25 Computer Science Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2024
What’s Covered:
- Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
- How Impressive are Computer Science Programs in High School Admissions?
- Other Ways to Spend Your Summer
Computer science summer programs allow you to build your skills and meet like-minded peers. You may even get to travel somewhere new or experience life on the campus of a top college. Below is a list of computer science summer programs for high schoolers, where and when they take place, and guidance on which ones will provide the biggest boost to your college applications.
25 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Tandon NYU Summer Programs: Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)
Dates:
- Session One: June 17-28
- Session Two: July 8-19
- Session Three: July 29-August 9
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $3,025
Tandon NYU offers two-week, full-day programs for high school students in grades 9-12 that teach the basics of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. Participants learn about concepts and practices in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering and build a foundation for careers in fields like IoT, machine learning, and augmented reality.
Applicants must be 14 years of age or older and a minimum of 15 years old for housing.
2. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Dates: July 10-28
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: April 14
Cost: Free
This three-week summer program is designed to empower the next generation of engineers to take on the challenges of cybersecurity and break down barriers that have led to the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the field. The program is open to 8th-11th graders living in New York City and its neighboring cities.
Participants in CS4CS will learn about a variety of topics including digital forensics, steganography, “white-hat” hacking, and cryptography. Students don’t need experience in computer science or cybersecurity to participate.
3. iDTech Tech Camps
Dates: Varies
Location: Varies
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $999-$4,799
iDTech offers two-week coding and artificial intelligence camps for high school students, covering topics like machine learning, deep neural networks, cryptocurrency, and even encryption in 25 states and Washington, D.C.
iDTech camps can be day or overnight programs, and they’re hosted at universities, providing students with the opportunity to sample college life while gaining hands-on STEM experience. Programs offer participants a mix of group and one-on-one sessions with certified coding instructors.
4. Code Connects: Artificial Intelligence & Big Data
Dates: July 10-14
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $395
This week-long summer program focused on artificial intelligence and big data provides participants with a deeper understanding of machine learning while working on hands-on projects and building programming skills in Python.
5. Code Connects: Emerging Technologies
Dates: June 19-30
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $695
This two-week summer camp exposes students to some of today’s most cutting-edge technologies. In week one, participants will learn the fundamentals of the coding language Python. In week two, they’ll apply their coding skills to emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, data science, and web development.
6. Kode With Klossy
Dates: N/A
Location: In-person and Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Kode with Klossy is a two-week summer coding camp specifically designed for girls, gender-nonconforming, and trans students ages 13-18. Program participants will focus on one of four topics: web development, mobile apps, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and data science. Kode with Klossy is being held both online and in person.
7. NextGen Bootcamp
Dates: Varies
Location: In-person and Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,999- $4,495
NextGen Bootcamp offers online and in-person computer education summer programs for high school students—in-person courses are held in New York City. Programs cover a variety of computer-related subjects, including coding in Python and Java, web design and development, and data science.
There are no prerequisites for joining NextGen Bootcamp’s programs—they do not require any prior coding knowledge.
8. Penn Summer Coding Academy
Dates: July 6-27
Location: University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,500*
*Students who attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school may be eligible to attend the academy for free.
This three-week residential program at UPenn for high schoolers in grades 9-11 introduces students to front-end web development. Participants learn about Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript (JS), along with how to use them to create web pages for desktop and mobile devices. The program provides a strong foundation for students hoping to pursue careers in technical fields.
9. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Dates: N/A
Location: Online
Application Deadline: March 29, 2023
Cost: Free
Girls Who Code offers two summer programs for girls and nonbinary students: the Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. The Summer Immersion Program is open to high schoolers in grades 9-11. This two-week-long virtual course focuses on beginner to intermediate computer science concepts, the iterative design process, and UX design basics.
The Self-Paced Program is open to high schoolers in grades 9-12, including graduating high school seniors. This course dives into intermediate applications of Python, with a focus on cybersecurity and data science. Students in the self-paced program have six weeks to complete course projects, and support is available through weekly live advisory sessions and activities.
10. Wolfram High School Summer Research Program
Dates: June 25-July 13
Location: Bentley University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $4,200
The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is a two-week intensive training that aims to introduce high schoolers to programming, computational thinking, and technology. Students participate in lectures and activities led by Wolfram instructors and build hands-on experience developing a project from ideation to completed product.
Approximately 50 students are admitted to the program annually.
11. Emagination STEM Camp
Dates: Varies
Location: Varies
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,960-$3,760
Emagination STEM Camp offers several technology courses that will interest high schoolers with an interest in computer science, most notably coding basics, coding in C#, coding in Java, and AI Explorations. Each course is two weeks long and meets for three hours a day.
Camps are offered on college campuses in three states—Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania—and provide participants with a college-like experience.
12. Terp Young Scholars
Dates: July 8-26
Location: In-person and online
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $1,500-$2,500
This program for rising 10th graders to graduating high school seniors is offered through the University of Maryland. The three-week-long, immersive experience allows students to undertake college-level work, earn college credit, and, in the case of in-person students, learn on a college campus.
Participants in the Terp Young Scholars program choose one course to explore—where they attend class, work on projects, take exams, and collaborate with their peers. Of most interest to students interested in computer science is the in-person course, Introduction to Computing.
13. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program
Dates:
- Rising 9th graders: June 3-8
- Rising 10th graders: June 10-15
- Rising 11th graders: June 17-21
Location: U.S. Naval Academy
Application Deadline: April 15
Cost: $700
High schoolers in grades 9-11 interested in careers as coders, game developers, designers, and robotics engineers should check out the Naval Academy Summer STEM program. The week-long residential program tests participants’ problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills while exploring the world-class labs and facilities at one of the top engineering programs in the nation.
14. WPI Frontiers Program
Dates:
- Session 1: July 7-19
- Session 2: July 21-24
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Application Deadline: April 30
Cost: $3,995
This two-week, residential program at WPI allows students in grades 10-12 to explore a STEM major with a humanities minor—providing a preview of college life at WPI. Students interested in computer science may want to pursue the major Computer Science: Possibilities in Programming or the major Data Science: Extracting Knowledge and Insights.
In addition to coursework, students participate in a variety of recreational activities and college preparatory programming.
15. National High School Game Academy
Dates: June 22-August 3
Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: $8,998-$12,105
This six-week residential program for current high school sophomores and juniors is hosted by Carnegie Mellon and provides students with hands-on experience designing video games. The course is a great opportunity for students with an interest in software development, taking students through the process of creating a video game from ideation to pitch to final ship.
16. AI Scholars
Dates: June 22-July 20
Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Free
This free four-week program for rising high school seniors explores artificial intelligence through classroom instruction, research projects, lectures, and engagement with the nation’s leading tech companies. Students will also participate in college prep and readiness seminars focused on everything from admissions to financial aid to social-emotional well-being.
17. UT Computer Science Summer Academy for All
Dates:
- Standard Academy: June 9-15
- Machine Learning Academy: July 7-13
Location: University of Texas, Austin (UT Austin)
Application Deadline: December 22
Cost: Free
This week-long residential summer program offered by UT Austin is open to students of all skill levels in grades 10-12. Standard Academy for All participants will learn about C++, project management, and careers in tech, while those in the Machine Learning Edition will explore Python, machine learning concepts, and the social impacts of the technology.
All participants will gain firsthand experience living and learning on a college campus, including sharing a room in a residence hall with a roommate, eating in the dining hall, and tackling college-level coursework.
18. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy
Dates: June 16-28
Location: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Application Deadline: March 11
Cost: $5,060
The two-week-long Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy allows students ages 16 and 17 to immerse themselves in computer science and coding for two weeks in the summer. The program is based on the introductory computer science course taken by UC Berkeley undergrads. The academy culminates with the Code Celebration, an event where participants show off the coding project they worked on during the program.
This is a residential program and provides students with an excellent understanding of college life.
19. Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) Computer Science
Dates: July 6-26
Location: Carleton College
Application Deadline: March 11
Cost: $4,500
This residential program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors. The SLAI Computer Science program takes a different approach to exploring the field—it looks at it through the lens of liberal arts. Participants will learn about finding computational solutions via classwork, hands-on labs, and working in small teams on projects. The program concludes with a symposium where students share the results of their work.
20. Veritas AI Scholars
Dates: June 3-June 14
Location: Online
Application Deadline: May 12
Cost: $1,790
This program, founded and operated by Harvard graduate students, teaches students in grades 9 through 12 the fundamentals of Python and the key concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Participants work in small teams under the guidance of an artificial intelligence expert in fields including gaming, sports, finance, and health care.
The structure of the summer program has participants completing 25 hours of work over two weeks.
21. Columbia University Introduction to Programming with Java
Dates:
- Session 1: June 24-July 12
- Session 2: July 16-August 2
Location: Columbia University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $12,449
This three-week program is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the fundamentals of Java and build familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts, algorithms, and techniques. Students will also challenge their logical reasoning, systematic thinking, and problem-solving skills on programming projects and in labs. Students already knowledgeable in Java may want to check out this program’s counterpart course, Introduction to Programming with Python.
Outside of the classroom and lab, students are offered a variety of college preparedness programs, including lectures, seminars, and workshops covering everything from the college application process to managing the rigors of college life.
This is a residential program that allows students to experience life at one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and one of the world’s great cities.
22. UCLA Computer Science Introductory Track
Dates: June 30-August 9
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Application Deadline: June 1
Cost: $461
This commuter program at UCLA combines a coding boot camp with college-level coursework and lab experiences to introduce students in grades 9-12 to computer science. Program participants will explore the design and implementation of computer programs, learn how to use computers as tools, and explore topics like integers, strings, lists, control structures, and functional decomposition.
No previous coding experience is necessary to participate in this program.
23. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
Dates: June 24-July 12
Location: Boston University
Application Deadline: February 14
Cost: $3,120-$3,426
High school juniors passionate about developing their STEM skills will want to check out RISE, a six-week program that provides research opportunities in a number of fields, including computer science.
Participants can choose between two tracks in the RISE program: Internship and Practicum. Those on the internship track will spend 40 hours a week working on research projects while those on the Practicum track begin each day with a two-hour lecture followed by four hours of group research. Once a week, practicum track participants will join the internship students for workshops aimed at building academic and professional skills.
24. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Dates: June 17-August 2
Location: UC Santa Barbara
Application Deadline: March 18
Cost: $4,975-$11,874
The Research Mentorship Program enables high-achieving high schoolers to tackle hands-on, university-level research in a variety of fields, including computer science. Students work with a mentor to learn about research techniques, gain insight into professional opportunities, and grow their academic goals. The program concludes with participants reporting their findings in a technical research paper and presenting at a formal academic symposium.
25. MITES Summer
Dates: Late June-Early August
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Application Deadline: February 15
Cost: Free
High school juniors with a passion for STEM will want to check out MITES Summer. This six-week program immerses students in life at MIT—taking courses, participating in lab tours, and attending social events—while also preparing them for college admissions.
The MITES Summer program includes high-level math and science coursework along with electives focusing on real-world STEM applications. In the past, electives have included courses in machine learning, electronics, and engineering design.
At the conclusion of the program, students receive a written evaluation from their instructor which many students submit as supplemental material with their college applications.
How Impressive Are Computer Science Programs in College Admissions?
Computer science summer programs are a great way to show colleges that you are passionate about your academic interests, and attending a prestigious summer program can give your odds of college admission a significant boost.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good guideline for understanding the influence summer programs have on your chances of getting into college. Tiers 1 and 2 are reserved for the most impressive and rarest activities—and have the most impact on college admissions. Extracurriculars in Tiers 3 and 4 are more common and hold less weight with admissions offices. Most summer programs are in Tiers 3 and 4, though ones that are highly selective, free, and have a competitive application process would be considered Tier 1 or 2.
CollegeVine can add clarity to the impact your participation in activities outside the classroom, including computer science summer programs, has on your chances of college acceptance. Our free chancing engine uses a number of data points—like academics, extracurriculars, and demographics—to estimate your odds of getting into over 1,600 colleges in the United States.
Other Ways to Spend Your Summer
Summer computer science programs are one approach to improving your college application, but you may also want to look into volunteer work, independent study, and internships. For example, internships are a challenging, and even more impressive, experience that can increase your chances of acceptance into college. See our list of computer science internships to find the best one for you.
Another option is self-guided extracurriculars, which, when compared to summer programs, have the advantage of generally being more affordable and easier to fit into busy schedules. Some computer science-related, self-guided activities to consider include participating in an online hackathon, building a website or computer, or learning a new programming language on your own. If you want to give back to your community, you can also teach residents of a retirement home how to use a technological device, such as a smartphone or computer, or lead a coding camp for elementary schoolers in your community.
Overall, computer science summer programs are an excellent way to enhance your chances of acceptance, but they’re only one component of the whole application. For more approachable extracurricular opportunities, check out our list of online opportunities for high school students.
