Applications for the Fall 2024 intake are gradually coming to a close.
Similarly approaching their deadlines
are summer school applications
Miss this round,
and you'll have to wait another whole year!
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In recent years, many international students, aiming to "get a head start," have chosen to attend summer programs at renowned universities to enhance their background and gain admission to higher-ranked colleges. This has made summer program applications fiercely competitive, sometimes even rivaling undergraduate admissions.
The benefits of attending high-value summer programs for undergraduate applications are also plainly visible.
Take The Summer Science Program (SSP) for example. This research summer program is affiliated with MIT and Caltech, and nearly 90% of its participants are accepted into top-tier universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton each year—its prestige speaks for itself. SSP's overall acceptance rate is around 9%, with an even lower rate for international students.
It can be said that summer programs, though competitive, are indeed useful!
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A wave of high-quality summer programs are returning to campus this year! While enriching knowledge, they also let students experience the charm of university life ahead of time.
To this end, CheersYou（清柚教育） has compiled a list of top US summer schools still accepting applications as of now, including program names, target groups, dates, and application deadlines, for your reference.
Top US Summer Schools 2024
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Next, CheersYou（清柚教育） will analyze 10 representative summer programs from STEM, humanities/social sciences, and business.
STEM Summer Programs
Research Science Institute - RSI
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The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week STEM-intensive summer program co-sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and MIT. It invites only 80 academically outstanding high school students from around the world each year, with an acceptance rate of only 5%. Once admitted, all costs are covered.
This six-week program covers subjects such as chemistry, mathematics, statistics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, neuroscience, biomedicine, and computer science.
During the first week, students participate in intensive STEM courses; for the remaining five weeks, they work with professors on a research topic from scratch and present their findings through conference and written reports.
The RSI Distinguished Lecture Series runs throughout the program, where many prominent professors and scientists, including Nobel laureates, engage with students in evening discussions.
Note that RSI is extremely competitive. It is advisable to submit your application early rather than waiting until the deadline.
- Target Group: G11
- Duration: June 23 – August 3, 2024
- Selectivity: A+
- Website: https://www.cee.org/programs/research-science-institute
The Clark Scholars Program
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The Clark Scholars Program is unique in that it imposes almost no restrictions on academic fields—it welcomes outstanding applicants in natural sciences and mathematics as well as those in humanities or the arts.
The program includes seven weeks of courses, weekly seminars, group discussions, and field trips. In this research-rich environment, students develop critical thinking skills and explore career interests.
Admission is extremely competitive: only 12 students are selected each year. For reference, in 2011 the average SAT score among the 12 students was above 2276 and PSAT above 223. Once accepted, the program is free of charge.
Most Clark Scholars go on to attend top US universities such as Stanford, Duke, Harvard, Yale, and Johns Hopkins University—an impressive track record.
- Target Group: At least 17 years old
- Duration: June 16 – August 1, 2024
- Selectivity: A+
- Website:
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/honors/academicsandenrichment/affiliatedandhig...
Stanford University Mathematics Camp - SUMaC
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The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is an academic program designed to help high school students expand their mathematical abilities. It offers a three-week course for students passionate about math. Due to the pandemic, this year's program will be conducted entirely online.
Participants engage in advanced coursework, lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving, much like university students and researchers. Through these activities, they explore the depths of higher mathematics, current research directions, historical significance of key math areas, and even interdisciplinary applications.
SUMaC offers two programs: Program I covers abstract algebra and number theory, with research topics including the limitations of straightedge and compass constructions, cryptography, and symmetry in structures; Program II focuses on algebraic topology, exploring different methods for analyzing shapes through algebraic concepts, such as groups.
Since SUMaC is a non-credit summer program, students can freely choose topics based on their interests.
- Target Group: G10–G11
- Duration:
Session 1: June 17 – July 5, 2024 (Online)
Session 1: June 23 – July 19, 2024
Session 2: July 8 – July 26, 2024 (Online)
- Selectivity: A
- Website:
https://sumac.spcs.stanford.edu/
Management & Technology Summer Institute - M&TSI
The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) at Penn is a credit-bearing summer program known for its rigorous academics, fast pace, and interdisciplinary approach, designed for high school students interested in both technology and management.
It is co-sponsored by Penn Engineering, the Wharton School, and the Jerome Fisher Program, with a faculty team comprising top professors and successful entrepreneurs.
Each year, M&TSI selects 50–75 students from around the globe, making competition extremely fierce. Over three weeks, students study technology and management concepts, present self-designed tech products at a product fair, and visit business groups centered on technological development.
Beyond coursework, students also tour enterprises and R&D facilities, engage in intensive team projects, and participate in various activities designed to teach the principles and practices of technological innovation.
- Target Group: G11–G12
- Duration: July 7–27, 2024
- Selectivity: A
- Website:
https://fisher.wharton.upenn.edu/management-technology-summer-institute/
Humanities & Social Sciences Summer Programs
Telluride Association Summer Program - TASP
The Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP) officially returned in 2022.
As one of the most prestigious and successful academic summer programs in the US—and also one of the best and hardest to enter—TASP has an acceptance rate of around 4–5%.
The program's prestige is such that 90% of its participants gain admission to top schools like MIT and Harvard. Tuition, room, and board are fully covered.
In 2022, TASP replaced its former TASS and TASP programs with two new ones: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) and Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS). These programs explore history, politics, literature, art, and other fields within an anti-racist framework, helping students recognize and critique social inequalities such as racial discrimination.
This year, students will have the opportunity to experience this six-week humanities journey at Cornell University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Michigan.
- Target Group: G11–G12
- Duration: June 23 – August 3, 2024
- Selectivity: A+
- Website:
https://www.tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute - SSHI
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute (SSHI) consistently ranks among the top 10 most prestigious summer programs and is one of the most difficult US humanities programs for Chinese students to gain admission to. However, it is slightly less competitive than TASP.
The program is two weeks long, held online, and ungraded/non-credit. Through intensive study of literary, historical, or philosophical questions on a specific topic, students leverage Stanford's excellence in the humanities and social sciences—delving deeply into texts and ideas, writing college-level papers, and engaging in complex arguments through academic writing and discussion.
The high caliber of SSHI drives a growing number of applicants each year. Data suggests that about one-third of participating 12th graders eventually receive offers from Stanford. Aspiring Stanford students should start "getting ahead" early.
- Target Group: G10–G11
- Duration:
Session 1: June 23 – July 12, 2024
Session 2: July 14 – August 2, 2024
- Selectivity: A+
- Website:
https://summerhumanities.spcs.stanford.edu/
Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute - MNJI
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute (MNJI), also known as the "Cherubs" program, is a five-week summer journalism program designed for high-achieving high school students seeking insider knowledge of professional journalism and connections with like-minded peers.
Each year, 84 high school students from around the world gather on the campus in Evanston, Illinois, and are paired with an instructor who meets with them weekly while critiquing their work.
Through assignments spanning print, video, audio, photojournalism, and digital storytelling, students build a foundation in reporting, writing, and editing. By summer's end, they leave with experience in news stories, feature articles, and opinion pieces, along with friendships and networks among fellow aspiring journalists.
Reportedly, one in four Medill Cherub participants receives an offer from Northwestern University during the application cycle, making it a prime opportunity for those aiming for Northwestern.
- Target Group: G11–G12
- Duration: June 23 – July 19, 2024
- Selectivity: A
- Website: https://cherubs.medill.northwestern.edu/2019/
Notre Dame Leadership Seminars - NDLS
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Notre Dame Leadership Seminars (NDLS) is an extremely selective, credit-bearing summer program with an acceptance rate even lower than many HYPSM summer programs. Over 10 days, students hone their critical thinking, research, and presentation skills.
The program explores topics affecting international society and the environment, with students engaging in intense discussions and robust intellectual exchanges. In this environment, participants sharpen their communication and analytical abilities while developing their own arguments and leadership skills.
Outside class, students experience undergraduate life at Notre Dame through activities like ice skating, karaoke, and trivia. Each year, 120 students are admitted from around the world, with tuition, room, and board fully covered.
- Target Group: G11
- Duration: July 20–31, 2024
- Selectivity: A+
- Website:
https://precollege.nd.edu/leadership-seminars/
Business Summer Programs
NYU Stern Pre-College Summer Program
The NYU Stern Pre-College Summer Program is part of NYU Pre-College, offering rising 11th and 12th graders from around the world courses in fundamental business concepts.
Over six weeks, students study subjects such as accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and psychology under world-renowned NYU professors.
In the program, students access NYU's unique resources, community, and global network.
Whether students already know their intended major or want to try something new, NYU's summer program is one of the best ways to build skills and prepare for college.
- Target Group: G11–G12
- Duration: Varies by program; check NYU website
- Selectivity: A
- Website:
https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/high-school-programs/precollege.html
Young Entrepreneurs Program - LaunchX
LaunchX (formerly MIT LaunchX) is a young entrepreneurs program originally hosted by MIT. It includes online entrepreneurship and innovation summer programs, as well as two in-person entrepreneurship summer programs.
Each summer, aspiring high school entrepreneurs from around the world come to LaunchX to build a startup from scratch. Guided by mentors, industry experts, and a structured curriculum, students work in teams to tackle business challenges.
Participants identify a market opportunity, set entrepreneurial goals, conduct market research, design products, and learn about marketing and company operations.
MIT and LaunchX also assist in connecting students with relevant networks, providing ongoing support for their ventures.
- Target Group: G9–G12
- Duration:
June 17 – July 19, 2024 (Online Entrepreneurship)
June 22 – July 9, 2024 (Online Innovation)
July 7 – August 3, 2024 (In-Person Entrepreneurship)
June 30 – July 27, 2024 (In-Person Entrepreneurship)
- Selectivity: A+
- Website:
https://launchx.com/summer-program/
For more information or application details on the above summer programs, please visit their official websites.
Time waits for no one—summer program application deadlines are fast approaching. Interested students should prepare quickly and not miss the deadlines~
We wish everyone success in receiving dream school offers and a smooth academic year ahead!
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