What is a pre-college research program?
Pre-college research programs are opportunities for high school students to explore real academic research before starting college. These programs, often hosted by universities or research institutions, give students the chance to step into the role of a researcher—asking questions, running experiments, analyzing data, or digging into topics they’re curious about. They’re usually offered over the summer and can focus on everything from STEM fields to social sciences and the humanities. The goal is to give students a taste of what advanced learning feels like while helping them develop new skills and interests along the way.
What makes these programs so special is that they go beyond just academics. Students get to work closely with mentors like professors, graduate students, or professionals, which can be both inspiring and supportive. Many programs also bring together students from different places, creating a community of peers who are just as curious and motivated. Along the way, you not only gain experience that looks great on college applications, but you also discover more about yourself—what excites you, what challenges you, and how you want to grow. For many students, it ends up being a summer filled with learning, new friendships, and the kind of experiences that spark a genuine love for discovery.
Why are pre-college programs valuable?
Think about how you usually spend your summer—sleeping in, hanging out with friends, or scrolling through your phone. Now, imagine spending part of that time doing something that could shape your future: a summer research program. At first, it might seem intimidating or “too academic.” However, it’s actually one of the most valuable and surprisingly fun experiences you can have as a high schooler.
First, research programs let you do more than memorize facts. Asking the questions and search for answers is a very important part. You dive into real-world problems, whether that means working in a lab, analyzing data, or exploring a topic you’ve always been curious about. It feels powerful to know that your work truly matters. Plus, having this experience on your college applications instantly sets you apart.
But it’s not just about academics. These programs connect you with people you wouldn’t normally meet—mentors who guide you, graduate students who inspire you, and peers from all over who share your curiosity. You build friendships and networks that can last for years. Every day is different: one week you might run an experiment, and the next you present your findings to an audience. It’s hands-on, unpredictable, and way more exciting than sitting in a classroom.
Finally, you gain more than knowledge. Building resilience when projects don’t go as planned is a big part of these programs. You gain confidence after solving a tough problem and discover new passions. And you create memories with peers who are just as motivated as you. If you want a summer that truly makes a difference in your life, signing up for a research program is one of the smartest choices you can make.
Things to think about before applying for a precollege summer research program:
- Cost of program (may also provide financial aid)
- Location of program
- Type of research conducted
- Sleeping/Food arrangements
- Duration and dates of program
How was this list created?
This list of pre-college programs was made based on the following factors:
- Prestige
- How rewarding
- Knowledge gained
- Competitiveness
- Reputation
- Ranking
Top 10 pre-college research programs
10. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an incredible opportunity at Texas Tech. This one’s smaller and highly selective—just 12 students each summer. Over seven weeks, you’re paired with a faculty mentor in almost any discipline, from natural sciences and engineering to business and humanities. The idea is to give you a deep, one-on-one research experience that goes beyond what most high schoolers ever get to do.
What sets Clark apart is the level of mentorship and professional development. Students participate in workshops, present their work, and often form lasting relationships with their mentors. The program also provides a stipend, making it more accessible. With its small size and personal approach, Clark Scholars is perfect for students who want both the challenge of advanced research and the guidance of close mentorship.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost: Free + stipend provided
Duration: 7 weeks
9. High School Honors Science, Math and Engineering Program (HSHSP) – Michigan State University
HSHSP is one of the oldest pre-college research programs in the U.S., running since the 1950s, and it still holds up as one of the best. For seven weeks, students head to Michigan State University and dive into independent research in fields ranging from biology and chemistry to physics, math, and engineering. What makes HSHSP special is the independence it gives you—you’re not just following instructions, you’re expected to take ownership of your project and really think like a researcher.
The program also emphasizes the “whole experience” of research. That means you’ll not only work in labs but also write a full research paper, give presentations, and attend seminars on topics like science communication and ethics. It’s academically intense but also a chance to live the college life, since you stay in MSU dorms with your peers. The program costs around $3,800, but it has a strong reputation for preparing students for college-level science and beyond.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Cost: ~$3,800 (boarding included)
Duration: 7 weeks
8. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program – Bar Harbor, ME
If genetics and biomedical science are your thing, the Jackson Laboratory (JAX) program is an incredible opportunity. For ten weeks, you’ll live in Bar Harbor, Maine, and work on projects that focus on everything from cancer genetics to regenerative biology. JAX is world-renowned for its work with mice as models for human disease, so this program gives you exposure to cutting-edge genetics research that has direct applications in medicine.
What’s really unique is the combination of rigorous lab work and community living. Students live together in dorm-style housing, which means you’re not just learning science—you’re building friendships with people who are just as passionate about it as you are. At the end of the summer, you present your findings at a student symposium, and many participants even contribute to publications. The program is fully funded and provides a stipend, making it both accessible and rewarding.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
Cost: Free + stipend provided
Duration: 10 weeks
7. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) – Stanford, CA
SIMR is a top choice for students who see their future in medicine, biology, or biomedical engineering. For eight weeks, you’ll be working in Stanford’s world-class labs on projects that might cover anything from stem cells to cancer biology to bioinformatics. Each student gets paired with a faculty mentor, and the program does a great job of letting you feel like part of the lab team—you’re not just observing, you’re contributing.
What makes SIMR stand out is its emphasis on both science and community. Alongside your research, there are weekly workshops on everything from college admissions to careers in medicine, plus social events that help you connect with peers from around the country. It’s also a paid program—students receive a stipend, which helps make it more accessible. By the end, most students walk away with a solid understanding of biomedical research and a network of mentors that can last well beyond the summer.
Location: Stanford University, California
Cost: Free + stipend provided
Duration: 8 weeks
6. Garcia Summer Scholars Program – Stony Brook University (NY)
The Garcia Program is a dream for students who are fascinated by engineering and materials science. For seven weeks, you’ll get hands-on lab experience in areas like nanotechnology, polymers, and bioengineering. The projects are usually connected to real-world applications—think materials for medical devices, clean energy, or advanced electronics. You’ll spend your days in Stony Brook’s state-of-the-art labs, learning techniques that most students don’t get near until late in college.
One of the standout features is how collaborative it is. Students often team up on projects and get guidance from not just professors, but also graduate and undergraduate mentors. By the end of the summer, you’ll produce a research paper and present at a symposium, and many Garcia students even go on to publish their work in scientific journals. While the program does cost about $6,500, scholarships are available, and for students passionate about engineering research, it’s an investment that can really pay off.
Location: Stony Brook University, New York
Cost: ~$6,500 (financial aid available)
Duration: 7 weeks
5. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – New York, NY
If you dream of doing serious biomedical research in one of the most cutting-edge environments in the world, Rockefeller University’s SSRP is like a golden ticket. Over seven weeks, high schoolers get paired with mentors in Rockefeller labs and take on projects that deal with everything from neuroscience to molecular biology. This isn’t a “pretend” research experience—you’re working alongside PhD students and postdocs on real scientific questions that might someday make it into published papers.
Beyond the lab, SSRP offers workshops on science communication, ethics, and career paths, so you leave not only with technical skills but also with a clearer sense of what life in science is really like. It’s a highly selective program and totally free, which makes it accessible for students from all backgrounds. For many participants, it’s their first taste of being part of the scientific community in one of the most prestigious research hubs in the world.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York City
Cost: Free
Duration: 7 weeks
4. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
If you’re looking for a program that feels personal and gives you tons of individual attention, the Clark Scholars Program is a gem. Only about a dozen students get in each summer, which means you’re not just a face in the crowd—you’re part of a small, close-knit group. Over seven weeks, each student is matched with a faculty mentor and works on an intensive research project. Unlike many other programs that are STEM-only, Clark is open to almost any field—sciences, humanities, even business—so it’s great if your interests are a little more wide-ranging.
Because it’s so small, Clark offers an incredible mentorship experience. You’ll get real face time with professors, participate in workshops on research ethics and professional skills, and present your work at the end. On top of that, the program is free and gives you a stipend, which is rare for opportunities at this level. Students often walk away with not just research experience but also lasting connections with mentors and peers.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost: Free + stipend provided
Duration: 7 weeks
3. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University (NY)
The Simons Program is perfect if you want to know what it’s really like to do hands-on lab work. For seven weeks, high school students join research teams at Stony Brook University and dive straight into projects in fields like biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, or computer science. You’re paired with a faculty mentor and often get to work closely with grad students, which means you’re not just shadowing—you’re contributing to real, ongoing research.
Over the summer, you’ll pick up new lab skills, learn how to analyze data, and see the ups and downs of research (spoiler: experiments don’t always work the first time). By the end, you’ll write up your findings and present them at a closing symposium. It’s a serious commitment, but the payoff is huge: many Simons students say it helped them figure out their future college majors and career paths. The program itself is tuition-free, but if you want to live on campus, housing runs about $2,800—still a good deal for seven weeks of genuine lab experience.
Location: Stony Brook University, New York
Cost: Free (housing ~$2,800 if residential)
Duration: 7 weeks
2. Summer Science Program (SSP) – Multiple Campuses
SSP is legendary in the world of pre-college programs, partly because it’s been around since 1959 and partly because it’s just that good. Unlike some programs where you work solo, SSP is all about teamwork. For six weeks, you and a small group of students tackle one big research project together. Depending on the campus and track, you might be calculating the orbit of an asteroid (astronomy) or digging into the genetic code of bacteria (biochemistry). Either way, you’ll be using real lab equipment, coding, and crunching data like a pro.
One of the best things about SSP is the sense of community it builds. You’re not just working on a project—you’re eating meals, pulling late nights, and solving problems side by side with some of the brightest students from around the world. Alumni often say that the friendships they made at SSP are just as valuable as the science. It’s a tough program and costs around $8,800, but SSP makes sure money isn’t a barrier with generous financial aid. Campuses rotate between places like Purdue University, the University of Colorado Boulder, and UNC Chapel Hill, so you also get a taste of college life while you’re there.
Location: Multiple campuses (Purdue, CU Boulder, UNC Chapel Hill, etc.)
Cost: ~$8,800 (big financial aid available)
Duration: 6 weeks
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT (Cambridge, MA)
The Research Science Institute, hosted each summer at MIT, has a reputation as the most prestigious and competitive pre-college research program in the world. Every year, around 100 high school students are selected internationally from thousands of applicants, making admission incredibly selective. RSI lasts six weeks and is structured in two parts: the first week consists of rigorous lectures and coursework in advanced STEM topics delivered by leading MIT professors and guest scientists. The following five weeks are spent conducting original research in university labs or affiliated institutions under the close mentorship of faculty and graduate researchers. Students are expected to complete high-level research, draft a professional research paper, and present their findings at a symposium at the program’s conclusion.
What makes RSI stand out is its uncompromising focus on true, independent research at an elite academic level. Unlike other enrichment programs, RSI students are contributing to real scientific inquiry, sometimes even leading to publications or recognition in national competitions like Regeneron ISEF or Siemens. In addition to the academic rigor, RSI fosters a strong peer community, bringing together some of the brightest young scientists from around the world. Another notable benefit is accessibility: the program is completely free of cost, including tuition, housing, and meals, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent talented students from participating.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Duration: 6 weeks
Do a research program!
If there’s one thing all of these programs have in common, it’s that they give high school students a chance to step out of the classroom and into the real world of science. Whether you’re running experiments in a lab, analyzing data, or presenting your findings to experts, these experiences teach you so much more than just science — they build confidence, problem-solving skills, and connections that can last a lifetime.
Getting into these programs is competitive, but that’s exactly what makes them so rewarding. They show colleges (and yourself!) that you’re ready to take on challenges, work alongside top researchers, and think like a scientist. Even more than that, they surround you with other curious, motivated students who could easily become future lab partners, collaborators, or lifelong friends.
So, if you’re passionate about STEM and want to explore what research is really like, don’t be afraid to go for it. Apply to the programs that excite you, put yourself out there, and see where it takes you — because opportunities like these don’t just prepare you for college, they open doors to the kind of future you dream about.
