Best Summer STEM Programs: With Advice from a Former Admissions Officer

Attention all knowledge seekers! Are you on the hunt for the ultimate STEM summer program experience? Look no further!

Imagine having access to cutting-edge research opportunities, thought-provoking discussions with fellow STEM enthusiasts, or even engaging talks with industry experts and hands-on learning experiences in state-of-the-art labs. The possibilities for growth and enrichment are endless.

However, we understand that sifting through hundreds of programs can be daunting and time-consuming, which is why Pioneer Academics has done the hard work for you. With our rigorous standards, we’ve meticulously curated a list of the best STEM summer programs out there.

Advice from a Former Admissions Officer

Brett Fuller

Academic Development Manager | Pioneer Academics
Former Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Wake Forest University
Former Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

Important note: The “best” program is always going to be the program that best fits your needs, goals, and interests. Check out my thoughts on things to consider when selecting a summer program here: College Application: Tips on Selecting a Summer Program Meeting Admission Officers’ Standards.

If you’re considering a summer program in STEM, it is likely because you have not yet identified the more specific field you want to study. That’s okay! This is a great place to start. One of the most important skills to develop prior to beginning your undergraduate study is asking the right questions. What kind of problems intrigue you? What kind of issues do you most want to help tackle? What is your greatest source of inspiration? If you are the kind of student who is mathematically and scientifically inclined, you cannot go wrong with programs that encourage you to face these questions head-on. The exposure to mentors who will guide you through these questions and expose you to new ideas can be invaluable.

💡Bonus tips for choosing the right academic programs:

Click here to read the in-depth investigative report and its summary on the academic programs and publications by the Pulitzer-winning journalist on ProPublica and Chronicle of Higher Ed!

Pioneer Academics

Pioneer Academics is an excellent summer program for students interested in STEM because it offers a rigorous curriculum that focuses on developing critical skills necessary for conducting high-quality research. Students who participate in this program have the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers and industry experts, expanding their knowledge and deepening their understanding of STEM fields.

The program provides access to cutting-edge research opportunities and state-of-the-art labs, allowing students to engage in hands-on learning experiences that complement the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom. By participating in Pioneer Academics, students can build a strong foundation in STEM subjects, preparing them for future academic and career pursuits in these fields. By the end of this program, each student completes a professional-level research paper – the top 3% of which Pioneer Academics publishes in The Pioneer Research Journal.

Format	Online
Cost	6,650 US dollars
Program Dates	June-August (Some Students May Extend to September)
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: April 9, 2023

Format	Online
Cost	6,650 US dollars
Program Dates	June-August (Some Students May Extend to September)
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: April 9, 2023

Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program – Jackson Laboratory

Jackson Laboratory’s Summer Student Program is for students wanting to immerse themselves in genomics and genetics research. This ten-week multi-campus program occurs in Bar Harbor, Maine, and Farmington, Connecticut. These programs place high school students with accomplished science mentors ready to answer questions and provide guidance.

Students develop independent research projects throughout these summer STEM programs, create a course of action, analyze data, and present their results. Before officially completing this summer research program, each student gives a presentation to his or her peers, families, and professional researchers.

Format	In-person
Cost	$6,250
Program Dates	June 3 – August 13, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: January 30, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	$6,250
Program Dates	June 3 – August 13, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: January 30, 2023

Women’s Technology Program – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Each summer, a select group of female high school students meets at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for its Women’s Technology Program. MIT created this program to solve a lack of female role models in science, and technology engineering, accepting 20 to 40 female students each summer. While this program doesn’t grade its young female students, it does expect them to work hard.

This challenging four-week summer engineering program is available to high school students becoming seniors. In this program, students focus on mechanical engineering, combining elements of classroom learning with interactive lessons in MIT’s state-of-the-art laboratories.

Format	In-person
Cost	Free
Program Dates	May 1, 2023 (4-week program)
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: Jan 15, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	Free
Program Dates	May 1, 2023 (4-week program)
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: Jan 15, 2023

Roswell Park Summer Cancer Research Experience Program – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

High school juniors interested in the medical field and the fight against cancer might want to attend Rosewell Park’s summer program. These STEM summer programs teach students about key sciences, including biostatistics, epidemiology, molecular biology, regulatory science, biophysics, and genetics.

The Summer Cancer Research Experience Program lets students complete hands-on projects with cutting-edge lab equipment and tools. While not completing lab assignments, participants also learn in classrooms and attend guest lectures from experts in cancer research. This research science institute also pairs students with mentors in the field of cancer science for a deeper learning experience.

Format	In-person
Cost	Program fee: $65 (non-refundable) Funding is based on qualification
Program Dates	June 26 – August 11, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 21, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	Program fee: $65 (non-refundable) Funding is based on qualification
Program Dates	June 26 – August 11, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 21, 2023

Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University

This research program is available each summer for high school juniors passionate about research. These summer programs begin by having each student paired with an SBU faculty member who serves as a mentor. Students also pair up into research teams to collaborate and work on a research project of their choosing.

While attending these research programs, eager high school students also get a closer look at on-campus college life. High school students additionally attend SBU’s weekly faculty research meetings, exclusive tours, engagement activities, and special events. These STEM summer programs conclude with students presenting written research abstracts and posters.

Format	In-person
Cost	$3046.75
Program Dates	June 26, 2023 – August 11, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 10, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	$3046.75
Program Dates	June 26, 2023 – August 11, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 10, 2023

Summer Science Research Program – Rockefeller University

High-performing students in their junior and senior years can learn about the world of biomedical research at Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program (SSRP). Participating in the SSRP allows motivated students to conduct research based on one of Rockefeller University’s pre-selected topics.

Students will spend most of their time in the RockEDU Laboratory, including 3,000 square feet of space for students to work on their research projects. While not conducting hands-on research in this summer science program, students receive traditional classroom instruction and chances to speak with peers who share a passion for the STEM field.

Format	In-person
Cost	Free
Program Dates	June 26 – August 10, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: January 6, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	Free
Program Dates	June 26 – August 10, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: January 6, 2023

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program – Stanford Medicine

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week STEM summer program for current high school juniors and rising high school seniors. This program welcomes diverse groups of high schoolers to research alongside their peers, Stanford University faculty, and other researchers on medically-related projects. Students also get a unique first-hand look at the scientific research process.

Each student chooses one of Stanford University’s several institutes offered by its medical school, including options such as neurobiology, immunology, regenerative medicine, genetics, and bioengineering. Typically, this program welcomes about 50 students interested in medicine and biological sciences.

Format	In-person
Cost	$40 Application Fee
Program Dates	June 12- August 3, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 25th, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	$40 Application Fee
Program Dates	June 12- August 3, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 25th, 2023

Exploring Engineering – Loyola Marymount University

Some STEM programs focus on one aspect of this multi-subject field, including Exploring Engineering, offered at Loyola Marymount University. This STEM summer program lets seniors learn about civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Students also gain a deeper understanding of computer programming by using real-world applications and tools used in the engineering field.

Completing this program gives students a foundational understanding of engaging in team-based work, analyzing data, and resolving the world’s biggest engineering-related challenges. While attending these STEM summer programs, students also create manual and computer graphics using modern engineering design tools.

Format	In-person
Cost	Application Fee: $65 2023 Program Cost: $9,500
Program Dates	June 25 – July 21, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: March 15, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	Application Fee: $65 2023 Program Cost: $9,500
Program Dates	June 25 – July 21, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: March 15, 2023

PROMYS Program for Mathematics for Young Scientists –  PROMYS

Each summer, Boston University lets students explore advanced mathematics concepts for its six-week Program for Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS). This program is available to all high school students, provided they’re at least 14 years old. There’s also need-based financial aid for select students.

A student’s workday begins with a group morning lecture and scheduled classroom learning. Beyond that, students have the freedom to choose from mathematical-related lectures or work in the lab on a research project. Young men and young women in this program learn about number theory, mathematical patterns, and testing formulas. There are also advanced seminars and courses for returning or extremely high-performing first-year students. These advanced topics include matroids, polynomial countability, linear algebra, and cryptography.

Format	In-person
Cost	$6,000
Program Dates	July 2 – August 12, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: March 5, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	$6,000
Program Dates	July 2 – August 12, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: March 5, 2023

Notre Dame Summer Scholars – University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame, one of the nation’s most prestigious college campuses, offers STEM summer programs for students interested in rigorous learning experiences. This renowned research university offers summer courses in various STEM fields, including data visualization, biomedical engineering, global health science, ecology, environmental science, biology, computer science, and neuroscience.

Students explore STEM topics through a blend of this program’s lectures and hands-on labs. Besides exploring STEM majors, high school students also learn about the college admissions process, see what it’s like living on-campus at the University of Notre Dame, and earn college credit for completing this program.

Format	In-person
Cost	Application Fee: Non-refundable $60 Enrollment Fee: Non-refundable $300 Tuition/Room and Board Balance: $4,175
Program Dates	Session I: June 10 – 24, 2023 Session II: July 1 – 15, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 20, 2023

Format	In-person
Cost	Application Fee: Non-refundable $60 Enrollment Fee: Non-refundable $300 Tuition/Room and Board Balance: $4,175
Program Dates	Session I: June 10 – 24, 2023 Session II: July 1 – 15, 2023
Application Deadline(s)	Regular Admission Deadline: February 20, 2023

💡Bonus tips for choosing the right academic programs:

Click here to read the in-depth investigative report and its summary on the academic programs and publications by the Pulitzer-winning journalist on ProPublica and Chronicle of Higher Ed!

Learn More

Are you a high school student interested in learning more about STEM programs available this summer? If so, we encourage you to attend a free online information session.