Application Announcement
2026 Application Window Opens December 1st!
A Special Summer Program for High School Students
In 2026, the School of Engineering at Santa Clara University will host its 37th Annual Summer Engineering Seminar (SES) program. This award winning program has been named as an Inspiring Program in STEM from the INSIGHT Into Academia magazine for the last four consecutive years (2022, 2023 (page 64), 2024, and in 2025). Which is now the last FREE residential pre-college engineering program in the nation.
This outstanding, FREE, five-day immersive summer experience is for current high school sophomores and juniors, who are interested in exploring the field of engineering. Offering specially designed introductory workshops taught by our engineering faculty and undergraduate students. Presented as a mix of lecture and interactive work, spanning several fields of engineering. Getting a taste of academic expectations and projects possible in college. Participants will also get a taste of university life. Living in the dorms during the program, and interacting with our faculty, undergraduates, and other members of the SCU community throughout their stay.
In 2026, the SES program was offered three times over the course of the summer. With the first two session being our "introduction program" for new participants. Priority going to Sophomores, with limited space available to Juniors. With a focus on introducing the field of engineering and high school to college transition. While our third session being our advanced "Year-Two program". Open only to returning SES participants who participated in the summer of 2025. With a focus on diving deeper into engineering around humanitarian engineering, and the roles of various engineering majors around humanitarian efforts. Thus, allowing us to offer SES as a two-year program for some participants from the introductory program who want to come back during the summer of 2027 to dive deeper into the majors they are interested in.
You can apply to attend one of the following two introductory session options:
SES Introduction (Year-One):
- Session One: July 12-16
- Session Two: July 19-23
SES Advanced (Year-Two) Returning Participants: Past participants will receive a separate application invitation (Not open to general applicant pool)
- Session Three: July 26- 30
Sponsors Confirmed for 2026: SCU Inclusive Excellence Division, Verizon, and Inspector Planet.
Interested in sponsoring our program? Please reach out to summerengineeringseminar@scu.edu
You can view our Summer 2025 SES Instagram Reels Here:
SES Introduction (Year-One):
SES Advanced (Year-Two):
Special thanks to the Samsung, Southwest Airlines, SCU Ignatian Center: McCormick Fund, SCU Inclusive Excellence Division, SCU Miller Center for Global Impact, Verizon, and Inspector Planet for sponsoring our 2025 SES Program.
The SES program is designed to motivate young people to pursue science and engineering majors in college so they can ultimately participate in the scientific and technical workforce. It provides participants with a chance to explore the many possibilities of engineering as a career. Participants attend special workshops, complete their own engineering projects, and experience outside-of-class aspects of Santa Clara University through afternoon and evening recreational activities.
During the week participants attend introductory level workshops spanning several disciplines of engineering that are facilitated by our engineering faculty. Topics will include: Bioengineering; Civil, Sustainable and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering. Participants attend all core workshops for a broad exposure to the various disciplines and careers within the field of engineering. Workshops will be held by the School of Engineering, the focal point for engineering education at Santa Clara University.
To access the application form, click on the tab labeled "Application" below.
The eligibility criteria for SES are determined by the purpose and content of the program, as well as Santa Clara University's Strategic Vision. This program aims to motivate more students to pursue engineering study and workshop content is on a broad, introductory level. Santa Clara University's Strategic Vision also emphasizes education in "service to society, especially on behalf of those in greatest need," which is in line with our Jesuit identity. As such, the following criteria have been set for program participants. Everyone is encouraged to apply. These criteria below highlights the broad intersection of identities we are looking to support:
- Students who are a current Sophomore (10th grade) or Junior (11th grade) for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Students who are interested in broadly exploring the field of engineering and its various disciplines
- Students who have not been exposed to the engineering profession through high school coursework, extra-curricular activities, similar programs and close role models working in engineering
- Students who may lack the means to access engineering courses and programs, due to limited financial resources and/or a lack of school & community offerings.
- Student areas listed below are highly encouraged to apply.
- First-Generation to go to college
- Women, Non-Binary
- Underrepresented groups in the field of engineering
- Low-Income
All on-site fees for the SES Program are paid by the School of Engineering, and from various corporate sponsors and foundations. Resulting in no costs for housing and three daily meals for participants who are accepted into the program.
To be considered for this program, applicants must submit a complete application consisting of the following:
- The online application must be completed by 9:00 p.m. PT on Monday, March 31, 2026. The application is available here. Starting December 1, 2025
- An essay (500 words) as part of the online application addressing the following questions: What makes you an ideal candidate for the SES program? How do you think you could benefit from the program? Questions to consider in your response may include:
-What are you passionate about?
-What drives your curiosity for engineering?
-What kind of impact do you hope to have on society?
Each year the SES program receives hundreds of applications from across the globe for a limited number of spots, making acceptance to the program very competitive. For program consideration, applications will be evaluated based on academic performance (particularly in math and science), and the alignment with program eligibility criteria (with particular emphasis on applicant need). Applicants are informed of their status via email by Friday, May 8, 2026.
For more information or questions:
E-mail: summerengineeringseminar@scu.edu
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please call 408-554-4728 or California Relay at 800-735-2929 (TTY) two weeks prior to the event.
The School of Engineering provides an outstanding theoretical and practical experience for both undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of Silicon Valley. Distinguished faculty, academic excellence, personal attention, and a culture of social responsibility are hallmarks of our program.
Disciplines in the School of Engineering include applied mathematics, bioengineering, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering, and engineering management and leadership. More information can be found at www.scu.edu/engineering.
