A Two-Week College Experience for High School Students

The STEM & Professional Skills College Preview is an immersive two-week summer program at Canisius University for high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year. Students choose a track in either Medicine or AI and Technology for Business, then spend two weeks learning, building, and connecting with peers to prepare themselves for their future campus experience.

Program Dates

July 26 - August 6, 2027

Who Should Apply

This program is for students who are entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall.

Why Complete This Program

student and faculty working in a lab on a drawing or simulation
High school students have a chance to learn in real college settings from Canisius faculty.

It's the closest thing to actually being a college student. Between learning from Canisius faculty, working in real labs, and navigating a college campus, this program offers the full college experience. Students will arrive as freshmen already knowing how college works.

Resume-ready accomplishments. Students complete projects, run experiments, and present their work. They leave with a Certificate of Completion and concrete work examples that make college applications stand out.

Direct support for the college application process

  • Personal statement workshops with personalized feedback
  • College research and evaluation guidance
  • Professional skills: email etiquette, interviewing, public speaking

Direct access to industry professionals Students are immersed with industry professionals as they can ask questions, tour facilities, and see the work up close. Guests include healthcare professionals, biomedical engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and software developers.

Students leave with a Certificate of Completion and concrete work examples that make college applications stand out.

Two Tracks. One Substantive Experience.

Students choose one of two focused tracks based on their interests:

Medical Track: For students drawn to healthcare, life sciences, or biomedical fields. 

AI & Emerging Technology Track: For students interested in AI, technology, coding, and solving real-world problems.

Program Sample Activity List 

Medical Track students:

  • Explore human anatomy, cell biology, genetics, and immunology through interactive lessons and hands-on laboratory experiences
  • Conduct real laboratory experiments, including extracting DNA, identifying blood cell types, and working with microscopes and centrifuges
  • Step into the role of a healthcare professional through hands-on clinical simulations, assessing and diagnosing simulated patients using real-world medical scenarios
  • Visit leading medical and research organizations and experience cutting-edge healthcare technology and career pathways firsthand
Medical Simulation Lab

AI & Technology students:

  • Build your own AI-powered projects, including a working chatbot, interactive games, and other creative applications
  • Learn coding by creating with beginner-friendly tools—no previous coding experience required
  • Explore AI, cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics through hands-on activities and real-world challenges
  • Visit leading technology organizations, including cybersecurity command center, to see emerging technologies in action
  • Meet and learn from professionals working in AI, cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics and explore future career paths

All students:

  • Participate in college application and personal statement workshops with individualized instructor feedback
  • Learn how to build a strong résumé and professional profile highlighting academic, extracurricular, and leadership experiences
  • Develop professional communication, etiquette, and networking skills and practice connecting with professionals
  • Strengthen public speaking and presentation skills through hands-on practice and a final presentation
Student Presentation

Example Schedule

Laboratory Tour

Time

Activity

9:00 - 9:15

Reflection of yesterday’s activities

9:15 - 12:00

Lecture or activity

12:05-12:40

Break

12:40 - 1:30 

Lunch

1:30 - 3:30

Lecture or activity

3:30 - 4:00

Snack break

4:00 - 6:00

Lecture or activity

Cost and Residential Experience

Students have the option to live on the Canisius University campus for the full two weeks or commute. 

Residential students are supervised by trained Resident Assistants (RAs) who are present throughout the program. Parents can feel confident knowing that students are in a structured, supervised environment.

Program Cost 

 

Commuter Students

Residential Students

DefinitionCommuter students attend daily and do not participate in evening programming.esidential students attend daily, stay overnight in Canisius residence halls, and participate in evening cultural and enrichment activities.
What's Included?
  • All instructional materials and lab supplies for hands-on activities and projects
  • Entry fees and scheduled experiences at partner organizations including transportation
  • Professional skills workshops (college applications, personal statements, communication, and networking)
  • Lunch provided each day
  • Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program
  • Everything included for commuter students
  • On-campus housing in Canisius residence halls
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day
  • Evening cultural, recreational, and social activities
  • Weekend excursions and activities, including opportunities to explore Buffalo and Western New York
  • Supervised residential experience with program staff
ScheduleDaily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM July 27 - August 4, 2027July 27 - August 4, 2027
Price$920$3,600

Apply Now

Ready to sign up? Fill out the form below. 

Apply Now

Application deadlines:

  • July 20 Deadline for commuter students

Application Process 

Time to Apply

The application takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

What You’ll Need

To complete the application, students should be prepared to provide:

  • Basic personal information
  • High school and academic details
  • Parent or guardian contact information
  • Preferred program track

After submitting your application:

Our team will review your information, additional information including parent/guardian permission forms will be requested. Then you will receive next steps and program details.
 

Contact Us

For questions please contact: Amo Kubeyinje at @email