This guide covers five of the top summer programs for international high school students. Dates, fees, and deadlines change each cycle, so confirm the current details with each program.
Before we start: if you’re a highly motivated STEM (or humanities) student looking for resources for competitive opportunities like these, join the Discord here to access the full panel I’ve vetted for you, completely free:
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Summer Programs for International High School Students
It can be hard for international high school students to find suitable summer programs, with logistical and cultural barriers to overcome. Here are five elite programs that let students broaden their academic experience and build their skills.
1. UT Dallas Summer Research Program
The UT Dallas Computer Science Summer Research program invites high school students into computer science and technology research. It’s designed for students with a strong interest in and understanding of computer science.
Application: at utd.link/csr-app. Apply early; the deadline is typically in mid-May.
Duration: roughly nine weeks over the summer (early June to early August).
Fees: a $500 fee applies to both internships and workshops, with a $50 cancellation fee. An 8-week deep-dive AI workshop is available for $1,200. Fee waivers and discounts are available for qualifying low-income families.
Eligibility: advanced high school students, ideally after 10th or 11th grade, with strong motivation for computer science.
Details about the current research opportunities are in the Google Sheet at utd.link/csr24.
2. The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes invite academically curious students in grades 8-11 to an intensive two-week, online single-subject study experience. The program offers dozens of courses across computer science, math, creative writing, social justice, philosophy, engineering, and more, without grades or credit. With live classes, small class sizes, and a global community, it’s a chance to explore advanced content with peers worldwide.
Application: apply on the SPCS site; the deadline is typically in late March.
Eligibility: students in grades 8-11 with access to a laptop and internet.
Duration: two-week sessions over the summer.
3. Science Internship Program (SIP) at UC Santa Cruz
The Science Internship Program (SIP) at UC Santa Cruz immerses high school students in authentic scientific research.
Cost: around $4,000, with financial aid available.
Duration: roughly June to August.
Eligibility: high school students in grades 9-12.
Deadline: typically late March.
Once you’re done with this list, check out our extended article on the 50 best STEM summer programs for high schoolers.
4. NYU Precollege
NYU Precollege offers an academic and college-readiness experience at New York University. High school students from around the world take college-level courses taught by NYU faculty while experiencing college life.
Fees: charged by credit.
Eligibility: high school students worldwide.
5. SPINWIP
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a virtual summer outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, designed to get high school girls excited about physics. This three-week program is completely free and held over video chat. First-generation students and those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics are especially encouraged to apply. No prior physics or coding knowledge is needed.
Dates: about three weeks in July, Monday through Friday.
Time: 9am-1pm PDT (the exact schedule varies day to day).
Eligibility: female and gender-minority students in high school, in 9th-11th grade at the time of application. International students are welcome. Preference goes to first-generation students, those from underrepresented backgrounds in physics, and rising seniors.
Application: fill out this application form by the deadline (typically early May). Make sure the daily activities (9am-1pm PDT) fall during reasonable hours in your time zone.
You can also sign up for our mailing list here to get our latest guides on scholarships and summer programs.
Concluding Note
For my full applications to some of these programs and how I got into them, consider my courses, which include dozens of resources each.
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