The 7 Most Selective STEM College Prep Programs for Teens

Just how popular is STEM? The National Science Foundation estimates that 80 percent of available jobs over the next decade will require math and science skills, as reported by CNN. But their figures also show that only 29 percent of high school graduates tested ready for higher education in science. 

If you’re among today’s teens interested in STEM, you’ll be glad to know there’s an academic landscape that is rich with in-person camps and online courses, and they are highly popular with motivated high school students like you.

Let’s start with a list of 7 of the most selective summer and in-person STEM programs. These include:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Science Institute (RSI). 
2. If you excel at science and math, RSI is designed for you. The Institute’s focus is on research in particular. High school students work with professors and graduate students on game-changing research projects in fields such as biology, physics, and computer science. There are also workshops on ethics, leadership, and communication.
3. Carnegie Mellon University Summer Academy for Math and Science.
4. This program is designed for high-achieving students who seek to pursue a future in STEM fields. Students take college-level courses in subjects that include physics, biology, and computer science. They participate in research projects with Carnegie Mellon professors.
5. California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). 
6. Designed for students who would like to pursue research careers in STEM, SURF students participate in research projects with Cal Tech faculty and attend seminars and workshops on communication, ethics, and career development.
7. Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP).
8. Duke’s TIP program offers a wide range of summer programs for gifted high school students. TIP courses include math, science, and engineering. Participants take college-level classes, work on research projects, and attend workshops and seminars on a variety of STEM topics.
9. SIMons Immersion in Science and Mathematics (SIM)
10. Held at New York’s Stony Brook University, SIM nurtures the passion for science and math in high school students. The four-week program assigns students to faculty mentors who guide them through research projects in math, physics, chemistry, and biology. SIM provides an inside look at life as a researcher.
11. University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
12. RIBS is an intensive summer research program designed for undergraduate students with a passion for the biological sciences. Students participate in cutting-edge research studies in a variety of fields. These include genetics, biology, neurobiology, and ecology. A 10-week program, students are matched with fault mentors who offer valuable exposure to the research process.
13. Princeton University’s Research in Science and Engineering (RISE)
14. RISE is where many motivated high schoolers explore scientific research with the help of lectures, lab work, and collaborative projects. The six-week program offers valuable insights on astrophysical science, biology, chemistry, and computer science.

But if an in-person program isn’t an option for you, there are also top STEM online options for teens as well.

Top Online Pre-College Stem Programs for Teens

If you are keenly interested in STEM enrichment programs, but would prefer something you could do from home, there are other popular options. Prelum partners with William and Mary College Prep Online. This prestigious university offers a rich variety of STEM courses, including medicine and psychology.

Another Prelum partner school is Rice University. STEM courses that are part of Rice University Precollege Online include some fascinating options such as aerospace, genome engineering, physiology, and psychology.

You’ll also find a rich array of STEM online courses as part of Prelum partner Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program. These include anatomy and physiology, biology, cybersecurity, and psychology.

And for those with a passion for medicine, Prelum partner school Wake Forest University, Pre-College Online Program offers a host of courses such as cancer medicine, medicine, sports medicine, and women’s medicine. In addition to courses with medical concentrations, Wake Forest offers online courses in STEM that include: bioscience, and psychology.

Finally, there is Prelum partner Case Western Reserve University. Their Pre-College Program includes STEM courses such as: neuroscience, engineering, computer science, astrophysics, and biomedical engineering.

All of the online courses offer benefits that enable you to:

• Explore if an academic interest could lead to a college major or career.
• Enjoy the flexible format featuring online lessons that let you study at your own pace.
• Experience tech-forward interactions, including engaging multimedia, real-life simulations, and curated assignments.
• Be guided by mentors experienced in the subject.
• Complete a Final Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
• Earn a Certificate of Completion from the university you choose.

Don’t miss out on these STEM enrichment programs.