CS Scholars Pre-College Program

Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars is a free, four-week summer computer science program at Carnegie Mellon University for rising high school juniors. The 2027 session runs June 26 to July 24, 2027, on CMU's campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a residential program in the university dorms. The program is fully funded and merit-based. Tuition, housing, meals, and select field trips are covered, and limited travel help is available for families who need it. Students take a programming course in Python and a mathematics course. They also learn about faculty research, meet industry professionals, and work on a personal statement in a writing workshop. Small teams complete hands-on group projects and present their work at a final symposium.

Applicants must be at least 16 by June 26, 2027, be in 10th grade when they apply, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. No coding experience is required. Financial need is one of the selection factors, and documentation of need is required; students from groups underrepresented in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply. Participants must live on campus for the full four weeks and may not attend another summer program at the same time. The application includes an online form, essays, an unofficial transcript, and two recommendation letters, one from a teacher (preferably STEM) and one from a counselor or other mentor. Test scores are optional. The 2027 application deadline is February 1, 2027, and decisions are released April 1, 2027.