well in competitions like Regeneron STS and ISEF. The combination of selectivity, mentorship, and tangible research outcomes makes RSI one of the most respected summer programs in STEM.
2. MIT Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Dates: Six weeks, late June–early August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising seniors; U.S. citizens/permanent residents; focus on underrepresented groups in STEM
Accepts international students: No
MITES is a highly collaborative lab and project-based program which offers rigorous courses in computer science, calculus, physics, and biology.Students also get to work closely with STEM professionals, PhD scientists, and college faculty. The program specifically supports talented students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, and offers them mentorship and college preparation workshops. Alumni frequently continue into STEM majors at elite universities. Its emphasis on both rigor and access makes MITES one of MIT’s flagship outreach programs.
3. Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP)
Location: Online; run by the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard (School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) (remote, online courses)
Cost: Tuition required; need-based aid available
Dates: Six weeks, multiple summer rounds
Application Deadline: Varies by Round
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing and interest in technology or entrepreneurship
Accepts international students: Yes
HUVTSP immerses students in the startup ecosystem by pairing them with venture-backed startups for structured internship projects. Participants work directly with founders and CEOs on assignments tailored to their interests while attending daily lectures taught by entrepreneurs, investors, and Harvard professors. Their entrepreneurship program also provides one-on-one mentorship from the TECH team, whose members have scaled companies to millions of users and led IPOs, along with a variety of topical workshops each week. With selective admissions, structured projects, and direct access to founders, HUVTSP provides both practical experience and admissions credibility.
4. Harvard Summer School (Pre-College & Secondary School Programs)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Two to seven weeks, summer
Application Deadline: January–February
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
Harvard Summer School offers two main high school tracks. The Pre-College Program is a two-week residential experience, while the Secondary School Program spans seven weeks and provides college credit. Students can take courses in computer science, data science, and other disciplines taught by Harvard instructors. The transcripted credit and rigorous coursework that pre-college summer programs like this offer are great ways to show a tangible credential of readiness for elite universities, and the residential experience immerses students in Harvard’s college life environment.
5. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Free (tuition-free)
Dates: Two to three weeks, July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students, priority to rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
Stanford AI4ALL introduces students to artificial intelligence and machine learning through lectures, projects, and mentorship from Stanford researchers. Small teams build projects in areas like computer vision and NLP while also exploring AI ethics. The program highlights both technical skill and societal impact. Its selective cohort, close mentorship, and tangible outcomes make it an impactful addition to a student’s academic record.
6. Stanford AIMI (Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging) Summer Research Internship
Location: Stanford University, CA (remote in recent years)
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Two weeks, June–July
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students age 14+
Accepts international students: Yes
AIMI introduces students to the use of AI in healthcare and imaging. Participants attend lectures, complete coding and statistics workshops, and work on projects applying AI to medical data. The program ends with final presentations and a Certificate of Completion. AIMI is particularly valuable for students at the intersection of computer science and medicine, offering exposure to both technical skills and applied research.
7. Stanford Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIPS)
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Tuition required; limited aid available
Dates: Eight weeks, summer
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with strong academic standing
Accepts international students: Yes
GRIPS matches high school students with Stanford labs in engineering and computer science. Students are able to contribute directly to faculty research projects while developing technical and collaboration skills. This unique summer program simulates what undergraduates experience in a graduate-level lab setting, offering both rigor and mentorship, and provides a solid early step in your career pathway. Participation provides authentic research credentials that resonate with admissions committees.
8. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars (CSS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Dates: Four weeks, late June–July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors
Accepts international students: No
CSS exposes students to core CS concepts through coursework, coding projects, and seminars through immersive experiences on their college campus. Faculty and graduate students provide instruction and mentorship, and participants collaborate on technical projects. With CMU’s strong global reputation, completing CSS with its heavy course load is very a strong indicator of readiness for rigorous CS study.
9. Boston University Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Location: Boston University, MA
Cost: Tuition required; limited aid available
Dates: Six weeks, July–August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
BU RISE offers two tracks: the Internship (individual lab placement) and the Practicum (team-based computational projects). Students engage in authentic research under faculty mentorship and present at the end of the program. Admission is competitive with a cohort of only ~130. This means that for those who make it into the program, participation signals both initiative and research readiness.
10. Simons Summer Research Program (SSRP) – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Dates: Seven weeks, late June–mid August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising seniors
Accepts international students: No
Simons Fellows join Stony Brook labs to conduct real scientific research projects in a variety of fields - including computer science. Participants are mentored one-on-one and present their findings at a final symposium. The program’s high selectivity (acceptance rate under 5%) and emphasis on advanced research outcomes make it a highly respected summer opportunity.
11. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Dates: Seven weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Ages 17+, rising juniors and seniors, U.S. and international students
Accepts international students: Yes
The Clark Scholars Program admits only 12 high schoolers annually for intensive research across eight disciplines - one of which is computer science. The seven-week program includes weekly seminars, panel discussions, and off-site visits. Participants are also able to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on their research, and alumni often publish and continue to top universities.
12. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
Cost: Free; online pre-coursework required
Dates: Four weeks, July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Rising seniors with strong STEM background
Accepts international students: Unknown/Situational
BWSI is a project-based program with tracks such as autonomous vehicles and cybersecurity. Students complete online preparatory courses before four weeks of intensive team-based projects on campus, offering a glimpse into what college life is truly like. The program emphasizes applied engineering and computing, ending with a final technical competition.
13. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program (SIP)
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: 8–10 weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
SIP pairs students with UCSC faculty mentors in labs including machine learning and data science. Participants get to contribute to research projects and present at a final symposium - this kind of real-world experience serves as an excellent opportunity to expand comfort zones. For those on a career pathway to computer science, SIP is a great choice for extended-length format to provide deeper immersion and preparation for future academic research.
14. Princeton AI4ALL
Location: Princeton University, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: Three weeks, July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
Princeton AI4ALL combines technical instruction with an exploration of AI’s ethical implications. Students complete small-team projects and present their results at a symposium. The program provides both technical depth and social context, preparing students for further study in AI and deepening their application profile.
15. UCLA AI4ALL
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA (remote)
Cost: Free
Dates: Three weeks, July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
UCLA AI4ALL provides in-depth experience with a research area through hands-on experience with AI and its applications, paired with mentoring from faculty and researchers. During the program, participants receive broad exposure to AI topics through faculty lectures and off-site visits and on campus activities, and learn about how AI can be used to advance health and clinical practice. Its combination of academic programming and practical learning activities make this program a great way to explore career interests at the intersection of Computer Science and Biomedicine.
16. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars (Computer Science Track)
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Six weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
Berkeley’s pre-college summer program allows high schoolers to take real UC Berkeley courses for college credit. The CS track covers introductory programming and data science, with transcripted grades that demonstrate academic readiness.
17. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Stanford University, CA
Cost: Tuition required; need-based aid available
Dates: Two–three weeks, summer
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
This is another excellent pre-college summer program which offers intensive courses such as cryptography, algorithms, and programming. Classes are small and project-driven, simulating college seminars. Students produce portfolio-ready work under the guidance of Stanford instructors.
18. Columbia SHAPE (Engineering & Computer Science)
Location: Columbia University, NY
Cost: Tuition required; limited aid available
Dates: Three weeks, July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
SHAPE immerses students in Columbia’s engineering and CS departments. Courses include lectures, labs, and design projects, alongside professional development and field trips. Through this competitive pre-college program, students receive rigorous exposure to CS in a highly selective Ivy League setting.
19. Cornell Curie Academy (Engineering with CS Modules)
Location: Cornell University, NY
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: One week, July
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; female
Accepts international students: Yes
The Curie Academy is a one-week residential program run by Cornell’s College of Engineering for high school students interested in exploring STEM. Participants take part in faculty-led classes and labs across engineering disciplines, with modules that integrate computer science and computational thinking. Students also engage in team design projects and receive mentorship from Cornell faculty and graduate students. Curie Academy is highly selective and provides both technical exposure and the opportunity to experience Cornell’s engineering environment first-hand.
20. CMU Summer Academy for Math & Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, PA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Dates: Six weeks, July–August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
Accepts international students: No
SAMS is a great option for those still considering broader options, as it strengthens both general STEM foundations and provides a focus on Computer Science. Participants also engage in problem-solving labs and seminars led by CMU faculty. The program prepares students for rigorous undergraduate study.
21. UC COSMOS (Computer Science & AI Clusters)
Location: Multiple University of California campuses
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Four weeks, July–August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Unknown/Situational
COSMOS is an intensive four-week summer residential pre-college program for high school students who have demonstrated an aptitude for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Students have the opportunity to work with renowned faculty, researchers, and scientists in state-of-the-art facilities while exploring advanced STEM topics far beyond the courses usually offered in high schools. Through challenging curricula that are both hands-on and lab-intensive, COSMOS provides real-world experience that admissions boards are sure to notice.
22. Yale Young Global Scholars – Applied Science & Engineering (CS Track)
Location: Yale University, CT
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Two weeks, July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students, grades 10–11
Accepts international students: Yes
YYGS offers interdisciplinary STEM seminars with opportunities to focus on computer science. Students collaborate on projects and join a diverse global cohort. The Yale brand and selective admissions sitting at just 12% give heavy weight to participation, guarantees opportunity to develop strong academic skills, and will look excellent on a college application.
23. Jerome Fisher M&TSI
Location: University of Pennsylvania, PA
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Three weeks, July
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising seniors with interests in business and engineering
Accepts international students: Yes
M&TSI offers a condensed version of Penn’s dual-degree M&T program. Students take courses in both engineering and business while simultaneously working on a capstone project. This program is particularly relevant for students interested in the integration of technological concepts and management principles. It offers students the opportunity to learn about the principles and practice of technological innovation, and empowers them to develop hard and soft professional skills within an Ivy League curriculum.
24. Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Multiple campuses (MIT, Harvey Mudd, Purdue, etc.)
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Five–six weeks, June–July
Acceptance Rate: ~10%
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising seniors; international students welcome
Accepts international students: Yes
SSP students work in teams of three on research projects in astrophysics, genomics, or biochemistry. This amazing pre-college program involves faculty mentorship, daily labs, and collaborative analysis. Only 500-600 students are accepted each year, and its alumni describe their time at SSP as a transformative preparatory experience - especially for STEM majors.
25. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available (priority for CA residents)
Dates: Six weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
RMP matches students with UCSB faculty and graduate mentors for full-time summer research. Participants get to experience full immersion, and will be dedicating 35–50 hours per week to producing both a research paper and poster and will earn two units of college credit for their effort. The program is one of UC’s most rigorous pre-college research opportunities, offering a remarkable 'trial run' but with real, impressive results to show for it.
26. USC SHINE (Summer High School Intensive in Next-Gen Engineering)
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Tuition required; limited aid available
Dates: Seven weeks, June–August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Accepts international students: Yes
USC SHINE, the shining star of USC's k-12 programs, places students in its own Viterbi School of Engineering labs and pairs them with a research team matching their selected interests. Students conduct authentic scientific research under faculty mentorship, participate in writing workshops, and present their work at a symposium. Many alumni have presented extensive computer science, robotics, and computer engineering projects they worked on for throughout their time in the program. Overall, SHINE provides an impressive and credible lab-based experience to highlight in applications.
27. Notre Dame Summer Scholars
Location: University of Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Tuition required; financial aid available
Dates: Two weeks, mid-June–July
Acceptance Rate: Selective; exact statistics not published
Application Deadline: January–February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with strong academic records
Accepts international students: Yes
Notre Dame’s Summer Scholars pre-college program lets students choose one intensive, college-level course taught by university faculty. A strong option for aspiring computer scientists is Research Computing: Computers Accelerating Discovery, which introduces coding, data analysis, and the role of computing in conducting physics or biomedical research. Beyond academics, students live on campus, join workshops, and experience college life. While not a dedicated CS program, selecting this course allows students to showcase early initiative in computer science while gaining transcripted experience from Notre Dame.
Conclusion
The right summer program can do more than fill a line on your résumé — it can change your trajectory. Each of the programs on this list offers a chance to prove that you’re ready for university-level work, to earn mentorship that lasts beyond the summer, and to create projects you can point to with pride.Admissions committees notice when applicants have gone beyond surface-level programs and taken steps to involve themselves in selective, research-driven settings. Beyond the technical experience, many of these programs incorporate opportunities to study, work, and live on real college campuses. These combines experiences go a long way to both preparing you and showcasing your ability to succeed at a collegiate level. If you’re serious about computer science — and about setting yourself apart in the college admissions process — we encourage you to start exploring these programs now. The application deadlines come quickly, and the cohorts are small by design. The earlier you apply, the sooner you begin building the kind of portfolio that top universities and selective colleges recognize and respect.
