Undergraduate
16 Most Competitive US Summer Programmes For International Students: A Comprehensive Guide
POSTED ON 03/07/2025 BY The Red Pen
Securing a spot in a prestigious US summer programme is not just an achievement; it’s a significant advantage. These programs enhance your academic profile, provide exposure to college-level coursework, and foster hands-on learning under expert mentorship. But here’s the catch-they are highly selective. For instance, the Research Science Institute (RSI) conducted by the Center for Excellence in Education at MIT accepts only 100 students yearly from a global applicant pool, resulting in a very low acceptance rate. Similarly, SUMaC—Stanford University Mathematics Camp selects only 40 students for its residential programme and 65 students for its online programme after a rigorous application process. But the payoff is worth it. Securing a spot in these programmes signals to universities that you stand out in a competitive applicant pool, boosting your chances of admission. This blog showcases the most prestigious summer programmes in the US with the essential information you need to determine which one might be an excellent fit for you.
1) The Research Science Institute Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts
Age group: Grade 11
Programme dates: June – August
Application deadline: Typically in December
Programme content: STEM
Cost: Fully funded. Includes tuition, travel and boarding
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a renowned six-week summer programme hosted at MIT by the Center for Excellence in Education. It is designed for high-achieving high school seniors passionate about STEM. Participants engage in advanced lectures from industry leaders, hands-on research projects under expert mentorship and professional academic presentations. The RSI application process is rigorous, requiring high standardised test scores (PSAT: Math 740+ and EBRW 700+, or ACT: Math 33+, English/Science/Reading 34+), outstanding grades, extracurricular achievements, and two to three strong recommendations from math or science teachers or research supervisors. Applicants must also submit essays demonstrating their passion for STEM and leadership potential. One of The Red Pen students who enrolled in RSI successfully secured admission to Stanford University in the early round, highlighting the programme’s impact in shaping future leaders in STEM.
2) Telluride Association Summer Seminar
Location: Cornell University, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, Boston University (Locations change yearly)
Age Group: Grades 10-12
Programme Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: October (of the previous year) – January (first week)
Cost: Fully funded. Includes tuition and boarding
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) encourages intellectual growth through seminars on Critical Black Studies (CBS) and Anti-Oppressive Studies (AOS). Students participate in daily discussions, readings, and projects without grades, focusing on personal development. Beyond academics, TASS emphasises leadership, shared decision-making, and conflict resolution. With support from faculty and mentors, participants work together to create extracurricular activities and service projects, making the programme a collaborative, immersive learning experience rooted in community building. The application includes several components, such as essay questions encouraging students to reflect on their intellectual interests, personal experiences, and social justice commitments. Applicants must also submit high school transcripts and a recommendation letter from a teacher or mentor.
3) Yale Young Global Scholars Program
Location: Yale University, Connecticut
Age group: Grades 11-12
Programme dates: Three sessions between June – August
Application deadlines: Early Action – November | Regular Decision – Early January
Cost: $6,500 | Financial aid available
The Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS) is a two-week summer programme by Yale University for high-achieving high school students. It offers four academic tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology (IST), Literature, Philosophy & Culture (LPC), Politics, Law & Economics (PLE), and Solving Global Challenges (SGC). Students attend lectures, seminars, and group activities, focusing on small-scale discussions to develop critical thinking, analytical, and teamwork skills. While there are no grades or course credits, students receive a certificate of completion. Applications include an extracurricular activities list, two essays, two short “fast take” responses, an official transcript, and a teacher recommendation. An application fee of $75 for Early Action and $90 for Regular Decision applies. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL or Duolingo) are required for international students. Two of The Red Pen students who attended YYGS secured admission at Yale University, while another is currently studying Engineering at University College London (UCL), demonstrating the programme’s value in shaping well-rounded applicants. The UCL student’s parent stated, “Our son, Yash Sharma, had a defining experience at the YYGS in July 2023 where he developed a global network of friends and gained deep insights into Yale’s world-class education, eventually providing him with the much-needed clarity for the college application process. However, it’s important to remember that completing YYGS doesn’t guarantee admission to any university.
4) Economics for Leaders
Location: Various campuses (locations change yearly) | Online
Age group: Grades 11-12
Programme dates: June – August (vary by location)
Application deadlines: Typically between February and April
Cost: $2,300 (Residential programmes) | $800 (Online programmes) | Financial aid available
Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a competitive one-week summer programme that enhances leadership skills and economic understanding through interactive lessons with college professors and hands-on activities. Held on prestigious campuses, EFL equips students with critical thinking and decision-making tools to apply financial concepts to real-world scenarios. The application requires an online form, personal essay, transcript, recommendation letter, and a $35 fee. International students must provide proof of language proficiency and fulfil visa requirements. Admissions are rolling based on leadership potential, maturity, and vision, with scholarships available for accessibility.
5) JCamp
Location: Varies annually across the US
Age group: Grades 11-12
Programme dates: August
Application deadlines: Typically in March
Cost: Fully funded. Includes tuition and boarding
JCamp, organised by the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), is an immersive six-day programme that equips high school students with practical journalism, media ethics, and leadership training. JCamp’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion makes it unique, offering students from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals, gain hands-on media experience, and build a network of like-minded peers. The application process involves an online form, a personal statement, a transcript, and a letter of recommendation. International students are encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate English proficiency and arrange their travel to the programme location.
6) Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University, California | Online
Age group: Grades 10-11
Programme dates: June – July (online and residential programmes available)
Application deadline: February
Cost: $8,250 (Residential programme) | $3,550 (Online)
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is for high school students with exceptional mathematical ability, problem-solving skills, and curiosity about abstract theories. Students work with Stanford faculty and mentors, exploring abstract algebra, number theory, combinatorics, and topology. The residential programme offers an immersive, on-campus experience with group discussions, daily seminars, and social activities. The online programme mirrors this through live lectures, small-group problem-solving, and virtual collaboration. Both formats follow the same core curriculum. Admission is highly competitive, requiring academic excellence, demonstrated through transcripts, teacher recommendations, and problem-solving exercises. Applicants must submit a personal statement. Like SUMaC, Stanford University offers many highly selective programmes for international high students. They include:
Format: Residential | Subjects: College-level humanities courses like history, literature, and philosophy | Age group: Grades 11–12 | Cost: $8,575 (covers tuition, boarding and field trips)
Format: Online | Subjects: Choice of 70 courses like art, computer science, mathematics, social justice, philosophy, and engineering | Age group: Grades 8-11 | Cost: $3,080.
Format: Non-residential, in-person | Subjects: Medical fields like surgery, dentistry, paramedics, nursing, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sports medicine, and medical education | Age group: Grades 10+ | Cost: $4,000
Format: Online | Subjects: Machine learning in healthcare | Age group: Grades 9-12 | Cost: $850 (+ $40 application fee)
7) Interlochen Summer Camp
Location: Interlochen Center of Arts, Michigan
Age group: Grades 9-12 (One-Week Intensive) | Grades 6-12 (Three-Week & Six-Week Art Camp)
Programme dates: Batches between June to August
Application deadline: Mid-January (Remain open after this date if slots are available)
Cost: $1,830 (One-Week Art Intensive) | $6,765 (Three-Week Art Camp) | $10,080 (Six-Week Art Camp) | Financial aid available
Interlochen Summer Camp is a prestigious arts programme offering immersive, multidisciplinary training for high school students. Combining expert mentorship, collaborative experiences, and rigorous training in an innovative and immersive environment, it provides students with seven courses, including music, theatre, dance, film, visual arts, creative writing, and interdisciplinary arts courses. The camp is highly selective, evaluating applicants based on their artistic portfolios, auditions, and prior achievements. Students must submit creative work, transcripts, and teacher recommendations. Its reputation for nurturing artistic excellence attracts students worldwide, many pursuing successful creative careers.
8) IOWA Young Writers Studio
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa | Online
Age group: Grades 10-12 (exceptional grade 9 students considered)
Programme dates: June and July
Application deadline: Early February 2
Cost: $2,500 (two-week Summer Residential Program) | $575 (six-week Online Courses) | Financial aid available
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers a residential and online programme for students passionate about creative writing. The two-week residential programme immerses students in a collaborative, campus-based environment with workshops, craft seminars, and peer feedback. The online programme, spanning six weeks, features real-time virtual workshops and independent projects guided by instructors. The curriculum covers fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, promoting writing skill development and critical analysis. Admission is highly selective, requiring a 10-page writing sample, a statement of purpose, teacher recommendations and a transcript.
9) Summer Science Program (SSP)
Location: Various universities (Locations change yearly according to course)
Age group: Grades 11-12
Programme dates: Vary by course. Batches between June and August
Application deadline: January (international students) | February (domestic)
Cost: $8,800 | Need-based financial aid available.
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is an in-person, residential programme offering immersive astrophysics, biochemistry, genomics, and synthetic biology courses. SSP conducts its summer programmes at prestigious institutions like Purdue University, Lehigh University, UNC Chapel Hill, Georgia College & State University, Indiana University, Caltech University and several others. Applicants must submit an application form, short essays on academic interests, two teacher evaluations (a third is optional) on STEM skills, and an official high school transcript. A standout feature is its focus on real-world research, where students engage in collaborative, hands-on projects under expert mentorship.
10) LaunchX Summer Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Boston University, Massachusetts and UC Berkeley, Bay Area | Online Programmes
Age group: Grades 9-12
Programme dates: June – July (Boston) | July – August (Bay Area) | Online batches between May-August
Cost: $9,995 (on-campus) | $4,750 – $6,995 (online) | Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: November (of previous year) | Early deadline: January | Financial aid deadline: February | Final deadline: March
The LaunchX Summer Entrepreneurship Program is a highly selective programme for high school students focused on building startups. A standout feature is its real-world approach, where students collaborate to develop and launch fully functional startups. It offers four-week on-campus programmes at Boston University and UC Berkeley, as well as online options, including Online Entrepreneurship (four weeks), Online Innovation (six weeks), and Online Entrepreneurship BootCamp (four weeks). The programme covers market research, prototyping, financial planning, and pitching. Admission is competitive, requiring a personal statement, transcript, teacher recommendation, and introduction video. In the application form, students must complete the “Entrepreneurial Mindset” section. Optional components like a portfolio or teacher recommendation letter are encouraged.
11) Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Location: Michigan
Age group: Grades 5-12
Programme dates: Batched between June – August 17
Application deadline: March 31
Cost: $1,700 – $1,875 (tuition) | Minor sessions: $99 (additional) | Uniforms: $100 | Early arrival: $100 | Late departure: $100 | Stay-overs between sessions: $180 | Multiple scholarships available.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp offers an immersive two-week summer experience for students interested in music, theatre, dance, writing, and visual arts. Participants choose a major (e.g., Orchestra, Dance, Theater, Creative Writing) and can explore a minor, such as ceramics, yoga, or stage combat. Interested students should submit an online application, a $295 deposit and a performance video to help faculty place them in the right ensemble. For the International Exchange programme, a separate application and audition are required.
12) Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: On-campus: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia | Online | Location-based: San Francisco and Cambridge, UK
Age group: On-campus: Grades 10-12 | Online: Grades 9-12 | Location-based: Grades 10-12
2025 programme dates: Summer 1: May – July | Summer 2: July – August
Application deadline: Summer 1: March | Summer 2: April
Cost: $7,300 – $10,000 (on-campus) | $2,000 – $4,800 (online) | $8,599 – $9,199 (location-based) | $100 non-refundable application fee
The Wharton Global Youth Program offers high school students immersive business education through on-campus, online, and location-based programmes. On-campus courses include Leadership in the Business World and Moneyball Academy, while online and location-based options cover innovation, entrepreneurship, and finance. Location-based courses, including Wharton Essentials of Innovation and Essentials of Entrepreneurship, are held in San Francisco and Cambridge, UK, focusing on global markets and start-up ecosystems. Admission is highly competitive, with applicants evaluated on academic performance, including grades in math, economics, or business-related subjects. Students must submit an online application form, transcripts, letters of recommendation, 2-3 short essays, a 500-word essay or a 90-second video discussing their interest in the program. International students must meet English proficiency standards. A standout feature is its emphasis on real-world application through simulations and business challenges, enhancing students’ entrepreneurial skills. One of the students from The Red Pen who completed the Wharton Global Youth Programme received an offer from Imperial College London for Biology, highlighting the programme’s ability to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that universities appreciate.
13) Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore | Various partner institutions | Online
Age group: Grades 2-12
Programme dates: June–August (varies by location).
Application deadline: November (of the previous year)
Cost: Ranges from $3,149 to $7,501
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is a renowned academic programme that provides advanced learning opportunities for gifted students. High school students can access various programmes, including on-campus summer courses in STEM, humanities, and writing and online courses ranging from Advanced Placement (AP) classes to specialised math, science, and writing subjects. Admission is highly competitive, with applicants needing qualifying test scores (from CTY Talent Search or other assessments), academic transcripts, and teacher recommendations. International students must meet the same testing and proficiency standards as domestic applicants. CTY is known for its ability to customise learning, offering gifted students a chance to engage with challenging material under expert instructors and creating a standout experience for academic enrichment. A key highlight is its flexibility and breadth. Students can tailor their learning with year-round online access or immerse themselves in the intensive residential experience, fostering collaboration and advanced problem-solving skills.
14) PROMYS
Location: Boston University, Massachusetts
Age group: Grades 10-12
Programme dates: June – August
Application deadline: March
Cost: Up to $7,000 (includes tuition and boarding) | Financial aid for international students on a case-by-case basis
The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) is a rigorous six-week summer programme designed to immerse high school students in an intensive mathematical experience. The programme encourages students to explore mathematics through problem-solving, collaborative research, and direct engagement with mentors, professors, and peers. PROMYS primarily focuses on fostering creativity and independent thought, guiding students in discovering new mathematical ideas rather than simply learning established techniques.PROMYS is highly selective, drawing talented students exhibiting exceptional mathematical ability and a passion for exploration. With a low acceptance rate, admission is determined by academic performance and a student’s capacity to approach complex, open-ended problems with creativity and insight. Students must submit a comprehensive application consisting of several key components. This includes a challenging problem set designed to assess their mathematical creativity, persistence, and depth of understanding. They must also provide a personal statement detailing their passion for mathematics and motivation for attending PROMYS. Teacher recommendations are required to highlight the applicant’s mathematical ability, work ethic, and intellectual curiosity. Additionally, students must submit academic transcripts to demonstrate strong performance in math-related subjects. International students must demonstrate proficiency in English to participate in discussions, lectures, and problem-solving activities.
15) Ross Mathematics Program
Location: Otterbein University, Ohio | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Indiana
Age group: Grades 10-12
Programme dates: July – July 25
Application deadline: Mid-March
Cost: $7000 (includes tuition and boarding) | Financial aid available
The Ross Mathematics Program is a prestigious six-week residential known for its rigorous approach to teaching mathematics through discovery, exploration, and an emphasis on number theory. The programme immerses students in daily problem-solving sessions, interactive lectures, and group activities, allowing them to fully engage in mathematical inquiry and research in a collaborative setting. The Ross Mathematics Program is highly selective, with admission granted to a select group of students from a global pool of applicants. The application process evaluates candidates on their mathematical ability, creativity, and motivation to learn. Applicants must submit a personal statement detailing their interest in mathematics, academic transcripts demonstrating a strong foundation in math-related subjects, and letters of recommendation from teachers. A challenging entrance problem set exam is also crucial to the application. It evaluates persistence, logical reasoning, and a student’s ability to think independently. International students must also meet English proficiency requirements.
16) Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Age group: Grades 11-12
Programme dates: July
Application deadline: Priority Deadline: January | Final Deadline: April
Cost: $9,000 | Financial aid available.
The Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) is a highly selective three-week, for-credit summer programme designed to introduce students to the intersection of business and engineering. It focuses on entrepreneurial ventures, technological innovation, and business management. Only 75 students are admitted annually, and admissions are highly competitive based on academic excellence, leadership in extracurricular activities, and entrepreneurial interest. Applicants must submit academic transcripts, a personal statement, teacher recommendations, and extracurricular achievements. A standout feature of M&TSI is its hands-on approach—students design a prototype and create a go-to-market plan, which they present to industry professionals and Penn faculty. Through lectures by leading Wharton and Penn Engineering professors and site visits to major companies, students gain invaluable exposure to real-world business and tech applications. A student from The Red Pen who completed this programme was admitted to Stanford University later that year.
In conclusion, summer programmes are an incredible opportunity for students to expand their knowledge, build essential skills, and explore their interests in a focused, immersive environment. They offer a unique blend of learning, personal growth, and hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional classroom settings. For more information on summer programmes, book a free appointment with us, or read our blogs on The Ultimate Guide to 16 Exceptional Summer Programmes in India and 6 Summer Activities to Boost Your College Application for more information.
