25 Summer Programs in Minnesota for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- 25 Summer Programs in Minnesota for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Also known as pre-college programs, summer programs are intensive academic camps where students can expand their skills in a given discipline, as well as show colleges you’re academically driven and serious about a career in your chosen major.
Below are 25 great pre-college programs in Minnesota you may want to consider this summer.
25 Summer Programs in Minnesota for High Schoolers
1. Speech and Debate Camps
Dates: Various
Location: Augsburg University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $500
Students who love debate and public speaking will enjoy Augsburg University’s Speech and Debate Camps, which include Policy Debate camps and Student Congress and Public Forum Camps. These camps allows participants to develop, practice, and hone their public speaking, refutation, research, and cross-examination skills.
Over the course of the program, students will build the fundamentals necessary to successfully participate in classroom debates, presentations, or their high school’s competitive debate team.
2. Scrubs Camp
Dates: Varies
Location: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Cost: $0-$400
Students who envision a future in healthcare should consider enrolling in one of the Scrubs Camps, located at multiple colleges throughout Minnesota. During this summer course, talented high schoolers have the chance to learn from full-time professors and current college students. Additionally, they can tour local healthcare facilities and network with doctors and dentists.
Along with exploring various healthcare careers, the program will offer tips on different educational pathways to success. Program dates, the length of the program, location, and cost all vary depending on which camp they choose, but all offer a great chance to experience a career in medicine.
3. Seeking Computational Solutions
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Location: Carleton College
Application Deadline: March 3
Cost: $4,900
Aspiring computer scientists, programmers, or engineers will want to consider the residential summer program at Carleton College. During this three-week program, students develop their skills through a combination of classroom instruction, lab activities, and guided research. Not only will they have the chance to learn from full-time faculty members, but they’ll also be able to interact with current college students in the computer science field.
The program concludes with a research symposium in which students share the results of their work with peers. In addition to a rich academic experience, participants live in Carleton dorms and have access to campus facilities to get a true sense of college life.
4. Storytelling Through Different Lenses
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Location: Carleton College
Application Deadline: March 3
Cost: $4,900
Explore the art of storytelling through lenses like cognitive psychology, American studies, and creative writing, film, and music in this fascinating residential summer program. Participants will explore how stories are used to shape the social and political narratives that influence how we understand our communities.
5. STEM in the Field
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Location: Carleton College
Application Deadline: March 3
Cost: $4,900
Through this residential summer program, high schoolers can build a toolkit of STEM skills that will allow them to engage with exciting and novel problems across the physical and biological sciences. Participants will gain hands-on research experience while also developing broader problem-solving and scientific communication skills.
Students will work alongside their peers on a project under the mentorship of college faculty and undergraduate teaching assistants. The program culminates with a symposium where participants share their work.
6. MCAD’s Pre-College Summer Session
Dates: July 9 – 27
Location: Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)
Application Deadline: Rolling, with a January 15 scholarship deadline
Cost: $3,650
Artistically minded high schoolers will want to look into this program from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Along with developing their skills in studio art, participants will hone their understanding of design principles and practice critical thinking during this two-and-a-half-week course. As a bonus, participants will have the chance to interact with and learn from professional artists working in a variety of mediums.
While April 1 is the priority deadline for this program, applications will be accepted after this date on a space-available basis.
7. ThreeSixty Journalism
Dates: Various
Location: University of St. Thomas
Application Deadline: Rolling, with an April 18 priority deadline
Cost: Varies
Those passionate about sharing their voice should consider attending the ThreeSixty Journalism program at the University of St. Thomas. Applicants can choose to attend one-week, two-week, or three-week programs focused on the art of digital media, journalism, and reporting. Stipends are available upon the conclusion of some programs.
8. Minnesota Business Venture
Dates:
- Session 1: June 28 – July 3
- Session 2: July 18 – 23
Location: University of St. Thomas
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Up to $300
This residential summer program helps high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 develop their leadership skills, become more financially literate, and explore the business world. Students connect with professionals and learn about business-related topics like marketing, investing, and entrepreneurship. They also work together to invent, develop, and pitch a product or service.
9. Mayo Clinic Career Immersion Program
Dates: June 22 – 26
Location: Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: Varies
Minnesota high school juniors and seniors interested in a healthcare career will want to look into this program. Participants learn about careers in healthcare, the academic path required to achieve them, and gain real-world experience in a healthcare setting.
Students also have the chance to connect with peers who are equally passionate about the health sciences, and current healthcare professionals.
This is a residential program, which means participants can experience a slice of college life, by living and learning just like a student at the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
10. Expand Your Mind
Dates:
- Session 1: June 16 – 27
- Session 2: July 7 – 18
Location: Macalester College
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $855 per session for commuters; $2,150 per session for the residential program
This summer program for 8th through 11th graders occurs over two week-long Monday through Friday sessions. Participants take one class per session, so that they can fully explore a specific topic of interest in an academically rigorous atmosphere.
Participants also gain first-hand exposure to life on a college campus, meet other talented students, and build valuable leadership skills.
11. Summer Music Academy
Dates: June 15 – 21
Location: St. Olaf College
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $950
Young musicians in grades 9 through 12 can gain experience performing and developing their musical abilities in this seven-day, six-night residential summer program. Students participate in ensembles, rehearsals, and one-on-one lessons. The academy culminates with a final concert for family and friends.
The academy is a great choice for students interested in pursuing music as a major, as well as those who simply enjoy making music at a high level.
12. Minnesota Aviation Career Education Camp
Dates:
- Session 1: June 15 – 20
- Session 2: June 22 – 27
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: $1,650
Minnesota Aviation Career Education Camp (MN ACE Camp) aims to bridge the gap between classrooms and careers, by exposing high schoolers to the numerous opportunities in aviation and aerospace. Participants are given the chance to learn about topics like aerodynamics, airline operations, and air traffic control. They’ll also connect with aviation professionals and tour everything from airport terminals to the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing.
The highlight of the program for many students is the chance to record flight tours of single-engine aircraft, gliders, helicopters, and full-motion airline simulators. They’ll also get to ride along in an Air Force Reserve in a C-130 Hercules and take part in a splash-and-go along the Mississippi River in a Cessna Caravan.
13. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Dates: June 23 – 27
Location: University of Minnesota
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: Free
Students in this free week-long commuter program learn how math is used to solve problems like the effects of traffic on a bridge, predict trends in population and disease, and estimate the impact climate has on natural resources. The program is open to high schoolers who have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus.
14. Go4Brains
Dates: July 21 – 25
Location: University of Minnesota
Application Deadline: March 10
Cost: Free
This week-long summer program is designed for students from groups underrepresented in science, medicine, and more specifically, neuroscience. Participants will gain hands-on experience with research and conducting experiments, receive valuable mentorship, and connect with other high schoolers who share their passions.
They’ll also take lab tours and explore neuroscience-related career paths, and even have a chance to hold a human brain! Not only is this program free, but students receive a $400 stipend at its competition. Only ten students are chosen, so expect an extremely competitive process.
15. National Summer Transportation Institute
Dates: July 14 – 25
Location: University of Minnesota
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free
Students entering grades 7-9 will learn how fields like science and engineering intersect with transportation in this free two-week summer camp. Participants take part in hands-on activities, take field trips, and connect with experts while learning how different parts of the transportation system work. Students will also tour the University of Minnesota’s campus and get to experience a slice of college life.
16. CAV Career Pathways Camp
Dates: August 4 – 8
Location: University of Minnesota
Application Deadline: March 28
Cost: Free
High schoolers in grades 10 through 12 interested in manufacturing, engineering, planning, and robotics are sure to be enticed by this summer program. Participants learn about connected and automotive vehicle (CAV) technology through hands-on activities, field trips, and info sessions with professionals working in the field and university researchers.
Students will also explore the numerous career opportunities offered by the CAV field. This free opportunity is limited to just 20 students.
17. Neuroscience and Coding
Dates:
- Session 1: June 10 – 14
- Session 2: June 17 – 21
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 5
Cost: $15
Interested in computer science, coding, and how these things intersect with our brains? Look no further than UMich’s partnership with the Center for Large-scale Imaging of Neural Circuits (LINC). This camp promises to teach interested high schoolers about the basics of coding and neuroscience, along with allowing opportunities to network and learn about college admissions and STEM careers.
18. Summer Computing Academy
Dates:
- One-week session: June 9 – 20
- Two-week session: June 23 – 27
Location: University of Minnesota
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $75 (one-week session); $125 (two-week session)
This program teaches junior high and high school students the programming language Python, while also providing them with foundational knowledge about programming in general and hands-on experience working with computers.
Students will develop programs for small robots, image processing, and other applications under the guidance of graduate students and professors. The program culminates with students presenting their projects to friends and family.
19. Katie Leadership Impact Business Summer Camp
Dates: June 16 – 20
Location: St. Catherine University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: Free
During this five-day commuter summer program, female high schoolers entering grades 11 and 12 will have a chance to explore their business interests in a supportive environment that celebrates female entrepreneurs. In a week full of mentorship opportunities, classroom learning from talented businesswomen, and meetings with local businesses, young women will develop their creativity and business acumen.
Participants also experience life on a college campus and are given the opportunity to meet current students and learn about the degree programs offered by St. Catherine University.
20. Hamline University STEM Camps
Dates:
- Young Physicist Camp: July 14 – 18
- Microscope Adventure Camp: July 21 -25
Location: Hamline University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $698
Hamline University is offering two camps this summer where high schoolers can participate in a week of STEM learning in different specialized subjects. Each camp will involve interacting with experienced Hamline faculty and local professionals, hands-on experiments and labs, chances to present your work, and connect with science-minded peers.
21. Fashion Summer Workshop
Dates: July 7 – 11
Location: St. Catherine University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $300
For high school students interested in fashion and design, this summer workshop is a great opportunity to explore design principles and fashion careers. Over the course of the week-long camp, participants will style models, practice sketching and draping, put together photo shoots, and leave with an upcycled garment.
This fashion workshop is open to students entering grades 10-12 who identify as female, nonbinary, or gender queer.
22. Natural Career Exploration
Date: July 1
Location: Abbey Arboretum in St. Joseph
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $30
This St. John’s University summer program may be only one day, but it packs a punch. Conservation-minded high school students will appreciate this chance to spend a morning working in and exploring the Abbey Arboretum, followed by an afternoon of connecting and networking with professionals from various environmental agencies. Students 15-17 will have a great opportunity to connect with local organizations and learn more about what a career in conservation might look like.
23. Concordia Language Villages
Dates: Various
Location: Various, including virtual options
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Varies
Available in 18 languages, Concordia’s award-winning Language Villages are a great way to boost your fluency in everything from Finnish to Arabic to Korean. Learn from the comfort of your own home through the virtual options, or spend four weeks in total language immersion, eating culturally appropriate foods and bonding with fellow villagers. With standardized curriculums, tests, and transcripts, these language programs are fully accredited and eligible for high school credit.
24. Bethel University Arts and Academics Camps
Dates: Various
Location: Bethel University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $270
With options ranging from Bethany Business Academy to Video Production Camp, there’s something for everyone this summer at Bethel University. Each camp offers learning opportunities in both the classroom and through hands-on activities. Overnight camps offer enhanced bonding through housing students in dorm-style rooms, giving participants a chance to try out college life.
25. Show Choir Camp
Dates: July 14 – 18
Location: University of Northwestern, St. Paul
Application Deadline: June 23
Cost: $220
Singers, dancers, and actors looking to spend a week this summer working on vocal performance should check out this camp offering from University of Northwestern. This camp features significant rehearsal time, private lessons in both dance and voice, and a final group performance.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Some summer programs are more competitive than others, requiring letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, while other programs are open to all students within a particular grade level. Consequently, some summer programs are given more weight in college admissions than others.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how colleges value activities outside of the classroom, like summer programs. The most impressive, prestigious, rare, and influential activities are placed in the top two tiers.
Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway with admissions offices, however, they are often still valuable. Less-selective and -esteemed programs still show off your interests to potential colleges while highlighting your desire to pursue your passions. Many field-specific activities also help build the skills you need to ace everything from the essays to interviews you’ll encounter in the college application process.
Curious how the summer program you participated in affects your odds of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
