Top Computer Science Summer Programs and Universities For Highschoolers
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
April 5, 2024
Last Updated:
November 15, 2024
Computer science programs offer students a chance to learn through a project-based approach that may not be available in a traditional classroom setting. It is an excellent option for those who are either STEM or computer science enthusiasts or beginners in high school.
Additionally, computer science summer camps provide practical experience that can be used to build your portfolio, regardless of whether your interests are in AI, software engineering, coding cybersecurity, and game development. Your portfolio can then boost your college applications and help you gain admission to top computer science colleges after high school.
Many of these computer programming summer camps are organized by top computer science universities, which allows you to learn how to get into their universities. Below are some excellent computer science summer programs for high school students.
Tech360 is a computer science summer bootcamp organized by America on Tech. The program encourages high school juniors and seniors who are currently attending a New York City high school to apply for the hybrid (virtual and onsite) computer science summer camp. In this program, you will learn practical coding, web design, and development skills such as HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. Like most computer science programs, you will learn directly from professionals in tech careers. In the final week of the program, students will put their knowledge to the test and work in teams to produce a live project. The top teams from all program cohorts will also compete during the end-of-summer Demo Day Competition.
Application Deadline: The priority deadline for the 2024 coding summer program is April 26th. The Final Deadline is May 24th.
Application Process: Submit an online application where you will select a city and provide your personal information. Although optional, you are also encouraged to submit a written or video essay explaining why you need the internship.
Program Dates: There are two cycles to choose from for each location. All cycles will meet Monday through Thursday, from 11 AM to 3 PM. The sessions will mostly be held on Zoom. However, there will be no session on July 4th. You may select the cycle you wish to participate.
Eligibility: You must currently be enrolled in 10th or 11th grade in a public high school in New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami. Additionally, you must be able to attend both virtual and in-person sessions in the city of your choice.
Fee/Stipend: The application is free of cost. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a $500 stipend.
Location: Tech360 Summer coding camp will be offered virtually and in-person in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami in 2024.
If you are a high school senior who is interested in technology, computer science, and engineering, Microsoft's High School Discovery Program is an excellent opportunity for you. This program offers hands-on learning experiences on technology opportunities available at Microsoft. The program lasts four weeks and includes direct mentorship with Microsoft employees. Working in a small team, you will complete a tech project for your product group. Through this project, you will learn tech skills like product development design phase, software engineering and UX design. The Microsoft computer science program will help you develop the necessary skills for a successful career in tech at Microsoft or any other tech company.
Application Deadline: The application is open starting March 19, 2024, with no definite end time yet.
Application Process: To apply, you must complete an online application form and submit an essay of 500 words or less describing when you worked with others to complete a school, group, or community project or task.
Program Dates: The summer program will run for four weeks (July 8-August 2,2024).
Eligibility: To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent or three consecutive years of math by the program's start. High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington, or live and attend high school around Atlanta, Georgia, can apply.
Fee/Stipend: Paid internship for USD $18.00 per hour.
Location: Microsoft on-site
Veritas AI is an organization established and led by Harvard graduates that offers various AI-led computer science programs for high school students. These programs feature close-group, collaborative learning, and customized project pathways with 1:1 mentorship. There are two primary paths available for students. The AI Scholars program enables students to work with PhDs from top institutions to learn the fundamentals of Python along with key concepts in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. This program helps build a strong foundation to independently code and create AI models. The AI Fellowship, on the other hand, allows students to create a novel AI project independently with the support of a mentor over 12-15 weeks.
Application deadline: The program runs in cohorts throughout the year, and applications for the summer Cohort close on March 24, 2024.
Eligibility: The applicants must be high school students, and they can be from anywhere in the world. For the AI Scholars program, no previous experience is required - applicants simply need to demonstrate a keen interest in AI.
Application process: The application process involves completing an online application form that includes basic biodata and a 300-word essay on why you are interested in learning AI.
Program dates: Rolling. Applications for the summer are accepted between February and May.
Location: Virtual
Fee/ stipend: The fee for the AI Scholars program, which is a 10-week boot camp, is $1,790. The fee for the AI Fellowship, which is a 12-15 week 1-1 mentorship, is $4,900. The fee for both programs combined is $5,900. Need-based financial aid is available.
The University of Berkeley is known for having one of the best computer science programs in the country. They offer an introductory computer science course from the Berkeley undergraduate curriculum to high school students in the Summer Computer Science Academy. The yearly CS summer academy is a two-week summer camp designed for students between the ages of 16 and 17, and it provides an opportunity to learn the basics of coding and other computer science concepts. It's also an excellent way to experience college-level student life. Each day, you will work on a series of unique coding challenges using Snap!, a visual programming language. Additionally, you will have the chance to pursue a programming project of your own design and interest.
Eligibility: The program is open to both domestic and international students who will be 16-17 years old at the time of the program and are willing to live in residential housing. Students must have completed 10th or 11th grade during the program and maintain an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework.
Application Process: You must apply online and submit your basic biodata, high school transcript, and proof of age. The application review process will take an average of 5-7 business days.
Application deadline: The deadline for computer science in 2024 has passed, but it is typically open for two months every year, from February to April. To stay informed about the next cycle, register for the online information session.
Location: All participants are required to live in assigned residential housing on the university campus located at Oxford Street in Berkeley.
Fee/Stipend: The application fee is $25, and the program fee for 2024 is $5,060.
If you're a high school student interested in game programming and coding, the University of California, Los Angeles, has an exciting computer science program just for you. You can attend the program either in-person or virtually, and it's focused on teaching you the fundamentals of game design. Don't worry if you've never designed a game before - the program is designed for students with any level of experience. Over two weeks, you'll learn from alumni of the highly respected UCLA Game Lab and practice developing both analog and digital games. By the end of the program, you'll have created complete games or game assets in each of the four classes. You'll even have game art that you can add to your college application portfolio.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old by June 24, 2024, are eligible to participate in UCLA Summer Sessions, which includes Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives. International students can also apply.
Application Process: Eligible students can apply online through the registration portal. You need to submit an unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, and a short statement summarizing your reasons for wanting to participate in the UCLA Precollege Computer Science Summer Institute. The admission decision will be communicated to you via email within 3 weeks.
Application Deadline: The application ends on June 1st, 2024. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting February 15th, so apply as soon as possible.
Program Dates: There are virtual and in-program sessions. Virtual has one session between July 8 and July 19, 2024, and in-person has two sessions between July 21 and August 17, 2024.
Location: The virtual session will take place online, while the in-person session will be held at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles. On-campus housing is mandatory for the in-person session.
Fees/Stipend: The summer program costs $2,616 for high school students, including tuition, room, and housing. International students may incur additional fees, such as health insurance. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available.
There are many excellent computer science summer camps and university programs available for high schoolers. Therefore, you must carefully evaluate your interests, goals, and budget to pick your best fit. Consider the following:
Start by reflecting on the areas of computer science that fascinate you the most - artificial intelligence, game development, cybersecurity, or software engineering. Then, look for computer science programs that align with those interests and allow you to explore them in-depth through hands-on projects and coursework. Additionally, consider your long-term goals. If you aim to attend a particular computer science university, a summer program affiliated with that institution could give you a significant advantage.
Some intensive computer science programs pack learning into just a few weeks, while others are spread over a more extended period. Evaluate your schedule and learning style to determine which structure suits you better. Longer programs may provide more opportunities for immersive learning but could conflict with other commitments, such as sports or part-time jobs.
While many top-tier computer science programs come with hefty price tags, don't let the costs discourage you immediately. Explore need-based financial aid, scholarships, and stipend opportunities that could make these invaluable experiences more accessible. Keep in mind that investing in a prestigious program now could pay dividends later when applying to colleges and securing internships or jobs.
If you're considering a residential program, research the location's cost of living, housing options, and safety. Determine whether you're comfortable living on campus or commuting from home. Virtual computer science programs eliminate these concerns but may lack the same level of hands-on learning and networking opportunities.
Once you've narrowed down your choices, it's time to make your application shine. Start by gathering all required materials, such as transcripts, essays, and recommendations, well before the deadlines. In your essays, highlight not just your academic achievements but also any independent coding projects, hackathons, or computer science-related extracurriculars you've participated in.
The most competitive computer science summer programs have application deadlines several months before they start. Don't procrastinate - begin preparing your materials as early as possible.
If you need recommendation letters, approach teachers or mentors at the beginning of your academic year. Provide them with details about the programs and qualities you'd like highlighted. The more lead time they have, the more personalized their recommendations can be.
One of the most powerful ways to distinguish your application is by publishing independent computer science research ahead of time. Having tangible evidence of your skills and expertise demonstrates you can produce high-quality work aligned with what you'll learn in the program.
Moreover, publishing research has additional benefits beyond impressing admissions committees. It helps build a robust portfolio for applying to top computer programming universities. You can showcase your abilities to potential employers or internship providers, and you establish yourself as a tech thought leader while still in high school.
Indigo's High School Mentorship is an outstanding opportunity if you want to publish independent research and boost your chances at top computer science programs. Our platform connects students like you with top computer science and engineering mentors. With their guidance, you can develop and publish research, coding projects, or technical articles - giving you a competitive edge for computer summer programs and university admissions.
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