15 Summer Programs in Mississippi for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- 15 Summer Programs in Mississippi for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Top colleges look for students who engage in meaningful extracurricular activities that help them learn, grow, and explore their passions. Just because the school year is over doesn’t mean your extracurriculars have to end. Summer programs are excellent opportunities to continue exploring and deepening your interests. And if you live in Mississippi, there are plenty of programs available right in your home state!
15 Summer Programs in Mississippi for High Schoolers
1. ASAP (Accelerating Students into the Accounting Profession) Camp
Dates: July 13 – 16
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $150
ASAP is a three-day summer camp for rising high school seniors, designed to foster an interest in accounting and to provide students with an overview of career opportunities in the field. Students will attend instructional seminars, develop team-building skills, and gain a new perspective on accounting, all while getting a sneak peek of the college experience living on campus at Mississippi State University.
2. Humanities Camp
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: February 5 (Nomination deadline)
Cost: $250
The humanities are a crucial part of our society. This camp provides rising juniors and seniors with unique ways to explore various disciplines in the humanities and to learn how they’re relevant to our present and future. Under the guidance of experts currently working in the humanities, students will also discover different careers in humanities fields. You must be nominated by your school to apply, and only 15 scholars are chosen to participate.
3. Architecture Summer Camp: Design Discovery
Dates: June 1 – 7
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: May 15
Cost: $700
Open to rising high school sophomores through incoming college freshmen, Design Discovery is a weeklong program that prepares students for an education and career in the field of architecture. Participants will learn from Mississippi State School of Architecture faculty and students, who will share their knowledge, expertise, and experience.
4. Rural Medical & Science Scholars
Dates: June 8 – 20
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: April 14
Cost: $2,600
This program is for rising high school juniors with an interest in pursuing health-related careers. Over the program’s two weeks, students take the health science course “Introduction to Health Professions.” This experience will include participating in workshops and lectures, and students will earn three college credits. Participants also get the chance to shadow medical professionals to get a firsthand look at what their future career might look like.
5. Senior Engineers
Dates: June 11 – 12
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: March 31
Cost: $150
This two-day summer program immerses students in grades 9 through 12 in hands-on experiences centered around the engineering design process. Students will participate in a variety of activities, such as building projects that apply engineering principles and developing programming skills. They will also explore the engineering pathways available through the Bagley College of Engineering.
During the experience, students will receive guidance and motivation from professional engineers. Each student will leave with a book and materials to help them continue learning at home.
6. MSU College of Veterinary Medicine – Overnight Vet Camp
Dates:
- Session 1: May 21 – 25
- Session 2: June 4 – 8
Location: Mississippi State University
Application Deadline: March 4
Cost: $750
Students aged 15 to 17 can learn what life is like as a veterinarian (and as an undergraduate) during this unique summer experience. Students live and learn on Mississippi State’s campus while exploring animal-focused careers in fields ranging from public health to pathology to rehabilitation.
Students also work in labs with veterinary medicine professors and current veterinary students, who can give them a firsthand idea of what their future career could look like.
7. EdStart
Dates: May 27 – June 24
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: April 8
Cost:
- Estimated Residential Cost: $3,150 – $3,475
- Estimated Commuter Cost: $900 – $1,200
High school students can get a head start on a career as an educator thanks to EdStart. During this program, participants will take an introductory education course, where they will learn about the American education system and historical figures in Mississippi who influenced its evolution. They will also take part in experiential learning, group-building, and recreational activities.
8. Engineering Summer Academy
Dates: June 2 – 6
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost:
- Residential: $710
- Commuter: $400
Interested in majoring in engineering? The Engineering Summer Academy will give you an in-depth look at the field. You’ll participate in hands-on activities, take part in team-based problem solving, experience lab tours, and observe demonstrations and lectures. The program is intended for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are seriously considering a career in engineering.
9. FIRST® Tech Robotics Workshop
Dates: June 16 – 20
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost:
- Residential: $720
- Commuter: $400
Start thinking like an engineer during this program! Participants will work in teams to build robots from a reusable kit of parts, develop strategies, document their progress, and compete. This is an excellent opportunity for students entering grades 10 through 12 who are interested in building and improving their robotics skills, whether for future competitions or for their eventual college studies.
10. Ethical U. Choices that Matter
Dates: June 9 – 13
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost:
- Residential: $600
- Commuter: $300
Sharpen your thinking and leadership skills during this summer program for students entering grades 10 through 12. Students will tackle critical issues, learn to make strong arguments, and connect with their peers and mentors. Students will also compete in a case-writing competition about moral dilemmas.
11. Rebel Research Scholars – Summer Research Experience
Dates:
- First Session: May 27 – June 24
- Second Session: June 26 – July 25
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: Varies (typically, students only pay for the cost of their application)
The Rebel Research Scholars Summer Research Experience gives students hands-on research experience in real labs. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in STEM, this is an excellent opportunity to explore your interests under the guidance of experienced University of Mississippi faculty members.
In addition to familiarizing yourself with cutting-edge technologies, you’ll also get to experience college life for a month while living, learning, dining, and socializing on the Ole Miss campus.
12. UM Summer Language Institute
Dates: June 26 – July 25
Location: University of Mississippi
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost:
- Estimated Residential Cost: $3,150 – $3,475
- Estimated Commuter Cost: $900 – $1,200
Want to learn a new language? While living on the UM campus, you will have the opportunity to study Arabic or Chinese, while learning about the cultures associated with these languages and their real-world applications. You’ll also be able to earn six hours of college credit and get a taste of college life!
13. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science – Summer Enrichment Camp
Dates: June 1 – 6
Location: The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $800
The High School Summer Enrichment Camp is open to rising 9th- and 10th-grade students who want to explore exciting topics like photography, engineering, math, cryptography, forensic science, coding, poetry, and much more. Students will also hone important skills like problem solving and abstract thinking.
14. Summer Programs for Academically and Artistically Talented Youth (SPAATY)
Dates:
- Session 1: June 16 – 18
- Session 2: June 19 – 21
- Session 3: June 23 – 25
Location: University of Southern Mississippi
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $900 per session, or $2,630 for all three sessions
This residential summer program challenges talented high school students with accelerated coursework in fields such as drawing and cybersecurity, allowing participants to gain firsthand insight into what life is like as an undergraduate at the Honors College at Southern Miss. Students will also have the chance to visit on-campus labs, watch musical performances, visit art galleries, and meet with the Southern Miss admissions staff.
Eligibility for this program is determined either academically (with your SAT or ACT score) or artistically (with a portfolio submission).
15. Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute – CORE Arts Camp
Dates: June 15 – 28
Location: Delta State University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost:
- Non-Residential: $1,050
- Residential: $1,400
This program is an immersive two-week summer program designed for aspiring artists to bring their creative visions to life, tap into their imagination, and explore their unique talents. Workshops in music, theater, and visual arts are offered, providing an opportunity to hone your talents. Participants can choose to stay on DSU’s campus or attend as day campers.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The influence your participation in a summer program has on your odds of college admission varies depending on several factors, such as the reputation of the program and the weight a school puts on participation in summer programs.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to evaluate the value colleges place on activities outside the classroom, such as summer programs. Tier 1 and Tier 2 encompass the most prestigious, rare, and impressive activities. Consequently, participation in these top-tier activities has the greatest impact on your chances of college admission.
Tier 3 and Tier 4 activities are more commonly seen by admissions officials and don’t hold the same sway as higher-tiered activities in the college application process. That said, there is value to attending a summer program, even if it’s in a lower tier. Summer programs demonstrate intellectual curiosity and determination to pursue subjects that interest you, both of which are traits highly desirable to colleges. More so, many summer programs build the skills needed to get into and succeed in college.
What do colleges think of your participation in a summer program? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors, including grades, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars like summer programs to estimate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
