Interested in a subject but can’t commit to a summer program? Consider one in the fall!
Fall programs offer high school students an accessible opportunity to deepen their skills and explore advanced topics in a focused, immersive setting during the months of September through December. Unlike summer opportunities, fall programs are typically shorter, highly structured, and allow students to engage in rigorous learning while balancing their school-year commitments.
Massachusetts is home to a wide range of organizations, research institutes, and universities that host fall programs for high school students each year. From pre-college courses and research mentorships to internships and specialized immersions, you have plenty of opportunities to choose from. The best part? You don’t need to spend a ton of money and time on travel, housing, and relocating to a different state for the fall!
Below is a curated list of 13 fall programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
13 Fall Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
1. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship
Location: NASA centers and facilities across the U.S. (in-person and virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount varies depending on education level and internship length
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive (~5%)
Program Dates: Fall Session: Late August – Mid-December
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, minimum 16 years old at application, full-time students with a cumulative GPA ≥3.0
The NASA OSTEM Internship provides high school students the opportunity to work on real NASA projects with guidance from professional mentors. Interns contribute to experiments, data analysis, and outreach across areas such as space science, aeronautics, ecology, engineering, and space microbiology. Beyond hands-on project work, you will engage in career development activities, specialized training, and mentorship to prepare for future STEM careers.
2. PRIMES-USA
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: January – December (year-long, 4 phases)
Application Deadline: November 18
Eligibility: U.S. high school sophomores and juniors (or equivalent homeschooled students) living outside Greater Boston
PRIMES-USA is a rigorous, year-long mathematics research program designed for highly motivated high school students. You will engage in advanced problem-solving and collaborative research across number theory, combinatorics, and related fields. The program is divided into four phases: introductory readings, guided exploration, active research, and final writing. Each student is paired with a mentor from MIT or another major institution, culminating in a publishable-quality paper and a presentation at the PRIMES Fall Conference, offering early exposure to the professional mathematics research community.
3. Pre-College CityLab Intensive Experience (Boston Architectural College)
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small interdisciplinary teams of around 10 students
Program Dates: August 22 – September 27
Application Deadline: Rolling (recommended early submission)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in architecture, urban planning, and community design
The Pre-College CityLab Intensive at Boston Architectural College is a four-day immersive program that invites you to explore the urban systems shaping everyday life. You’ll work alongside college design students to study how accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement influence the built environment. Through sketching, photography, journaling, and field activities, you’ll examine Boston’s neighborhoods using CityLab’s five lenses: health, environmental systems, open space, built form, and social wellbeing. The experience culminates in a final project and awards you two college credits, helping you gain a deeper understanding of architecture and design’s role in creating inclusive cities.
4. Curatorial Study Hall (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; participants are paid $15/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohort of Boston Public School students
Program Dates: Fall
Application Deadline: New cycle begins each February
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors in Boston Public Schools, particularly those involved in programs like Becoming a Man and The BASE
The Curatorial Study Hall at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, offers you a hands-on look into the world of curatorial practice and exhibition design. You’ll work closely with museum professionals to research, interpret, and install artworks that highlight underrepresented artists and diverse histories. Through workshops on research, visual analysis, exhibition planning, and design, you’ll help create a public display within the museum’s collection. No prior art or museum experience is required, just curiosity and a desire to learn.
5. After-School Studios (Massachusetts College of Art and Design)
Location: Boston, MA (on-campus and virtual options)
Cost/Stipend: $555 per class (need-based financial aid may be available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Classes capped at 12 students
Program Dates: October 14 – December 18
Application Deadline: October 6
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12 interested in art, design, and portfolio development
At MassArt’s After-School Studios, you’ll spend your afternoons expanding your creative skill set through hands-on courses in fine art and design. Classes are small and collaborative, allowing you to work closely with faculty and peers while building a strong, expressive portfolio for college applications or personal growth. Whether you choose an in-person or virtual class, you’ll experiment with new techniques, receive one-on-one feedback, and explore contemporary art practices through digital tools, museum tours, and guest artist sessions. It can be a great opportunity to develop your artistic voice in a professional studio environment and connect with a creative community at one of Boston’s top art colleges.
6. College Prep Workshops (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Location: Online and on-campus at UMass Amherst, MA
Cost/Stipend: $420 per online workshop; on-campus intensive pricing varies (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open-enrollment, small workshop groups for personalized attention
Program Dates: College Essay Workshop: October 25 – November 15 (Saturdays); PSAT & SAT Test Prep: October 4; SAT & ACT Test Prep: November 8
Application Deadline: Rolling, closes one week before each workshop
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th grade students
Through UMass Amherst’s College Prep Workshops, you can gain practical skills and insider strategies to strengthen your college applications. Taught by university instructors and bestselling test-prep author Brian Leaf, these online and in-person workshops help you craft authentic personal essays, sharpen your SAT/ACT skills, and navigate admissions with confidence. Each session is highly interactive, combining individual feedback, practice exercises, and expert guidance on current college trends. Whether you attend a one-day test prep course or the multi-week essay intensive, the program aims to equip you with tools to approach college applications strategically and successfully.
7. MITES Semester (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Location: Virtual, with an in-person conference at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free of charge; all program costs are covered (students cover travel to MIT for the final conference)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 300 students selected nationwide
Program Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: Typically due in January
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors who are citizens or permanent residents
MITES Semester (formerly MOSTEC) is a six-month hybrid program designed to help you strengthen your STEM foundation while preparing for college. You’ll take two rigorous online courses, ranging from Machine Learning to Astrophysics, paired with a core course in Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, or Science Writing. Alongside this academic experience, you’ll attend virtual seminars, mentoring sessions, and weekly webinars that focus on college readiness, leadership, and career exploration. In the fall, the program shifts toward practical guidance in essay writing, interviews, and college selection, culminating in a conference at MIT where you present your final projects and connect with peers and professionals.
8. Public Leadership Credential (Harvard Kennedy School)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,095 per course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment (non-degree program)
Program Dates: Fall 2 Session: November 4 – December 16
Application Deadline: October 16
Eligibility: Students, professionals, and lifelong learners with an interest in leadership, governance, or public policy
The Public Leadership Credential (PLC) from Harvard Kennedy School offers a flexible, online path to develop real-world leadership and policy-making skills. Designed and taught by Harvard faculty, the PLC program includes self-paced courses that require about 10–12 hours of weekly study. Each course explores core themes such as evidence-based decision-making, policy design, and ethical leadership. You’ll gain practical insight into how effective leaders create impact across sectors, from government to nonprofits.
9. Emerging Leaders Program (Harvard Radcliffe Institute)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited to students from four partner schools
Program Dates: Academic Year
Application Deadline: August (for the next cycle)
Eligibility: 10th-grade students from partner high schools — Cambridge Rindge & Latin, Prospect Hill Academy, Somerville High, and Watertown High
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute connects local high school sophomores with Harvard undergraduates in a mentorship-based leadership initiative. Through weekly in-person sessions, you’ll explore how identity, social movements, and civic engagement intersect with leadership. The program draws on Radcliffe’s legacy and archival materials from the Schlesinger Library to guide discussions about social change and equality. As a participant, you’ll build leadership and communication skills, engage in community-focused projects, and develop the confidence to take on roles in your school and beyond.
10. High School Apprenticeship Challenge – BioBuilder
Location: Boston, MA (BioBuilder Learning Lab @ Allston Labworks, 250 Western Ave) & Online
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 stipend upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spots for motivated students
Program Dates: Fall: Mid-October – Mid-December
Application Deadline: Fall applications open in September
Eligibility: Massachusetts public high school students, at least 16 years old by June 1st following the program; commitment to pursuing college/career in life sciences; encouraged for students from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged groups
The High School Apprenticeship Challenge by BioBuilder prepares Boston-area students for careers in life sciences through a hands-on, eight-week program combining online theory sessions with in-person lab training. You’ll develop laboratory techniques, research-based thinking, and professional skills while working in small research teams. The curriculum blends practical lab work with theory, mentorship, and exposure to biotech careers, including micro-credential testing and internship opportunities. Completing the program earns a $500 stipend and positions you for summer STEM job placements, college readiness, and advanced skill development in biology and biotechnology.
11. Massachusetts STEM Week
Location: Statewide, MA (In-person and virtual events)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to all students; participation depends on event registration
Program Dates: October 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Varies by individual events
Eligibility: Students of all ages; K–12 focus for most events
Massachusetts STEM Week is a statewide initiative celebrating STEM learning and careers, connecting students with hands-on opportunities across the Commonwealth. You can participate in a variety of in-person and virtual events, including design challenges, workshops, and presentations hosted by schools, museums, colleges, non-profits, and businesses. The program emphasizes inclusion, highlighting opportunities for young women, students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities, helping all participants explore STEM pathways and engage with real-world challenges.
12. Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program (HPREP) at Harvard Medical School
Location: Boston, MA (Hybrid; in-person and virtual components)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~75 students accepted annually
Program Dates: November 1, 8, 15; December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7
Application Deadline: September 26
Eligibility: High school students (9th–12th grade) attending schools in the greater Boston area; first-time participants only
HPREP is a science enrichment program for Boston-area high school students interested in careers in medicine and scientific research. You engage in faculty-led labs, presentations, and workshops designed to provide exposure to health professions and scientific inquiry. The program prioritizes supporting students who encounter obstacles in pursuing science and medicine, cultivating a diverse group with a strong interest in these areas. A holistic admissions process considers academic history, personal experiences, and enthusiasm for health sciences.
13. Kode With Klossy: CODE-A-BRATION
Location: Multiple cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, NYC, Seattle, and more) + remote options
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 15–20 students per camp
Dates: October 25 – 26
Application Deadline: October 22
Eligibility: Young women, gender nonconforming, and trans students aged 13–18
Kode With Klossy’s CODE-A-BRATION is a free, two-day coding experience designed for first-time participants. This fall edition allows young women and gender-expansive students to explore web development, mobile app design, machine learning, and data science in a highly interactive environment. You’ll engage in hands-on projects, from programming with JavaScript and HTML to creating iOS apps with SwiftUI, while developing both technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities. Mentors guide you throughout the event, helping you build showcase-worthy projects and connect with a network of peers and alumni passionate about technology and innovation. You can participate either in person in Oakland or virtually from anywhere.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – BioBuilder