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.

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. 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. 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. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

    PREFACERemove
    Application deadline
    Not published
    Cost
    $4,7502026 cycle
    Financial aid
    2026: Need-based partial scholarship. Requested within the online application; does not affect the admission decision.
    Expenses and aid conditions
    2026: Need-based partial scholarship. Requested within the online application; does not affect the admission decision.
    Stipend or pay
    Not published
    Eligibility
    Grades 11–12 (provider uses rising grades)
    Additional eligibility
    Citizenship: US citizen; Citizenship: US permanent resident; Requirement: Open to rising grades 11–12; Requirement: Strong understanding of English
    Session dates or duration
    Starts July 19, 2026; Ends August 1, 2026; 2 weeks2026 cycle
    Format
    In person
    Housing and supervision
    Residential
    Location
    Troy, NY
    Selection and application
    Application materials: Essay; Recommendations
    Official sources
    Source 1 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 2 · checked Oct 24, 2026Source 3 · 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

Filtered byRising 11th gradeClear all

Showing 1–12 of 312 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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Closing soonest

  • LaunchX LLC

    LaunchX Entrepreneurship Programs

    LaunchX entrepreneurship programmes for high-school students ages14–18, with2027 Ann Arbor and online routes; application rounds and costs depend on the selected programme.

    Priority deadline
    Nov 11, 202618 days left
    Cost
    $2,495–$13,495
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12
    Program dates
    2⁠–⁠5 weeks
    Where
    In person or online · Ann Arbor, MI
    Editor's pickBusinessResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Tuition financial awards. Verified using the last year's income.

    Costs beyond tuition: International fee for in-person 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.

    Requirements: Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12

    Selection and application: Selection: LaunchX reports an approximately 30% acceptance rate for Flagship programs only. It does not publish applicant counts, scoring methods, or acceptance rates for the other tracks. Application materials: Interview for selected applicants

    Checked Official site

    LaunchX LLC logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • Columbia University School of Professional Studies

    Columbia University Pre-College Programs

    Columbia's umbrella of noncredit high-school courses; the currently open fall 2026 option is a seven-weekend synchronous online program for grades 9-12.

    Early deadline
    Feb 1, 2027100 days left
    Cost
    $2,868–$12,838
    Who can apply
    Grades 8–12 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 21 – Aug 6, 2027 · 1⁠–⁠3 weeks
    Where
    In person or online · New York, NY
    Editor's pickResidentialPre-college
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based scholarships (NYC Commuter or Online Summer, one course). Awards equal 25%-50% of the program or course cost; for permanent residents in the US or its five major territories.

    Costs beyond tuition: Nonrefundable application fee: $80–$95. Columbia quotes the fee as $80 in its program cost and application materials sections and as $95.00 in its application fee section; Non-refundable enrollment deposit (credited toward the program cost): $1,000–$3,500. $3,500 residential, $2,000 commuter 3-week, $1,000 for 1-week commuter and online sessions; Course-specific fees for some in-person courses: $50–$200. Only for listed courses; most courses also need about $50 for books and field trips; Need-based scholarships (NYC Commuter or Online Summer, one course). Awards equal 25%-50% of the program or course cost; for permanent residents in the US or its five major territories.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Summer programs take rising 9th graders through current 12th graders, domestic and international; Requirement: NYC Residential Summer students must be at least 15 and, if 15, turn 16 by December 31 of the program year; Requirement: English proficiency equivalent to 90+ on the internet-based TOEFL or 6.5+ on the IELTS

    Selection and application: Selection: Holistic admission seeks academically exceptional, curious, motivated, and mature students. Columbia publishes no current applicant or admit rate and no fixed GPA minimum. Application materials: Teacher recommendation; School counselor/administrator recommendation (NYC Residential and NYC Commuter Summer)

    Checked Official site

    Columbia University School of Professional Studies logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • The Kenyon Review

    Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Residential Workshop

    Write and discuss new work during a two-week residential workshop at Kenyon College.

    Cost
    $2,575
    Who can apply
    Grades 11–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jun 27 – Jul 31, 2027 · 2 weeks
    Where
    In person · Gambier, OH
    Editor's pickArtsResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based financial aid: Up to $2,575. Decided case by case with admission; covers the program cost only, not travel.

    Costs beyond tuition: Application fee: $0; Non-refundable enrollment deposit for accepted students: $500; Need-based financial aid: Up to $2,575. Decided case by case with admission; covers the program cost only, not travel.

    Requirements: Ages 16–18; Requirement: Open to rising grades 11–12; Requirement: Must be 16 to 18 years old at the time of the program; Requirement: Recent high school graduates are also eligible; Requirement: Rising sophomores are not eligible, even if already 16; Requirement: Students who already attended the residential workshop cannot apply again

    Selection and application: Selection: Kenyon calls the workshop highly selective and admits only a small percentage, emphasizing the 300-word statement and recommendation; it does not publish applicant or acceptance counts. Application materials: 300-word personal statement, essay, story or poem on why or how writing has been meaningful in your life; One letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your writing

    Checked Official site

    The Kenyon Review logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • PROMYS Foundation / Boston University

    PROMYS at Boston University

    Selective six-week residential proof-based mathematics program at Boston University for ages 14-18; 2026 ended and 2027 is unannounced.

    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12
    Program dates
    Jun 27 – Aug 7, 2027 · 6 weeks
    Where
    In person · Boston, MA
    Editor's pickSTEMResidentialResearch
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: 2026: Free for U.S. families with adjusted gross income under $80,000; need-based aid up to full cost. Aid for international students is decided case by case.

    Costs beyond tuition: 2026: Free for U.S. families with adjusted gross income under $80,000; need-based aid up to full cost. Aid for international students is decided case by case.

    Requirements: Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to grades 10–12; Requirement: Have completed 9th grade (or its equivalent) by the first day of the program; Requirement: Not yet enrolled as a full-time college or university student; Requirement: Graduating seniors may attend in the summer between high school and college or during a gap year

    Selection and application: Selection: About 80 high-school students are selected through demonstrated mathematical thinking in the problem set, academic context, recommendation, transcript, and short answers. PROMYS does not publish the current applicant count or acceptance rate. Application materials: One letter of recommendation

    Checked Official site

    PROMYS Foundation / Boston University logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • The American Legion

    American Legion Boys State

    Create and run a mock state government through American Legion Boys State. Local schools, Legion posts and state programs handle delegate selection, deadlines, sites and sponsorship.

    Who can apply
    Grade 11
    Where
    In person
    Editor's pickLeadership
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Delegate sponsorship by a Legion post, local business or community organization. Covers individual expenses in most cases.

    Costs beyond tuition: Delegate sponsorship by a Legion post, local business or community organization. Covers individual expenses in most cases.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to grade 11; Requirement: Must not have attended Boys State before; Requirement: Open to high school boys; young women attend the separate American Legion Auxiliary Girls State

    Selection and application: Application materials: School recommendation to the local American Legion post (in most states); Interview with the local American Legion post (in most states)

    Checked Official site

    The American Legion logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • Saturday Academy

    Saturday Academy ASE Internships

    Competitive Oregon and southwest Washington STEAM internships for rising grades 10-12, usually about eight summer weeks, with hour-based learning stipends and possible high-school credit.

    Cost
    Free
    Pay
    $500–$1,500 stipend
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    4⁠–⁠10 weeks
    Where
    In person or hybrid · Portland, Corvallis, OR
    SelectiveSTEMDay programResearchInternship
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Application fee waiver. For students eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch or who qualify for financial aid.

    Costs beyond tuition: Non-refundable application processing fee: $40. Waived for students eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch or who qualify for financial aid; Application fee waiver. For students eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch or who qualify for financial aid.

    Requirements: Residency: Reside in the United States throughout the program; Residency: Live within 50 miles of the internship position, or with adult family or friends near it for the summer; Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Have not held an ASE internship before; Requirement: Interest in a math or science career and readiness for a professional environment; Requirement: Reliable transportation to the internship location; Requirement: Proof of health insurance; Requirement: Mentor may not be a family member

    Selection and application: Selection: Competitive: more than 400 applicants for fewer than 100 positions, with roughly 75 internships typically offered. Matching also depends on position prerequisites and mentor rankings. Application materials: Two adult recommendations; Interview with some mentors

    Checked Official site

    Review 3 selectedView program

  • MIT Jameel Clinic

    AI & Health Summer High School Bootcamp

    MIT Jameel Clinic’s 2027 AI & Health Bootcamp is a one-week, in-person introduction to machine learning, Python, clinical AI and drug discovery for incoming grades 10–12.

    Early deadline
    Nov 1, 20268 days left
    Cost
    $2,000
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    1 week
    Where
    In person · Cambridge, MA
    STEMDay program
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Need-based financial aid (tuition only): Up to $2,000. Covers the cost of tuition only; international participants are not eligible. Requires proof of low-income program enrollment or a letter/essay demonstrating need.

    Costs beyond tuition: Need-based financial aid (tuition only): Up to $2,000. Covers the cost of tuition only; international participants are not eligible. Requires proof of low-income program enrollment or a letter/essay demonstrating need.

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–12; Requirement: Students who have participated in the past are not eligible to participate again; Requirement: No visa sponsorship or travel arrangements

    Selection and application: Application materials: MIT Jameel Clinic’s 2027 AI & Health Bootcamp is a one-week, in-person introduction to machine learning, Python, clinical AI and drug discovery for incoming grades 10–12. The programme is planned for mid-July, with exact dates still TBA. Early Action closes November 1, 2026 and regular applications February 22, 2027; recommendation letters are optional. Tuition is $2,000, and eligible domestic students may receive full-tuition need-based aid. Housing and transport are the family’s responsibility, and former participants may not repeat.

    Checked Official site

    MIT Jameel Clinic logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • Mississippi Arts Commission

    Mississippi Governor's School

    Mississippi Governor’s School runs June 6–19, 2027 as a fully residential, closed-campus programme at Mississippi University for Women.

    Apply by
    Nov 1, 20268 days left
    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–11 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 6–19, 2027 · 2 weeks
    Where
    In person · Columbus, MS
    ArtsResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Room: $0; Meals: $0

    Requirements: Residency: Mississippi; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Has not previously attended the Mississippi Governor's School; Requirement: Meets at least one academic qualification: Mississippi gifted eligibility, composite ACT 25+, SAT 1250+, PSAT Selection Index 175+, or cumulative GPA 3.25+ on a 4.0 scale; Requirement: Demonstrates advanced ability in academic aptitude, creative thinking, leadership, or fine and/or performing arts

    Selection and application: Application materials: Two recommendation letters (one teacher, one community member); 2027 scholar prompt response (essay, video, presentation or other original format; AI use prohibited)

    Checked Official site

    Mississippi Arts Commission logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • Sierra Service Project

    Sierra Service Project Summer Weeks of Service

    Sierra Service Project announces June 27–August 7, 2027 in Del Norte County and the Navajo Nation. Priority registration is printed October 2–November 1; current fees and exact weekly assignments require confirmation.

    Priority deadline
    Nov 1, 20268 days left
    Cost
    $715–$775
    Who can apply
    Grades 6–12 (rising)
    Program dates
    Jun 27 – Aug 7, 2027 · 1 week
    Where
    In person · Crescent City, Teec Nos Pos, CA, AZ
    VolunteeringResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: SSP participant scholarships

    Costs beyond tuition: Per-person deposit at registration (part of the participant fee): $125; Group sign-up fee (non-refundable): $75–$200. $75 for an individual or group of 1-5; $200 for a group of 6 or more; SSP participant scholarships

    Requirements: Requirement: Open to rising grades 6–12; Requirement: Middle-school sessions: incoming 6th through incoming 9th grade; high-school sessions: incoming 9th through graduating 12th grade; Requirement: Volunteers 18 and older have extra pre-trip requirements under California law AB 506

    Selection and application: Selection: Placement depends on session type and remaining capacity; no construction experience is required

    Checked Official site

    Sierra Service Project logo
    Review 3 selectedView program

  • National Hispanic Institute

    Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ)

    2.

    Early deadline
    Nov 6, 202613 days left
    Cost
    $1,320–$1,420
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–11 (current)
    Where
    In person
    LeadershipResidential
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Application fee (non-refundable): $25; LDZ deposit (non-refundable): $150. Due within 10 days of acceptance; secures the student's spot.

    Requirements: Residency: Live in NHI's participating cities or surrounding areas; the Dennis Chavez New Mexico LDZ is for New Mexico residents only; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: GPA of 3.2 (88%) or higher; Requirement: Enrolled in a college-bound curriculum

    Checked Official site

    Review 3 selectedView program

  • Georgia Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Strategy

    Georgia Governor's Honors Program

    Georgia's free four-week residential enrichment program for nominated sophomores and juniors, with advanced study in one of 20+ academic, engineering, language, or arts areas.

    Apply by
    Nov 10, 202617 days left
    Cost
    Free
    Who can apply
    Grades 10–11 (current)
    Program dates
    Jun 13 – Jul 10, 2027 · 4 weeks
    Where
    In person · Statesboro, GA
    Residential
    Requirements and sources

    Costs beyond tuition: Residence hall room: $0. State-funded; Meals: $0. State-funded.

    Requirements: Residency: GA; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Enrolled in a Georgia public school district, independent school or state charter school, or homeschooled in Georgia; Requirement: Nominated in only one subject area; Requirement: High aptitude and high interest in the area of nomination; Requirement: Able to attend the entire four-week residential program, including opening and closing days; Requirement: Has not attended the GHP summer program before

    Selection and application: Selection: Local schools/districts nominate through their own fair, disability-compliant processes; state content experts score applications; selected semifinalists interview or audition; finalists and alternates follow. More than 4,000 are nominated annually and approximately 20% or fewer attend. Local quotas, area rubrics, annual cohort size, and alternate movement vary. Application materials: One recommendation from someone who can speak to the nomination area; Interview or audition at the Semifinalist Event (semifinalists)

    Checked Official site

    Review 3 selectedView program

  • LaunchX LLC

    LaunchX In-Person Flagship Entrepreneurship Summer Program

    LaunchX’s four-week in-person flagship entrepreneurship programme for high-school students ages 14–18 in Ann Arbor; June 27–July 24, 2027, with USD 13,495 tuition and separate application fees.

    Priority deadline
    Nov 11, 202618 days left
    Cost
    $13,495
    Who can apply
    Grades 9–12
    Program dates
    4 weeks
    Where
    In person · Ann Arbor, MI
    BusinessResidential
    Financial aid, requirements and sources

    Financial aid: Tuition financial awards. Verified using the last year's income.

    Costs beyond tuition: 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.

    Requirements: Ages 14–18; Requirement: Open to grades 9–12

    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

    Checked Official site

    LaunchX LLC logo
    ComparingView program
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.

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