Quick question - I know there are quite a few pre-college programs for high school students, but a lot of them come at a cost. Are there any free ones that you guys would recommend? Interest areas are primarily science and engineering. Thanks in advance!
Sure, there are a variety of free pre-college programs specifically in the science and engineering fields you may find appealing.
The MITES program at MIT is a six-week summer program that introduces students to the rigors of a MIT education in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. This highly competitive program only accepts around 60 students each year from across the nation. Keep in mind that being selective, it would be beneficial to have a strong academic background.
Research Science Institute (RSI) is another one held at MIT, where students conduct research with renowned faculty for six weeks during the summer. Participants have won numerous awards like the Science Talent Search and the Siemens Competition.
If you're especially interested in Engineering, the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP) offers a highly selective three-week summer program for motivated high school students where they can experience rigorous and challenging college-level coursework.
Lastly, NASA also offers a variety of internships for high school students primarily in STEM, and these internships can provide you with valuable feedback from professionals in the field.
I hope these options are helpful for you! You'll find that these free programs can provide a deep dive into the world of science and engineering. Look into application deadlines and requirements for each to plan ahead. Good luck!
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