STEM and engineering
SAMS (Summer Academy for Math and Science)
SAMS is a 6-week residential program run by Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs. Open to: students between 11th and 12th grade.
- Application deadline
- February 1, 2027
- Cost
- Free
- Who can apply
- Grade 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 6 weeks
- Residential
What students do
Students live at Carnegie Mellon for six weeks and take math and science courses along with a STEM project. The program is fully funded and requires documentation of financial need to apply.
- Math
- Science
- STEM
Key facts
- Run by
- Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Programs
- Where
- Pittsburgh, PA (residential)
- Who can apply
- Students between 11th and 12th gradeMust be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 16 by June 26, 2027; financial documentation is required and there is no option to pay out of pocket.
- Dates
- June 26 to August 7, 2027
- Cost
- Fully funded; no cost beyond travel to and from Pittsburgh
- Deadline
- February 1, 2027
Official program siteCarnegie Mellon University admissions profile
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Test scores
- Parent or financial forms
Two essays (one of 300 to 500 words and one SAMS-specific essay of up to 1,000 words), an unofficial transcript, two letters of recommendation (one from a current math instructor), test scores, and financial documentation.
How a mentor helps with your SAMS application
- Decide whether SAMS fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the SAMS deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPIREJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | Laurel, MDCommuter | High school juniors and seniors | Free | Not posted |
| ASPIREHarvey Mudd College | Claremont, CAResidential | Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders | Paid | March 31, 2026 (priority deadline; rolling admission afterward until full)Last cycle’s date |
| BSASUC Berkeley GLOBE (Global Learning and Outreach from Berkeley Engineering) | Berkeley, CACommuter | High school students ages 15 to 17 by the start of the program | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| BWSIMIT Beaver Works (MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT School of Engineering) | Cambridge, MACommuter | Students entering their senior year of high school | Paid, aid available | March 31 (prerequisite online course registration); teacher recommendation due April 2 |
| COSMOSUniversity of California | CAResidential | Rising 9th through rising 12th graders | Paid, aid available | February 5, 2027 |
| EPICCal Poly College of Engineering | San Luis Obispo, CAResidential | Currently in grades 6 to 11 | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2027 |
All stem and engineering programsPrograms in PennsylvaniaEvery program
Frequently asked questions
When is the SAMS application deadline?
The deadline is February 1, 2027.
How much does SAMS cost?
Fully funded; no cost beyond travel to and from Pittsburgh.
Who can apply to SAMS?
Students between 11th and 12th grade. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 16 by June 26, 2027; financial documentation is required and there is no option to pay out of pocket.
What does the SAMS application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Teacher recommendation, Test scores, Parent or financial forms. Two essays (one of 300 to 500 words and one SAMS-specific essay of up to 1,000 words), an unofficial transcript, two letters of recommendation (one from a current math instructor), test scores, and financial documentation.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
