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Application requirements for high school engineering programs can vary significantly, but most programs look for motivated, academically strong students with a clear interest in STEM. Some criteria of a competitive candidate for a high school engineering program might include:
Do note that there may be age requirements for a high school engineering program: some may only be open to rising juniors and seniors, while others may be freshman-focused.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer academically motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in advanced studies across a range of subjects, including science, engineering, humanities, and more. This immersive program brings students from around the world to Stanford’s campus (or online) to explore topics not typically available in high school settings. Taught by Stanford instructors and researchers, each course emphasizes critical thinking, collaborative learning, and hands-on problem-solving. Programs are available in a variety of formats and lengths, with options for both residential and online participation.
UIUC Exploring Engineering Virtual Camp
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program offers an Exploring Engineering Virtual camp that covers 10-12 different engineering fields through presentations, speakers, demonstrations, and projects. Unique breakout sessions cover special interests such as women and minorities in engineering, college essay writing, and more. The program also includes virtual field trips to working research labs, and combines live video conferencing with on-demand content and community chat.
The MITES Semester (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) is a rigorous academic program for high school juniors offered by MIT, designed to increase access and support for underrepresented students in STEM fields.
During the academic year, MITES Semester offers students a college-level experience through remote, instructor-led classes in advanced subjects like calculus, physics, life sciences, and humanities. In addition to academic coursework, the program provides mentorship, college preparation resources, and a supportive learning environment that fosters collaboration and resilience.
MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
The Research Science Institute (RSI), held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and managed by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), is a prestigious six-week summer program for rising high school seniors. This free program combines intensive STEM coursework with a research internship under the mentorship of experienced scientists and engineers.
Participants engage in the full research process, from literature review and experimental design to data analysis and presenting findings. This is a highly competitive program, admitting a select group of students from around the world based on academic achievement, recommendations, and demonstrated research potential.
UCLA Engineering Design Summer Institute
The UCLA Engineering Design Summer Institute is a hands-on, immersive summer program designed for high school students interested in exploring various engineering disciplines. Students can select from three tracks: aerospace (rockets), mechanical (go-karts), or electrical (rovers).
Each track emphasizes practical engineering skills, teamwork, and problem-solving, using tools like computer-aided design (CAD) and real-world fabrication techniques. This commuter-only program runs on UCLA’s campus and aims to give students a taste of collegiate engineering coursework and career exploration. Students will earn two units of Engineering 96A college credit and receive a letter grade upon completion.
Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP), sponsored by the Department of the Navy (DoN), places high school students in Navy research labs across the United States. Students will have the opportunity to participate in real Naval research. They’ll also receive first class mentoring by top scientists and engineers.
This highly competitive program has approximately 300 placements in 38 labs across the country. Many participants in the program go on to careers within the DoN. New participants will receive a paid stipend of $4,000; returning participants will receive a paid stipend of $4,500.
Columbia University SHAPE Program
The SHAPE (Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers) at Columbia University offers students an intensive experience in engineering fields like robotics, electrical engineering, and environmental engineering. Participants take college-level courses taught by Columbia Engineering faculty, work in labs such as Columbia’s Makerspace, and gain hands-on skills through projects and presentations. This commuter program also includes college prep workshops, helping students learn about admissions and academic pathways in engineering.
TryEngineering Summer Institute by IEEE
The TryEngineering Summer Institute, hosted by IEEE, introduces students to a variety of engineering fields through interactive workshops, projects, and team-based challenges. Participants can work on projects like building bridges, designing circuits, or programming robots, all while learning core engineering principles and collaborating with peers. The camp also includes field trips to engineering sites and guest lectures from professionals, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Note that no letters of recommendation, transcripts, essays, or references are required. All levels of students are accepted, whether they have a little or a lot of engineering and technology experience.
University of Texas at Austin – High School Research Academy (HSRA)
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at the University of Texas at Austin offers high school students an opportunity to work alongside university faculty and researchers in real lab settings. Hosted by the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI), HSRA provides hands-on experience in scientific research across diverse fields such as biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Participants learn essential lab techniques, conduct experiments, and present their findings, gaining insights into the process of scientific discovery and college-level research.
NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
The ARISE program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is a 10-week summer research opportunity for high school juniors and seniors from New York City. This fully funded program combines four weeks of remote, after-school workshops with six weeks of in-person lab research, allowing students to work on cutting-edge STEM projects in areas like bioengineering, robotics, and computer science. Students also participate in workshops on research methods, ethics, and professional development.
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about a wide range of engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of major technological breakthroughs. His work largely centers around conversations with engineering faculty at top universities, highlighting their research in areas such as nuclear power, artificial intelligence, soft robotics, and semiconductor design. He’s also worked with leaders and subject matter experts at the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
Engineers might be the only group of people where you can give them a problem—and they can consider it a gift. The engineering mind thrives on hunting for elegant solutions to complex tasks. That doesn’t mean you should give an engineering student a homework assignment for the holidays, but it does mean you can have some fun with the gift you eventually select.
Engineering internships are an increasingly important part of the transition from student to engineer. Internships provide an opportunity to put theoretical skills to work in hands-on environments. They also give engineering students valuable work experience, networking opportunities, and future career options.
Not long ago, self-driving cars were science fiction. Today, not so much. Influential companies like Tesla, Uber, Apple, and Google boast dynamic auto-drive programs, and many new startups are following their lead.
Professional licensure is a valuable asset, particularly for engineers who want to work in public safety, government projects, consultation services, or management and leadership positions.
Students with a penchant for mathematics and the sciences might consider pursuing coursework in engineering at a private research university. Programs in engineering vary widely, but all of them train students to analyze, interpret, and build solutions for commercial and societal needs.
