12 Free Computer Science Programs for High School Students
If you are an ambitious high school student interested in computer science, a summer program might be a valuable addition to your application.
Unfortunately, many programs are costly which is a barrier for many students. That’s why, we’ve identified some excellent programs that will look great on your college applications, make for an excellent learning opportunity, and are free of charge! The drawback? Most of these are pretty hard to get into because of how prestigious they are, but it’s not impossible.
In this post, we have 12 free computer science programs for high school students.
1) MIT’s Research Science Institute
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a research-based summer program sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and hosted by MIT every summer. RSI invites 80 highly talented high school juniors from all over the world to attend this program. Throughout the 6-week, fully-funded program, you can conduct independent research in computer science (or other STEM subjects) and take college-level coursework. However, RSI is an extremely selective program, with an acceptance rate of under 5%.
Within the first week, you will have the opportunity to experience extensive STEM Classes by accomplished faculty. However, the main section of RSI is the 5-week research internship, where you can choose to pursue projects in computer science under the mentorship of experienced scientists and researchers! The program culminates with delivering your research in conference-stye oral and written reports.
If you are interested in learning about the types of research conducted by RSI students, you can look at the projects from 2022 here! An example for robotics enthusiasts is Michelle Hua’s 3D Acoustic Simulation and Optimization for Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Delivered with Stereotactic Robotics.
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge MA
Application Deadline (Summer 2023):
- January 15th, 2023 (U.S. Citizens)
- March 15th, 2023 (International Students)
Program Dates (Summer 2023): June 25th to August 5th, 2023
Selection Rate: Under 5%
Eligibility:
- Students who are rising seniors (you will have to apply in the middle of your junior year). High school seniors are not eligible to apply.
- It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 (or higher) and Evidence-Based Reading/ Writing Scores be 700 (or higher). ACT math scores should be at least 33, and verbal scores should be at least 34. However, you can offset lower scores through recommendations, high school grades, and science activities.
Note: There are different application processes for U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents and International Applicants. You can look here for specific details!
2) Veritas AI
Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students and our programs are geared towards high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science. In the program, students learn various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using python, and more.
Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for the AI Scholars program. Through the program students build real-world projects in groups of 3-5 students to showcase their interests and skills. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship where you work 1-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique, individualized projects. Veritas AI offers up to 100%
Location: Remote - you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: There are 4 cohorts (You can apply here!)
- Fall 2023: September 3, 2023
- Winter 2023: November 26th, 2023
- Spring 2024: January 14th, 2024
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2023. No previous knowledge is required!
Note: The financial aid is available for students from households earning less than $60,000 annually (for a typical household of 4) with minimum assets.
3) Anson L.Clark Scholars Program
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program was established in 1963 in honor of Anson L. Clark, a former Texas A&M student and World War II veteran who proceeded to create a successful business career! This 7-week comprehensive research program will allow you to gain hands-on research under the mentorship of Texas Tech faculty. Apart from one-on-one research with faculty, you can participate in weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits!
One of the research areas available for students is the computer science track. Scholars from the 2022 cohort, like Akaash Kolluri, have conducted research in predicting GPU energy consumption using machine learning algorithms. You can view past projects from other scholars here!
The Clark Scholars program is one of the most prestigious and selective programs, with an acceptance rate of less than 3% and only 12 students in each cohort. Therefore, having the title of an Anson L. Clark Scholar will be a valuable add-on to any college application. An additional benefit is the $750 tax-free stipend that is provided!
Location: Texas Tech University
Application Deadline (2023): February 13, 2023
Program Dates (2023): 6 weeks, June 18 - August 3, 2022
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in 2023 or 2024 (U.S. and International)
4) NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security
This is a 3-week summer program held at NYU that is an introduction to the fundamentals of computer science and cybersecurity. This program will teach you various software tools and techniques to detect cyber threats. Moreover, you will cover topics such as using ciphers to protect computer networks. You also get the opportunity to develop your coding skills!
Some topics included in the course are “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, private data usage, and more. If you are interested in computer science but have little to no experience, this program is a great choice!
Location: New York University Campus
Application Deadline (2023): April 13, 2023
Program Dates (2023): June 11, 2023 - July 29, 2023
Selection Rate: Medium
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, including rising freshmen (excludes graduated seniors). Must be a NYC resident.
5) Lumiere Foundation - CS Track
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Born out of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program (one of the largest 1-on-1 research initiatives for high school students), the foundation offers the same independent research opportunities at no cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In this flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project in computer science. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll learn about the cutting edge of your field and develop an independent research paper. This is a great option for anyone interested in interdisciplinary research!
Scholarship Amount: N/A
Location: Remote - you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: There are 4 cohorts (You can apply here!)
- Fall 2023: August 27th, 2023
- Winter 2023: November 26th, 202
- Spring 2024: January 14th, 2024
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2023.
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. Students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Note: While there is no cut-off for income, past scholars have typically come from households earning less than $50,000 annually (for a typical household of 4) with minimum assets.
6) MITES Semester
Another program by MIT, MITES Semester, is a 6-month hybrid STEM where you can deep dive into science and engineering disciplines. In this program, you will choose one project-based course, followed by a supplemental core course, which can either be in computer science, calculus, physics, science writing, or communication!
Through this program, you can delve into interdisciplinary subjects that involve computer science. For instance, past projects have included computational biology, embedded systems, machine learning, robotics, thermodynamics, climate change, and more!
Note: At the end of the MITES program, you will receive a written evaluation from your instructor outlining your strengths and growth areas and highlighting your contributions to the class. This is a valuable supplement for any college application.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline (2023): February 1st, 2023
Program Dates (2023): June 20, 2023 - December 10, 2023
Eligibility:
- All high school juniors who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.
- Strong academic record (While they have not specified a cutoff, you can expect similar expectations of RSI - PSAT Math Scores to be at least 740 (or higher) and Evidence-Based Reading/ Writing Scores to be 700 (or higher). ACT math scores should be at least 33, and verbal scores should be at least 34.)
- Passion for science, technology, engineering, and math - which is demonstrated through extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Note: MIT strongly encourages students from these backgrounds to apply: underrepresented backgrounds, undeserving students (defined as those from low socioeconomic means), families with an absence of science and engineering degrees, students who are potentially the first family member to attend college, and students from high schools with low admittance rates to top-tier colleges (especially from rural or predominantly minority high schools).
7) Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is run by the Girls Who Code, an organization with a mission to help girls around the world close the gender gap in tech. As part of this mission, the 2-week SIP program was created where you can attend virtual classes sponsored by companies such as MetLife, Bank of America, and Game Design.
In 2023, you will learn about intermediate CS concepts, the iterative design process, and UX design basics and gain an introduction to Game Design! Moreover, GWC promises participants that they can meet mentors who are industry experts from their partner companies.
One of the advantages of participating in SIP is the flexibility offered to each student. Through the course, you can pursue any project that you are passionate about! In fact, previous projects by students have included cybersecurity chatbots to protect people’s passwords or creating affordable GPS tracking devices that alert caregivers!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline (Summer 2023):
- Early Acceptance - February 17th
- General Acceptance - March 29th
Program Dates (Summer 2023):
- Round 1 - June 16th - June 30th, 2023 (U.S. Students Only)
- Round 2 - July 19th - July 21st, 2023 (U.S. and International Students)
- Round 3 - July 31st - August 11th, 2023 (U.S. and International Students)
Eligibility: Identify as a girl or non-binary. In the 2022-2023 school year, you were a freshman, sophomore, or junior (U.S. Citizen). Should be between the ages of 14-18 on June 16th, 2023 (International Students).
8) UT Austin’s Academy for All
UT Austin’s Academy for All is a week-long program where you can explore computer science or game development through classes conducted by existing UT Austin faculty. The program runs in 2 streams - the Standard Edition and the Game Development Edition.
The Standard Edition is perfect for any student intending to pursue Computer Science as the program covers C++, careers in tech, and project management. You also gain hands-on experience through projects, for example, coding an Arduino microcontroller to put on an LED display light show!
Location: UT Austin Campus
Application Deadline (2023): While the application deadline is not specified, you can expect it to close a month and a half to a month before the program.
Program Dates (2023): June 4th - June 10th, 2023 or June 11th- June 17th, 2023 (Standard Academy Editions)
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
9) MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
The Beaver Works Summer Institute is a 4-week program that teaches STEM skills through project-based, workshop-style courses. The program consists of 2 online programs from January to May, followed by the 4-week summer program. While the online program is open to all, the summer program is limited to a select group of students.
In this program, you can learn skills by applying them in a practical scenario. Here are some examples: For example, the Embedded Security and Hardware Hacking course introduces you to security topics focusing on threats, especially concerning embedded systems. These topics include embedded software security, cryptographic protocol attacks, JTAG and UART probing, side-channel analysis and fault injection, and hardware Trojans.
If you are interested in AI/ML, you should look at the Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks) course. Through this 4-week course, you will learn how to apply foundational technologies of AI to build cognitive assistants. After the online course, successful students will be considered for participation in the summer program, where you will leverage professional cognition services (e.g., Amazon Alexa/Echo) and open-source tools to develop cognitive systems. At the end of the program, your project will compete against other participants!
Participating in this program will add value to your application due to the prestige of the host university and, above all, help you build key foundational skills (and even some advanced skills) in areas of your choice. It also allows you to demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations!
Location: Remote + MIT Campus (Note. Certain courses are in-person, while others are remote. You can look here for more details!)
Application Deadline (2023): Rolling Admissions (Note. You must apply to the online course to receive the application link for the summer program!)
Program Dates (2023): February 1st, 2023 - August 6th, 2023 (This includes the online course commencement).
Selection Rate: Highly Selective
Eligibility: Must be a student attending high school in the U.S.
10) NYU’s ARISE Program
ARISE at NYU is a free seven-week summer program for 10th and 11th graders residing in New York City. Throughout the program, you will work under the guidance of NYU’s top research faculty to gain hands-on research experience in disciplines such as computer science, machine learning, robotics, and more!
The program has two components: your first 2 weeks are spent in workshops, while the latter 5 weeks are spent in the lab alongside your mentor. Through ARISE, you can train in college-level research, professional development, and colloquium and contribute substantially to their laboratories. You can view the subject areas for 2023 over here!
Location: New York University Campus, NY (Specific Area depends on subject area/ lab choice)
Application Deadline (Summer 2023): March 5th, 2023
Program Dates (Summer 2023): June 28th - August 11th, 2023
Eligibility:
- Rising juniors and rising seniors.
- Must be based in New York City.
11) Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE Program
The ASPIRE program by Johns Hopkins allows students to explore STEM careers before committing to an area to study at university. Throughout the program, ASPIRE participants are paired with APL staff mentors to complete projects, solve problems, and learn and apply their theoretical knowledge.
The Areas of Placement include computer science, information technology & cybersecurity, mathematics & data analysis, and more! Each student has to choose one area of interest and can either choose to participate in person, hybrid, or complete their program virtually.
Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline (Summer 2023): February 15, 2023
Program Dates (Summer 2023): June 27th to August 18th, 2023
Selectivity: Selective
Eligibility:
- High-school juniors and seniors residing in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area.
- A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required.
- Must be 15 years old by June 15th, 2023 (For the Summer 2023 session)
- Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply.
12) UPenn’s Coding Academy
UPenn’s Coding Academy is a 3-week residential program that is an introduction to front-end web development. Through the instructor-led demos and hands-on class exercises, you gain exposure to programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and Java Script to learn how to create attractive web pages. In addition, you also learn how to use GitHub to learn how to build code collaboratively!
The Coding Academy is perfect for any student wishing to pursue a career in a technical field or wishing to incorporate technology into other areas such as arts, history, language, etc.
Note: While the Coding Academy is not free for all, if you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school, you are eligible for a Penn Summer Scholar that can allow you to participate free of charge! Otherwise, the cost to attend this program is $9,700.
Location: UPenn Campus
Application Deadline (2023): January 31st, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
Note: All applications after this deadline are taken on a rolling basis.
Program Dates (2023): July 9th, 2023 - July 29th, 2023.
Eligibility: Open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
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!