A Guide to Stanford's Summer Programs

Attending a Stanford summer program can be a transformative educational experience, offering you the chance to learn from distinguished faculty on subjects you're passionate about. It can also be an opportunity to meet like-minded peers from around the world. 

But the tuition costs for many of Stanford’s summer programs are also quite high…

So, you’re right to wonder: Are Stanford’s summer programs worth it?

Can they boost your chances of being admitted to a college like Stanford? Or might your summer be better spent doing something else? 

This guide will answer those questions! We’ll also share information about seven of Stanford's most popular high school summer programs and how to apply. 

Let’s begin.

 
 

What are Stanford’s summer programs?

Stanford offers a wide range of summer program opportunities for high school students. These programs give students the opportunity to spend anywhere from a few weeks to an entire summer immersed in academic and extracurricular activities at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. (For a complete guide to extracurricular activities as they relate to college admissions, check out this link.)

Which programs might you consider? Here’s a brief overview of seven of the most popular Stanford summer programs to help you decide.

Stanford Summer Session

The Stanford Summer Session is an opportunity for high school students to experience college life by taking courses for college credit and receiving an official transcript from Stanford. You get to live on campus, attend lectures alongside current Stanford students, and engage in various social and academic activities with other visiting students from all over the world.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Stanford Summer Session, you must:

  • Be a current sophomore, junior, or senior at the time of application.

  • Be at least 16 at the start of the program.

  • Not be matriculating into Stanford as a first year.

What do you learn? 

You get to choose which course(s) you take. The program has a lot of options spanning a wide range of academic disciplines. Here are some examples of course titles for the 2024 session: 

  • Immigration and the Politics of Fear

  • smART Phone Photography

  • Climate Change Biology and Species Responses

  • Greek and Latin Roots of English

  • Introduction to Cancer Biology

  • Hip Hop I: Introduction to Hip Hop

  • Introduction to Financial Decision Making

How much does it cost?

Here’s how much it costs to attend the Stanford Summer Session in 2024: 

  • Commuter student taking a minimum of 3 credit units: costs start at $4,962

  • On-campus student taking a minimum of 8 credit units: Costs start at $17,197

SUMaC—Stanford University Mathematics Camp

SUMaC is an intensive mathematics camp for high school students who are passionate about math and eager to learn about advanced mathematics topics that aren’t typically taught in high school classrooms. SUMaC courses are available online and on Stanford’s campus, but they do not lead to college credit.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for SUMaC, you must:

  • Be a current high school student in grades 10 or 11 at the time of application.

  • Demonstrate exceptional mathematical ability and interest (e.g., experience writing and reading mathematical proofs; strong mastery of high school geometry and algebra)

Admissions for the SUMaC program are highly competitive. The program receives more qualified applicants than it can accept. The on-campus program accepts 40 students, and the online program accepts 64 students. 

What do you learn? 

SUMaC provides two program tracks, each focusing on different areas of mathematics:

  • Program I: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory - Students explore the structures and properties of algebraic systems and analyze problems and applications of number theory.

  • Program II: Algebraic Topology - Participants investigate the concepts of topology and its algebraic applications.

Courses include lectures, problem-solving sessions, and collaborative projects, allowing students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of mathematics.

How much does it cost?

Here’s how much it costs to attend SUMaC in 2024:

  • Online: $3,550 (may require additional costs for course readers or textbooks) 

  • On-campus: $8,250 (does not include airfare to and from San Francisco International Airport)

SIMR—Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

SIMR is a prestigious and intensive research program for high school students interested in pursuing careers in biomedical research. This program offers hands-on research experience in cutting-edge laboratories under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. This Stanford summer program does not lead to college credit.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for SIMR, you must be:

  • A current high school junior or senior at the time of application.

  • At least 16 years old by the start of the program.

  • Currently living in and attending school in the U.S.

  • A U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a green card.

What do you learn? 

By participating in SIMR, you’d engage in various aspects of biomedical research, including experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. You’d also receive one-on-one mentorship at a lab within the Institutes of Medicine at Stanford University and select departments. 

When applying to the SIMR program, you mark a preference to focus on one of eight areas of research:

  • Immunology 

  • Neurobiology

  • Cancer Biology

  • Bioengineering

  • Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine

  • Cardiovascular Biology

  • Bioinformatics 

  • Genetics and Genomics

After you’ve been accepted, the program will assign you to a specific Stanford research institute based on your selected preferences and availability. 

You also have the option to participate in a bioengineering bootcamp that does not involve a lab research component. 

How much does it cost?

Here's how much it costs to attend SIMR in 2024:

  • The program is free for accepted students. This includes laboratory supplies, access to Stanford facilities, and mentorship. However, students are responsible for their own housing, meals, and transportation.

  • All students receive a $500 stipend, and students with financial need may receive stipends of $2500 and above.

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute

The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute offers high school students the chance to explore the humanities through intensive, college-level courses. You get to engage deeply with topics in history, literature, philosophy, and the arts, learning from Stanford faculty and graduate students. This high school summer program does not lead to college credit. 

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute, you must be:

  • A current high school sophomore or junior at the time of application.

  • Younger than 18 years old during the program. 

What do you learn? 

As a student of the Summer Humanities Institute, you’d get to choose from a variety of courses that focus on different humanities subjects. 

Here are some examples of course titles for the 2024 session:

  • Ancient Rome and Its Legacies

  • Happiness and the Good Life

  • Racial Identity in the American Imagination

  • Magical Realism: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Courses meet Monday through Friday. Stanford faculty lead in-person classroom discussions in the morning. Stanford graduate students lead discussion sections in the afternoon.

How much does it cost?

Here's how much it costs to attend the Stanford Summer Humanities Institute in 2024:

  • Tuition: $8,250, which includes instruction, daily activities, field trips, housing in Stanford residence halls, and meals for the duration of the program

  • Additional costs: Students are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Stanford University.

Domestic and international applicants can apply for need-based financial aid.

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer advanced and engaging online courses for high school students. The program courses span various subjects, from science and engineering to the arts and humanities. This summer program does not lead to college credit.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, you must:

  • Be a current high school student (grades 8-11) at the time of application.

Some courses are only available to students in specific grade level ranges. 

What do you learn? 

You can choose from a diverse selection of online courses, each designed to provide an immersive and rigorous learning experience. Courses typically include lectures, hands-on projects, group discussions, and opportunities for students to present their work.

Here are some examples of course titles for the 2024 session:

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • Discrete Mathematics

  • Equity in Medicine

  • Creative Writing: Poetry of Place

  • Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence

  • Chemical and Environmental Engineering

  • The History of Activism

How much does it cost?

Here's how much it costs to attend the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes in 2024:

  • $3,050 (may require additional costs for course readers or textbooks)

Domestic and international applicants can apply for need-based financial aid.

Clinical Anatomy Summer Program

The Clinical Anatomy Summer Program at Stanford offers high school students a unique opportunity to explore the field of anatomy during a week-long course. As a participant, you’d attend lectures given by Stanford Medicine faculty, engage in hands-on anatomy lab activities, observe surgical demonstrations, and attend workshops with Stanford physicians. This program is for students interested in medical and health-related career fields. It does not lead to college credit. 

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for the Clinical Anatomy Summer Program, you must be:

  • A current high school student at least 15 years old by the program's start.

What do you learn? 

During the week-long program, you’d attend workshops and lectures led by Stanford’s Clinical Anatomy faculty and medical professionals. You’d also participate in campus tours, lab visits, and hands-on activities (e.g., dissection). For example, here’s the 2023 Clinical Anatomy Summer Program Agenda.

How much does it cost?

Here's how much it costs to attend the Clinical Anatomy Summer Program in 2024:

  • $7,500, which includes instruction, lab materials, lunch, and access to Stanford facilities

  • Additional costs: Students are responsible for their own housing and travel expenses to and from Stanford University.

AIMI Summer AI Bootcamp

The AIMI Summer AI Bootcamp at Stanford is an intensive two-week online summer program for high school students interested in learning about the fundamentals of machine learning in healthcare settings. This Stanford summer program does not lead to college credit.

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply for the AIMI Summer AI Bootcamp, you must be:

  • A current high school student (grades 9-12) at the time of application.

What do you learn? 

During the virtual bootcamp, you’d attend online learning modules covering the applications of machine learning in healthcare, group discussions with faculty and peers, activities with other students, and more. 


Here are the program’s key learning topics for 2024: 

  • Why Machine Learning in Healthcare?

  • Concepts and Principles of Machine Learning in Healthcare

  • Evaluation and Metrics for Machine Learning in Healthcare

  • Strategies and Challenges in Machine Learning in Healthcare

  • Best Practices, Teams, and Launching your Machine Learning Journey

  • Foundation Models and Generative AI for Healthcare

How much does it cost?

Applying to and attending Stanford’s AIMI Summer AI Bootcamp is free.

How do you apply to Stanford’s summer programs?

Applying to Stanford’s summer programs involves a few key steps, which can vary depending on the specific program you’re interested in. Here’s a general step-by-step guide you through the process.

1. Check the program requirements

Each Stanford summer program has its own set of application requirements. Visit the webpage of the program you’re interested in to find detailed instructions. In the previous section of this guide, we’ve linked to the official web pages of each program.

Make sure to review the deadlines, eligibility criteria (such as age and grade-level requirements), and any additional documents needed for the application.

2. Complete the online application

Start by filling out the online application form on the program’s website. This typically includes basic personal information, academic history, and sometimes details about extracurricular activities.

3. Prepare your academic transcripts

Most of Stanford’s summer programs request an official or unofficial copy of your high school transcript. Be sure to get your transcripts from your school and submit them to the summer program before the application deadline. 

4. Ask for letters of recommendation (if required)

Many summer programs also request letters of recommendation to better understand your readiness for the program.

Ask teachers, counselors, or mentors who know you well to write your letters of recommendation. These letters should highlight your academic abilities, personal qualities, and why you’re a good fit for the summer program. 

It’s also essential to check if the summer program has any special requirements for recommendation letters (e.g., the recommendation must come from a science teacher), and ensure the letters are submitted before the application deadline. 

5. Write your application essays (if required)

Some summer programs also ask you to answer one or more essay prompts to evaluate your readiness for the program and motivation for applying.

These essays are your chance to show why you’re interested in the summer program, what you hope to gain from it, and how it aligns with your academic and career goals.

6. Submit additional materials (if required)

Some programs may ask for supplementary materials such as standardized test scores. Make sure to include these as specified in the program’s application requirements.

7. Double-check everything

Before submitting your application, review all materials to ensure they are complete and accurate. Pay attention to deadlines to avoid missing important submission dates.

8. Follow up

After submitting your application, monitor your email for any communications from the program regarding your application status or additional steps you may need to take.

Are Stanford’s summer programs worth it?

Determining whether Stanford’s summer programs are worth it depends on various factors, including your personal goals, financial considerations, and the specific program you choose.

Cost considerations

Stanford’s summer programs can be pricey, with costs varying depending on whether you commute or live on campus (note that a few of the above programs are free, or offer financial aid). It’s important to weigh these expenses against the program’s potential benefits and your budget. 

It can also help to consider alternatives. For example, you may be able to get an equally enriching experience for less by conducting your own summer research project or taking classes at a local community college.

Educational opportunities

Stanford University's educational prestige is undoubtedly part of the appeal of its high school summer programs. Participating in these programs can provide valuable insights and experiences not typically available in high school. 

However, while all programs offer rigorous academic content and access to Stanford’s resources, the focus and depth of subject matter can differ significantly. It’s essential to research each program thoroughly to align your expectations with the opportunities and outcomes they offer.

Impact on college admissions

While attending a Stanford summer program may demonstrate initiative and academic interest, its direct impact on college admissions can vary. 

College admission committees look for students who demonstrate meaningful engagement and genuine passion in academic areas of interest. So, participating in a selective program and excelling can strengthen your college applications. 

However, admissions decisions consider a holistic view of your achievements, not just participation in a summer program. For a highly selective university like Stanford, attending a summer program will generally not be a determining factor in your admissions decision. 

Consideration of selectivity

Some Stanford summer programs are highly selective, which can enhance their prestige and the caliber of participants. However, others may primarily offer a paid opportunity without the same level of competitive admissions. Understanding the program’s selectivity should likely influence your decision-making.

Final thoughts

Are Stanford’s high school summer programs worth it? The answer to that question ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and goals. 

If you can afford the cost and are passionate about the subject matter, these programs can provide exceptional learning experiences and potentially make you a more competitive college applicant.

However, it’s important to remember that attending a high school summer program–even at a prestigious university like Stanford–will not be a determining factor for your college admissions decisions.

If you’re curious about other ways to make the most of your high school summers, check out this guide next: How to Spend Your High School Summer.

 

Special thanks to Ameer Drane for writing this blog post

Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand. 


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