| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | March 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $3,900; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based scholarships for online and commuter students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Non-refundable application fee: $60. A fee waiver can be requested.; Lab kit fee (estimated, plus taxes and shipping): $265. International students may incur customs fees.; Need-based scholarships for online and commuter students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | On-campus boarding: $0. Covered by program funders.; Food: $0. Covered by program funders. (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Weekly salary: $500 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grade 12 and first-year college; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: As and Bs in high school math and science classes; Requirement: Completed Algebra II; Requirement: Completed a course covering trigonometric functions; Requirement: Completed a full year of high school chemistry and/or physics with a lab (or a 4 or 5 on AP Chemistry or AP Physics 1); Requirement: Recent high school graduates may attend the summer before college | Citizenship: US citizen; Residency: IL; Requirement: Open to grades 12–13; Requirement: High school senior in the 2027-2028 school year or a 2027 high school graduate; Requirement: Enrolled in an Illinois high school; Requirement: Proof of medical insurance | Residency: Texas high school students; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Students enrolled in summer school during the program dates cannot participate (full-time attendance required) |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 5–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts July 12, 2027; Ends August 6, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | Online | Hybrid | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Worldwide synchronous participation, subject to Eastern Time attendance and lab-kit shipping/customs feasibility | IL | Austin, TX |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Completed applications are academically reviewed. Rising juniors and seniors are typical, talented rising sophomores may be considered, and older students receive priority when space is limited. Programs can fill before final deadlines; no acceptance rate is published. Application materials: One brief required essay and one brief optional essay; Teacher recommendation | Application materials: Letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher or STEM club advisor | Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee. Application materials: Essay(s); One letter of recommendation |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21Source 6 · checked 2026-08-21Source 7 · checked 2026-08-21Source 8 · checked 2026-08-21 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-20Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20 |
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