A strong summer engineering program is one of the clearest ways to show colleges you’re serious about the field. Here are ten worth knowing, from free selective programs to paid pre-college academies.
SHAPE – Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers: Columbia University
Description: SHAPE is an intensive intro to core engineering, covering mechanics, thermodynamics, and circuits through lectures, labs, and group projects.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 with a strong interest in engineering.
Cost: Varies; financial aid may be available.
MIT’s MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science)
Description: MITES is a free, selective six-week residential program at MIT for high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds, built around project-based STEM learning and mentorship.
Eligibility: High school juniors from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM, with a strong academic record and a real interest in engineering and science.
Cost: Free (includes room and board).
Women in Engineering Summer Camp: University of Maryland
Description: A week-long residential program for rising 11th and 12th graders interested in engineering, open to all gender identities. You explore engineering majors through lectures, hands-on activities, and team challenges in UMD’s Clark School of Engineering.
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders, open to students of all gender identities.
Cost: Around $1,400.
FREE STEM Guide with 50+ opportunities, competitions, and internships
More lists for high school students:
Top Science Fair Competitions
Math Competitions for Students Worldwide
Top 10 Computer Science Internships for High School Students
MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Description: A free program for high school juniors and seniors in aerospace, cybersecurity, and robotics. You work on real projects with MIT staff, from building drones to cyber defense.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a demonstrated interest in STEM and a strong academic record.
Cost: Free (scholarships available).
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
Description: Stanford’s pre-collegiate courses include computer science, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, taught through coursework, projects, and time with Stanford faculty.
Eligibility: High school students, open to applicants worldwide.
Cost: Varies (financial aid available).
Virginia Tech College of Engineering Summer Academy
Description: Rising juniors and seniors explore engineering disciplines through hands-on projects, lab work, and seminars led by VT faculty and industry experts.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering.
Cost: Program fee covers tuition, housing, and meals.
Penn Engineering Summer Academy
Description: Penn’s summer academy covers robotics, nanotechnology, and computer graphics through hands-on projects and lectures led by Penn faculty.
Eligibility: High school students, open to applicants worldwide.
Cost: Varies (financial aid available).
Georgia Tech Pre-College Program
Description: Explore civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering through hands-on projects, labs, and lectures led by Georgia Tech faculty.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, open to domestic and international applicants.
Cost: Varies (financial aid available).
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation
Description: An intro to engineering through college-style coursework and hands-on labs with experienced instructors, covering several engineering disciplines.
Eligibility: High school students, open to domestic and international applicants.
Cost: Varies (financial aid available).
Boston University’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program
Description: High schoolers do hands-on research in engineering, computer science, and other STEM fields under BU faculty mentorship, either as a one-on-one internship or a group practicum.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are motivated to do real research.
Cost: Paid. Tuition is roughly $5,900, and more with on-campus housing. Need-based financial aid is available but limited.
More opportunities
Rishab Jain, an ISEF winner, has placed in many research competitions and run his own research projects in high school. If you want to start working toward research, STEM competitions, or programs like these, he offers science fair coaching and a YouTube playlist on how to do research, where he shares his winning strategies.
Leave a Reply