10 University Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student eager to explore future careers or dive into a specific field like STEM, humanities, or medicine, participating in university-sponsored programs can be a game-changer. These programs are specifically designed to give you an early glimpse into college-level academics, allowing you to explore your interests and develop specialized skills.
Participating in a university program demonstrates to college admissions committees that you are proactive, motivated, and ready to tackle higher-level academic challenges. Moreover, these programs often include mentorship from university faculty, access to cutting-edge research, and the chance to build a network with like-minded peers, all of which can contribute to your academic and personal growth.
In this blog, we highlight 10 top university programs that give middle school students a head start in their academic journey.
1. NYU’s Science of Smart Cities (SOSC)
Cost: Free
Location: NYU Tandon
Application Deadline: April 29
Program Dates: July 8 - August 2
Eligibility: Open to NYC residents between 12-14
SoSC introduces students to engineering, computer science, and technology, focusing on enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and safety of cities. In collaborative teams, students design and develop projects by applying their knowledge of electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, sensors, and various hardware components.
The program culminates with students showcasing their projects in presentations that illustrate how their innovations address real-world challenges!
2. Sounds of New York City (SONYC)
Cost: Free
Location: NYU Tandon
Application Deadline: April 29
Program Dates: July 8 - August 2
Eligibility: Open to NYC residents aged 12-14
SONYC offers an exploration into noise pollution, a major quality-of-life issue in urban areas, particularly in NYC. The program enables students to examine the public health impacts of sound by sampling various noises, studying sound waves within their communities, constructing devices to generate and monitor sound, and assessing how pollution affects human health. By the end of the program, students will apply their skills and knowledge to develop smart city technologies, which they will showcase at a final expo!
The program includes Irondale, a mandatory component led by theater professionals who use improvisation to improve communication and public speaking skills, adding a distinctive element to the learning experience.
3. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Cost: $8250 (residential) | $3550 (virtual)
Location: Stanford University, CA
Application Deadline: May 12, 2024. You can join their mailing list for updates on the next cohort.
Program Dates:
Residential: June 23 - July 19, 2024
Online Session 1: June 17 - July 5, 2024
Online Session 2: July 8 - 26, 2024
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6-8.
Stanford's math camp, lasting 3 to 4 weeks, immerses students in advanced mathematical studies. Participants have the option to join either in person or virtually. The virtual option involves attending online classes and dedicating 3-5 hours per day to academic work. Students also participate in research projects and deliver presentations.
The camp offers two courses: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory and Algebraic Topology, both requiring specific prerequisites. With an acceptance rate that reflects its competitiveness, the program admits only 40 students for the on-campus experience and 64 for the virtual session annually.
4. USCB Center for the Arts Broadway Bound Summer Camp
Cost: $275 for two weeks; Limited scholarships available
Location: Beaufort, SC
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024
Dates: June 17 - 28, 2024
Eligibility: Students aged 8-12 can apply
The USCB Center for the Arts and Beaufort Children's Theater offers students a comprehensive experience in musical theater. This camp is tailored to build self-confidence and self-expression while teaching foundational acting techniques, vocal training, and choreography. A key feature of the camp is the performance on the second-to-last day, where students present a show they've created.
Running Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM, the camp immerses participants in theater arts through engaging and enjoyable activities that meet professional standards. Students will refine their acting, singing, and dancing abilities while also engaging in theater games and learning key theater concepts like stage directions and performance techniques. The camp concludes with a 15-minute performance, where participants showcase their talents by performing three songs from a unique Broadway Bound script in front of their peers and families!
5. Wharton’s Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
Cost: $2050
Location: Online
Application Deadline: August 14, 2024
Program Dates: Lasts 3 months after August 14
Eligibility: Open to all
This program delivers a comprehensive guide to enhancing the likelihood of entrepreneurial success. The curriculum is vast and covers the essential elements for launching a thriving venture, including choosing the ideal business model, assembling a high-performing team, securing the right financing, and scaling the business effectively.
In this program, participants will explore how to navigate different business models using the Business Model Canvas, build strong founding teams, and assess various financing options along with their pros and cons!
Location: In-person at UCLA or virtual
Cost: $650
Application Deadline:
Program Dates: June 20 - July 3, 2024
Eligibility: Open to rising 5th to 8th graders
UCLA offers two engaging courses tailored for middle school students. The first course, Crafting the Story: Writing Workshop, is designed for students entering 5th and 6th grades. In this workshop, participants will focus on developing their storytelling abilities by crafting short stories, capturing personal memories, and incorporating dialogue into their writing. At the conclusion of the course, students will have the opportunity to publish their work in a class anthology.
The second course, Be a Force of Nature: Reading and Writing about the Environment, is aimed at rising 7th and 8th graders. In this class, students will engage with various environmental texts through reading, viewing, and listening. They will then create personal narratives that reflect their connection to nature and write argumentative essays advocating for environmental action and change.
7. John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs - Honors Algebra I
Cost: Tuition fees vary; $15 application fee. Financial aid is available; check out the website for more details.
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round
Program Dates: Flexible dates; recommended enrollment length is 6 months; 4-8 hours per week.
Eligibility: Successful completion of Grade 8 Mathematics, Pre-algebra, or equivalent; Students’ test scores typically reflect scores similar to those two grade levels above their current grade.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth provides a variety of programs tailored for both middle and high school students. One of the notable advantages of these programs is their self-paced structure, allowing students to manage them alongside other commitments effectively.
A standout course is Honors Algebra I, which delves into topics such as variables, expressions, and the application of linear, exponential, and quadratic functions in real-world scenarios. The course includes a combination of instructional lessons, optional one-on-one meetings, and graded assessments. Students will complete homework, tests, and projects, as well as a midterm and final exam.
8. Illinois Tech Mathematics Camp
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: June 10-14, 2024
Eligibility: For rising 9th graders or middle schoolers above the age of 14
The Illinois Institute of Technology's summer camp provides a thorough dive into topics such as mathematical proofs, number theory, counting, and probability. Spread over five days, students engage in 2-hour online sessions. These sessions cover essential mathematical principles and demonstrate how these concepts can be applied in real-world situations.
Previous challenges addressed in the camp include enhancing web search algorithms and photographing the black hole located at the center of our galaxy.
Cost: Varying cost
Location: Durham, NC
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: Multiple sessions: June 16 - 28; June 30 - July 5; July 7 - 19; July 21 - 26
Eligibility: Open to students currently in 6th - 11th grade.
The Duke Young Writers' Camp provides middle school students with an engaging writing experience that spans multiple genres, such as fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
The program features readings, guest speakers, and chances to explore the Duke University campus, ensuring a comprehensive and inspiring environment for young writers!
10. Stanford Online High School - Middle School
Cost: $5,970 (Single Course), $17,910 (Part-Time), $29,850 (Full Time). Financial aid assistance is available.
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Applications for the next cycle will open in Fall 2024.
Program Dates: A single course spans a year.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7 through 12.
Stanford’s Online Middle School offers challenging math courses tailored to middle school students, emphasizing personalized instruction and advanced problem-solving skills. Students have the option to enroll in courses like Honors Pre Algebra, Honors Beginning Algebra, Computational Thinking & Computer Science, and even high school-level classes if eligible.
Participants can choose to fit these courses into a single, part-time, or full-time schedule. Before starting, students will take a placement test and collaborate with an Academic Advisor to identify the most suitable classes. For additional details on scheduling and course options, further information is available.
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