15 Summer Programs at the University of Michigan for High Schoolers

A great way for high school students to spend their summer vacation is to enroll in a college summer program for high schoolers. Summer programs for high schoolers provide many benefits for students, such as fostering the value of lifetime learning and providing the opportunity to further explore subjects that interest them. Additionally, these programs allow high schoolers to get a glimpse at college life—and look great on college applications.

Top schools like the University of Michigan offer a host of programs for high-achieving students, allowing them to explore everything from the arts to the sciences—exposing them to the University’s renowned programs and allowing them to build networks with current and prospective students and faculty.  

Want to learn what University of Michigan will actually cost you based on your income? And how long your application to the school should take? Here’s what every student considering University of Michigan needs to know.

Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs allow high schoolers to get a feel for what life at college is like and expose students to new people, new teachers, and new ideas. They also give students a preview of college culture, giving them first-hand experience of life on campus.

College summer programs for high schoolers also allow students to explore fields they intend to pursue in college and careers. Summer programs bring together students with common interests—deepening knowledge in subjects they’re passionate about, exposing them to new ways of thinking, and creating lasting friendships.

Summer programs such as those found at the University of Michigan also provide an opportunity to be involved in programs at the forefront of their fields. Through these programs, students will see what life is like inside a leading-edge program and gain insight into what it takes to gain admission to them. Learn more about gaining admission into the University of Michigan and read our blog The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the University of Michigan.

Summer Programs at the University of Michigan

Explore subjects ranging from dance to computational biology and see what life is like as a Wolverine in one of the University of Michigan’s superb summer programs for high schoolers.

*Note: the program costs listed are approximate, as costs may vary based on residency, commuter status, or whether scholarships are available.

1. Michigan Math and Science Scholars

The perfect program for students planning on pursuing a major in mathematics or the sciences. Over the course of this two-week course, students will learn about current developments and research in the sciences.

• Specialty: General Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $2,250
• Additional requirements: A personal statement including the courses a student has completed, computer experience, research interests, and influences, along with any other relevant information, is required to be considered for this program.

2. Center Stage Strings

Young classical musicians will grow their talent in this four-week program as they develop their talents in both solo and chamber music while also focusing on becoming “complete musicians”—building skills such as networking, public speaking, and stage presence.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $4,500
• Additional requirements: Audition videos, a video personal statement, a repertoire list, a headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program—learn more about these requirements.

3. Clarinet Institute

High school clarinetists will develop strong fundamentals, improve tone production, and enhance technical skills in this week-long program.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,575
• Additional requirements: An audition video, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

4. Dance Institute

A summer staple for 20 years, this two-week intensive summer program immerses students in dance—covering its technical, performance, and creative aspects. Additionally, students will be introduced to the University of Michigan’s Dance Department, one of the nation’s top pre-professional training programs.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $3,150
• Additional requirements: An audition video, resume, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

5. Double Bass Institute

Taught by Maximilian Dimoff, the Associate Professor of Double Bass at the University of Michigan and Principal Bassist of The Cleveland Orchestra, students in this week-long course will focus on developing fundamentals, solo repertoire, orchestral excerpts, and chamber music with extra attention paid to college audition prep.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,775
• Additional requirements: An audition video, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

6. Flute Institute

This one-week program aimed at serious high school flutists instructs in tone, technique, and intonation while also covering topics like body awareness, performance anxiety, and teaching techniques from productive practice.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,575
• Additional requirements: An audition video, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

7. Harp Institute

High school harpists will receive individual instruction to enhance their musical and technical skills with a focus on college preparation and performance concentration in this intensive week-long program.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,575
• Additional requirements: An audition video, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

8. Jazz Institute

This week-long program covers a wide range of topics, including jazz history and music theory, and helps young musicians develop skills such as listening and improvisation. It also offers young musicians the chance to work with University of Michigan jazz faculty and special guest artists, learning about creating and collaborating with other musicians.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,775
• Additional requirements: An audition video, headshot, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program.

9. Musical Theatre Workshop

Designed for high schoolers planning on pursuing a BFA degree in college, students in this three-week program will cover a wide range of topics taught by faculty members from the University of Michigan’s Department of Musical Theatre, the Department of Theatre and Drama, and the Department of Dance. By the end of this course, students will have a clear understanding of the college application and audition process.

• Specialty: Music
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $4,725
• Additional requirements: A minimum of a B average in a rigorous college prep program, audition videos, a video personal statement, a resume, photographs, transcript, and a recommendation letter are all required to be considered for this program—learn more about these requirements.

10. Computational Biology Camp

This five-day program for high-achieving high school students focuses on the role of genomics in diseases and symptoms. Using patient RNA expression data, students will perform computational biology research to identify genes related to particular diseases.

• Specialty: Life Sciences/Biology
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $540
• Additional requirements: A one- or two-paragraph letter explaining what students expect to learn from this program and why they chose this particular camp is required.  

11. Biotechnology Camp

Ideal for high school students with an interest in computers, math, science, and medicine, this five-day program combines UNIX, wet-lab techniques (including PCR and gel-electrophoresis), and thermodynamics calculation of nucleotide hybridization to teach nucleotide biotechnology.

• Specialty: Life Sciences/Biology
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $550
• Additional requirements: Completion of a biology class and a one- or two-paragraph letter explaining what students expect to learn from this program and why they chose this particular camp is required.  

12. R Programming Camp

Over the course of five days, students in this program will study the role of genomics in diseases and symptoms—learning to identify genes related to certain diseases using computational biology.

• Specialty: Computer Science
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $550
• Additional requirements: A one- or two-paragraph letter explaining what students expect to learn from this program and why they chose this particular camp is required.  

13. Computational Biology Research Camp

Sponsored by the Scripps Research Institute, this program is a fantastic starting point for high schoolers to build a network of peers at a similar level and with common interests. Over the program’s five days, students will get hands-on experience with computational genomics and learn how to use R packages and basic programming.

• Specialty: Life Sciences/Biology
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $1,230
• Additional requirements: A one- or two-paragraph letter explaining what students expect to learn from this program and why they chose this particular camp is required.  

14. ArcStart

High schoolers who aspire to be architects will love this three-week residential program focused on preparing them for a future at a leading design institution. The curriculum covers a wide range of skills including hand drawing, model making, diagramming, and sketching while reinforcing analytical and conceptual problem-solving skills.

• Specialty: Architecture
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $3,000
• Additional requirements: A 300- to 500-word essay explaining what students expect to learn from this program and how this course will help them meet their goals is required.  

15. Business Communication and Presentation Camp

Aimed at the business leaders of tomorrow, this two-week program will educate and equip high schoolers for leadership positions—nurturing and strengthening their inner entrepreneurs. Students will learn about business communication techniques to prepare for presenting themselves in a positive light.

• Specialty: Entrepreneurship
• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $2,749

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