Academic summer programs for high school students interested in engineering, economics, or philosophy?

I usually do not recommend those types of programs, as at many colleges, those programs are money-making scams for the college.I prefer people who Work.  Get a job, even if it is flipping hamburgers at McDonalds like I did for two summers prior to attending MIT.  I learned how to work with a wide variety of people and how to run a business (as I rose rapidly through the ranks).However, if you are determined to spend more time in an academic environment, then:  https://oeop.mit.edu/programs/mites   (It is FREE and not a scam)But I believe being a Camp Counselor is better in many ways. 

You can search on http://mysummeradvisor.com for programs.  It is searchable by academic subject, grade level and more.  There are a lot of summer programs, especially in engineering.  Some are even free.  For example, ASM International sponsors free programs in materials science at campuses around the country.  Some of the pricier programs do offer financial aid, so look at the program first, rather than the price!There is an article on that site's homepage about research opportunities for high school students.  Many of these pay a stipend.There are some programs in economics, at least one I know of is free.  There are certainly fewer options in philosophy, but Washington University in St. Louis has this one: https://summerexperiences.wustl.edu/pnp .  It may offer financial aid.  (I think rising sophomores qualify).If you live near a college or university, search by zip code.  Day programs are usually very affordable or may be free.  Day programs are often open to younger students since schools are more concerned about younger students living on campus than just on campus for during the day.Many of the prestigious programs have winter applications.  So, it would make sense to do some research now for 2017 so you don't miss an application deadline.

I was talking to the math department secretary at the University of Memphis during June 2015 and she happened to mention that there was going to be a math boot camp the second week of August 2015. I was allowed to apply for it and was accepted. It turned out  that it was held during the same week I was on vacation. I enjoyed every minute of it including the free lunch every day! It was a tremendous investment of my time. One sad thing I found out was that there were fifty slots for local high school students and twenty never showed.A week ago Friday, April 8, 2016, I was put on hold when making a phone call at the University of Memphis and there was a brief marketing announcement about a program about physics and material science in the physics department the following day (Saturday) from 9 :30 AM until 1:30 PM. I attended and there were students of all ages from adults down to elementary kids that were brought by their parents. We heard various lectures and had tours of the different physics labs. They also sold physics tee shirts at very reasonable prices.The above programs that I have mentioned are obviously not programs that cover the entire summer but they were well worth going to. I would suggest that you get in touch with your local university and contact the different departments that you are interested in and get on their email list to be informed when they have guest speakers come in, have "boot camps" in various subject areas, and have brief programs like the physics program I described above.In regard to liberal arts subjects contact The Intercollegiate Studies Institute in Wilmington DE at 1-800-526-7022 and ask them to put you on their mailing list for "The Canon", no charge. Ask if they could send you a copy of "Books and the Intellectual Life" in the Spring 2007 Canon and "Why Should Businessmen Read Great Literature" in the Summer 2008 Canon. Also ask them about their program that they used to have in the summer where they would send you a book to read and the reader would return a 2-3 page paper to be graded in a contest that usually had 75-100 students across the nation that participated.Finally, for the field of economics, find out what Federal Reserve Board district you're in and get on their mailing list for economic journals. Contact other Federal Reserve Board districts around the nation for the same thing.Now these suggestions are obviously not summer programs, but I hope that you will pursue and research out these suggestions and that they will  help to fulfill your interests in these academic areas until you get older.:)      

You might be interested in this upcoming summer 2015 program as an opportunity for students looking for professional exposure and career training in the financial services industry. Please read more about the Populate Wall Street program on our website and share the application information with any potential candidates as an alternative opportunity for students still looking for summer career development opportunities or those interested in gaining first hand exposure to the industry as they navigate their future career options. Populate Wall Street - http://www.populatewallstreet.com/