Pursuing data science programs at the Ivy League level while still in high school offers an incredible opportunity for students passionate about math, technology, and problem-solving. With data science becoming increasingly vital across all sectors, gaining early exposure to this field can give students a significant edge. These programs, offered by some of the most prestigious universities in the world, provide hands-on experience, access to advanced resources, and mentorship from experts. High schoolers learn to work with real datasets, utilize programming languages like Python or R, and understand the principles behind artificial intelligence and machine learning. By engaging in these programs, students can build foundational skills that are valuable not only for college applications but also for future career paths.

These programs also offer networking opportunities with peers and professionals, potentially opening doors to internships, college recommendations, and mentorships. For high school students eager to get a head start, we’ve compiled this list of 10 Ivy League data science programs for high school students. These programs offer an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and set yourself on a path toward future success in one of the fastest-growing fields today.

1. Harvard’s Data Science in Action

The Data Science Summer Program at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers high school students an engaging introduction to biostatistics and data science, focusing on the application of these fields in public health.

Through a blend of lectures, hands-on projects, and collaborative activities, students learn fundamental statistical methods, programming, and data analysis techniques. The program emphasizes real-world applications, demonstrating how data science can address pressing public health issues like disease outbreaks, healthcare disparities, and environmental challenges.

Guided by Harvard faculty and graduate mentors, you’ll explore advanced tools such as R programming, statistical modeling, and data interpretation.  With its focus on diversity and accessibility, this program encourages students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply, aiming to build confidence in their analytical skills while inspiring the next generation of data-driven problem solvers. 

• Cost: Free

• Location: Countway Library, Boston, MA

• Application deadline: May 1 (based on 2024 deadline)

• Program dates: June 22 - July 10 (based on 2024 dates)

• Eligibility: Rising freshman - senior; students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply; basic knowledge of algebra

2. Yale’s Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research

The Young Scholars Summer Program in Biostatistics and Clinical Research, offered by the Yale Center for Analytical Sciences (YCAS), is an intensive 2-week program designed for high school students entering grades 11 and 12. Hosted by the Yale School of Public Health, this highly selective program provides students with the unique opportunity to dive into statistical methods, programming, and the interpretation of complex datasets within the context of real-world health issues. 

You’ll engage in learning basic statistical methods and study designs pertinent to medical research. The program includes instruction in "R," a statistical programming language widely used for data analysis. Students work collaboratively in teams, utilizing real health science data to address research questions and develop final presentations of their findings. By focusing on applications in public health, the program helps young scholars understand the crucial role data science plays in shaping policies and interventions that improve population health. 

• Cost: Free

• Location: Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT

• Application deadline: Applications open January 31, 2025, and are due March 31, 2025

• Program dates: July 21 - August 1, 2025

• Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (preference given to rising seniors); strong academic background (especially in mathematics); interest in statistics, computer programming, and medical research

3. Princeton’s AI4ALL Summer Program

Princeton’s AI4ALL Summer Program offers an exciting opportunity for high school students to dive into the world of artificial intelligence. This 3-week residential camp is designed for students passionate about technology and social impact, combining hands-on lectures on machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing with explorations of how AI can be used ethically to address global challenges. 

Participants work alongside Princeton faculty, gaining valuable coding experience and insights into cutting-edge AI applications. You’ll also get to participate in small-group research projects led by AI graduate students, focusing on the societal impact of AI. Another core aspect of the program is a 2-day trip to Washington, D.C., introducing students to AI governance and policy through visits to public and private organizations and meetings with policymakers.

• Cost: Free, including accommodation, meals, and a field trip to Washington, D.C.

• Location: Princeton University campus, Princeton, NJ

• Application deadline: March 15 (based on 2024 deadline)

• Program dates: 3 weeks in the summer; 2025 dates to be announced

• Eligibility: Students must be rising juniors in high school; students must demonstrate that they come from a low-income family; open to students from the US and Puerto Rico. 

4. Summer Research Program with Columbia University

The Summer Research Program, hosted by Columbia University’s Center for Computing for Social Good and Education at The Coding School, offers high school students the opportunity to engage in high-level computer science research. This virtual program is designed for students eager to explore the intersection of technology and social impact, applying skills in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to tackle pressing social issues. Participants work alongside experienced mentors from top universities and industry leaders, gaining hands-on experience in research methodologies, coding, and analytical techniques. Designed for students eager to explore how computer science can drive meaningful social impact, this program fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in tech.

• Cost: To be announced; scholarships available

• Location: Virtual

• Application deadline: Rolling admissions

• Program dates: 5 weeks in the summer; 2025 dates to be announced

• Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders and recent high school graduates

5. Brown’s Pre-College AI, Data Science and Machine Learning Course

Brown University’s Pre-College course offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to data science with a focus on predictive modeling and analysis.

Throughout this 4-week course, students develop foundational skills in Python programming, data handling, statistical analysis, and model building. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants work with real datasets to explore data cleaning, visualization, and regression techniques, learning how data-driven insights can forecast outcomes in fields ranging from healthcare to business. 

The course provides a rigorous, selective, and immersive experience, with small class sizes fostering interactive learning. Participants will gain a solid foundation in AI and ML, preparing them for future academic pursuits in these fields. This course is ideal for those with a keen interest in understanding how data shapes decision-making and innovation in today’s world.

• Cost: $5,108

• Location: Virtual

• Application deadline: May 9, 2025

• Program dates: June 24 - July 19 (based on 2024 dates)

• Eligibility: High school students with a basic understanding of Python and/or R; intermediate knowledge of statistics and probabilities. 

6. Dartmouth’s Summer Scholars Data Science Program

Dartmouth’s Summer Scholars Program in Data Science invites high school students to dive into the dynamic world of data, equipping them with the skills to manipulate and analyze complex datasets. This program is designed to introduce participants to tools and techniques essential for working with large datasets, including data manipulation, visualization, and statistical analysis.

Beyond technical training, the course encourages students to think critically about the role of data in decision-making across various fields, from business to social sciences. 

Participants work with programming languages like Python and data manipulation libraries like Pandas, gaining the skills to uncover patterns and derive insights from data. By the end of the program, participants gain the confidence and skills to explore data science independently, making it an ideal stepping stone for future academic and career pursuits in this exciting, fast-evolving field.

• Cost: $4,799 - $9,299 (based on commuter or residential programs)

• Location: Dartmouth, Hanover, NH

• Application deadline: To be announced for 2025

• Program dates: June 30 - July 12 or July 28 - August 9 (based on 2024 dates)

• Eligibility: High school students with a strong foundation in STEM subjects

7. Wharton Global Youth’s Data Science Academy

The Wharton Data Science Academy, part of the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, offers high school students an immersive introduction to data science and machine learning. This 3-week residential program teaches you how to work with essential data analysis tools and programming languages, including Python, giving them the ability to analyze trends, interpret large datasets, and understand the power of data-driven decision-making. Through interactive projects and mentorship from Wharton faculty, students gain hands-on experience applying data science to solve complex business problems. 

The program also includes guest speakers who share insights into data science careers. Students work in teams to complete a final project and present their findings to their peers at the end of the program, earning a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.

• Cost: $9,799; limited need-based scholarships are available

• Location: Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

• Application deadline: January 29, 2025 (priority); April 2, 2025 (final)

• Program dates: July 13 - August 2, 2025

• Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in 10th and 11th grade with a strong background in math and coding.

8. Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics and Data Science at Columbia

Columbia University’s Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics and Data Science (SIBDS) offers high school students a deep dive into data science with a focus on public health and biostatistics. This program combines rigorous coursework with practical applications, offering students the opportunity to work on real-world health datasets under the guidance of Columbia faculty and graduate mentors. 

Participants gain foundational skills in data analysis, statistical modeling, and programming, exploring tools like R for data wrangling and visualization. The curriculum includes hands-on projects that focus on significant public health issues, such as disease surveillance, health disparities, and epidemiology. 

• Cost: Free

• Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

• Application deadline: March 15 (based on 2024 deadline)

• Program dates: May 28 - July 12 (based on 2024 dates)

• Eligibility: High school students interested in public health and data science

9. Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program

Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) offers high school students passionate about data science a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience in a world-class lab setting. Participants collaborate closely with Princeton faculty and research staff, contributing to ongoing projects in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Although this program is not traditionally centered on data science, participants still have the opportunity to engage deeply with it by collaborating with Princeton faculty and researchers on real projects that leverage data science to address scientific and societal challenges.

This program allows students to develop practical skills in data analysis, laboratory techniques, and critical thinking, providing a solid foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in science and research. You will also receive guidance from Princeton faculty and research staff, fostering an environment of learning and professional development.

• Cost: Free

• Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

• Application deadline: March 14, 2025

• Program dates: Typically spans 5-6 weeks during the summer; specific dates vary per project

• Eligibility: Applicants who are at least 16 years old by June 15, 2025, enrolled in a New Jersey high school, and are residents of New Jersey or Pennsylvania

10. University of Pennsylvania’s AI4ALL@GRASP

The AI4ALL @ GRASP program at the University of Pennsylvania introduces high school students to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and robotics while emphasizing ethical considerations and the societal impacts of AI. Hosted by Penn’s renowned GRASP Lab, this program is designed to inspire underrepresented groups to explore AI and related fields through hands-on projects, mentorship, and discussions on the intersection of technology and society. Students will learn to analyze and interpret data, develop algorithms, and build AI models that power applications like computer vision and autonomous systems. 

Beyond technical skills, the program offers insights into the ethical implications of AI, helping students understand how data-driven technologies can be used responsibly. For aspiring data scientists, AI4ALL @ GRASP provides both the technical foundation and the ethical framework to use data science as a powerful tool for innovation and impact.

• Cost: Free; participants receive a $400 stipend

• Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

• Application deadline: To be announced

• Program dates: To be announced

• Eligibility: 9th and 10th graders from lower-income backgrounds. 

Bonus Program: Veritas AI

Veritas AI offers high school students a hands-on introduction to artificial intelligence, providing mentorship from Harvard and MIT instructors. Through this program, students learn core AI concepts, build real-world projects, and explore how AI can be applied across various fields. Perfect for curious learners, Veritas AI empowers students to harness the power of AI for innovative solutions. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. 

• Cost: Starts at $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)

• Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.

• Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort 

• Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

• Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

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