Join the Inaugural Cohort

We're looking for curious, collaborative students ready to dive deep into AI and mathematics.

Applications Open February 10th, 2026  —  Priority Admission Application Deadline: March 2, 2026

Who Should Apply?

Curious Minds

You love asking "why?" and "what if?" You're excited by ideas and want to understand how things really work.

Rising 9th-12th Graders

High school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2026 who are ready for an intellectually challenging summer.

Collaborative Learners

You enjoy working with others, sharing ideas, and learning from peers who are just as curious as you are.

Eager Explorers

No prior AI experience required. What matters most is your enthusiasm to explore and willingness to engage deeply.

Application Process

Our application is designed to help us get to know you — your curiosity, your thinking style, and your readiness for an intense summer of learning and exploration.

1

Eligibility Check

Quick verification that you meet basic requirements (grade level, prerequisites).

Check Now →
2

Application Review

Holistic review of your materials, looking for curiosity, persistence, and potential.

3

Interview

A brief (10-15 min) conversation where we can learn more about you and answer your questions.

4

Skills Assessment

A short assessment to help determine the best track placement for you.

5

Decision

Admitted students receive their decision, track placement, and financial aid package.

Application Materials

📋

Basic Information

Contact details, school, grade level, and which track interests you most (AI or Math).

🤔

Problem Set

A set of engaging problems designed to reveal how you think — not just what you know.

📝

Short Essays

Tell us what excites you about AI or mathematics, and a time you persisted through a challenge.

🎓

Transcript

An official high school transcript. Homeschooled students may submit a course list with descriptions.

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Recommendations

One or more letters from a teacher, mentor, or coach who knows you well.

What We Look For

We use a holistic review process. There's no single path — we're looking for students who are passionate about learning, growing, and exploring, who will thrive in and contribute to our community.

Intellectual Curiosity

A genuine desire to understand deeply

Perseverance

Willingness to struggle productively

Collaboration

Working with others in community

Communication

Expressing ideas clearly

Preparation

Academic foundation for your track

Growth Mindset

Openness to feedback and growth

Rigor

Precision and careful reasoning

Creativity

New angles on problems

Explanation

Articulating your thinking

Important Dates

Feb 10

Applications Open

Begin your application for Summer 2026!

Mar 2

Priority/Initial Admissions Application Deadline

Mar 16

Priority/Initial Admission Decisions

First admission decisions for Summer 2026

May 11

Final Application Deadline

Last day to apply

May 25

Final Decisions

All remaining decisions

Jun 1

Program Pre‑Work Released

Preparation materials sent to students

Jul 5

Program Begins

Six weeks at Rider University

Mar 2 – May 11

Rolling Admissions

Decisions every two weeks

Tuition & Payments

Payment Schedule

First payment (25% of tuition): Due within two weeks of admission. This payment secures your spot in the program.

Final payment (75% of tuition): Due by June 1.

Initial payments are based on your self-reported financial information using our Financial Aid Chart. If your actual financial aid differs from your estimate, we'll work with you to adjust—see details below.

Late payments: If you anticipate difficulty making a payment, please contact us immediately—we're here to help. Payments more than 7 days past due may result in automatic withdrawal and your spot being released to a waitlisted student.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

The full program tuition is $10,000. Financial aid reduces what you owe, so "your tuition" below refers to the amount after your aid is applied. All refunds are based on "your tuition," not just payments made. The refunded amount depends on the withdrawal date according to the following schedule:

Within 1 week of first payment: Full refund of payments made, minus $100 administrative fee. You owe nothing further.

Before May 1: You are responsible for 25% of your tuition. Any payments beyond this amount will be refunded.

May 1 or later: You are responsible for 50% of your tuition. Any payments beyond this amount will be refunded.

Financial Aid Notification and Adjustments

If your final financial aid award differs from your self-reported estimate:

If you receive more aid than expected: Your tuition is reduced. Any overpayment will be credited toward your remaining balance, or refunded within seven days if it exceeds your (revised) tuition.

If you receive less aid than expected: You have one week from notification to either:

Accept the revised tuition amount and true up your first payment to 25% of your (revised) tuition, or

Withdraw with a full refund of all payments made, minus the $100 administrative fee.

Examples

Here's how payments and refunds work in practice:

Example 1: A student receives 60% financial aid, making their tuition $4,000. Their first payment is $1,000 (i.e., 25% of $4,000), with $3,000 due by June 1. If they withdraw on April 15, they owe 25% of $4,000 = $1,000. Since they've already paid exactly that amount, they receive no refund but owe nothing more.

Example 2: A student with no financial aid owes the full $10,000. They pay $2,500 as their first payment. If they withdraw on May 10, they owe 50% of $10,000 = $5,000. They would need to pay an additional $2,500.

Example 3: A student estimated they'd receive 50% aid but is awarded 30% aid (tuition goes from $5,000 to $7,000). They can either: (a) adjust their first payment to $1,750 (25% of $7,000) and continue, or (b) withdraw within one week for a full refund minus $100.

Financial Aid Available

We believe no student should be turned away due to cost. Need-based financial aid is available through the Math and AI Learning Foundation.

Learn About Financial Aid →

Ready to Begin?

Take the first step toward a summer of deep exploration in AI and mathematics.

Start Your Application

Commitment to Nondiscrimination

The AIMS Summer School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in its admissions, educational programming, financial aid, employment practices, or other activities.

We recognize the existing gender and racial disparities within the mathematics community. In our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we highly encourage applications from individuals of underrepresented backgrounds.