Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in California

stanford university research program

Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in California

The top research programs available for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability

Institution
Location
Tuition
Event type

Polygence

See website

Hosting Institution

Polygence

Online/In Person

Online

Location

Online

Cost

Starting at $2695

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Neuroscience, Biology, Psychol...

Summary

Polygence is an online research program designed to offer high school students accessible research opportunities, making them more inclusive. The program was created by researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford and provides tailored research projects, allowing students to explore their interests, acquire professional skills, and increase their competitiveness for college admissions.

AAN Neuroscience Research Prize

See website

Hosting Institution

Institute Of Competition Sciences

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

San Francisco, CA

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Neuroscience

Summary

This award is highly regarded as the most prestigious neuroscience competition for high school students, aimed at inspiring them to explore the brain and nervous system through research. Its objective is to recognize and encourage students who demonstrate scientific skills and talent and have the potential to make significant contributions to the field of neuroscience. Additionally, submitting your work offers a unique opportunity to receive feedback from a member of the American Academy of Neurology, which is particularly valuable since neuroscience is not usually offered as a high school course.

Hosting Institution

UC Berkeley

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Berkeley, CA

Cost

$7,050

Application Deadline

March 17, 2023

Categories

Business

Summary

Every year, B-BAY, a highly competitive program, invites 50 high school students from different countries to participate in a two-week program. Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, academics, and daily life of Berkeley. The program offers guest speakers, including professors from the Berkeley Haas School of Business and industry professionals, who share valuable insights and practical experiences. In addition to classroom instruction, students engage in independent research, computer lab assignments, and team projects. Working in teams, participants collaborate on developing a comprehensive business plan, which they present at the end of the program. While the program is prestigious, it comes with a high cost.

Rady Children's Medical Academy

See website

Hosting Institution

Rady Children's Hospital

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

San Diego, CA

Cost

$2,800

Application Deadline

February 24, 2023

Categories

Medicine

Summary

The Summer Medical Academy (SMA) is designed for students between 15-19 years old who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. To be eligible, students must have completed 9th grade (up until the summer after graduating 12th grade). While meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance, SMA seeks highly motivated and enthusiastic students who have demonstrated academic success and extracurricular involvement, as well as a passion for healthcare. In addition, geographic proximity to San Diego, last grade completed in school, and affiliation with RCHSD will also be considered. Short answer and essay responses, along with teacher recommendations, are key application criteria. If accepted, details and payment instructions will be provided in acceptance letters. Proceeds from the program benefit the FACES for the Future-San Diego program at Rady Children’s, and a portion of the payment may be tax-deductible.

Summer Science Internship Program

See website

Hosting Institution

University of California

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Santa Clara, CA

Cost

Free

Application Deadline

No deadline

Categories

Biology, Engineering, Physics,...

Summary

Coordinated by the Rheumatology and Immunology Labs at Stanford College and the University of California, San Francisco, this multi-week research program is open to high school juniors and seniors. Selected students will have the opportunity to work in leading research and clinical laboratories at Stanford College and the University of California, San Francisco, under the guidance of renowned experts. Participants will spend 40 hours per week engaged in either primary lab research or clinical epidemiological/translational (patient-centered) research. The program also offers a $1500 stipend.

Research Mentorship Program

See website

Hosting Institution

UC Santa Barbara

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Santa Barbara, CA

Cost

$11,299

Application Deadline

March 15, 2023

Categories

Neuroscience, Biology, Psychol...

Summary

This program offers a distinctive feature of providing students with exposure to various interdisciplinary research topics, allowing them to select their preferred project option. The program encompasses 24 fields, ranging from sciences to social sciences and humanities. Students are required to choose a research project and advisor, who could be a graduate student, postdoc, or professor, to undertake graduate-level research.

Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)

See website

Hosting Institution

Stanford University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Stanford, CA

Cost

Starting at $1,295

Application Deadline

March 1, 2023

Categories

Neuroscience

Summary

During this 10-day program, students will be introduced to intriguing subjects in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. Additionally, they will collaborate with peers to complete a capstone project.

Digital Filmmaking Summer Institute

See website

Hosting Institution

UCLA

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Cost

$4225

Application Deadline

June 1, 2023

Categories

Arts

Summary

This program provides a unique chance for ambitious high school students from various locations worldwide to learn filmmaking at one of the most renowned film schools globally. The two-week intensive production workshop is tailored for highly motivated rising high school juniors, seniors, and spring 2022 high school graduates. Participants dive into the artistry and technical aspects of cinematic storytelling and are encouraged to craft engaging narrative projects.

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute

See website

Hosting Institution

Stanford University

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Stanford, CA

Cost

$8250

Application Deadline

February 1, 2023

Categories

Arts

Summary

Experience college-level humanities courses and delve into topics such as Ancient Rome, The Greeks, Revolutions, and The American Enlightenment. Engage with philosophical inquiries and conduct research on fascinating subjects of your own choosing in this program.

UCLA Computer Science Introductory Track

See website

Hosting Institution

UCLA

Online/In Person

In Person

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Cost

$3011

Application Deadline

June 1, 2023

Categories

Comp Sci

Summary

This program offers a distinct blend of a coding boot camp, lab tours, and UCLA coursework tailored for high school students interested in computer science and related fields. Students will be taught how to utilize computers as instruments for creative problem-solving and exploration by designing and implementing computer programs. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts such as data types (integers, strings, and lists), control structures (including conditionals and loops), and functional decomposition.

What is a Research Project?

Research projects involve conducting in-depth investigations on a specific subject matter, which presents an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore their interests, enhance their critical thinking and analytical abilities, as well as showcase their dedication and concentration, which can positively impact their chances of being accepted into college.

Why Do Research as a High School Student in California?

Over the years, many college admissions experts have seen that conducting research can drive strong results. Data from Harvard suggests that students that have demonstrated a history of “substantial scholarship or academic creativity”, including conducting independent research, have a much greater chance of gaining admission. In fact, 95% of students who completed our program were admitted to R1 universities. More importantly, Research allow students to pursue their passions, which helps develop self-esteem and leads to a variety of positive mental health outcomes

Are there many Research Opportunities for High School Students in the state of California?

California is home to a number of elite institutions and universities (such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA) that host students every year to conduct on-site research. We've just selected a few of the top programs, but there are many opportunities for high school students to conduct research from top institutions!

What research opportunities are available in other cities?

For a full set of research opportunity listings, see our guide to research opportunities for high school students.

Want to start a project of your own?

Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors who can help take your project off the ground!

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