If you're a high school student interested in anthropology, a summer program can help you explore the field and discover potential career paths.
Even if you're undecided about studying anthropology, these programs offer opportunities to apply social theory to areas such as development, diversity, policy, and healthcare.
Here’s a list of 10 anthropology summer programs for high school students in 2025, including university courses, internships, and hands-on experiences.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)—Anthropology Track
Subject Areas: Sociology, anthropology, philosophy
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can complete the interest form to get details about the cost.
Application Deadline: The summer 2025 cohort has multiple deadlines:
- Early deadline: February 16, 2025
- Priority deadline: March 23, 2025
- Regular deadlines: April 20, 2025 | May 18, 2025
Dates:
- Summer seminar: The summer 2025 cohort begins on March 3, 2025.
- Horizon Labs offers flexible start dates, and applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the intended start date.
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks may have specific prerequisites, which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like history, data science, anthropology, chemistry, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, psychology, and more. You can choose to focus on either quantitative or qualitative research and may take courses on topics such as gene editing or medical sociology.
After selecting a subject and research type, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who provides mentorship throughout the program. You will work on a 20-page, university-level research paper, with the option to submit it to academic journals for publication. The program offers an opportunity for specialized research with expert guidance. You will also receive a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback on your work, which can support future projects and college applications. You can apply here!
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Anthropology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Application deadlines vary by cohort. The deadline for the upcoming winter cohort is December 29, 2024.
Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall from September to December, the winter from December to February, and the spring from March to June.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program designed for high school students. During the program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor for personalized guidance in developing independent research projects across various fields.
You will work with your mentor and a writing coach to select and refine your research topics. You will attend workshops on research methods and work on completing an independent research paper. Available fields include history, psychology, physics, engineering, economics, data science, anthropology, sociology, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can also customize your research topics if the provided options do not match your interests. You can find additional details about the application process here.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, philosophy, and society science.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost:
- The tuition for the 2025 Penn Summer Prep program is $5,949, which covers program fees and residential costs. Additionally, there is a $100 non-refundable fee.
- Philadelphia residents attending public or charter high schools in the School District of Philadelphia may qualify for a Penn Summer Scholarship, which can cover the full cost of Penn Summer Prep or a Summer Academy.
Application Deadline: April 27, 2025
Dates: July 8 – July 19 (tentative, based on the previous year's program)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Penn Summer Prep Program allows high school students to explore college-level academics in a non-credit environment. You will choose two modules from various disciplines and get to use the university’s resources. Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with extracurricular activities and excursions in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends. After acceptance, payment, and completing enrollment forms with Summer Discovery, you’ll receive details about course registration. You’ll need to submit preferences for your top module choices, along with alternatives in case of limited availability or cancellations.
For those interested in anthropology, the "Thinking Like an Anthropologist" course is a strong option. This module examines cultural, genetic, and linguistic variation across time and space, exploring what defines humanity. You will learn key anthropological concepts, research methods such as participant observation and interviews, and practical applications in policy, history, and crime-solving. The course includes opportunities for ethnographic research and emphasizes understanding different perspectives while reflecting on our own.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, biology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, economic insecurity, and social factors.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline:
- Early Application Deadline: January 8, 2025
- Regular Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
- Late Application Deadline: April 9, 2025
Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3, 2025
- Session II: July 6 – 18, 2025
- Session III: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors aged 16–19 who will graduate high school in 2026 or 2027
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program is a two-week experience for high school students, offering the chance to live on campus and take a college-level course. You can select from over 30 non-credit courses in subjects such as business, STEAM, humanities, and sociology, all taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors. Classes are small, with 12 to 18 students, and meet for 3 hours daily, with additional homework and research presentations.
For those interested in anthropology, the "ANTH P-16210: The Overdose Epidemic" course is a great option. This course examines the opioid crisis through a biosocial lens, exploring how social factors, economic instability, and widespread access to pharmaceuticals contribute to the epidemic. You’ll study the links between opioid addiction and crime in contexts of poverty and violence and learn about the challenges people face in seeking care and support. The course encourages thinking beyond traditional medicine, considering solutions like housing support or tools for detecting fentanyl. By the end, you will gain an understanding of the social roots of the crisis and potential solutions.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, culture, food activism, social justice, food production, distribution, and consumption.
Location: Online or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline:
- Early application deadline: January 8, 2025
- Regular application deadline: February 12, 2025
- Late application deadline: April 9, 2025
Dates:
- 4-week session: July 13 – August 8, 2025 (residential)
- 7-week session: June 21 – August 9, 2025 (residential, online, or commuting)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 19 who will graduate and start college in 2025, 2026, or 2027
The program offers over 200 courses in subjects such as physics, biology, literature, computer science, economics, psychology, and more. Coursework typically requires 8-12 hours of weekly effort outside of class, though this may vary depending on the course and assignments.
If you’re interested in anthropology, the "ANTH S-1068: Anthropology of Food and Foodways" course might be a good option. This course examines the relationship between food and identity from an anthropological perspective. You will examine food production, distribution, and consumption across cultures, using readings, podcasts, discussions, and hands-on activities like field excursions. Topics include the role of food in community, identity, and social justice, as well as changes in food systems and the effects of industrial diets.
The program also includes activities to support the college admissions process. You can attend college fairs, meet admissions officers, and participate in workshops focused on essays and applications. Upon completing the program, you’ll receive a letter grade and can request a Harvard transcript listing your courses.
Subject Areas: Forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, skeletal biology, entomology, forensic science, and ethical issues.
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost: $3,635 (Residential) | $2,167 (Commuter) + a non-refundable $35 application fee
Application Deadline: May 31 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: July 28 – August 10 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply
In this program, you will learn about forensic death investigation, skeletal biology, entomology, and forensic science methods. Each day, you will participate in lab exercises where you work with plastic skeletal remains to identify bones and recognize signs of trauma or disease. You will also learn the procedures for collecting skeletal remains from crime scenes or archaeological digs and discuss the ethical considerations of working with human skeletal remains. On the final day, you will take part in a mock crime scene investigation, applying the techniques you’ve learned to process the scene and analyze evidence.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, ethnography, climate change, ecology, and ethnocentric biases.
Location: Online or in-person at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Tuition for one 3-credit course is $6,621 ($2,207 per credit), plus a non-refundable $50 application fee. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline:
- Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2025
- Final Deadline: April 15, 2025
Dates:
- Summer College 1: June 1–July 3, 2025
- Summer College 2: July 6–August 8, 2025
- Summer College 3 (Online): June 2–July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Current 10th–12th graders with at least a 3.0 GPA
You can choose from five-week on-campus courses, eight-week online courses, or a combination of both. Upon completing your course, you will receive an official Georgetown University transcript.
For those interested in anthropology, the virtual course "ANTH-3329-130: Anthropological Perspectives on Climate Change" is a solid option. This course examines ethnocentric biases, power imbalances between ‘Northern’ and ‘Southern’ countries, and the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge concerning science. You will explore how cultural contexts shape scientific facts, how citizens engage with climate knowledge (or deny it), and the limitations of technological solutions in addressing behavioral change.
Subject Areas: Anthropological research, public education, migration, and displacement.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost for the program, and information about a stipend is not provided.
Application Deadline: April 26 (tentative, based on the previous year's program)
Dates: May 20 – June 14 (tentative, based on the previous year's program)
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
The primary project involves researching contemporary anthropological scholarship and adapting it for a 6th-12th grade audience. The secondary project changes yearly but generally focuses on accessibility or public education.
You will collaborate closely with staff to modify anthropological articles to make them accessible to younger students who may be new to anthropology or unfamiliar with how the field can be used to explore complex topics like migration and displacement. Past interns have produced research summaries, infographics, and informational videos. Previous projects focused on migration, and you can view them here.
Subject Areas: Social sciences, humanities, cultural & social anthropology
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Tuition starts at $8,091 for commuting students. For residential students with a full-time course load, costs begin at $18,443. For a detailed cost breakdown, you can use the Tuition & Fees Calculator.
Application Deadline:
- Early deadline: December 13, 2024
- Regular deadline: February 12, 2025
Dates: June 21 – August 17, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors aged 16–19 who will not be enrolling at Stanford as first-year students are eligible to apply.
Stanford Summer Session offers high-achieving students the chance to engage in rigorous academics along with various extracurricular activities. You can choose from over 130 courses, attend advanced lectures by Stanford faculty, and study alongside Stanford undergraduates and visiting students worldwide. Commuting students are required to take at least 5 units, while students living on campus must take at least 8 units.
For those interested in anthropology, the course "ANTHRO 1S-01: Intro to Cultural & Social Anthropology" is a good choice. This course introduces the core concepts and methods of Cultural and Social Anthropology. It focuses on the ethnographic study of human societies, exploring topics like race, class, gender, history, power, language, economy, and culture. You will learn about anthropology's approach to studying human culture and society and gain insights through cross-cultural case studies on current issues such as climate change, capitalism, gender and sexuality, race, immigration, and colonialism.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, biology, genetics, sustainability sciences, religious studies, psychology, biomedical engineering, business analytics, anatomy, engineering, and more.
Location: Belin-Blank Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost:
- The program fee is $7,500, covering room, board, materials, scheduled activities, and three semester hours of undergraduate credit from the University of Iowa. Transportation to and from the university is not included.
- There is a non-refundable application fee of $95.
- Financial aid is available and can cover as much as 95% of the program's cost.
- Merit-based and need-based scholarships are also available.
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Dates: June 18 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 are eligible to apply.
SSTP at the University of Iowa provides high school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research under the guidance of expert faculty at a research-focused university. You will collaborate with a research group on a project and present a poster at the end of the program. Research areas for summer 2025 include anthropology, biology, genetics, sustainability sciences, religious studies, psychology, biomedical engineering, business analytics, anatomy, engineering, and more.
As an SSTP participant, you will be enrolled at the University of Iowa and earn 3 semester hours of credit upon successful completion.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, astronomy, biology, computer science, engineering, film studies, and more.
Cost: $5,175 (commuter option) | $12,474 (residential option). A limited number of scholarships are available, based on need, qualifications, and availability. Priority is given to California residents.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 with a minimum GPA of 3.8 are eligible to apply. Exceptional 9th graders may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Accepted students must attend an RMP Preparation Webinar to get ready for the program.
UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP) is a selective summer program where high school students participate in university-level research. You will be paired with a mentor, such as a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member, and choose a research project in fields like anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, astronomy, biology, computer science, engineering, film studies, and others. The program also includes GRIT talks, a lecture series where UC Santa Barbara researchers discuss innovative projects and technology.
You will work 35–50 hours per week on your research project, depending on the topic, involving tasks such as conducting fieldwork, using library resources, and collecting data. At the end of the program, you will write a technical research paper, present your findings at an academic symposium, and earn 8 college credits by completing two courses: Introduction to Research and Presentation Techniques.
Subject Areas: Anthropology, religious studies, genealogies of anthropological scholarship, ethnography, and culture.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: The cost ranges from $2,960 to $10,386, depending on the duration and course format; some courses may have additional fees. Scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 9, 2025
Dates: Multiple on-campus courses, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks, will be available between June 16 and July 25, 2025.
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 through 12 and aged 14–18 by June 15, 2025, are eligible to apply. Please refer to the specific course pages for details on any additional prerequisites.
Brown University’s Pre-College Programs offer high school students the chance to take 230 non-credit courses in different fields. The program lets you experience college-level academics without worrying about grades or credits, with classes taught by experienced instructors. In addition to coursework, you can join workshops, activities, and events throughout the day.
If you’re interested in anthropology, the "Anthropology of Religion" course is a good option. In this course, you will explore key ideas in the study of religion, focusing on the work of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, and how their ideas have influenced the field today. Topics include sacrifice, symbols, gods and spirits, magic, ritual, myth, gender, ecology, and the role of religion in social change, conflict, and peace. By the end, you will understand the major ideas in the anthropology of religion and how the field developed in the 20th century. You will gain some experience in ethnographic fieldwork and be able to analyze different religious traditions from an anthropological perspective.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.