15 Summer Programs in Texas for High Schoolers in 2023
What’s Covered:
You don’t mess with Texas is a popular saying in the Lone Star state and certainly holds a kernel of truth when talking about its summer programs for high schoolers. Offerings include everything from STEM-focused courses at some of the largest universities in the U.S. to hands-on, high-tech-focused courses at colleges that are among the most prestigious in the nation.
Keep reading to learn about ten great high school summer programs in Texas.
10 Summer Programs in Texas for High Schoolers
1. McCombs Six-Day Experiences
Affiliate College: University of Texas at Austin
Grades: 11 and 12
Cost: Free
Deadline:
- Priority deadline: January 31
- Final deadline: April 1
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Essay(s)
- Resume (optional)
This excellent six-day residential summer program gives rising high school juniors and seniors a glimpse at college life—living on campus, interacting with faculty, and meeting like-minded peers. The program is aimed at outstanding African-American, Latino, Native American, and first-generation students, along with students who have overcome social or economic hardships. That said, all students are welcome to apply.
2. High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Affiliate College: University of Texas at Austin
Grades: 10, 11, and 12
Cost: $3,500
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: Essay
Participants in this science-based summer program will gain first-hand research experience working in the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Natural Sciences laboratories alongside its faculty and students. Research projects cover fields that include biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, and ecology. Participants are awarded course credit at the end of this five-week immersive non-residential experience.
3. Advancing Into STEM
Affiliate College: Texas A&M University
Grades: 9-12
Cost: N/A
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements:
- Essay
- Transcript or letter of recommendation
- Completed algebra 1 and biology and/or physics (recommended)
The perfect summer program for high schoolers with an interest in STEM, participants in this week-long residential program tackle areas like discrete mathematics topics, statistics, coding, atmospheric science, rockets, and engineering design. They’ll also make time to prepare for standardized test preparation and to explore engineering design.
4. Honors Camp
Affiliate College: Texas A&M University
Grades: 9-12
Cost: N/A
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements:
- Admissions test
- Transcript
- Essay
- Letter of recommendation
- Standardized test scores (PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores)
- Completion of algebra II, pre-calculus (recommended), and physics (recommended)
Deep dive STEM topics like discrete mathematics, statistics, coding, atmospheric science, aerospace (rockets and drones), and engineering design while also preparing for standardized tests at this incredible two-week summer program. Participants are also given the opportunity to work alongside university researchers and their teams, giving them direct experience with the research process and a deeper understanding of what to expect from college STEM programs. This is a very competitive program—in 2021, its acceptance rate was just 31% and in 2020 its acceptance rate was a scant 18%.
5. Aerospace & Aviation Academy
Affiliate College: Rice University
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $5,875-$6,395
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: N/A
This summer program is aimed at students with their heads in the clouds. That is, those with an interest in aviation and aerospace. Over the program’s two weeks, participants stay on Rice University’s campus and experience a slice of college life while hearing from the school’s renowned faculty, government space scientists, representatives from NASA, and a former NASA astronaut. Another highlight of the program is the chance to design, prototype, revise, and launch a satellite that will collect information that participants will analyze.
6. Rice ELITE Tech Camp
Affiliate College: Rice University
Grades: 8-11
Cost: $595-$3,495
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: N/A
These week-long summer camps are tailored to teach college-level engineering curriculum to high school students, while also improving college readiness and building leadership skills. Participants engage in a variety of STEM-based activities and learn to solve real-world problems through the engineering design process. Topics covered include machine learning, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, data science, 3D printing, deep learning, and data analytics. ELITE Tech Camps are offered in residential, commuter, and virtual formats.
7. Schieffer Summer Journalism Camp
Affiliate College: Texas Christian University
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $2,000
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements:
- Essay
- Letter of recommendation
This two-week residential program is designed to instill the fundamentals of digital reporting in its participants—learning how to generate story ideas, develop them, and turn them into content for newscasts and websites. Over the course of the program, students will build their critical thinking and writing skills and meet professionals working in the Dallas/Fort Worth media to learn about careers in the field.
8. TCU Neeley Analytics Academy
Affiliate College: Texas Christian University
Grades: 11-12
Cost: $1,500
Deadline: April 21
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Teacher recommendation
This great summer program helps participants understand how companies like Amazon know what they want to buy and why their social media features products they’re interested in purchasing. During this one-week residential experience, students will hone their data analytics and market research skills, and discover how businesses use those skills to improve profitability. Students will live on TCU’s campus and learn from its esteemed business school faculty, giving them valuable insight into college life.
9. TCU Band Camp
Affiliate College: Texas Christian University
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $325-$525
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: N/A
TCU Band Camp offers a few interesting tracks for high school musicians, including:
- Music and leadership: combines paying in large ensembles and masterclasses with leadership training
- Color guard: focused on all aspects of color guard, from technique to performance skills
- Drum major: build drum major-specific skills like conducting and vocal commands while also containing a leadership component
These summer camps leave participants prepared for success in marching band, concert band, solo, and chamber music. The camp is open to residential and commuter students.
10. Story Lines
Affiliate College: University of Houston
Grades: 10, 11, and 12
Cost: $750
Deadline: May 19
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Test scores
Participants in this course dig into what makes a captivating story as they explore the content and meanings of short stories and films. Similar to a college seminar, students will gain a better understanding of what makes fiction work—from a creative writer’s point of view—whether on the page or on the screen. This summer program also seeks to inspire participants to pick up their pens and create!
11. From The Ground Up
Affiliate College: University of Houston
Grades: 10, 11, and 12
Cost: $1,250
Deadline: May 19
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Test scores
This summer program is aimed at high schoolers with an interest in architecture—providing insight into the pursuit of architecture in college and building a lifetime appreciation of the field. Participants will learn about architectural history and study some of the world’s most interesting buildings from past to present, as well as visit a local architect’s office and buildings of special interest. Participants will also work on their own design projects and leave the program with a bolstered portfolio.
12. Closer Looks
Affiliate College: University of Houston
Grades: 10, 11, and 12
Cost: $750
Deadline: May 19
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Test scores
This summer program is ideal for art lovers and appropriate for students who have taken (or plan to take) AP Art History. Participants will explore all types of works of art and cover works from the dawn of civilization to today. Don’t expect to just stare at slides in this course; rather, participants visit numerous local galleries and museums, including:
- The Menil Collection
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- The Kimbell Art Museum
- The Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
- The Blanton Museum of Art
- The Harry Ransom Center of the University of Texas
Art historians and curators will guide students—sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm, and ultimately cultivating the next generation of art lovers.
13. Arete: An Introduction to the Classics
Affiliate College: University of Dallas
Grades: 11 and 12
Cost: $1,695
Deadline: March 1
Application requirements: N/A
This two-week residential program allows high schoolers to sample what college life is like while learning about some of the most essential texts of western civilization, such as Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Plato’s Republic, and Shakespeare’s Henry V. The course helps students develop valuable reading and writing skills—providing a foundation for college success—and participants can earn three hours of college credit upon successful completion of the class.
14. Summer Art Academy
Affiliate College: University of Dallas
Grades: 7-12
Cost: $425
Deadline: March 1
Application requirements: N/A
This week-long non-residential program immerses students in the process of making art. During the course, participants work in a variety of mediums—including ceramics, printmaking, and drawing—under the tutelage of University professors from the Art Department and staff experienced working with burgeoning young artists. The program culminates with an art exhibit and reception highlighting students’ work.
15. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Affiliate College: Texas Tech University
Grades: 11 and 12
Cost: Free
Deadline: February 15
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- Essays
- Standardized test scores
- Three recommendations
This extremely competitive seven-week summer research program selects just 12 talented high school juniors and seniors to participate. Participants conduct research under the mentorship of experienced faculty in fields including:
- Biology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics/Business/Finance/Marketing
- Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering
- History
- Microbiology
- Physics
In addition to research, students also take part in social activities and seminars. The program is free—tuition, on-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities/programming are all provided at no cost—and participants receive a $750 tax-free stipend at its conclusion.
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The benefit of participating in a summer program varies depending on a multitude of factors, such as the standing of the program itself and the value individual colleges place on extracurricular activities like summer programs.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities provide good guidance for understanding how colleges view your participation in summer programs. Tier-one and -two activities have the most influence on your chances of college admissions, as these activities are rare, impressive, and attention-grabbing.
Tier-three and -four activities are more common, less esteemed, and have less weight on college admissions. Lower-tiered extracurriculars still provide a benefit to participants, however. For example, they demonstrate your motivation for self-improvement and desire to explore fields of interest. Many summer programs also have a college readiness component, which can give you a leg up on other college applicants.
Are you interested to learn what 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.
