If you’re a high school student looking to apply to NYU, consider a pre-college program hosted by the university.
What are pre-college programs? Why should I apply as a high school student?
Pre-college programs are immersive academic experiences designed for high school students who want to explore a field of interest at a more advanced level. These programs provide the opportunity to build specialized skills, work on college-level coursework, and get a firsthand look at what studying a particular subject in a university setting might entail. Unlike general summer camps or extracurricular workshops, pre-college programs are hosted exclusively by colleges and universities–such as New York University–often taking place on campus during the summer months.
Most of these NYU pre-college programs for high school students require tuition and are designed to give you a realistic preview of undergraduate life, both academically and socially. If you’re considering applying to NYU for your undergraduate studies, participating in an NYU pre-college program for high school students can be a great way to test the waters. You’ll experience NYU’s campus life, interact with NYU faculty, and assess whether the university and your chosen area of study at the university align with your goals and interests.
Here’s a list of 15 NYU pre-college programs for high school students that you can explore:
1. NYU Precollege
Location: NYU’s Washington Square campus, NY
Cost: $700–$14,000 for 0–8 credits
Program dates: July 2–August 13
Application deadline: June 16
Eligibility: Open to rising 11th or 12th grade high school students in summer or current 11th or 12th grade students in the fall or spring semesters with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
NYU Precollege allows you to enroll in real college courses for credit while living or commuting in New York City. You can choose from a broad range of subjects–such as media studies, computer programming, psychology, economics, engineering, and acting–taught by NYU faculty in small, college-level classes. In addition to coursework, you’ll attend “College 101” sessions that help you navigate topics like admissions, financial aid, and study strategies.
Whether you’re interested in creating a short film, studying cellular biology in a lab, or learning the basics of accounting or marketing, the NYU pre-college program for high school students encourages you to explore academic paths in depth. Projects and assignments reflect the rigor of undergraduate work and are designed to strengthen your analytical, creative, or technical skills depending on the subject you choose. You’ll also have access to campus libraries, peer tutoring, and student life activities, giving you a realistic look at what it means to be part of a university community.
2. ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None; $1,000 stipend provided
Program dates: June 2–August 8
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
If you’re interested in STEM and ready to take on a serious research challenge, the ARISE program at NYU gives you the chance to spend 10 weeks over the summer conducting research in a university lab. You will start with four weeks of workshops covering lab safety, college-level writing, and essential research skills, before spending the next six weeks working in an NYU lab with faculty and graduate mentors. The program places you in fields like biomedical engineering, machine learning, psychology, and environmental science, depending on your interests and placement.
You’ll contribute to ongoing projects, gain about 120 hours of lab experience, and present your findings at a research colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium. Additionally, the NYU pre-college program for high school students includes college prep resources, including one-on-one guidance on applications and access to an alumni network for future opportunities. You also receive a $1,000 stipend and build skills in public speaking, collaboration, and scientific communication.
3. High School Law Institute
Location: NYU’s Washington Square Park campus, West Village, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: Classes are conducted on Saturdays throughout the academic year
Application deadline: August 23
Eligibility: Open to students entering, or currently enrolled in grades 9-12 who live within commutable distance to NYU’s Washington Square Park campus in NYC’s West Village.
For motivated students interested in seeing how the U.S. legal system works and who want to explore law in depth before college, the NYU High School Law Institute (HSLI) might be a good fit. This student-run NYU pre-college program for high school students meets on Saturdays during the academic year and focuses on constitutional law, criminal law, and speech and debate.
You will have the chance to participate in small, discussion-based classes taught by NYU Law and undergraduate students, working through case studies, legal concepts, and current issues. Assignments are designed to help you build argumentation skills, develop critical thinking about legal structures, and understand how law impacts society. While it’s not limited to future law students, HSLI supports those preparing to advocate for their communities and consider complex civic questions.
4. AI+Art Summer High School Program
Location: NYU’s Brooklyn campus
Cost: $3,045
Program dates: July 28–August 8
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Open to high school students who will be entering sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the Fall
In the AI+Art Summer High School Program at NYU, participants dive into how artificial intelligence intersects with creative expression across visual art, music, animation, and character design. Over two weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of machine learning, generative AI, and large language models through hands-on activities and simulations, while also creating your own AI-assisted artworks.
You can expect to work on projects like AI-generated self-portraits, music compositions, and interactive character designs that integrate AI tools at every stage, from concept to refinement. The program further guides you through ethical questions around bias, data consent, and the broader social impact of creative AI systems. Group discussions and case studies, such as the Artists vs. Stable Diffusion lawsuit, will challenge you to think critically about ownership, fairness, and artistic integrity in an AI-influenced world. Your experience will culminate in a final project and public art show where you’ll present your AI-collaborative creations.
5. Summer Program for Automation Robotics and Coding (SPARC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $2,500 (tuition and fees) + $100 materials fee + $100 events fee (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: Session 1: June 17–June 28, Session 2: July 8–19, Session 3: July 29–August 9
Application deadline: May 1 or until full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in any programming language, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) are eligible to apply.
A STEM offering by NYU, the Summer Program for Automation Robotics and Coding (SPARC) lets students spend two weeks immersed in building and programming robots from the ground up. You will not only work with electrical components, sensors, microcontrollers, and actuators, but also develop foundational skills in both mechanical and software engineering. You’ll be expected to engage actively with hands-on tasks and apply coding concepts such as loops, conditionals, and variables to control robotic systems.
As part of your learning, you’ll design and construct two working robots, including one capable of performing mobile manipulation tasks. Daily sessions are structured around workshops and guided builds that emphasize design thinking and real-world problem-solving. You’ll wrap up this NYU pre-college program for high school students by participating in a robotics challenge, where your creations will be tested in performance-based tasks.
6. User Experience Design
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050 (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates:
- Session 1: July 7–18
- Session 2: July 28–August 8
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in grades 8–11, with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest in technology and design.
For those inclined towards the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior, NYU Tandon’s two-week User Experience Design summer program offers a focused introduction to UX principles and interface design. As a participant, you will learn to identify user needs through research, synthesize insights, and apply design thinking to craft solutions. Using beginner-friendly tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, you’ll prototype both low- and high-fidelity designs that address practical challenges.
The program emphasizes iterative development, encouraging you to test ideas, gather feedback, and refine your work. By its conclusion, you’ll have created a user-centered product, service, or experience that reflects both aesthetic sensibility and functionality–demonstrating your learnings in the program. The experience also exposes you to the professional landscape of UX and its relevance across industries like game design and digital services.
7. Finance NYC – An Insider’s View
Location: NYU’s Washington Square campus, West Village, NY
Cost: $2,579 tuition per course + $50 non-refundable application fee (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: International student deadline: March 15, Residential U.S student deadline: May 15, Commuter U.S student deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
If you’re focused on finance and wish to understand how global finance operates from the heart of Wall Street, the Finance NYC–An Insider’s View program can introduce you to the principles of financial analysis and investment strategy. This NYU pre-college program for high school students examines key concepts like the time value of money, capital budgeting, risk and return, and the functions of financial markets, all while gaining insight into how the Federal Reserve and economic conditions influence decision-making.
Led by an industry professional, the course combines foundational theory with practical applications, including exposure to financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives. Through lectures, discussions, and case studies, you’ll analyze how portfolios are managed and how financial risks are assessed. You won’t earn college credit, but you will complete graded coursework that appears on an NYU transcript.
8. Design, Invent & Innovate (DII)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3150 (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: June 16–27
Application deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–11 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in any programming language, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent).
The Design, Invent & Innovate (DII) program is ideal for you if you harbour an interest in engineering, practical problem solving, and exploring how real-world innovations are created. Over two weeks at NYU Tandon, high school students work in the university’s advanced Makerspace and learn how to use rapid prototyping tools, CAD modeling, and other essential design technologies. The first week emphasizes the fundamentals of manufacturing and innovation through tutorials and case studies in areas like medicine, transportation, and electronics, helping you build a practical framework for identifying and understanding successful innovations.
In the second week, you’ll apply this knowledge by conducting fieldwork, identifying real problems, and developing working prototypes to address them. You will complete the program by presenting your final invention to your peers, gaining both technical experience and communication skills.
9. High School Summer Art Intensive
Location: NYU’s Washington Square Park campus, West Village. NY
Cost: $7,172
Program dates: July 7–August 3
Application deadline: Financial Aid Applicants: February 15, International students: February 15, Regular Decision: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11 who have demonstrated interest and academic strength in studio and fine arts.
If you’re looking to sharpen your skills across multiple studio art disciplines while experiencing the rhythms of New York’s contemporary art scene, the High School Summer Art Intensive could be a meaningful step. Over four weeks, you will rotate through core studio classes in digital art, painting, and sculpture, gaining exposure to both traditional media and modern technologies like laser cutting and textile work.
Alongside structured coursework, you will also have dedicated evening studio hours to refine your portfolio and push the boundaries of your personal artistic practice. A seminar component complements your studio time, guiding you through New York’s gallery scene and offering conversations with working artists about careers and creative life in the city. The program’s structure is immersive and intensive, with classes, critiques, and creative exploration taking place in and around NYU’s Art Building.
10. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 1–August 2
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to New York City residents currently enrolled in grades 8–10 with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest in STEM
The Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) program could be a fit if you’re interested in applying STEM skills to real-world urban challenges. This program gives you the chance to work through the design and engineering processes that shape the cities of tomorrow over five weeks at NYU Tandon. You will immerse yourself in smart infrastructure concepts through workshops in areas like computer science, Internet of Things (IoT), and design thinking.
This NYU pre-college program for high school students emphasizes both technical and entrepreneurial approaches, guiding you through prototyping and iterative problem-solving. In the second half, you’ll collaborate in small teams to develop and present a functional prototype–either a device or app–geared toward solving a specific smart city issue, with access to a modest budget for materials. You’ll also gain presentation experience through training with the Irondale Theater, preparing you to publicly pitch your solution to an audience that includes engineers, planners, and community members.
11. Tisch Future Artists
Location: NYU’s New York City campus
Cost: Free
Program dates: February 1–May 10
Application deadline: November 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are currently enrolled in grades 9–11
For high school students eager to expand their artistic skills in a university-level environment, the Tisch Future Artists program is an intensive 14-week spring semester experience. Meeting on Saturdays, this no-cost program covers a range of disciplines including filmmaking, digital game design, photography, dance, theatre, recorded music, and dramatic writing, all taught by Tisch faculty.
Selected students participate in focused workshops and projects that reflect the structure and standards of NYU’s undergraduate arts programs. For example, the Future Music Moguls track introduces the creative and business sides of the music industry, while Future Imagemakers focuses on digital photography with an emphasis on visual storytelling and social justice. Collaboration and practical applications are key throughout the program, whether you’re designing games, writing scripts, or choreographing performances. This opportunity is especially designed to support students who might not have access to similar arts training in their schools or communities.
12. Coding for Game Design
Location: NYU’s Downtown Brooklyn campus
Cost: $2,745 + + $100 non-refundable application fee + $100 events fee
Program dates:
- Session 1: July 7–18
- Session 2: July 28–August 8
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11 who have a basic understanding of computer coding and programming
As a motivated high school student interested in building your own video games and exploring the fundamentals of game development, the Coding for Game Design program could be a solid option for you. A focused, two-week introduction to the field, this NYU pre-college program for high school students teaches you to code in C# and use Unity to design and build custom 3D games, working both independently and in teams.
The curriculum emphasizes real-world development techniques, drawing on best practices like Agile methodologies and covering core topics such as gameplay mechanics, user interface design, and audio integration. You will also learn how to pitch your game concept, plan production timelines, and present your ideas effectively to others. Instruction is led by experienced designers from NYU’s CREATE lab, and you’ll collaborate with peers as you move through the entire development process. By the end of the program, you’ll have a playable game and professional mentorship on your hands.
13. GSTEM
Location: NYU’s New York City campus
Cost: $5,500 (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: February 1–March 2
Eligibility: Open to open to high school students currently enrolled in the 11th grade with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest and ability in STEM.
The GSTEM program, a six-week research-focused experience designed for high school students interested in pursuing STEM fields in college and beyond. You are matched with a STEM faculty mentor and take on an independent research project in a field like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematics.
You will spend your days in labs, honing your skills in scientific writing, lab techniques, programming, and data analysis. Weekly workshops and field trips expose you to professionals working in STEM, often highlighting women and underrepresented groups in the sciences. The program culminates in a research symposium where you’ll share your findings. Beyond the lab, you’ll connect with peers through fun activities and social events.
14. XR Through Virtual Worlds
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $2,500 tuition + $100 materials fee + $100 events fee (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: Session 1: June 17–28, Session 2: July 15–26
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in any programming language, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) are eligible to apply.
Mixed reality is an up-and-coming field, and through NYU’s two-week XR Through Virtual Worlds program, you can explore the foundations of augmented reality (AR) by designing and developing your own interactive applications or games. You get to work with tools like Unity and ARCore to prototype functional AR experiences, learning how to integrate 3D assets, embed media, and create responsive user interfaces.
This NYU pre-college program for high school students places a strong emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, guiding you through industry-informed best practices to ensure your projects are technically sound, intuitive, and engaging. You’ll also study the real-world relevance of AR, from professional and industrial applications to artistic and research-based uses. Daily sessions include lectures, collaborative assignments, and hands-on development time, allowing you to test, iterate, and refine your work.
15. Summer Math Program for Young Scholars
Location: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York City, NY
Cost: $2,400 (limited scholarship support may be available)
Program dates: August 11–29
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11 who have a demonstrated interest in mathematics and a good academic standing (math grades B- or higher).
NYU’s Summer Math Program is a great way for high school students to immerse themselves in advanced mathematical thinking within an academic setting. Over the course of three weeks at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, you will engage with topics such as number theory, graph theory, topology, combinatorics, and introductory computer science. Lectures by faculty and graduate students are followed by group problem-solving sessions where you will get to apply and expand on new concepts.
The program also includes math-based games and puzzles that encourage creative thinking and offer a break from formal lectures. You’ll also hear from guest speakers about real-world applications of mathematics in science and technology, along with advice on college preparation and academic pathways in STEM. Finally, a field trip to the National Museum of Mathematics rounds out the experience.
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 – NYU
