12 Competitive Engineering Programs for High School Students
For high school students with a passion for engineering, competitive engineering summer programs can be a great way to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and connect with industry professionals, without committing to an expensive college course. These programs, often hosted by top universities and leading STEM organizations, allow you to explore cutting-edge research, real-world problem-solving, and advanced engineering concepts before you even step into a college classroom.
Many competitive engineering programs are free, come with financial aid, or offer a stipend, making them an accessible way to test the waters of mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, and computer engineering. Whether you’re interested in building robots, designing infrastructure, or working on space technology, these experiences provide mentorship, networking, and exposure to engineering careers that can shape your future.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve compiled 12 of the most competitive engineering programs for high school students.
1. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Mid-June – Early August (six weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
MITES Summer is an elite six-week residential STEM program at MIT with five rigorous courses across math, physics, life sciences, humanities, and a project-based elective, exploring advanced STEM topics. During the program, you’ll participate in high-level math and science courses as well as electives focused on real-world STEM applications, like machine learning, engineering design, architecture, and more. You’ll also learn what it’s like to be an MIT student and how to effectively apply to colleges.
The program also provides mentorship from MIT faculty and STEM professionals and college admissions guidance. All tuition, room, and board costs are covered, making this a highly selective and prestigious program.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starts from $2,990 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Summer Cohort I starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Summer Cohort I:
Priority Admission: March 9
Regular Admission I: April 13
Regular Admission II: May 11
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). Previous experience is not required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students exposure to extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. As a participant, you will be paired with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project, and at the end of the 12 weeks, 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.
3. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; 12 students accepted annually
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be at least 17 years old by the program start date); U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 3 letters of recommendation required
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective, seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University. During this competitive engineering program, you will conduct independent research, attend weekly seminars, and work closely with faculty on real-world scientific and engineering challenges. The program also includes social events and networking opportunities, helping you build connections with peers and professionals in academia and industry. There are no program participation fees, and on-campus housing, meals, and activities are fully covered. Additionally, you will receive a $750 stipend upon successful completion of a research project.
4. 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. You can apply here.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year. The summer cohort starts in May
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. March 23 is the summer early admission application deadline
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students from around the world. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or be experienced with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you’re interested in getting started with AI, ML, and data science, you would benefit from the AI Scholars program. It is 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.
However, if you’re looking for more advanced options, there’s the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. Through this program, you will get to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. As a bonus, you’ll also have access to the in-house publication team, which will help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
5. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 100 students selected globally
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors only (seniors are not eligible); at least 2 letters of recommendation; the following scores are recommended:
PSAT Math: 740 or higher
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700 or higher
ACT math: at least 33
Verbal scores: at least 34
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a competitive engineering program that combines rigorous STEM coursework with an intensive research internship, allowing you to engage in cutting-edge engineering, science, and technology projects. The program begins with one week of advanced STEM classes, followed by five weeks of independent research under the mentorship of MIT professors, scientists, and engineers. As an RSI scholar, you will gain mentorship from leading researchers, exposure to high-level scientific work, and a strong foundation for future careers in engineering, AI, robotics, and other STEM fields. All costs, including tuition, room, and board, are covered.
6. Columbia SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost:
Commuter Fee: $5,875
Residential Fee: $10,790
Cohort Size: Each class takes up to 25 students
Dates:
Session 1: July 7 – July 25
Session 2: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: December – March (based on 2024 dates)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates
Columbia SHAPE is a prestigious pre-college engineering program designed for high school students looking for an intensive, college-level experience at a top engineering school. This three-week, project-based program aims to encourage a passion for technology and engineering through engaging lectures and practical application. As a participant, you can choose to participate in courses like robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, and design innovation. In addition to rigorous college-level sessions, you’ll also get to attend industry workshops and go on company visits. For more information on SHAPE, check out this blog!
7. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders interested in engineering research and attending the University of Maryland College Park; should have a B in Chemistry; a minimum 3.2 GPA; and no C's in Math and Science. Students from the following underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply: African American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, and Latino/Hispanic.
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program is a four-week, research-intensive engineering experience at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. This competitive engineering program provides a hands-on introduction to engineering research, guiding you through developing a research proposal, conducting literature reviews, and applying engineering concepts to real-world problems. You will work with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on engineering-focused projects while also receiving mentorship on college admissions, financial aid, and career pathways in STEM. In 2025, this program will be commuter-only, with no housing available.
8. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: University of Texas, Austin
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: May 1 – July 22; details here
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students (10th and 11th graders) interested in engineering, space science, and Earth systems; 16 or older; U.S. citizens
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Program is a highly competitive summer experience hosted by the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research in partnership with NASA. This program allows you to work with NASA engineers and scientists, analyzing real NASA satellite data to solve engineering and environmental challenges. SEES projects cover astronomy, remote sensing, space geodetic techniques, and Earth system engineering applications, allowing you to engage in mission design, ice sheet analysis, Earth’s gravity field research, and other engineering-based explorations.
9. Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers (LLRISE)
Location: MIT (Cambridge, MA) & Lincoln Laboratory (Lexington, MA)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: July 13 – July 26
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens only)
The LLRISE summer program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a competitive engineering workshop where you will get to design, build, and test small radar systems over two weeks. This hands-on, project-based program is ideal for students passionate about electrical and mechanical engineering, offering a deep dive into radar technology, signal processing, and applied physics. You will work with leading scientists and engineers while solving real-world challenges using Doppler and range radar systems. The program includes on-campus housing at MIT and access to Lincoln Laboratory facilities.
10. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various Air Force Research Laboratory sites across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (amount varies); details here
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Varies by location and project assignment
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors pursuing STEM fields
The AFRL Scholars Program is a highly competitive engineering internship where you will work alongside Air Force scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology. Open to high school juniors and seniors, this program allows you to gain hands-on experience in engineering fields such as aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. You will collaborate with leading professionals in defense technology, contributing to real-world projects that support national security and innovation.
11. Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – U.S. Naval Laboratories
Location: Various Naval Research Labs across the U.S.
Stipend: New participant: $4,000; Returning participant: $4,500
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (varies by lab)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: U.S. High school students (rising juniors & seniors) interested in engineering & STEM careers; at least 16
The Science & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a paid summer internship where you will work alongside top Navy scientists and engineers at Naval research laboratories across the U.S. Designed for high school students passionate about engineering, technology, and defense innovation, this competitive engineering program provides real-world experience in areas such as robotics, aerospace, cybersecurity, and mechanical engineering. As a participant, you'll contribute to cutting-edge projects that support national security and defense research, gaining invaluable skills and mentorship in a professional STEM environment.
12. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors & seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at NYU Tandon is a highly competitive 10-week summer program involving real-world engineering and STEM research. You will work in an NYU research lab, assisting faculty and graduate mentors on projects in mechanical, electrical, biomedical, and civil engineering, among other STEM disciplines.
The program begins with foundational training in safety, research methods, and technical writing, followed by six weeks of hands-on research. You will also present your findings at the NYU Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium.
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