24 Summer Programs in New Jersey for High Schoolers in 2024
What’s Covered:
- 24 Summer Programs in New Jersey for High Schoolers
- How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
With numerous colleges and universities—including renowned institutions like Princeton University—New Jersey offers plenty of opportunities for high school students to learn and prepare for their post-secondary education. Summer programs are available across many towns and cities, as well as disciplines and industries.
24 Summer Programs in New Jersey for High Schoolers
1. Summer Early College Summer Program
Dates: Varies
Location: Fairleigh Dickinson University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Varies
Choose from a wide array of courses in technology, design, the arts, science, and more, to experience a college atmosphere for a three- or six-week nonresidential program. Courses are available asynchronous online, in-person, and remote with Zoom meetings, so you can choose the format that works best with your other summer commitments.
2. Mini Law School
Dates: July 29 – August 1
Location: Fairleigh Dickinson University
Application Deadline: May 1 for discounted registration fee
Cost: $399 if enrolled by May 1, otherwise $429
High schoolers in this four-day summer program will experience a slice of what life is like as a first-year law student. Participants will take part in discussions, watch presentations, and participate in a mock trial, which will give them a taste of what collegiate-level mock trial programs are like.
3. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Dates: July 26 – August 5
Location: Princeton University
Application Deadline: February 27
Cost: Free
During this hybrid program, high-achieving high schoolers from low-income backgrounds attend—both online and in person—workshops and lectures led by reporters, editors, and program alumni from prestigious publications and media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, Politico, CNN, and others.
While on campus, participants will also tour some of Princeton’s world-class facilities, while covering events and taking part in journalism projects in the surrounding area. All costs, including transportation to and from Princeton, are covered.
4. Laboratory Learning Program
Dates: Varies depending on project
Location: Princeton University
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: Free
This free summer program offers high schoolers the opportunity to gain research experience in the natural sciences or engineering. Students work full-time—typically for five to six weeks—on a research project under the guidance of Princeton faculty and staff. Students are required to submit a two-page summary of their summer project at the conclusion of the program.
This is a highly selective program, which typically receives over 700 applications. Note that you must be between the ages of 16-18 to apply.
5. STEAM Academy | Navigators
Dates: July 7 – 19
Location: Rowan University
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $2,500 – $3,800
Students learn from top faculty at Rowan University, who combine STEM topics with art, design, culture, and humanities. While participating in STEAM-focused learning experiences, students will also receive leadership training, career counseling, resume guidance, and PSAT/SAT preparation. You will also receive college credit for your participation in this program, which is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.
6. STEAM Academy | Pathfinders
Dates: July 7 – 19
Location: Rowan University
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $4,200
STEAM Academy participants may also choose to pursue the Pathways experience, during which they will take STEAM-related courses, participate in workshops, and conduct a research internship while receiving personalized guidance from a Rowan faculty member. Students who choose this option will also earn college credit.
All Pathfinders participants will stay on Rowan’s campus for the program’s duration, and will get a sneak peek of college life by sleeping in a residence hall, eating in a dining hall, and exploring the campus in their free time.
7. Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TLAE)
Dates: June 24 – 27
Location: Rowan University
Application Deadline: June 2
Cost: Free
Business-minded rising high school juniors and seniors can start building their entrepreneurial thinking abilities and earn three college credits in this non-residential summer program. Students will explore the challenges facing modern entrepreneurs while learning about topics like business models, customer discovery and engagement, financial analysis, and pitching new ventures.
8. Stevens IT Pre-College Programs | Business Explorer
Dates:
- Session 1: June 23 – 29
- Session 2: July 7 – 13
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $2,950
Over the course of one week, participants in this residential program learn from the Stevens School of Business professors, who guide them through business cases and exercises, using the resources of Stevens’ own Hanlon Financial Systems Labs. Participants will explore business fields such as marketing, finance, management, ethics, economics, and entrepreneurship.
The program concludes with a field trip to New York City, where participants will get to visit the office of a major corporation like Google, meet the executives, and see what corporate life is like.
9. Stevens IT Pre-College Programs | Civil Engineering Design and Architecture
Dates:
- Session 1: June 23 – 29
- Session 2: July 7 – 13
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $2,950
This unique program provides an overview of infrastructure projects’ evaluation, design, and construction phases. It also addresses the increased challenges facing such projects due to hurdles like population growth, urbanization, and the need to work more safely and sustainably.
When not in class, students can get a taste of college life by living in a Stevens residence hall, eating in a dining hall, and exploring the town of Hoboken.
10. Stevens IT Pre-College Programs | Cybersecurity
Dates:
- Beginner: June 23 – 29
- Advanced: July 7 – 13
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $2,950
Available at both beginner and advanced levels, this program explores the need for data security awareness across a range of industries. At the beginner level, students will gain a basic understanding of important cybersecurity principles. At the advanced level, students will learn how to hack and secure a system. AP Computer Science or similar coursework is required for the advanced level.
During both versions of the program, students will live in a Stevens residence hall, and have chances to explore campus and the surrounding area.
11. Stevens IT Pre-College Programs | ECOES (Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Sciences)
Dates: July 14 – 26
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $4,500
This two-week residential program enables students to get a taste of engineering disciplines including biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, robotics, and others while working with Stevens faculty. Students will not only take classes at Stevens, but also live on campus for the duration of the program, which will give them a firsthand look at what college life is like.
12. Stevens IT Pre-College Programs | Engineering Bootcamp
Dates:
- Session 1: June 23 – 29
- Session 2: July 7 – 13
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $2,950
Students will participate in a crash course in engineering, by exploring disciplines including civil engineering, electrical engineering, naval engineering, and mechanical engineering. Participants will also collaborate with their peers and work with faculty to design their own research projects. When not in class, students will stay in a Stevens residence hall and participate in on-campus activities, to get a comprehensive sense of what their future college life will look like.
13. Game Design Academy
Dates:
- Session 1: July 7 – 12
- Session 2: July 21 – 26
Location: Rider University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $1,400
Participants in this summer program will learn the skills and tools needed to create and develop video games through hands-on study. At the end of the week-long program, students will have developed a playable game that they can share with their family and friends.
This program also provides a sneak peek of college life, as students will live in a dorm and participate in various activities when they are not working on their games.
14. Musical Theatre Institute
Dates: July 7 – 20
Location: Rider University
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: $3,300
Distinguished faculty, with experience everywhere from Broadway to film to television, lead participants in this summer program through conservatory-style instruction in singing, acting, and dancing. Students will also receive guidance on how to nail auditions and college applications alike.
The program concludes with a showcase performance, where students can utilize all their new skills.
15. High School Solo Pianist Week
Dates: June 23 – 28
Location: Rider University
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: $1,300
Learn the artistic and practical aspects of solo piano performance through this musical summer program. Instruction includes techniques for dealing with performance anxiety, memorization, and tips for applying to/auditioning for colleges of music. The week concludes with a solo piano performance at a staged concert.
16. High School Solo Vocal Artist
Dates: June 23 – July 6
Location: Rider University
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: $1,500 (commuting second week); $1,900 (residential both weeks)
This summer program allows high school classical singers to hone their craft through hands-on instruction, as well as activities aimed at building body awareness, learning opera and song history, and exploring voice science. Students also take master classes focused on college auditions and perform a concert at the culmination of the program.
17. Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics
Dates: July 8 – August 2
Location: Rutgers University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $4,500
Mathematically talented high school students will want to look into this four-week residential summer program focused on discrete mathematics. Participants will develop their problem-solving skills by applying mathematical concepts to a wide range of problems. They’ll also meet professionals and learn about careers in mathematics while experiencing a slice of college life.
Note that during weekends, housing is not provided, so students must organize their own accommodation in the area around Rutgers.
18. Toxicology, Health and Environmental Disease (THED) High School Summer Program
Dates:
- Session 1: July 15 – 19
- Session 2: July 22 – 26
Location: Rutgers University
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: $900
This program is aimed at rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in careers in the biomedical and environmental sciences. Students participate in a variety of activities covering topics such as laboratory ethics, experimental design, genetics, and forensic toxicology. They also explore career paths in fields like medicine, pharmacy, and biomedical research.
19. STEMx High School Program
Dates:
- Session 1: July 8 – 12
- Session 2: July 15 – 19
- Session 3: July 22 – 29
- Session 4: July 29 – August 2
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology
Application Deadline: April 14
Cost: $699
Students in 10th and 11th grade have the opportunity to immerse themselves in various STEM fields through this series of week-long programs—students can participate in as many, or as few, weeks as they would like. No matter what program(s) they participate in, students will explore a curriculum infused with mathematics, language arts, data literacy, and computer science.
20. Stockton CSI Summer Camp
Dates:
- Session 1: June 23 – 27
- Session 2: July 7 – 11
- Session 3: July 14 – 18
- Session 4: July 21 – 25
Location: Stockton University
Application Deadline: April 30 for discounted registration fee
Cost: $929 (pre-April 30 registration); $969 (post-April 30 registration)
Do you love television shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, and Law & Order? If so, this is the summer program for you! Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at a murder investigation and trial.
Over the program’s five days, students will work as a team to solve a murder, by doing everything from collecting evidence at a mock murder scene to interviewing witnesses to trying the case in front of a judge and jury. Campers will also get to learn from experts in various sectors of law enforcement, and take field trips to sites like an autopsy room or training facility.
21. Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA)
Dates: July 14 – 20
Location: Stockton University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Rising sophomores and juniors who are interested in business will want to check out this free residential summer program focused on the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. Participants will explore fields like accounting, finance, and marketing. They’ll also compete in a business plan competition, and live and learn on Stockton’s campus, which will give them insight into life as an undergraduate.
22. Wall Street and the Investment Experience
Dates: July 14 – 20
Location: Montclair State University
Application Deadline: June 10
Cost: $1,600
Get an inside look at the world of Wall Street and learn to analyze financial data, interpret business news, and trade securities during this week-long summer program. Students will also study famous financiers and explore Wall Street’s role in popular culture.
The highlight of the program is a field trip to New York City’s Financial District, which will include the opportunity to meet industry experts and gain real-world insight into careers in finance and investment.
23. Summertime in the Big Apple: Exciting Excursions in New York City
Dates: July 14 – 20
Location: Montclair State University
Application Deadline: June 10
Cost: $2,200
Get a firsthand look at the places, food, and history that help make New York City one of the world’s great cities. Outings include visiting iconic spots like the Empire State Building and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, eating at the renowned Katz’s Delicatessen, and attending a matinee showing of Hamilton.
24. Giant LEAP STEM Program
Dates:
- Session 1 (Robotics & Electronics): July 8 – 12
- Session 2 (Weather & Climate Sustainability): July 15 – 19
- Session 3 (Mechanics): July 22 – 26
Location: Seton Hall University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,200
This summer program aims to provide high school students with hands-on scientific research experience. Participants work in small groups on projects under the guidance of researchers, faculty, and graduate students while developing their passion for science, gaining practical skills, and learning about STEM majors and career paths.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Not all summer programs are created equal, and some have more influence on college admissions than others. The best way to understand the impact activities outside of the classroom—like summer programs—have on college admissions is through the four tiers of extracurricular activities.
Tiers 1 and 2 include the most prestigious, impressive, and rare extracurricular activities. The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a good example of a summer program that falls into Tier 1—a maximum of just 40 students are selected to participate annually, which makes it super-selective, uncommon, and sure to improve college admissions odds.
Conversely, participation in a summer program like Wall Street and the Investment Experience is best categorized in Tier 3 or 4. Programs like this are less selective, more common, and less likely to hold significant weight to colleges. Participating in a program like Wall Street and the Investment Experience might not grab the attention of admissions officers, but they are not without value. They show a student’s interest and passion, while also helping develop soft skills—like an understanding of basic business concepts—that can bolster chances of admissions.
CollegeVine can also help you determine the influence extracurricular activities have on your chances of college admission. 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, as well as to provide insight into how to improve your profile.
