If you have a passion for data science, you should consider joining a pre-college summer program. They are a fantastic way to enhance your data science skills, gain practical experience, and demonstrate your commitment to data science. Participating in data science programs can significantly boost your college applications by showcasing your dedication to honing your analytical abilities and gaining hands-on experience in the field. 

It can be tough to know where to start and how to find the right fit for you. To make things easier, we have compiled a list of the 10 best pre-college data science summer programs for high school students! 

1. UPenn Wharton Global Youth Program: Data Science Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost: $9,099
Program dates: Mid July - early August
Application Deadline: January (Priority) and April (Regular) 
Eligibility: High School students

The Data Science Academy at Wharton provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of data science. Through the program, you will learn fundamental data science concepts, including data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. You will gain practical experience through hands-on projects, data analysis exercises, and exposure to industry-standard tools and techniques. 

The final output typically involves a data-driven project, where you apply your newly acquired skills to analyze and derive insights from real-world data sets. The program is a good fit for you if you are looking to build a strong foundation in data science while exploring its various applications.

2. Harvard Pre College: Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization

Location: Harvard University
Cost: $5500
Program dates: 2 weeks in June and July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students

The Harvard Precollege Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization offers a deep dive into data science concepts with a particular emphasis on data visualization techniques, making it ideal for those looking to master this critical aspect of the field. You get a chance to learn essential data science fundamentals, such as data collection, analysis, and interpretation, alongside in-depth training in data visualization tools and methodologies. 

In the first week, students learn to use Python to compile clean and convenient-to-use data sets from the web and explore this data through visualizations using the Python library Matplotlib. In the second week, students take an in-depth look at visualizations and their communicative potential. The final output typically involves a data-driven project where you will have the opportunity to create compelling visualizations to effectively convey insights from complex data sets.

If you are passionate about data science and want to learn how to present data in a meaningful and visually engaging way, consider applying to this program! 

3. Stanford Pre-College: Introduction to Data Science

Location: Virtual 
Cost: $3050
Program dates: 11 days in June or July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High School Students

The Stanford Pre-College Introduction to Data Science provides a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the field, making it an excellent choice for those looking to delve into the world of data analysis and interpretation.

Through the program, you will learn fundamental data science principles, including data collection, data cleaning, statistical analysis, and the use of programming languages like Python to analyze and visualize data. The final output of the program often involves a data project where you apply your learnings and skills to tackle a real-world problem by working with complex data sets to derive meaningful insights. This program is a particularly good option for beginners looking to learn the fundamentals of data science and programming! 

4. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre College: CS Scholars Program

Location: Carnegie Mellon University
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 - July 20
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising High School Seniors

The Carnegie Mellon University Pre College CS Scholars Program primarily focuses on computer science and provides a strong foundation in the computational and analytical skills that are crucial for success in data science. 

You will learn core computer science concepts, programming languages like Python, and gain experience in data structures and algorithms, which are essential for data analysis. The final output often involves a project where you can apply your programming and data manipulation skills to address real-world problems, thus providing a practical application of data science principles. This program is a good fit for high school students who have a passion for technology and data-driven decision-making. It offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for those seeking to develop strong computational and analytical skills, which are valuable for aspiring data scientists. 

5. Brown Pre-College: AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning Program

Location: Brown University
Cost: $7038
Program dates: 3 weeks in June - July 
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High School Students

The Brown PreCollege AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning Program is a great opportunity for students interested in data science and its cutting-edge applications. This program is suited towards students looking to explore the dynamic field of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. 

Through the program, you will gain a deep understanding of data analysis, data visualization, statistical modeling, and machine learning algorithms, all of which are fundamental skills for data science. The final output of the program typically includes a data-driven project or machine learning model, allowing you to apply your knowledge to real-world data sets and solve complex problems. 

This program is geared towards students who are curious about data science, want to expand their analytical and computational skill set, and learn about AI and ML.

6. UChicago Summer Session Pathways in Data Science

Location: University of Chicago
Cost: $8350
Program dates: July 5 - July 21
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students

The UChicago Summer Session Pathways in Data Science focuses on the applications of data science. Through the program, you can expect to build a strong foundation in data science, including data analysis, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. You will also have the opportunity to work with real-world data sets and engage in hands-on projects to tackle data-driven problems. The final output often involves a substantial data project, where students apply their knowledge and skills to solve practical issues and present their findings. 

This program is a good fit for you if you are looking to expand your  data science expertise, enhance your analytical and programming skills, and understand how data-driven insights can influence various academic and professional domains.

7. Johns Hopkins University Pre College: Data Analytics Workshop

Location: Virtual
Cost: $1950
Program dates: 11 days in July - August
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High School Students

The Johns Hopkins University Pre College Data Analytics Workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to data science. You will learn essential data analytics skills, including data collection, data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, statistical techniques, and data visualization. 

The workshop focuses on hands-on learning, allowing students to work with real datasets and utilize industry-standard tools and programming languages like Python. The final output often involves a data analytics project where students apply their newly acquired skills to analyze and interpret data, presenting their findings in a meaningful way. 

8. Columbia PreCollege: Big Data, Machine Learning, and Their Real World Applications

Location: Virtual
Cost: $2700
Program dates: 10 Weekends
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9-12th graders

The Columbia Pre College Big Data, Machine Learning, and Their Real World Applications program provides an in-depth exploration of data science, big data analytics, and machine learning, making it an excellent choice for aspiring data scientists. 

You will get a chance to learn essential skills, including data collection, data preprocessing, predictive modeling, and data-driven decision-making. With a focus on real-world applications, the program helps you understand how these concepts are utilized across various industries. The program often culminates in a final project where students can apply their knowledge and skills to solve a practical data-related problem, showcasing their analytical and problem-solving abilities.

This program is well-suited for high school students eager to expand their data science expertise and gain a deeper understanding of big data and machine learning's real-world applications. It provides an intellectually stimulating and interactive environment for students to learn. 

9. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program

Location: New York University 
Cost: $3500
Program dates: July 5 - August 4
Application Deadline: March 24
Eligibility: 7-12 grade New York residents who are underrepresented or underserved in STEM

The NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is a fantastic opportunity for high school students interested in data science, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. This program provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students to explore STEM fields, including data science. 

You will learn fundamental data science concepts such as data analysis, statistical techniques, and data visualization. The program's curriculum also emphasizes the use of technology and languages like Python for data manipulation and analysis. The final output often includes a data analysis project or research presentation, where you can apply your knowledge to a specific data-related challenge. 

NYU STEP is an excellent fit for high school students who are motivated to pursue STEM fields and are eager to explore data science. It is particularly beneficial for students from underrepresented groups in STEM, as it offers the support and resources to excel in data science and prepare for future academic and professional opportunities.

10. Yale Summer Session: Data Exploration and Analysis

Location: Yale
Cost: $4850
Program dates: July 3 - August 4
Application Deadline: March 
Eligibility: High School Students

The Yale Summer Session Data Exploration and Analysis program provides an enriching learning experience for those eager to delve into the world of data analysis. As a participant, you will learn crucial data science skills, including data collection, data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, statistical techniques, and data visualization. 

The program places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, allowing you  to work with real datasets and gain practical experience in data manipulation and analysis using Python. The final output often involves a data analysis project, where you can apply their knowledge to address a real-world problem or question, effectively demonstrating your analytical and problem-solving abilities. 

This program is a great fit for high school students looking to expand their data science expertise and gain insights into the practical applications of data analysis across various academic and professional fields.

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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