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.

FreePaid or stipendOnlineIn personHybrid
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Compare 2 of 3 programs

Clear comparison

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

  1. 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

  2. Carleton College

    Carleton Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI)Remove
    Application deadline
    Not published
    Cost
    $1,500–$5,7002026 cycle
    Financial aid
    2026: Need-based scholarship (domestic students only). Partial or full; international students are not eligible.
    Expenses and aid conditions
    2026: Application fee: $75. Waived automatically for scholarship applicants; First payment to confirm attendance after acceptance: $500. Need-based scholarship recipients may be exempt; Need-based scholarship (domestic students only). Partial or full; international students are not eligible.
    Stipend or pay
    Not published
    Eligibility
    Grades 9–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher
    Additional eligibility
    Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–11 when applying; Requirement: 3-week for-credit courses: current high school sophomores and juniors only; Requirement: 1-week non-credit courses: current high school first-years, sophomores and juniors
    Session dates or duration
    Starts July 11, 2027; Ends July 30, 2027; 1–3 weeks
    Format
    In person
    Housing and supervision
    Residential
    Location
    Northfield, MN
    Selection and application
    Selection: Admission committee review is required, but Carleton does not publish applicant counts, cohort size, or an acceptance rate on the current pages. Application materials: Online application form with short essay answers (500 words or less); 3-week programs: one teacher recommendation from a related discipline; International applicants: English proficiency score, InitialView interview, passport copy and certification of finances
    Official sources
    Source 1 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 2 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 3 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 4 · checked Oct 24, 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 49–60 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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  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene Christian University Pre-College Summer Program

    Pre-college experience at Abilene Christian University for high school students to explore campus life and academic programs.

    Early deadline
    Jan 15, 202783 days left
    Cost
    $1,000
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–11 (current)
    Program dates
    Jul 18–24, 2027 · 1 week
    Where
    In person · Abilene, TX
    LeadershipResidentialPre-college
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Non-refundable payment with student contract: $500. Due Feb 1, 2027 (early admits) or June 15, 2027 (regular admits).

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying

    Checked Official site

    Abilene Christian University logo
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  • Boston Symphony Orchestra

    Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra

    Six-week residential orchestral institute for high-school musicians ages 14-19, with daily rehearsals, lessons, chamber music, master classes and Tanglewood performances.

    Apply by
    Jan 15, 202783 days left
    Cost
    $4,615(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12
    Program dates
    Jul 4 – Aug 14, 2027 · 6 weeks
    Where
    In person · Lenox, MA
    ArtsResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: BUTI need-based and merit scholarships: $500–$4,615. Awards range from $500 to the full cost of tuition ($4,615 for six weeks in 2026); apply within the admissions application.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: 2026 six-week room and board: $3,600; 2026 other required fees (six weeks): $650; Application fee: $80. Reduced or waived fees are available in cases of financial hardship; BUTI need-based and merit scholarships: $500–$4,615. Awards range from $500 to the full cost of tuition ($4,615 for six weeks in 2026); apply within the admissions application.

    Requirements: Maximum age 19; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12; Requirement: Must not have begun full-time college or conservatory study (the summer after high school graduation is eligible); Requirement: Recommended age range is 14-19; younger applicants may apply but those in range receive preference

    Selection and application: Selection: BUTI describes admission as highly competitive and uses auditions, artistic materials, statements and recommendations; YAO application and admit counts were not published. Application materials: Live or recorded audition with instrument-specific repertoire; Written and video personal statements; One recommendation (recommender's email submitted in the application)

    Checked Official site

    Boston Symphony Orchestra logo
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  • U.S. Air Force Academy

    U.S. Air Force Academy Summer Seminar

    Apply by
    Jan 15, 202783 days left
    Cost
    $400
    Who can apply
    Grade 11 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 8–25, 2027 · 1 week
    Where
    In person · Colorado Springs, CO
    LeadershipResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Limited scholarships for the registration fee and air travel. Air travel for scholarship recipients is booked by Admissions.

    Costs beyond tuition: Limited scholarships for the registration fee and air travel. Air travel for scholarship recipients is booked by Admissions.

    Requirements: Citizenship: US; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 11 when applying; Requirement: Current high school GPA of 3.0 or above; Requirement: No dependents; Requirement: No food allergies; no dietary accommodations are made; Requirement: No injuries that prevent walking; moderately fit for high-altitude exercise; Requirement: Not required to take daily prescribed medication

    Selection and application: Selection: Whole-person selection using academics, athletics, leadership/potential, and extracurricular/community activity. Historically more than 3,200 apply and about 640 attend.

    Checked Official site

    U.S. Air Force Academy logo
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  • U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy

    U.S. Service Academy Summer Seminars — Program Family

    Three separate residential summer programs for current high school juniors exploring cadet academics, military training, fitness and academy life.

    Apply by
    Jan 15, 202783 days left
    Cost
    $400–$575
    Who can apply
    Grade 11 (current)
    Program dates
    May 29 – Jun 25, 2027 · 1 week
    Where
    In person
    LeadershipResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: West Point SLE need-based scholarships; Limited Air Force Academy Summer Seminar scholarships. May cover the registration fee and air travel to Colorado Springs.

    Costs beyond tuition: West Point SLE need-based scholarships; Limited Air Force Academy Summer Seminar scholarships. May cover the registration fee and air travel to Colorado Springs.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 11 when applying; Requirement: West Point SLE and the Air Force Academy Summer Seminar require U.S. citizenship; the Naval Academy Summer Seminar does not, but applicants need a Social Security number; Requirement: West Point SLE applicants must be 16 by July 1 of the summer between junior and senior year; Requirement: Air Force Academy applicants need a current GPA of 3.0 or above; Requirement: Physically fit and in good health with no serious medical issues; Requirement: No dependents or legal obligation to support a child

    Selection and application: Selection: Academy-specific and selective; USNA identifies approximately 800 participants per session and rolling selection based on academic, athletic, extracurricular and fitness factors. Application materials: Personal statement (Naval Academy) or personal profile (Air Force Academy)

    Checked Official site

    U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy logo
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  • Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

    Broad Summer Scholars Program

    Free six-week, $3,600 paid biomedical-research internship for Massachusetts high-school juniors who can commute daily to Broad in Cambridge.

    Apply by
    Jan 20, 202788 days left
    Pay
    $3,600 stipend(2026)
    Who can apply
    Grade 11
    Program dates
    6 weeks
    Where
    In person
    STEMDay programResearch
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Daily transportation reimbursement. Broad promises partial reimbursement but does not publish limits or eligible modes.

    Requirements: Citizenship: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or non-U.S. citizen with employment authorization; Residency: Must attend a Massachusetts high school within daily commuting distance of Broad; Requirement: Apply as a current high-school junior/rising senior; Requirement: Earn B or better grades in science and mathematics; Requirement: Show enthusiasm for science; prior research is not required; Requirement: Attend the entire six-week program without other courses, programs, or employment during program hours; Exclusion: Out-of-state high-school students are ineligible even if they can commute or arrange housing; Exclusion: Students unable to attend every program day are ineligible

    Selection and application: Selection: Applications receive holistic merit review based on coursework, extracurricular interests, science enthusiasm, teacher recommendations, and potential community contribution. Broad publishes recent cohort names but no current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Teacher recommendation material; the FAQ does not state the number

    Checked Official site

    Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard logo
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  • Meadowmount School of Music

    Meadowmount School of Music Summer Session

    Seven-week auditioned violin, viola and cello intensive for ages 10-30; the 2026 session ended and 2027 admissions are unannounced.

    Apply by
    Jan 20, 202788 days left
    Cost
    $5,640
    Who can apply
    Ages 10–30
    Program dates
    Jun 26 – Aug 13, 2027 · 7 weeks
    Where
    In person · Westport, NY
    ArtsResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Merit scholarships, financial support and work study

    Costs beyond tuition: Room and board (7 weeks, on-campus students): $4,170. A double room reduces room and board by $800 per student; students under 13 must live off campus; Refundable security deposit: $65; Enrollment deposit (credited toward tuition): $1,500; Application fee: $105. A waiver can be requested through Acceptd; Merit scholarships, financial support and work study

    Requirements: Ages 10–30; Requirement: Violin, viola or cello players; Requirement: Age is measured on June 26, 2027; students must be 13 by then to live on campus

    Selection and application: Selection: Admission is by faculty review of solo and chamber audition videos. Meadowmount reports roughly 200 students and substantial aid, but does not publish current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Unedited solo audition video(s)

    Checked Official site

    Meadowmount School of Music logo
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  • University of Notre Dame Office of Pre-College Programs

    University of Notre Dame Pre-College Programs

    Notre Dame Pre-College includes separate Leadership Seminars, Summer Scholars, study-abroad courses and online programmes.

    Apply by
    Jan 20, 202788 days left
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–11 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 5 – Aug 1, 2027
    Where
    In person or online · Notre Dame, IN
    Residential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Summer Scholars need-based scholarships and grants. Limited partial to full-tuition need-based scholarships; Lilly Endowment (Indiana residents), Philadelphia-area and KPMG (Accounting course) grants cover tuition, room and board for qualifying students.

    Costs beyond tuition: Application fee (non-refundable): $75; Non-refundable enrollment fee: $150–$300. $150 for Leadership Seminars; $300 for Summer Scholars, applied to the total; Summer Scholars need-based scholarships and grants. Limited partial to full-tuition need-based scholarships; Lilly Endowment (Indiana residents), Philadelphia-area and KPMG (Accounting course) grants cover tuition, room and board for qualifying students.

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Must be at least 16 years old by August 1, 2027; Requirement: Leadership Seminars is for current juniors planning to attend college immediately after high school, with demonstrated leadership; Requirement: Summer Scholars is for current sophomores and juniors.

    Selection and application: Selection: Selectivity varies by family and course. Leadership Seminars is competitive and admits approximately 150 students annually; the official pages do not publish umbrella, Summer Scholars, Study Abroad, online, or course-specific acceptance rates or guaranteed thresholds. Application materials: Online application with two essays; One teacher letter of recommendation

    Checked Official site

    University of Notre Dame Office of Pre-College Programs logo
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  • UT Southwestern Medical Center

    UT Southwestern STARS Summer Research Program for Students

    UT Southwestern STARS offers eight-week nonresidential biomedical research for eligible juniors; Summer2027 applications run November16,2026–January22,2027.

    Apply by
    Jan 22, 202790 days left
    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grade 11 (current)
    Program dates
    8 weeks
    Where
    In person · Dallas, TX
    STEMDay programResearch
    Requirements and sources

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Citizenship: US citizens or nationals, or others eligible to work in the United States; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 11 when applying; Requirement: Must be currently classified as a high school junior and enrolled in high school; Requirement: Must be at least 16 years old by June 1 before the program begins; Requirement: Students with prior research experience are not eligible

    Selection and application: Selection: Participation is limited by funding. UT Southwestern names superior academic achievement and strong science or medicine interest as positive factors but does not publish the current applicant count, funded places, acceptance rate, GPA cutoff, review rubric, lab-match method, or waitlist policy. Application materials: Transcript, essays, activity list, resume, teacher or counselor information, recommendation, or interview only if the new application explicitly requires them

    Checked Official site

    UT Southwestern Medical Center logo
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  • The National WWII Museum

    Student Leadership Academy

    New Orleans leadership and history academy for current high-school students aged 16+, July 12–16, 2027. Accepted participants receive coverage of the $1,840 programme cost; optional university credit costs approximately $875 extra.

    Apply by
    Jan 22, 202790 days left
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12 (current)
    Program dates
    Jul 12–16, 2027
    Where
    Hybrid · New Orleans, LA
    LeadershipResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2027 accepted-participant programme scholarship: $1,840. All accepted participants receive coverage of the programme cost; optional university credit and travel to New Orleans are separate.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2027 accepted-participant programme scholarship: $1,840. All accepted participants receive coverage of the programme cost; optional university credit and travel to New Orleans are separate.

    Requirements: Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: Be 16 or older at the time of the program

    Selection and application: Selection: Confirm the current programme’s selection, capacity and operative participation conditions.

    Checked Official site

    The National WWII Museum logo
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  • Missouri State University Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

    Missouri Fine Arts Academy

    A two-week residential arts academy at Missouri State University, May 30–June 12, 2027.

    Apply by
    Jan 25, 202793 days left
    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12 (current)
    Program dates
    May 30 – Jun 12, 2027 · 2 weeks
    Where
    In person · Springfield, MO
    ArtsResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: Has not attended MFAA in the past

    Selection and application: Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages. Application materials: Essay of about 500 words; Portfolio (visual arts, creative writing), performance video (theatre, dance, vocal, instrumental) or audio files/scores (electronic music, composition)

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  • Princeton University

    Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

    -based juniors, combining summer online classes with a 10-day Princeton residential newsroom intensive.

    Apply by
    Jan 25, 202793 days left
    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grade 11 (current)
    Program dates
    48⁠–⁠60 weeks
    Where
    Hybrid · Princeton, NJ
    ArtsResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Princeton campus housing (residential portion): $0; Meals (residential portion): $0; Transportation for the in-person portion: $0

    Requirements: Residency: US; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 11 when applying; Requirement: Must be enrolled full-time as a high school junior in the year of application; Requirement: Minimum unweighted GPA equivalent to 3.5 out of 4.0; Requirement: Must meet at least one limited-income condition: combined parent/guardian income (plus child support) of $65,000 or less, eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, or eligibility for an SAT or ACT fee waiver; Requirement: Must have a permanent U.S. address and intend to attend college in the U.S; students living and studying abroad and international students on B, F, J or M visas are not eligible

    Selection and application: Selection: Three-round national selection for academically strong, limited-income juniors; acceptance rate is not published. Application materials: One recommendation from a core class teacher; Finalists: video interview

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  • University of Pennsylvania Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology

    Penn Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI)

    Apply by
    Jan 27, 202795 days left
    Cost
    $11,999
    Who can apply
    Grade 12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jul 11–31, 2027 · 3 weeks
    Where
    In person · Philadelphia, PA
    BusinessResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based scholarships and financial awards (full or partial funding)

    Costs beyond tuition: Non-refundable application fee: $100; Need-based scholarships and financial awards (full or partial funding)

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grade 12; Requirement: High-level chemistry, physics and calculus courses; Requirement: Leadership roles

    Selection and application: Selection: The historical 2026 program selected 75 students based on academic achievement and leadership. Penn does not publish an acceptance rate on the official pages. Application materials: Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a STEM teacher)

    Checked Official site

    University of Pennsylvania Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology 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

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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?

Open its catalog listing and sign in to save it to your plan. You can browse these pages and official program links without signing in.

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