Getting Started
Summer Science Program is one of the oldest residential STEM education programs in the nation. Find out how to prepare for “the educational experience of a lifetime”.
If you’re excited about the idea of spending five weeks with 35 other driven, curious, and inspired teenagers doing research, learning from world-class scientists, socializing with your peers and educators, and exploring a college campus, you should consider applying to the Summer Science Program.
How to Prepare
Applications are open each winter to current high school juniors who have completed or are in the process of completing relevant coursework by June for credit and a grade. Applicants must be at least 15 years old but not yet 19 during program operation. Current freshmen, sophomores, and seniors are not eligible.
Once you begin your application, you will be given a checklist displaying the various required application pieces and their due dates. We recommend considering the following before starting your application:
- What is your personal motivation for attending the Summer Science Program? Who you are, your interests, and what you bring to and hope to gain from the program are the most important parts of your application.
- Which research track interests you the most? We ask all applicants to choose only one to apply to.
- Have you completed the relevant coursework?
- Who could serve as a reference for you? A teacher, mentor, coach, etc.
Course Requirements
The only academic prerequisite to be eligible to attend the Summer Science Program is to have completed coursework relevant to the research project you’re interested in. These courses must be taken for credit and a grade and be completed by June. We do not require AP or advanced level classes. Self-study does not qualify.
Summer Science Program is not collecting or considering standardized test scores for admission for 2025 (including PSAT, ACT/SAT, and APs). The only exception is for international students who will be permitted to include test scores that demonstrate English proficiency.
Coursework Requirements by Program
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Astrophysics: physics (any level high school physics) + precalculus (or if you don’t have physics, calculus)
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Biochemistry: biology + chemistry + strong algebra skills
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Bacterial Genomics: biology + algebra II
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Synthetic Chemistry: chemistry + strong algebra skills
Applications are currently closed. Please read our FAQ for more information or click the button below to be reminded about the 2026 Summer Science Program.
