10 Ivy League AI Programs for High School Students
Ivy League AI programs offer high school students a rare chance to delve into artificial intelligence while learning from some of the most renowned institutions in the world. These programs provide a strong foundation in AI concepts, equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that are increasingly valuable across a variety of fields. For students aspiring to pursue careers in technology, engineering, or science, participating in these programs is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and strengthen their college applications.
What sets these programs apart is their focus on practical learning. Students work on real-world projects, such as building predictive models or designing ethical algorithms, while receiving mentorship from leading researchers. This applied approach ensures a deeper understanding of AI by emphasizing not just theoretical knowledge but also practical application — skills that are essential for future academic and professional success.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 10 Ivy League AI programs for high school students that provide immersive experiences, from cutting-edge projects to mentorship and networking opportunities.
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid available)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Typically close around March
Program Dates: July 8 - 26, 2024
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders
Stanford AI4ALL is a prestigious 3-week summer program that strives to increase diversity in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). It provides high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, with an immersive introduction to AI through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship by leading professionals in the field.
Students explore the societal applications and ethical implications of AI in fields like medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. The program emphasizes project-based learning, allowing students to collaborate on small-group research projects led by graduate and postdoctoral researchers.
The program is held online, making it accessible to students worldwide. Participants must have a reliable computer, high-speed internet, a webcam, and a USB headset for interactive sessions.
2. Beaver Works Summer Institute: Cyber Operations
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Program Dates: Self-paced; from February to June
Eligibility: High school students with familiarity with Linux and command line interface
The Beaver Works Summer Institute offers a four-week Computer Security course that provides a comprehensive overview of computing systems and the evolving threats they face. The curriculum starts by exploring the history of computing, from early vacuum tubes to modern systems, and introduces a range of essential cybersecurity topics, including cryptography, networking, software reverse-engineering, and side channels. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on activities to reinforce theoretical knowledge.
A distinctive feature of the program is its focus on nontraditional computing environments, such as industrial control systems and satellite networks, preparing students for real-world challenges in diverse sectors. The course culminates in a capstone project during the final week, where students collaborate to address complex cybersecurity challenges, integrating the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the program.
Students must have a working knowledge of the Linux operating system, command-line interface, and a deep interest in cybersecurity. To thrive in this intensive program, curiosity and readiness to explore various security topics are essential.
3. MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP)
Cost: Free to apply; program fees are income-based
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Program Dates: June 28 - July 26, 2025
Eligibility: (Women) High school juniors (current 11th graders) with strong backgrounds in math and science but little to no prior exposure to engineering. Applicants must reside in the U.S. year-round.
The MIT Women's Technology Program (WTP) is a selective four-week summer academic program designed to introduce high school girls to the engineering design process as applied in mechanical engineering. Targeted at students in the summer after their junior year, WTP offers hands-on classes, labs, and collaborative projects, providing students with a comprehensive introduction to engineering principles. Participants live on MIT’s campus and work closely with faculty and peers to build foundational engineering skills.
The program is particularly suited for students who excel in math and science but have had limited opportunities to explore engineering. WTP aims to spark interest in engineering among students who are uncertain about their future studies, helping them determine if this field aligns with their aspirations.
4. AI & Health Summer High School Bootcamp: Unlocking the Power of AI
Location: Implemented within participating schools
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: NA
Program Dates: Typically held on a designated day in May (specific dates vary annually)
Eligibility: Open to all K-12 students; participation is coordinated through schools
The MIT Jameel Clinic's AI & Health Summer High School Bootcamp is an engaging one-week program aimed at introducing students in grades 10-12 to the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the healthcare sector. This program emphasizes how AI enhances the precision, efficiency, and speed of medical practices, providing students with hands-on opportunities to explore these cutting-edge technologies.
With its roots in MIT’s interdisciplinary approach, the bootcamp emphasizes learning by doing. Students will engage in practical exercises that merge AI concepts with healthcare applications, providing a unique blend of science, technology, and problem-solving. The program fosters creativity, curiosity, and innovation, encouraging participants to think outside the box as they tackle real-world healthcare challenges.
Designed to be accessible and engaging, the bootcamp is delivered directly within participating schools, making it easy for students to participate without additional costs. Whether students are passionate about AI, interested in healthcare, or simply curious about how technology can impact society, this bootcamp provides a valuable introduction to the future of AI-driven medicine.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Program Dates: July 1 – August 9, 2025
Eligibility: Underrepresented middle school (grades 6–8), high school (grades 9–12), and first-year undergraduate students in STEM
MIT RAISE offers the MIT FutureMakers program, a six-week online experience focused on fostering early talent in AI and computational action among underrepresented students in STEM. In a hackathon-style format, participants build practical skills in AI, machine learning, and technical prototyping. The program is structured into two phases:
Training Phase (4 weeks): Participants engage in cohort-based learning, covering AI concepts, ethical considerations, and technical skills using platforms like MIT App Inventor and Python, along with industry-standard machine learning tools such as TensorFlow.
Create-a-thon Phase (2 weeks): Teams develop AI-based solutions to real-world problems, culminating in a pitch competition where they present their prototypes to an expert panel.
Throughout the program, students attend seminars on career skills, including communication and resume development, and participate in networking opportunities with AI professionals. The entirely virtual format allows for flexible participation, with all interactions hosted online via digital platforms and video conferencing.
6. Princeton AI4ALL Summer Program
Cost: Fully funded for eligible students
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Application Deadline: To be announced for 2025
Program Dates: 3 weeks in Summer 2025; exact dates to be announced
Eligibility:
Rising 11th graders (current 10th graders at the time of application)
Must live and attend high school in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
Applicants must meet at least one of the following low-income criteria:
Combined household income does not exceed $60,000
Eligible for free/reduced-price lunch at school
Eligible for an SAT/ACT fee waiver
Princeton AI4ALL is a 3-week residential summer program at Princeton University, dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of AI leaders. Through an immersive curriculum, the program introduces students to key concepts in artificial intelligence, delving into topics like ethical implications and the societal impact of AI. Students gain exposure to cutting-edge research at Princeton, participate in lectures by AI professors, and engage in hands-on research projects guided by graduate student mentors.
A highlight of the program is a two-day field trip to Washington, D.C., where students meet policymakers, explore career paths at the intersection of AI and public policy, and participate in discussions on AI’s role in society. Beyond academic growth, Princeton AI4ALL emphasizes personal development with career workshops and mentoring sessions led by AI faculty and senior researchers, as well as social events with Princeton AI graduate students. The program concludes with student group presentations on research projects that address real-world issues influenced by AI.
7. AI Scholars Program - Carnegie Mellon
Cost: The AI Scholars program is fully funded, covering all costs, including tuition, housing, meal plans, program-related field trips, and special events. Travel assistance may be available for families facing significant transportation costs.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the program start date
The AI Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a fully funded, four-week residential experience designed to immerse rising high school seniors in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). As part of the CS Pathways initiative, this merit-based program brings together students from across the nation to engage with AI through coursework, research projects, and mentorship from leading experts. Participants will engage in college-level courses and attend weekly college prep seminars focused on admissions, financial aid, and emotional wellbeing, fostering meaningful connections with peers and mentors while immersing themselves in the college experience. The program emphasizes inclusivity and discussions around equity in STEM.
8. Machine Learning Summer Program - NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Cost: $3,050
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025
Program Dates:
Session One: June 16 – June 27, 2025
Session Two: July 7 – July 18, 2025
Session Three: July 28 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+ on program start date (15+ for housing); must have completed Algebra 2 and have some programming experience. Recommended additional preparation includes Precalculus, AP Statistics, or AP Calculus.
NYU Tandon’s Machine Learning Summer Program is a 2-week intensive designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). Through hands-on learning, students explore computer science, data analysis, and mathematical principles essential to AI technologies, including video/image recognition, voice control systems, autonomous vehicles, and medical diagnostics. Participants delve into core ML principles, including model development, linear regression, and neural networks.
The curriculum emphasizes applying logic and mathematics to enable computers to perform tasks autonomously and improve over time. Students engage in projects that address real-world challenges, fostering problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of AI applications.
9. Columbia's Introduction to AI: Search Algorithms
Cost:
Residential: $12,154
Commuter: $6,100
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Application Deadline: March 2, 2025
Program Dates: June 30 - July 18, 2025
Eligibility: Students with a strong programming background, including proficiency in object-oriented programming and recursion
The Introduction to AI: Search Algorithms course from Columbia University’s Pre-College program is designed for students with advanced programming skills who are eager to dive deeper into artificial intelligence. The program begins with an exploration of AI’s history and advances to focus on powerful classical techniques in search algorithms. Participants will learn optimization and probabilistic strategies, examining the trade-offs between different search methods.
Throughout the course, students will tackle complex problems such as N-Queens, Knapsack, Post Correspondence, and Chess, applying their programming knowledge to develop solutions. Assignments are designed to be challenging and thought-provoking, encouraging students to apply both the concepts taught in class and their prerequisite skills.
By the end of the course, students will have the ability to build fully functioning programs using Python and Java, preparing them for future work in AI development.
10. Artificial Intelligence for Computational Creativity - NSF Summer REU Site at Brown University
Cost: Free with a $6,480 stipend; housing and travel costs are covered by the program
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Application Deadline: February 2025 (Rolling admissions after the deadline)
Program Dates: June 3 – August 2, 2024 (2025 dates to be announced)
Eligibility: High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study
The Artificial Intelligence for Computational Creativity REU Site at Brown University offers a fully-funded, 9-week residential program where students explore cutting-edge AI applications in creative fields. Participants work on original research projects alongside Brown's faculty and graduate mentors, with potential areas of research including generative models, AI for game design, user experience for creative AI, and detecting fake content. This program emphasizes how AI can transform fields such as writing, photography, design, and architecture, enhancing personal expression across various media.
The program includes weekly study groups, crash courses on research methods, AI and machine learning principles, and training with modern software tools. Through the REU Site’s partnership with The Leadership Alliance, students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply and participate in specialized career development, networking, and social events.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to 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 AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Princeton Logo