WYSE Summer Camps (University of Illinois)

Summer program · University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Grainger College of Engineering

The University of Illinois's WYSE program runs one- to two-week engineering camps that put you alongside current Illinois engineering students for hands-on labs, demos, and projects, with formats ranging from residential to commuter, day-only, or virtual. Admission is a real, ranked review, not first-come registration: applicants are compared against each other on a personal essay, self-reported grades, extracurricular activities, and a teacher or mentor recommendation, with names and demographic info removed before review and no single factor weighted more heavily than others (recent acceptance rates run about 25-40%). Pricing runs from $550 for a day camp up to $1,500 for residential (each plus a $25 deposit), and accepted students can apply for Trail Blazer Scholarships covering 50% or 100% of the fee. Applications open in February, with a priority deadline near the end of March; all 2026 camps are now full.

Who can apply

GradesGrades 9–12

Min GPA—

ScopeNational

StatesAll states

FieldsEngineering · Computer Science

SelectivityBlind, ranked review; recent acceptance rates ~25-40%

Logistics

Cost to you$550 day / $750 commuter / $1,500 residential (+$25 deposit); scholarships cover 50-100%

Financial aidAvailable

StipendNot listed

FormatVaries

Length1-2 weeks, summer

WhereUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Applying

OpensFebruary

Due2026 season full; 2027 window expected to open Feb, deadline late March

You submitPersonal essay, self-reported grades, extracurriculars, teacher/mentor recommendation; applicants ranked against each other

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