Summer 2027 · High school

Selective vs. pay-to-play summer programs

Judge a program by its work, selection process and full cost. A fee does not establish low quality, and a university logo does not establish selective admission.

Planning for 2027. Every date and price keeps its year. Confirm the current application window on the official site before you apply.

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Catalog facts retain their cycle. Check the official sources before applying or paying.

  1. HCSSiM

    Hampshire College Summer Studies in MathematicsRemove
    Application deadline
    Not published
    Cost
    $7,2082026 cycle
    Financial aid
    2026: Need-based financial aid and travel grants. Free for domestic students with household income under $85,000; case-by-case awards above that and for international students.
    Expenses and aid conditions
    2026: Application: $0. Applying is free; Need-based financial aid and travel grants. Free for domestic students with household income under $85,000; case-by-case awards above that and for international students.
    Stipend or pay
    Not published
    Eligibility
    Grades 9–12
    Additional eligibility
    Requirement: Open to grades 9–12; Requirement: Must not have already graduated from high school; Requirement: Most participants have just finished 10th or 11th grade; students who just completed 9th grade with more advanced math have attended; Requirement: International students are welcome to apply
    Session dates or duration
    Starts June 28, 2026; Ends August 8, 2026; 6 weeks2026 cycle
    Format
    In person
    Housing and supervision
    Residential
    Location
    New residential campus for 2027 is not announced; Amherst, Massachusetts was the historical 2026 location
    Selection and application
    Selection: Application review uses the form, letter, Interesting Test, and mathematical sponsor recommendation; no current acceptance rate or 2027 capacity is published. Application materials: Letter of recommendation from a sponsor who knows you in a mathematical context
    Official sources
    Source 1 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 2 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 3 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 4 · checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. MathPath

    MathPathRemove
    Application deadline
    Not published
    Cost
    $6,6002026 cycle
    Financial aid
    Need-based financial aid: Up to $6,600. Scaled to reported family income; considered after admission and does not affect the admissions decision.2026 cycle
    Expenses and aid conditions
    Application fee: $0. Applying to MathPath is free; Minimum registration deposit: $500; Need-based financial aid: Up to $6,600. Scaled to reported family income; considered after admission and does not affect the admissions decision.2026 cycle
    Stipend or pay
    Not published
    Eligibility
    Not published
    Additional eligibility
    Ages 11–14; Requirement: Turn 11 before the program starts and turn 15 only after the last day of the program
    Session dates or duration
    Starts June 28, 2026; Ends July 26, 2026; 4 weeks2026 cycle
    Format
    In person
    Housing and supervision
    Residential
    Location
    Not published
    Selection and application
    Selection: Merit-based selection centered on the Qualifying Test and application context
    Official sources
    Source 1 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 2 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 3 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 4 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 5 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 6 · checked Aug 20, 2026Source 7 · checked Aug 20, 2026

  3. LaunchX LLC

    LaunchX In-Person Flagship Entrepreneurship Summer ProgramRemove
    Application deadline
    November 11, 2026
    Cost
    $13,495
    Financial aid
    Tuition financial awards. Verified using the last year's income.
    Expenses and aid conditions
    International fee for students not from the United States: $250. Helps cover international insurance; Application fee (lower when submitted earlier): $50–$100. A fee waiver can be requested inside the application; Non-refundable deposit (first half of the total program fee). The remaining fee is refundable up to one month before the program starts; Tuition financial awards. Verified using the last year's income.
    Stipend or pay
    Not published
    Eligibility
    Grades 9–12
    Additional eligibility
    Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12
    Session dates or duration
    4 weeks
    Format
    In person
    Housing and supervision
    Residential
    Location
    Ann Arbor, MI
    Selection and application
    Selection: LaunchX reports approximately a 30% acceptance rate for flagship programs; current cohort-specific applicant counts and criteria are not fully published. Application materials: Interview for selected applicants
    Official sources
    Source 1 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 2 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 3 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 4 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 5 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 6 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 7 · checked Oct 9, 2026Source 8 · checked Oct 9, 2026Source 9 · checked Oct 9, 2026
The checklist

Five signals to check before applying or paying

  1. Acceptance rate
    Use a rate only if the organizer gives the cycle, number of applicants and number admitted. A low rate does not tell you what you will learn. If a program does not publish both numbers, treat its acceptance rate as unknown.
  2. Full cost
    Ask for tuition, application fees, deposits, housing, meals, travel and refund terms. A fee-based class can offer useful teaching; a fee alone does not establish either selectivity or quality.
  3. Stipend or pay
    Look for an amount, eligibility conditions and payment schedule. Distinguish student compensation from financial aid, prize money and tuition discounts.
  4. Essays and selection
    Read the actual application. Essays, recommendations, prerequisites or interviews can describe a selection process, but their presence does not prove an acceptance rate. Ask who reads the application.
  5. Who runs the program
    Check the organizer on its official site, the instructors and the day-to-day supervisor. Distinguish a university department's program from an outside provider renting campus space. Ask what feedback and work you will receive.

The catalog examples below show supported costs, stipends, organizers and application details. They are comparisons, not selectivity rankings. We do not assign an acceptance rate or label a named program pay-to-play without evidence.

Matching programs

Showing 157–168 of 442 programs

Editor picks and selective programs first, then the soonest 2027 deadlines. No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. Methodology.

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  • DigiPen Institute of Technology

    DigiPen Academy Pre-College Summer Programs

    Four-week online game-art, design, programming, and sound tracks for students 16+ entering grades 11-12 or recently graduated; 2027 registration opens in fall.

    Cost
    $2,995–$3,195
    Who can apply
    Grades 11–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jul 6–30, 2027 · 4 weeks
    Where
    Online
    STEMDay program
    Requirements and sources

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to rising grades 11–12; Requirement: Students who graduated from high school within the last 18 months are also eligible; Requirement: Game Programming track: Algebra 2 completed; Requirement: Instruction is in English, live from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time

    Selection and application: Selection: Paid registration subject to track capacity and eligibility; DigiPen does not publish current capacity, application count, acceptance rate, completion rate, or grade distribution.

    Checked Official site

    DigiPen Institute of Technology logo
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  • Dakota State University

    DSU Cyber Camp for High Schoolers

    Dakota State University’s residential Cyber Camp for High Schoolers runs June 6–11, 2027 in Madison, South Dakota.

    Cost
    $250
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jun 6–11, 2027
    Where
    In person · Madison, SD
    STEMResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12

    Checked Official site

    Dakota State University logo
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  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago

    Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI)

    One-, two-, or four-week in-person SAIC studio institute for ages 15-18 who completed sophomore year; 2026 ended July 31 and 2027 is unannounced.

    Cost
    $1,908–$7,632(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 11–12
    Program dates
    1⁠–⁠4 weeks
    Where
    In person · Chicago, IL
    ArtsResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: SAIC Merit Scholarship: Up to $1,200. Open to all students; requires a 6-10 piece portfolio and the deposit option at registration; SAIC need-based financial aid. US residents only; first-come, first-served; covers a percentage of tuition only.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Non-refundable tuition deposit (part of tuition): $100. Paid at registration when applying for aid or scholarships; included in the full tuition; Housing and meal plan: $655–$2,620. $655 for 1 week, $1,310 for 2 weeks, $2,620 for 4 weeks; on-campus students get $105 a week for campus dining; Art supplies (estimate): $150–$450. Approximate, by session length; Incidentals and personal spending (estimate): $150–$600. Approximate, by session length; SAIC Merit Scholarship: Up to $1,200. Open to all students; requires a 6-10 piece portfolio and the deposit option at registration; SAIC need-based financial aid. US residents only; first-come, first-served; covers a percentage of tuition only.

    Requirements: Ages 15–18; Requirement: Open to grades 11–12; Requirement: Must have completed sophomore year of high school by the time of the program

    Selection and application: Selection: Eligible students registered directly into limited course space on a first-come, first-served basis. The 6-10-work portfolio was evaluated for merit aid, not program admission. Application materials: Optional: portfolio of 6-10 artworks for merit scholarship consideration

    Checked Official site

    School of the Art Institute of Chicago logo
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  • 21st Century Leaders

    EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century

    EarthCare combines environmental learning and leadership through 21st Century Leaders.

    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jun 7–12, 2026 · 1 week(2026)
    Where
    In person · Milledgeville, GA
    LeadershipResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Requirements: Residency: GA; Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Live in the state of Georgia

    Selection and application: Selection: Historical 2026 programme information: The official 2026 page said 85 accepted students and limited places, with nonselected applicants waitlisted; it did not publish applicant totals or an acceptance rate. Application materials: Recommendation Form from a teacher or supervisor (students new to 21st Century Leaders)

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    21st Century Leaders logo
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  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

    Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

    Eight-week paid Seattle biomedical internship for Greater Seattle rising seniors age 16+; 2026 ended and 2027 details arrive in November.

    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grade 12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jun 22 – Aug 14, 2026 · 8 weeks(2026)
    Where
    In person · Seattle, WA
    STEMDay programInternship
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Free ORCA transit card for commuting in greater Seattle: $0

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Residency: Must currently live in Greater Seattle or surrounding areas (no out-of-state or international students); Requirement: Open to rising grade 12; Requirement: At least 16 years old by the start of the program; Requirement: Completed the equivalent of 11th grade but not yet graduated from high school; Requirement: Strong scientific interest and academic background; Requirement: Available for the entire eight-week program in Seattle

    Selection and application: Selection: Fred Hutch calls SHIP highly competitive and uses applicant materials, two recommendations, and Zoom interviews; applicant volume, cohort size, acceptance rate, and detailed rubric are not published. Application materials: Online application with short-response essays (200 words each); Two recommendations submitted on the program's online form; Zoom interview with the selection committee

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    Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center logo
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  • Stony Brook

    Garcia SUMMER at Stony Brook

    Garcia is an in-person materials and polymer research program at Stony Brook University. The official pages describe the completed June 24–August 7, 2026 session; no 2027 dates, application deadline or updated terms are established. Students could commute or arrange optional housing.

    Cost
    $4,000(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12
    Program dates
    Jun 24 – Aug 7, 2026 · 7 weeks(2026)
    Where
    In person · Stony Brook, NY
    STEMResidentialResearch
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Non-refundable registration fee: $50. Payable by check or wire transfer with the application; Student Health Services fee (flat), listed with the room package: $66; Optional prepaid meal plan: $600. Refill-as-you-go is also possible.

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12; Requirement: At least 16 years old on or before July 4 of the program year, with no exceptions; Requirement: Unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0); Requirement: Standardized test scores (PSAT/SAT/ACT/AP/IB/Regents) at or above the 60th percentile; Requirement: At least three of English, Chemistry, Mathematics/Calculus, Physics and Biology; Requirement: International students must already hold documents to be legally present in the US for the program; no visa support

    Selection and application: Application materials: Three letters of recommendation, one from a science teacher, submitted by the writers

    Checked Official site

    Stony Brook logo
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  • Stony Brook University Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces

    Garcia Summer Research Program for High School Students

    Intensive in-person seven-week research program at Stony Brook; Summer 2026 is closed, and no official 2027 application deadline has been announced.

    Cost
    $4,000(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12
    Program dates
    Jun 24 – Aug 7, 2026 · 7 weeks(2026)
    Where
    In person · Stony Brook, NY
    STEMResidentialResearchInternship
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Non-refundable registration fee: $50. Payable by check or wire transfer with the application; Student Health Services fee (flat), listed with the room package: $66; Optional prepaid meal plan: $600. Refill-as-you-go is also possible.

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12; Requirement: At least 16 years old on or before July 4 of the program year, with no exceptions; Requirement: Unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0); Requirement: Standardized test scores (PSAT/SAT/ACT/AP/IB/Regents) at or above the 60th percentile; Requirement: At least three of English, Chemistry, Mathematics/Calculus, Physics and Biology; Requirement: International students must already hold documents to be legally present in the US for the program; no visa support

    Selection and application: Selection: Non-rolling review after the deadline using demanding age, GPA, test, coursework, transcript, recommendation, leadership, and application criteria. Application materials: Three letters of recommendation, one from a science teacher, submitted by the writers

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    Stony Brook University Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces logo
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  • Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

    Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy

    Georgetown’s Entrepreneurship Academy uses the Summer High School Academies application for grades 8–12; admission and reserving a seat are separate.

    Cost
    $5,075(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 8–12 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 7–19, 2026 · 2 weeks(2026)
    Where
    In person · Washington, DC
    BusinessResidentialPre-college
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Non-refundable application fee: $50. Waived for applications received by the Early Bird deadline; Health insurance fee (international students only): $90; Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA; Requirement: International students need no visa or TOEFL score for the Academies

    Selection and application: Selection: Earlier Academy admissions described rolling review and first-come seat registration; next-cycle availability is not established. Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement

    Checked Official site

    Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies logo
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  • Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

    Georgetown Pre-College Program: International Relations

    , with residential and commuter options.

    Cost
    $3,095–$3,725(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 8–12 (current)
    Program dates
    1 week
    Where
    In person · Washington, DC
    LeadershipResidentialPre-college
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications received by the early-bird deadline; Health insurance fee (international students only): $45; Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA

    Selection and application: Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement

    Checked Official site

    Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies logo
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  • Georgetown University

    Georgetown Pre-College Summer Programs

    Georgetown’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions include noncredit Academies, College Prep and Summer College credit options. A separate year-round online program is also available. The site is planning summer 2027 and asks applicants to return November 16 for offerings and applications; the online program is open now.

    Cost
    $3,095–$9,540
    Who can apply
    Grades 8–12 (current)
    Program dates
    1⁠–⁠8 weeks
    Where
    In person or online · Washington, DC
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; for admitted Summer College, College Prep and Academy students.

    Costs beyond tuition: Pre-college fee (credit programs): $780; Optional housing (credit programs): $2,542; Residential College Prep fee (College Prep seminars): $1,726; Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications received by the early-bird deadline; Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; for admitted Summer College, College Prep and Academy students.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing; Requirement: Minimum 2.0 GPA for the Academies; Requirement: Summer College open to current 10th-12th graders with at least a 3.0 GPA

    Selection and application: Application materials: Personal statement; Recommendation letter or School Official Reviewer Form

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    Georgetown University logo
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  • Georgetown University

    Georgetown Summer College

    Georgetown Summer College lets eligible high-school students take credit-bearing courses with undergraduates, through campus and online options.

    Cost
    $7,113(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12 (current)
    Program dates
    5⁠–⁠8 weeks
    Where
    In person or online · Washington, DC
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Pre-college fee: $780; Optional housing per session: $2,542; Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications submitted before the early-bird deadline; Health insurance fee per session (international students only): $225; Need-based tuition scholarship. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA; Requirement: Minimum TOEFL 90, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 115 when English is not the main language of instruction at the student's high school; Requirement: International students in on-campus classes need an F-1 visa and at least 6 credits

    Selection and application: Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement; One letter of recommendation

    Checked Official site

    Georgetown University logo
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  • Georgia Tech CEISMC

    Georgia Tech CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S.

    Georgia Tech’s CEISMC Summer PEAKS offers one- to two-week STEAM day programmes on the Atlanta campus.

    Cost
    $400–$550
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    1⁠–⁠2 weeks
    Where
    In person · Atlanta, GA
    STEMDay program
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based tiered scholarship (25%, 50% or 75%). Based on free/reduced lunch or Pell Grant eligibility; Georgia residents; one scholarship per student per summer.

    Costs beyond tuition: Need-based tiered scholarship (25%, 50% or 75%). Based on free/reduced lunch or Pell Grant eligibility; Georgia residents; one scholarship per student per summer.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12

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    Georgia Tech CEISMC logo
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Before you apply

How to check costs, eligibility and dates

Use the concrete checks below alongside the catalog examples. Where a program publishes no acceptance rate, treat selectivity as unknown; price alone cannot establish it.

Each card shows what the program has published; open the official site for anything it leaves out. A date or price from an earlier year says so beside it, and format and location can change between cycles.

Selective vs. pay-to-play guideApplication guideHow we list programs

Keep exploring

Explore Summer 2027 by interest, grade and state

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Are these programs confirmed for summer 2027?

These are existing catalog programs to research for 2027. Inclusion does not confirm a 2027 session or open applications. The cycle label matters: a 2027-cycle application deadline can fall in 2026. Dates explicitly labeled as the 2026 cycle are historical, and a detail the program has not published for 2027 is left off its card.

How should I compare program costs and formats?

Compare tuition, application fees, housing, meals and travel, then check whether attendance is online, on campus or hybrid. A free tuition offer may leave other expenses. A card shows only what the program has published; for anything it leaves out, open the official site.

Can a program pay to appear first?

No paid placements. Listings are ranked by fit, never by payment. By default, editor picks and programs whose official rules describe selective admission come first, and within each group the soonest 2027 deadline. You can sort by name, deadline or latest source check instead. Use the methodology page to understand catalog standards.

How do I save a program?

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