10 Ivy League Engineering Courses for High School Students
Most Ivy League engineering courses for high school students go beyond textbooks and introduce participants to hands-on projects and real-world applications. They also offer direct exposure to industry trends and valuable connections with peers and professionals, creating a strong foundation for future academic and career success. These Ivy League engineering courses for high school students are typically designed to be more accessible, with scholarships and financial aid made available. This makes them a great way to explore STEM fields when you’re still in high school.
Ivy League engineering courses for high school students provide a chance to delve into fields like robotics, sustainable design, or artificial intelligence in an environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. With so many options out there, we’ve narrowed down the top 10 Ivy League engineering courses for high school students, focusing on programs that combine academic rigor, practical learning, and the chance to experience the culture of some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
1. Harvard Summer School: College Programs for High School Students
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (virtual options available)
Cost:
Secondary School Program: $4,050 – $14,950
Pre-College Summer School Program: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective, large cohort (approx. 2,800)
Program Dates:
Secondary School Program: July 13 – August 9; June 21 – August 9
Pre-College Summer School Program: June 22 – July 3; July 6 – 18; July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 – 18 by the start of the program
The Harvard Summer School offers two distinct programs for high school students: the Secondary School Program and the Pre-College Summer School Program. The Secondary School Program spans seven weeks and allows you to dive deeply into college-level coursework, such as Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python or Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles while working closely with Harvard faculty. With hands-on projects and mathematical modeling, this program is ideal for those seeking an immersive academic experience in an Ivy League environment.
The Pre-College Program, on the other hand, offers a focused two-week on-campus experience. You’ll live in Harvard dorms, attend a single intensive course from a wide array of topics, and engage in co-curricular activities that stimulate creativity and collaboration. While courses are non-credit, they provide an excellent platform for exploring subjects like psychology, AI, or business without the pressure of grades. The program also includes sessions on college admissions, financial aid, and career planning, making it a well-rounded introduction to college life.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900 for both
Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts in March. Details here
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. February 23 for the spring cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students. To apply to the AI Fellowship program, you should either have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI is a program that’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. It offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you’re looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you’ll benefit from the AI Scholars program. It’s a 10-session boot camp that will introduce you to the fundamentals of AI & data science. You’ll also get a chance to work on real-world projects.
If you’re a more advanced student, consider the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. Through this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you’ll have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Late June – early August (specific dates TBA)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility:
U.S. citizens or permanent residents
High school juniors with a passion for STEM and a strong academic record
Encouraged applicants include those from underrepresented backgrounds, low socioeconomic means, or first-generation college-bound families.
The MITES Summer Program is a six-week residential STEM experience for rising high school seniors hosted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a participant, you’ll take five advanced courses, including math, life sciences, physics, humanities, and a project-based STEM elective like machine learning, architecture, or genomics. The curriculum combines rigorous academics with real-world STEM applications, offering opportunities to work on hands-on projects, participate in lab tours, and engage in seminars with STEM professionals.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive guidance from MIT faculty and mentors, attend college admissions workshops, and explore STEM careers through local company tours and networking events. Each participant receives a written evaluation from instructors, providing valuable feedback and an edge in the college application process.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting from $2,990 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts on March 3
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. February 9 for the spring cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous experience is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program designed for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas.
As a participant, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Summer@Brown – Engineering and Technology Programs
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Starting from $2,960 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Medium selective, large cohort (approx. 5,900).
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25 (1-, 2-, and 3-week courses; hybrid options available)
Application Deadline: Rolling. January 15 – May 9
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9v– 12, ages 14 – 18 by June 15
The Summer@Brown program includes engineering and technology courses designed to introduce you to foundational concepts and practical applications in fields like robotics, programming, sustainability, and design thinking. These courses emphasize hands-on learning through projects and collaborative problem-solving, offering you exposure to real-world challenges faced by engineers. The program also incorporates opportunities for independent research, helping you develop technical and analytical skills.
Held on the Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island, Summer@Brown offers a college-level academic experience. You will engage in classes for three hours daily and spend additional time on independent or group assignments. With a wide range of workshops and activities, the program encourages skill development in time management, teamwork, and self-directed learning.
6. Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (housing is not provided)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective, limited enrollment
Program Dates: Varies by course (typically 4 – 6 weeks in the summer)
Application Deadline: Check the program page (early application recommended)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in engineering and technology
The Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT offers a range of engineering and technology courses for high school students passionate about STEM. Through hands-on projects, you’ll explore advanced fields like UAVs, quantum computing, semiconductor design, and robotics. Each course challenges you to design, build, and innovate, guided by experts in the field.
From constructing autonomous systems to developing secure hardware, these programs provide a deep dive into engineering concepts and their real-world applications. By the end of the program, you’ll gain experience with cutting-edge tools, collaboration, and problem-solving.
7. Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; local students only
Program Dates: 5 – 6 weeks during the summer (customized by research project)
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by June 15, 2025; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students attending U.S. high schools; students must reside locally and provide proof of housing and transportation
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) at Princeton University is another one of those Ivy League engineering courses for high school students that offer hands-on research experience in STEM fields, including engineering. Over 5 – 6 weeks during the summer, you will work on real-world research projects alongside Princeton faculty and research staff.
This program provides an in-depth look at the scientific process, from hypothesis to experimentation, while emphasizing laboratory safety and professional practices. The LLP is a full-time, in-person program designed for local high school students. After the program, you will submit a research summary report highlighting your contributions to the assigned project.
8. Columbia University Academic Year Weekend Program – Engineering and Technology Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,810 for one course; $2,700 for each additional course (plus an $80 application fee)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective.
Program Dates: Spring 2025: January 18 – March 23
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (early application recommended)
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9 – 12 by the program start date
The Columbia University Academic Year Weekend Program offers programs that cover a range of STEM topics and focus on helping you develop foundational skills and engage in collaborative problem-solving. For over ten weekends, you can choose up to four courses, including those focusing on coding, robotics, and data science.
Classes are conducted in an interactive virtual classroom, fostering engagement and connections with peers from around the world. In addition to coursework, you can participate in college preparation seminars and activities designed to develop leadership, time management, and academic skills. By the end of the program, you will have earned a Certificate of Participation and an evaluation letter to strengthen your college applications.
9. Yale Summer Session – Engineering Courses for Pre-College Students
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (in-person and online options available)
Cost: Starts from $2,635 for tuition fee; financial aid is available. See details here
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates:
Session A: May 26 – June 27
Session B: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (entering senior year) and seniors (graduating/entering college); must be 16 years old or older by the program start date
The Yale Summer Session is one of those Ivy League engineering courses for high school students that provide you with the chance to explore undergraduate engineering courses alongside college students in a challenging academic environment. As a participant, you can choose from a wide range of credit-bearing courses that cover foundational and advanced topics in engineering, such as electrical engineering, computer science, and data analysis. With access to Yale’s resources, you will engage in college-level coursework designed to develop critical thinking, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of engineering principles.
You may attend one or both sessions during the summer, enrolling in up to two courses per session. In addition to coursework, you’ll also experience campus life at Yale, supported by residential counselors who provide mentorship and assistance. The program also includes college preparation workshops, fostering academic growth and preparing students for future studies in STEM.
10. Research in Science and Engineering (RISE)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Approximately $6,000 (includes tuition and housing)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Low; limited spots available
Program Dates:
Residential: June 29 – August 8
Commuter: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Boston University RISE Internship/Practicum program is a six-week summer opportunity for high school juniors passionate about STEM fields. Whether you choose the Internship track or the Practicum track, you’ll gain hands-on experience in areas like biomedical engineering, data science, and mechanical engineering.
The Internship track lets you work on individualized research projects under expert mentorship, while the Practicum track provides a structured group research experience with topics like Computational Neurobiology. Both tracks culminate in a Poster Symposium, where you’ll showcase your findings. Along the way, you’ll participate in workshops to build academic and professional skills, interact with biotech professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific process.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers. It’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to give students the opportunity to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You, too, can apply!
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