15 Awesome Computer Science Summer Internships for High School Students
For any high schooler passionate about computer science, summer internships can offer invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience, develop industry-specific skills, and build professional networks. These internships provide a platform to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges relevant to sub-fields you are personally curious about.
To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve compiled a list of 15 awesome computer science summer internships for high school students. Whether you're looking to strengthen your coding skills, work on innovative projects, or gain exposure to the tech industry, these internships offer a structured way to take your learning to the next level.
1. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
The Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a three-week introduction to computer science for graduating high school seniors with a passion for technology at one of the many Google campuses throughout the U.S. In this highly exclusive and immersive program, you will engage in interactive and collaborative projects at Google’s labs, develop programming skills, and receive mentorship from Google engineers. The program emphasizes problem-solving, computational thinking, and real-world applications of computer science.
Location: Various Google offices across the U.S.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort sizes vary by location.
Dates: CSSI programs usually run from June to August.
Application Deadline: Applications open in March and close in May.
Eligibility: High school seniors intending to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in the US or Canada in computer science or a related field.
The Veritas AI Fellowship is a 12- to 15-week program where high school and advanced middle school students independently develop a unique AI project. The program is divided into three distinct phases with all their attendant learnings: exploration, ideation, and execution. During this time, you will get to learn AI concepts, explore research questions, analyze data, and implement machine learning models. Each student works one-on-one with a mentor who provides personalized guidance. The program culminates with a final project presentation to peers, showcasing your progress and innovation.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly exclusive since there is 1-to-1 mentorship.
Dates: 12–15 weeks; specific start and end dates vary depending on your mentor, project, and application period.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school students and advanced middle school students with basic Python knowledge or completion of the AI Scholars program.
3. Microsoft High School Internship Program
Similar to Google’s CSSI listed above, Microsoft's High School Internship Program instead provides you with a fully-funded opportunity to work on real projects alongside Microsoft professionals. As an intern, you will gain exposure to various aspects of the tech industry, from software development to project management, and participate in workshops and networking events. The program aims to inspire and equip the next generation of tech leaders.
Location: Redmond, WA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort sizes are limited.
Dates: 4-week program from July to August.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February and close in March.
Eligibility: You need to be a freshly graduated high school senior about to start your first year of a bachelor's degree program. You also need to have completed pre-calculus, be at least 16 years old, and live within 50 miles of the Microsoft campus in Redmond.
The Ladder Internship Program connects high schoolers with FAANG-level CEOs and founders of high-growth startups for an 8-week virtual internship. Interns work closely with company founders and teams on meaningful projects, gaining hands-on experience in areas like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, and more. The program includes weekly meetings, project deliverables, and culminates in a final presentation to the company and fellow interns.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; for example, the summer 2023 cohort had over 700 applicants for just 70 spots.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; specific dates are announced on the program's website.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; upcoming deadlines are listed on the program's website.
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
5. MITRE High School Student Program
The MITRE High School Student Program is an exclusive, 8-week paid internship where high school students gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. As an intern, you’ll work alongside MITRE professionals, contributing to federally funded research and development projects that address national security, healthcare, and emerging technology challenges.
You'll also engage in real-world problem-solving, applying coding, data science, and engineering principles to projects with real-world applications. Whether you’re interested in ethical hacking, AI-driven analytics, or national defense technologies, this program offers a rare opportunity to work on high-impact research at a leading nonprofit research organization.
Location: McLean, VA, and Bedford, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort sizes vary by location.
Dates: 8-week program during the summer; specific dates vary annually.
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with strong academic records and interest in STEM; U.S. citizenship is required.
6. Simons Summer Research Program
Stony Brook University's Simons Summer Research Program allows high school juniors to engage in hands-on STEM research alongside faculty mentors. You will be matched with a mentor working on a project in a field you’re keen on, join their research group, and take responsibility for tasks in a specific project. By the program’s conclusion, you will need to produce a written research abstract and a research poster.
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size is limited to ensure quality mentorship.
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are nominated by their high school, with a limit of two nominations per school.
7. Stanford University’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Computer Science Track
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer a specialized computer science track for high school students who want to dive into coding, programming, and computational problem-solving. Through lectures and hands-on assignments, you can explore various topics such as data science, machine learning, and app development. Collaborative team projects and interaction with Stanford faculty provide a comprehensive learning experience.
Location: Stanford University, CA (in-person or online, depending on the year).
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically limited to a few dozen students per track.
Dates: Runs for two weeks during the summer; specific dates vary by session.
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in late fall and close in March.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12, with strong academic backgrounds and an interest in computer science.
8. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
This program is designed for female high school students interested in computer science. The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program offers free, hands-on workshops and mentoring sessions to close the gender gap in tech. You’ll get to learn programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS while working on real-world projects and connecting with role models in the industry.
Location: Virtual or in-person at partner organizations nationwide.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; cohort sizes vary by location.
Dates: 2-week program, typically held in July and August.
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in January and close in mid-March.
Eligibility: Female or non-binary high school students in grades 9–12, particularly those underrepresented in tech fields.
9. Carnegie Mellon’s SAMS (Summer Academy for Math and Science): Computer Science Focus
Carnegie Mellon University’s SAMS program offers high-achieving high school students an opportunity to explore STEM fields, including a computer science focus. It offers college-level courses in coding, algorithms, and data structures alongside engaging research projects and the opportunity to work with CMU faculty. Workshops on college admissions and academic success are also included.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, PA (on-campus).
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; limited to around 200 students across all STEM fields.
Dates: June 21 - August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds with a strong interest in STEM.
10. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES) Internship
The SEES Internship allows you to participate in NASA-affiliated research projects, focusing on space science, engineering, and data analysis. As an intern, you’ll collaborate with NASA scientists and university researchers on initiatives like satellite image processing, climate modeling, and robotic engineering. The program emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and professional development.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX; with some virtual components.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 300 students are selected annually.
Dates: Typically runs from mid-June to early August.
Application Deadline: Applications close in early February.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with U.S. residency or citizenship.
AI4ALL is a nonprofit organization that offers summer programs focused on artificial intelligence, aiming to increase diversity and inclusion in the field. High school students work on AI projects that address real-world problems, such as healthcare innovations or environmental conservation. As a participant, you will also engage in networking opportunities with AI professionals and receive mentorship from top university researchers.
Location: Hosted by multiple universities, including Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and UC Berkeley.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by university.
Dates: Two- to three-week programs in July or August, depending on the location.
Application Deadline: Applications open in November and close in January.
Eligibility: High school students from diverse backgrounds with a keen interest in AI and ethics, enrolled in an undergraduate program at a US college or university, and having knowledge of probability, statistics, and linear algebra.
12. Harvard’s Pre-College Program: Computer Science Track
Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers high schoolers the chance to explore college-level courses in various subjects, including computer science. As a student in the program, you will collaborate on coding challenges, software development projects, and problem-solving exercises, gaining practical programming experience while working alongside Harvard instructors and peers from around the world. The program also introduces students to critical computational thinking skills, preparing them for college-level CS courses and future careers in technology.
Location: Harvard University, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort sizes are small for individualized attention.
Dates:
Session I: June 22 – July 3
Session II: July 6 – 18
Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 with strong academic records and a demonstrated interest in computer science.
13. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
MIT’s BWSI offers project-based summer courses for high school students passionate about computer science and engineering. Participants work on cutting-edge topics like autonomous vehicles, machine learning, and cybersecurity. The program emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving through hands-on projects and access to MIT faculty.
While the program is primarily conducted online, select courses are offered in person at MIT's campus in Cambridge, MA. Students must complete online prerequisite courses to qualify for the summer program.
Location: Primarily online, with select in-person courses at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 200 students are accepted annually.
Dates: Early July to early August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close at the end of March.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a strong academic background in math, physics, and computer science.
14. National Security Agency (NSA) High School Work-Study Program
The NSA Work-Study Program offers students a chance to gain practical experience in cybersecurity and computer science while supporting national security efforts. Participants work part-time at NSA facilities during the summer, handling real-world projects like data analysis, cryptography, and software development. You will also receive mentorship and training from NSA professionals.
Location: NSA locations in Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, and Texas.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort sizes vary by location.
Dates: Summer session runs for 8–10 weeks.
Application Deadline: Applications close in October for the following year.
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and an interest in STEM fields.
15. Udacity AI Scholarship Program for High School Students
This highly selective scholarship is designed to offer high school students the chance to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning through comprehensive training programs from AWS and mentorship from experts. You’ll gain access to Udacity’s premium AI and programming content, including Python, data analysis, and neural networks. While the program is virtual, you can network with peers worldwide and receive support from Udacity mentors.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive, only 2500 students are selected each year.
Dates: The program begins in mid-October each year.
Application Deadline: Applications are open from June to September.
Eligibility: High school students globally with a passion for AI and programming.
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