Explore the World of Computer Science!

CS Scholars takes rising high school sophomores on a four-week deep dive into computer science, combining classroom instruction, hands-on projects, faculty lectures, and industry engagement with leading tech companies around the country. This fully funded, merit-based program gives students the opportunity to explore computing with Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff, and researchers, gaining mentorship, developing technical skills, and applying their learning to real-world challenges in computer science.

Non-credit

Residential

Financial Aid

Final project

Application fee waiver

Program Overview

As a CS Scholar, you will dive into college-level courses and weekly college prep seminars covering admissions, financial aid, and social-emotional wellbeing. Through project-based learning, you’ll explore computing and mathematics while collaborating on hands-on group projects that tackle real-world challenges and culminate in a final symposium presentation. You’ll also connect with industry leaders, gain mentorship from faculty, and build lasting relationships with peers all while experiencing life on a college campus.  A core value of the CS Scholars program is a commitment to an inclusive, equitable community where all participants feel valued and supported; scholars are expected to uphold this value and actively contribute to a culture of respect and belonging.

Students who complete the program and demonstrate a desire to continue may be invited to return as rising seniors to CMU’s AI Scholars program the following summer! 

CS Scholars is a fully funded, merit-based program that brings together students from across the country to learn directly from CMU faculty, staff, and researchers. Thanks to generous support from foundations, corporations, sponsors, and donors, all program costs are covered, including*:

Tuition
Housing
Meal plans
Select program-related field trips and special events

*Limited travel assistance is available for families facing transportation barriers.

Curriculum

Academic

• Programming Course: Learn the core elements of programming and problem-solving in Python, including variables, functions, conditionals, loops, basic data structures (lists and dictionaries), and problem-solving techniques such as algorithmic thinking, top-down design, testing, and debugging.
• Pre-Concepts of Math Course: Strengthen computational skills and dismantle the belief that you “just aren’t a math person.”
• Faculty and Industry Engagement: Engage with CMU faculty and industry leaders to explore the vast and exciting opportunities in computer science.
• Research Exposure: Gain an in-depth introduction to ongoing research projects from faculty and graduate students.
• Writing Workshop: Craft a compelling personal statement with guidance and feedback from instructors and peers, strengthening both writing and storytelling skills.

Personal Growth

• Career and Personal Development: Interactive discussions with experts designed to help students explore academic and career pathways.
• Mentorship: Group mentoring with CMU faculty and graduate students fosters guidance and support.
• College and Beyond: Seminars on academic readiness, college success, and post-graduate planning during the program and beyond its completion.
• Community Building: Social and team-based activities designed to create lasting connections among peers.

Hands-on Experience

• Group Research Projects: Collaborative projects allow students to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges.
• Industry Engagement: Field trips to leading tech companies where students connect with professionals, explore emerging topics, and learn about career opportunities.
• Capstone Symposium: On the final day, students publicly present their group projects - showcasing the skills and knowledge they’ve developed throughout the program.

Single Session

Jun 20 - Jul 18

4 weeks

Residential

0 USD

Students admitted to CS Scholars are not required to pay an enrollment deposit. To secure their spot in the program, their Enrollment Reply Form must be received within 7 days of admittance.

CS Scholars (CSS) utilizes a holistic application review and admissions process, looking at the full application and selecting program participants based on a combination of factors. Because participants are fully funded, demonstration of financial need is one of these factors. There is no option for participants to pay out of pocket tuition fees for this program, and documentation of financial need is required for application submission. Documentation includes either tax documents or a completed NACAC Application Fee Waiver signed by your high school guidance department. 

The CS Scholars program is intended to create opportunities for students who lack access and/or resources at home, at school, or in their communities. This can mean financial need, it can mean a lack of computer science education in your school district or community, or lack of access to affordable/stable internet or computing devices. We recognize that students may not meet the current financial need requirements, but may still lack access or opportunity for other reasons. If any of this resonates with your experience, we strongly encourage you to apply.