10 Tech College Courses High School Students Can Apply For
High school students should consider tech college courses as they offer hands-on experience and practical skills in diverse tech fields, from programming to cybersecurity. These courses allow students to explore potential career paths, access valuable networking opportunities, internships, and mentorship programs, which can significantly enhance their professional development and open doors to exciting career opportunities.
Partaking in college courses early on fosters technical proficiency and cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, all crucial for success in one’s desired field. To help you get started, we have put together a list of 10 tech college courses high school students can apply to!
1. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at New York University
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded scholarship, but participants are responsible for their meals and transportation in the program.
Location: New York University (New York, NY)
Application deadline: The 2024 deadline was March 1, 2024. The deadline for 2025 is TBA.
Program Dates: 10 weeks, typically from June to August as per the previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: High school students living in New York City in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application.
This 10-week college course is tailored for rising sophomores and juniors in New York City with a passion for STEM. It offers immersive, hands-on experiences spanning various STEM fields, including bio and molecular engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, AI, computer science, and machine learning.
Alongside practical opportunities, the program covers essential subjects such as college-level research, expository writing, scientific methods, professional development, and ethics. The first 6 weeks consist of remote workshops after school, followed by 4 weeks of in-person sessions at NYU from 9 am to 4 pm.
Check out this ultimate guide to NYU ARISE!
2. CS Scholars at Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College Programs
Cost: Free (tuition, housing, meal plans, and program-related field trips and special events are covered).
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (residential program)
Application deadline: The application deadline for 2024 was March 1. The deadline for the 2025 program is TBA.
Program dates: 4 weeks, typically from June to July as per previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: Students who are sophomores at the time of application, and who will be 16 years old by the program start date, can apply. Students applying must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students who are registered with DACA are also eligible.
Note: This program aims to provide opportunities for students facing barriers to access and resources in their homes, schools, or communities. This could include financial need, limited computer science education in their school district or community, or inadequate access to affordable and stable internet or computing devices.
This intensive 4-week on-campus program targets sophomore students eager to immerse themselves in computer science. Through classroom instruction, hands-on projects, faculty lectures, and industry engagements with top tech companies, participants delve into core programming and problem-solving concepts using Python. They learn algorithmic components, and basic data structures, and enhance computational skills while collaborating on a group project presented at the program’s conclusion.
Fully funded and merit-based, the initiative facilitates connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, mentors, leading researchers, and faculty. Additionally, CS Scholars benefit from weekly college prep and readiness seminars, covering topics like college applications, financial aid, and well-being, to support their academic and personal growth.
3. Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT
Cost: None
Location: On MIT campus & Virtual
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Program Dates: Mid-July to mid-August
Eligibility: Current high school students who have demonstrated technical ability and demonstrated commitment to extracurricular learning
The Beaver Works Summer Institute offers a range of courses, including several on AI. In Summer 2023, offerings included “Autonomous RACECAR Grand Prix,” “Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks),” and “Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence.” These courses delve into diverse AI concepts such as neural networks, AI ethics, and computer vision, making BWSI an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in AI and computer science, regardless of their specific interests.
Whether online or in-person, these courses provide hands-on learning and a project-based curriculum. A significant benefit of attending BWSI is its affiliation with MIT, which can greatly enhance college applications, providing both AI research experience and a polished resume for aspiring college students. Take a look at some past sessions at Beaver Works here.
If you’re interested in applying to Beaver Works summer institute, check out this blog!
4. STEAM at Harvard University’s Pre-College Program
Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee
Location: Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024 (early deadline) | February 14, 2024 (regular deadline) | April 10, 2024 (late application deadline)
Program Dates: Session 1 — June 23, 2024 — July 5, 2024 | Session 2 — July 7–19, 2024 | Session 3 — July 21, 2024 — August 2, 2024
Eligibility:
This program is open to rising juniors and seniors. Those applying must be under 19 on June 22, 2024, and not turning 19 years old before July 31, 2024.
Additionally, eligible applicants will graduate from high school and enter college in 2025 or 2026.
This intensive 2-week pre-college program is academically rigorous and exclusively conducted on campus. While offering various course options, the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) track is particularly suited for students interested in computer science and technology. Within STEAM, students must select a specific subject field, such as computer science, as their focus area.
The computer science courses provided include “Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization” and “Introduction to Scientific Programming in Python.” Expect to be intellectually challenged as you enhance your skill set and establish a solid foundation in your chosen field, guided by Harvard faculty while gaining insight into college life on campus.
5. NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Cost: Full scholarship provided
Location: New York University (Manhattan, NY)
Application Deadline: April 14, 2024
Program Dates: 3 weeks, July 15 — August 9, 2024
Eligibility: NYC residents entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in September 2024.
CS4CS is an educational program designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science. By engaging with various topics such as “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, privacy, and data usage, students gain insights into the cybersecurity industry. The coursework includes hands-on learning of software tools for threat detection, exploring cipher usage for network protection, and developing coding skills.
Additionally, participants learn about behavioral science to understand and mitigate threats like phishing scams and identity theft. What sets CS4CS apart is its incorporation of Irondale, a theater-led program that enhances communication and public speaking skills through improv sessions, providing a uniquely enriching learning experience.
6. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) — Internship Track at Boston University
Cost: $8,558 (residential) | $5,570 (commuter)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Application Deadline: The 2024 applications are closed. The deadline for 2025 is TBA.
Program Dates: 6 weeks, typically from June to August as per the previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: Rising seniors can apply.
The RISE program offers students an exceptional opportunity to engage in laboratory research alongside BU faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. With two tracks available, Practicum and Internship, the Internship track specifically caters to those interested in computer science or AI research. Participants delve into various aspects of university-level research, tackling a research project and gaining valuable technical and analytical skills.
The culmination of the program includes presenting research findings at the Poster Symposium, with the potential for submission to prestigious national science fair contests like the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Weekly workshops provide additional insights into the scientific process, research ethics, poster creation, and networking opportunities.
7. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Cost/Stipend: No cost, the program provides a $750 stipend. On-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities/programming are covered. Travel to and from the program location, personal expenses, and medical expenses are not covered.
Location: Texas Tech University
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 program was February 15. The deadline for 2025 is TBA.
Program Dates: 7 weeks, usually from mid-June to August as per the previous year’s schedule.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date, and should graduate in 2023 or 2024. International students are eligible to apply.
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program, a prestigious opportunity at Texas Tech University, is offered to 12 exceptional high school juniors and seniors for a seven-week intensive summer research experience. Participants can opt to delve into cutting-edge computer science topics such as virtual and augmented reality, big data visualization, and human-computer interaction.
Selection is highly competitive, based on academic achievements, teacher recommendations, and career aspirations, with past scholars demonstrating SAT scores in the 99th percentile. In addition to research, the program offers enriching weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips. Culminating outputs vary and may include research papers, presentations, or group projects.
If you are interested in this program, check out this deep dive!
Cost: $6,500. Need-based financial aid available
Location: Virtual & live
Application Deadline: March 25, 2024
Program Dates: July 8, 2024 – July 26, 2024
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students / rising 10th-grade students in the summer who are eager to explore the exciting field of AI and increase diversity in the field.
Stanford AI4ALL offers an immersive experience encompassing hands-on learning, supportive peer communities, mentorship by AI practitioners, and a focus on global impact. Each day, students attend 2-hour guest lectures from Stanford researchers, exploring AI applications across various fields, followed by Q&A sessions. They collaborate with Stanford AI Lab on real research projects, covering diverse areas like natural-language processing for disaster relief and computer vision for mapping poverty-affected regions.
With small group mentoring sessions and research projects led by CS and AI experts, the program fosters a close-knit community, despite being virtual, with approximately 32 participants. Emphasizing diversity, the program encourages applications from underrepresented minorities. It’s ideal for those interested in understanding AI’s intersection with subjects like biology and its impact on global challenges like poverty. No strong coding background is required, as the program leverages no-coding AI tools like Teachable Machine, making learning accessible and meaningful for all participants. Here is a review from a past attendee!
9. Columbia University’s College Edge Programs
Cost: $2,376 per point. 3 points is typically equivalent to one course.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Application Deadline: The deadline for the Academic Year program is November 30, while that of the Summer program is April 1, 2024. Check here for updated deadlines!
Program Dates:
January 16, 2024 — April 29, 2024 (Academic Year)
May 20–June 28, 2024(Summer Session A)
July 1–August 9, 2024(Summer Session B
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 11–12!
Columbia University’s College Edge Programs offer for-credit tracks for ambitious high school students, allowing them to earn credits transferable toward their undergraduate degree. The program offers options during the academic year and summer, each with equal credibility. While the summer program is condensed into a month-long format, offering a shorter but intensive experience, the academic year program provides a deeper learning experience.
The program’s courses are structured with a blend of lectures, activities, and independent study. Computer science offerings range from beginner-friendly courses like Introduction to Computer Science and Data Structures in Java to more advanced options like Advanced Programming.
10. UCLA’s Pre-College Summer Institutes — Computer Science Introductory Track
Cost: $3197 including the program, registration, IEI, and document fees. More information on costs is available here. Financial aid is available. Note that this is a commuter program and no housing will be provided.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Deadline: Applications close June (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June 24, 2024 — July 12, 2024
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 in spring 2024 can apply. Students should be able to commute to and from the program.
In this 3-week program, students enhance their programming and data analysis skills through a unique blend of a coding boot camp, lab tours, and UCLA coursework tailored for high school students interested in computer science and related fields. Participants learn to leverage computers as problem-solving tools, fostering creativity and exploration through program design and implementation.
Key topics covered include data types such as integers, strings, and lists, control structures like conditionals and loops, and functional decomposition. Ideal for students with no prior computer science knowledge, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to essential concepts in the field. There is also an intermediate track of the same program, open to 10–12 graders.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
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