2026 Best Summer Programs
An increasing number of selective colleges now scrutinize how applicants spend their summers during high school. In response to this trend, thousands of providers鈥搃ncluding both universities and private companies鈥搊ffer academically-themed summer programs for teens. These programs vary from free-to-extremely expensive, and highly-selective-to-open enrollment. With such a bevy of options, teens will likely need expert guidance in order to successfully locate an ideal-fit program that will fully support their future academic and career dreams.聽
To answer this need, our list of the Best Summer Programs is here to serve as your comprehensive guide. For your convenience, the list is sortable by discipline and location and contains relevant data and information about each recommended program.
Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program
- Washington, D.C.
- Students 13 and up eligible to participate.
- Multi-length enrichment and college-credit bearing courses are available online throughout the year.
- Choose from over 15 different course subjects including medicine, leadership, law, psychology, investing, marketing, and more.
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Residential -
Online Option - Min. Session Length: 1 Week (2, 4-week also available)
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 13+
Rice University Precollege Program
- Houston, Texas
- Online courses are available year-round to students 13 and older.
- Dive deeper into topics such as genome engineering, physiology, aerospace, law, economics, and more.
- Courses culminate in a special capstone project.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: Multi-length courses available year-round
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 13+
Wake Forest Online Immersion Program
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Designed for high school students ages 13 and up, the Wake Forest Online Immersion Program offers a variety of courses taught by Wake Forest professors.
- All courses culminate in a Final Capstone Project that allows students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in the program and students will earn a Certificate of Completion from Wake Forest University
- Courses are currently available in areas such as: Business, Medicine, Cancer, Psychology, Sports Medicine, Bioscience, Women’s Medicine, Investing, and Criminal Law.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1, 2, & 4-week sessions
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 13+
Dartmouth Precollege Online Program
- Hanover, NH
- With flexible, dynamic lessons and mentor support, students 13 and older can explore multiple fields of study and find their passion from the comfort of home.
- Each course concludes with a final capstone project and students will earn a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth.
- Current course offerings are available in disciplines like: Finance, Psychology, Regenerative Medicine, and Biology.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1, 2, & 4-week sessions
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 13+
Northwestern Pre-College Online Program
- Evanston, IL
- Online courses are taught by renowned Northwestern University faculty and feature dynamic video lessons and interactive tools.
- All students complete a Final Capstone Project and, upon successful completion of a course, students will earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
- Available courses are available in areas such as: Law, Medical Research, Business Innovation, Psychology, Engineering, Medicine, and the Business of Sports.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2-4 weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 13+
Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program
- Notre Dame, IN
- Students 13 and older can study with Notre Dame faculty anywhere, anytime, at their own pace, since the program is available year-round.
- Upon successfully completing a course’s capstone project, participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from the University of Notre Dame.
- Current course offerings are in the areas of Biology, Business, Finance, Law, and Psychology.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2-4 weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
William & Mary Pre-College Online Program
- Williamsburg, VA
- Designed for high school students ages 13 and up, and offers a range of compelling topics, covered in-depth, through online coursework led by William & Mary professors.
- All students complete a final culminating project and earn a Certificate of Completion from William & Mary.
- Courses available in Constitutional Law, Medicine, Cognitive Psychology, and Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2-4 weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 13+
National Student Leadership Conference
- Multiple Locations
- The NSLC hosts programs in 30 different career areas at 14 top universities across the US as well as in Canada and the UK.
- Offerings range from artificial intelligence to fashion design to marine biology.
- Students engage in hands-on education across different fields of study and gain authentic college experiences that prepare them for their futures.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 6-18 days
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 6th-12th Graders
The Summer Liberal Arts Institute – Carleton College
- Northfield, MN
- Live and learn like a college student for 1, 2, or 3 weeks this summer at one of Carleton College’s Pre-College Programs.
- Test-drive what a liberal arts college is like before applying, boost your college applications with hands-on academics, and create new friendships.
- Unique interdisciplinary courses and topics, including Computer Science, Humanities, Neuroscience, Music, Sports Analytics, and more!
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Residential
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Online Option
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College Credit
- Min. Session Length: 1-3 Weeks
- Minimum Costs: $1,500
- Application Deadlines: 2/2/26 & 3/2/26
- Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, 11th
MasterScholar Pre-College Summer Programs
- New York, NYC; NJ, NC, & CA
- Selective, hands-on academic summer courses covering a wide range of subject areas all focused on research skill-building, academic writing, and critical thinking.
- Programs hosted on-campus at Barnard College of Columbia University and University of California, Santa Barbara; additional programs are hosted in collaboration with faculty from Princeton University and Duke University.
- Offerings range across the social sciences, humanities, and STEM disciplines.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 2-3 Weeks
- Application Deadline: 6/10/25
- Eligibility: High school & gap year students, 15-19
Vanderbilt Summer Academy
- Nashville, TN
- One-week and two-week summer courses are offered through Vanderbilt University鈥檚 Programs for Talented Youth.
- VSA courses are accelerated and designed to meet the needs of gifted and high-ability students.
- With up to 6 hours of academic activities per day, participants will stretch their intellectual boundaries while enjoying life on this beautiful Nashville campus.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 1-2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Grades 7-12
- A full virtual program that allows you to complete up to two semesters of college language coursework in just two summer months.
- Enjoy full immersion into the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian languages from home.
- 3.5 or 7-week sessions at the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 3.5 weeks/7 weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: HS & College Students, Adult Language Lovers
LSU Pre-College Summer Programs
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Courses are available for elementary, middle, and high school students and residential, commuter, and virtual options exist.
- Subject Areas offered include: Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Esports, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and World Languages
- Unique high school course offerings for Summer 2025 such as: Adventures in 3-D Printing, Cybersecurity, Fundamentals of Sound Engineering, and Survey of Drones
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Residential
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Commuter
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Virtual
- Session Length: 1-3 Weeks
- Application Deadline: OPENS February 28th
- Eligibility: K-12
- Offers a combination of residential and commuter programs. All programs are in-person and provide students with hands-on activities and experiences.
- Residential offerings include ImpactLab where rising juniors and seniors explore disciplines across science, engineering and design and Momentum where rising 9th and 10th graders take an interdisciplinary approach to science, engineering, and design.
- SummerFAB is a commuter program focused on the built environment, where students design and construct community-driven solutions to local challenges.
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Residential
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Online Option
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Commuter Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Rising 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
- Virtual summer options for elementary, middle, and high school learners.
- A variety of asynchronous academic courses that enable students to complete a semester of coursework in 4 weeks or a full year’s curriculum in 8 weeks.
- Courses include: Algebra and Honors Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP: Calculus AB + BC, Computer Science, Statistics
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 4-Week & 8-Week Options
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: K-12
- A selective, six-week online experience for ambitious high school students looking to develop leadership skills, business acumen, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Daily interactive seminars led by Harvard faculty, Forbes 30 Under 30 investors, and top executives covering topics in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
- In addition to classes, workshops, and mentorship, EVERY student at HUVTSP gets an internship at a startup!
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: 2/28 (Early); 4/14 (Regular)
- Eligibility: High School/Gap Year
- Online courses and internships available in Business, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, International Relations, Creative Writing, and Career Exploration.
- All programs are taught by world-elite instructors from top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard
- Each course has a version for ages 12-14 and one for ages 15-18.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 12-18
Barnard College Pre-College Programs
- New York, NY
- The NextGen Leadership Institute & The Athena Summer Innovation Institute offer 3-week course options.
- The Pre-Baccalaureate Program is 7 weeks long and allows students to earn college credit.
- Experience NYC while learning from Barnard faculty with bright students from around the globe.
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Residential
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Online Option
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Commuter Option
- Min. Session Length: 3 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th
Seville Abroad
- Seville, Spain
- Offers immersive educational experiences that allow students to fully embrace Spanish culture while gaining valuable academic and personal growth.
- Programs provide an authentic, enriching journey through Spain, whether you’re a high school student, a gap-year traveler, or part of an educational tour.
- With Seville Abroad, you will find your second home away, a place you will always want to go back to and an experience which will live long in your memory!
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 13-18 years old
- Courses are taught by award-winning faculty, experienced educators, artists, musicians and scientists dedicated to inspiring young learners.
- Badger Precollege Senior is for students grades 9-12; Badger Precollege Junior is for grades 2-8.
- Offers a mix of online and residential options in areas such as music, astronomy, computer science, STEM, sports media, veterinary science, psychology, college readiness, and much more.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1-Week to 4-Week Options
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Grades 2-12
MundoLengua
- Seville & C谩diz, Spain
- High school offerings include summer courses in Seville and C谩diz, designed to enhance language proficiency through interactive classes and real-world practice.
- Participants engage in daily Spanish lessons complemented by cultural activities such as flamenco dancing, cooking classes, and guided tours of historic sites, fostering a deep connection with Spain鈥檚 rich heritage.
- Students explore architectural marvels, engage with local traditions, and participate in community events, enriching their overall experience.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1-3 Weeks
- Cost: $2,990 - $4,100
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 14-17
Futures Forge – Skills for Success
- Boston, MA
- Learn about, and practice, the skills and attributes that are critical to success in college and your career 鈥� but aren鈥檛 taught in conventional schooling.
- Rapidly accelerate your development, working with exceptional peers in dynamic, challenging, and exciting projects.
- 2-week session held in Boston for students 15-19.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 15-19 (+ Testing Requirement)
UCLA Film & Television Emerging Filmmakers
- Los Angeles, CA
- Offers pre-college students an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience and work closely with entertainment industry professionals to develop their portfolios and gain the tools they need.
- Residential, Commuter and Virtual options are available.
- Emerging Filmmakers courses include: Digital Filmmaking, TV Writing, and Media Parks. Other offerings include: UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute, Pre-College Cinematography, and Traditional Animation.
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Residential
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Online Option
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Commuter
- Min. Session Length: 1-3 Weeks
- Cost: $2,950-$6,370
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 (varies by program)
- This virtual program is taught by esteemed writers, including editors and editorial assistants of The Common, Amherst College’s award-winning literary magazine.
- Students interested in creative writing engage in a two-week intensive on the craft of fiction.
- Level 1 and Level 2 options are available, depending on experience.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Opens 3/10 and closes 5/19
- Eligibility: Rising 9-12
Where There Be Dragons – Summer Abroad
- Multiple Locations
- Offers Summer Abroad programs (2-6 weeks) and Gap Year semesters (6 weeks to 3 months) for high school and college students.
- An industry-leading ratio of 4:1 of 12 students to 3 instructors.
- 2025 locations include China, Nepal, Indonesia, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Guatemala, Cambodia, Bolivia, and more.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 10 Days - 6 Weeks
- Minimum Costs: $5,550 - $9,950
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 15-22
- 3-week and 5-week options that allow for a meaningful immersive language experience and a comprehensive exploration of rural Spain.
- LITA offers small, intimate groups of 12-16 students and three group leaders leading to personal, highly authentic immersive experiences.
- Exciting opportunities for community internships and self-directed research projects.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 3-5 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Pre-College Programs
- Savannah & Atlanta, GA
- SCAD offers two engaging pre-college programs to ignite your creativity, SCAD Summer Seminars and SCAD Rising Star.
- The Rising Star program runs from June 29-July 25th; Summer Seminars are six-day sessions in June/July.
- Course options include fashion, film, game design, illustration, graphic design, and more.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1 Week - 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 14-18
California College of the Arts – Pre-College
- San Francisco, CA
- California College of the Arts – Pre-College are open to high school students ages 15-18.
- 4-week sessions are offered in areas such as: Animation & Drawing (2D), Communication Design, Digital Animation (3D), Architecture & Interior Design, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Textiles, Comics, Fashion Design’, Film & Photography, Game Arts & Design, Illustration & Drawing, Industrial & Product Design, Jewelry Making & Metal Arts, Painting & Drawing, and UI/UX Interaction Design.
- Students have the opportunity to earn three college credits, learn from expert faculty instructors, develop portfolio pieces for college applications, meet other art-minded makers and designers, and live on campus.
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Residential
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Online
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Commuter
- Session Length 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline 2/24/26 (Priority Deadline)
- Eligibility Current 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders
Alfred University Summer Programs
- Alfred, NY
- Offers 30 different Residential Academic Institutes, Residential Sports Clinics, and Day Sports Prospect Clinics.
- Each Academic Institute or Sports Clinic is staffed by a faculty member or coach, who will be able to both educate and challenge students with a college level experience in a safe and supportive environment.
- 2025 offerings include Auditioning for Theater & Film, Songwriting in the Natural World, Darkroom Photography, Astronomy, Media & Politics, Emerging Curators, and more!
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Residential
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Online
- Session Length: 1 Week
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Future Physicians America
- Orlando, FL
- Students in our 6-week program publish in PubMed indexed medical journals as first authors. These are the same journals read by academic physicians, not a high school journal.
- Participants present their research at the Annual SE Society of Academic Emergency Medicine meeting, alongside residents, medical students and faculty.
- The program is taught by board-certified practicing physicians, who are medical school faculty.
- The 6-week program also has built in physician shadowing opportunities.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1-6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Grades 4-12
Miami University Summer Scholars Program
- Oxford, OH
- 1-week, in-person sessions on campus at the Miami University.
- Course offerings in engineering, business, art, science, fashion, architecture, health professions, media production, computer science, and more.
- Students participate in lively discussions, hands-on projects, and real-world experiences with our faculty.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1 Week
- Application Deadline: 5/1/25
- Eligibility: Rising Juniors and Rising Seniors
Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions
- Albuquerque, NM
- Summer Treks are open to students 8-18 and offer hiking, hands-on science, cultural exploration, and place-based education in the American Southwest.
- Cottonwood Gulch uses a project-based experiential learning model to provide a framework for learning, which involves negotiation, compromise, dissonance, challenge, and evolving perspectives.
- A wide array of treks are available including a Prairie Trek, a Southwest Art Trek, a Mountain Desert Trek, a Paleontology Trek, a Family Trek, and more!
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Residential
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Online Option
- Session Length: 1-5 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: Ages 8-18
- Students can choose from Acting on Camera, Screenwriting, or Production.
- Core and elective courses are art of the program.聽
- Most accepted students hail from the top 30% of their high school class.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 4鈥�6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: March/Rolling
- Eligibility: 10th, 11th, 12th
- 2-week synchronous virtual program.
- No coding experience required.
- Exposure to tech leaders and careers.
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Residential
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Online
- Session Length: 2 or 6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 10th, 11th, 12th, Girls
High School Honors Science Math and Engineering (Michigan State)
- East Lansing, MI
- Seven-week on-campus, intensive research program.
- Receive mentorship from a university researcher.
- Activities include field trips, research presentations, and career discussions.
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Residential
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Online
- Session Length: 1 Week
- Cost: $1048
- Application Deadline: June 16th
- Eligibility: 10-12th
- Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th
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