Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)

Columbia Engineering's Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a pre-college summer program at Columbia University for high school students who are curious about STEM. Students take college-level, project-based engineering courses taught by Columbia faculty. Course areas include robotics, computer science, electrical, and innovation and design. The program also includes electives, workshops, and company visits. SHAPE runs as two three-week sessions, and students may attend one or both. The 2027 sessions are scheduled for July 5 to July 23 and July 26 to August 13. In each session, a student picks one course and one elective. SHAPE offers a commuter option and a residential option, which has limited housing in Session 1. For Summer 2026, the commuter program cost $6,241 per session and the residential program cost $11,492; 2027 costs will be posted in spring 2027. A limited number of need-based scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and fees.

All current high school students, freshmen through seniors (grades 9-12), can apply for the commuter option; students who are 16 or older are also eligible for the residential option. The application includes personal and parent/guardian information, session and course preferences, three essays (one extra for residential applicants), the most recent transcript or report card, a resume, and a recommendation letter from a math or science teacher. The application fee is $50 and is waived for applications sent before the priority deadline. For Summer 2027, the priority deadline is December 16, 2026, and the final deadline is March 5, 2027.