Fall is an underrated but valuable time for high schoolers to explore short-term academic or career-building opportunities. While summer gets most of the attention, fall programs tend to be shorter, more affordable, and easier to manage alongside school. They let you explore fields like research, business, design, psychology, or computer science through focused, hands-on projects—without a major time commitment.
These programs often take place online, making them accessible no matter where you’re based. You can build real skills, complete a project, and strengthen your resume—all during a regular school break.
If you’re a senior, a fall program can be a smart way to add a final experience to your college applications or help clarify your academic interests before you apply.
Why should I do an online fall program for high school students? How is it different from summer?
Fall programs are short, targeted, and fit around your school schedule if your school doesn’t offer fall break. You can test a subject like medical research, engineering, filmmaking, or business strategy without giving up an entire summer. You can also use fall to figure out what you want to focus on for future summer internships, research projects, or college essays. Summer programs are longer and often cover broader areas. Fall programs are faster, more focused on skill development, and give you direct work with instructors in smaller groups.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 online fall break programs for high school students!
15 Online Fall Break Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week opportunity for high school students to pursue an independent research project in a field they’re passionate about, with guidance from a Ph.D. mentor. Throughout the program, you’ll work with your mentor and a writing coach to refine your research topic and learn research methods through workshops.
The program offers various fields such as history, data science, engineering, physics, sociology, chemistry, anthropology, economics, and gender studies. If none of these topics match your interests, you can customize your research focus. For more information on how to apply, check the details here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2990 (12 weeks) | $5900 (16–20 weeks). Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: August 24 (for the upcoming fall cohort)
Program Dates: The fall cohort runs from September 14 to December. Winter, Spring, and summer cohorts are available too!
Eligibility: High school students from all over the world with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA can apply.
2. Horizon’s Research Program
Horizon Academic offers a trimester-long research program for high school students interested in areas like data science, biology, psychology, political theory, and machine learning. You can choose to do either quantitative or qualitative research, depending on what fits your goals.
Once you select a topic, you’ll be paired with a mentor, usually a professor or PhD student, who will guide you through the research process. During the program, you’ll write a research paper of about 20 pages. You’ll receive feedback along the way, and you can also explore submitting your work to academic journals. After completing the program, you’ll receive a letter of recommendation. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: You can find the exact cost by submitting an interest form. Full financial aid is available.
Application Deadlines: Priority: March 23; Regular I: April 20; Regular II: May 18.
Program Dates: The upcoming summer cohort starts June 16. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply at least four weeks in advance. Fall, spring, and winter cohorts available as well.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
3. Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend
Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend is a ten-weekend online program for high school students. You can take up to four courses, with each class lasting two hours and scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. You can explore fields like business strategy, economic analysis, creative writing techniques, legal studies, advanced math, neuroscience, psychology, and technology development.
Through the courses, you build specific skills like research writing, data interpretation, case study analysis, persuasive argument writing, and coding. The program also offers optional activities like virtual clubs, Digital Community Groups for mentoring, and extra sessions such as seminars and workshops.
Location: Virtual
Cost: The cost is $2,810 per session for a single course, with each additional course costing $2,700, plus an $80 application fee, and students should budget at least $50 for course materials like textbooks and supplies.
Application Deadline: Applications for Fall will open in April.
Program Dates: September 19 — December 7 (Fall session)
Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolled in grades 9–12 can apply.
4. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
UC San Diego’s Research Scholars program gives you the chance to do real university-level research while still in high school. You can choose a track like Engineering in Medicine, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, Business Research, Medicine, and Marine Science. Depending on your track, you will work with lab equipment, run experiments, analyze scientific data, or contribute to research teams on active projects.
You will build skills like lab techniques, data analysis, critical thinking, scientific writing, and public speaking. Throughout the program, you will learn how research questions are formed, how experiments are designed, and how results are interpreted. At the end, you will create a research poster and present your findings to peers, faculty, and professionals.
Location: Available online, hybrid, or in person at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: The cost varies from $1,500 to $4,800, depending on the chosen program and format.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Program Dates: Programs are available year-round, including summer, fall, and winter sessions.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
5. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Course in Medical Research
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Course in Medical Research lets you dive into real medical research while still in high school. You can pick a 1-week, 2-week, or 4-week schedule based on what fits you best. You will study clinical research, medical ethics, cancer research, and more while working on a project that teaches you how to write a scientific article.
You will build skills in research design, data interpretation, academic writing, and critical thinking. With help from researchers, you will learn how to design your own study, collect and analyze information, and present your findings clearly. The program wraps up with a capstone project where you put everything you learned into a final research paper.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795, scholarships available
Application Deadlines: Rolling deadlines based on the session selected.
Program Dates: Multiple session options to choose from.
Eligibility: Open to all high-school students.
6. Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop
The Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop from NYU Tisch School of the Arts gives you a six-week introduction to digital filmmaking. You will build skills in writing scripts, directing actors, shooting scenes, and editing videos. You will complete projects like a group documentary, a solo music video, technical exercises, and a final narrative short film.
The workshop is asynchronous, so you can move through pre-recorded lessons and assignments at your own pace. You will practice different styles including documentary, experimental, and narrative filmmaking. By the end of the program, you will have a portfolio of short films and earn four college credits.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $7,664 + a $75 non-refundable application fee
Application Deadline: September 10 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: October — December (6 weeks)
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
7. Harvard Business School Online Business in Society Courses
Harvard Business School Online offers short business courses that run for 3 to 6 weeks. You can take courses like “Sustainable Business Strategy,” where you learn how companies deal with social and environmental challenges, or “Global Business,” where you study how businesses make decisions in different international markets.
Courses are taught by Harvard faculty and give you a structured way to build skills in strategy, leadership, and global thinking. These courses are open to a wide range of students, making them a practical option if you want an early start exploring business topics at a college level.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,850 per course, certificate of completion provided.
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: 3–6 weeks, depending on the course selected, self-paced.
Eligibility: Students from any academic background can apply.
8. Cornell SCE Pre-College Studies: Fall & Spring Study
Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education offers pre-college commuter and online courses during the fall and spring semesters. You can earn college credits while studying subjects like engineering, business, architecture, arts, health, science, technology, international relations, and veterinary medicine.
You will take classes alongside Cornell undergraduate and graduate students. If you choose an online course, you will use Canvas to complete assignments, join discussions, and meet instructors through video conferences and email. You will also interact with Cornell faculty through class projects, lectures, and feedback.
Location: Available online or in person at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Tuition is $1,840 per credit, and students are responsible for additional costs such as textbooks and nonrefundable fees for required materials or course supplies.
Application Deadline: Fall session: August 26 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Dates: Fall session: August 26 — December 21 (tentative, based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 and older can enroll in fall or spring courses at Cornell, but Cornell degree candidates are not eligible for part-time study during these terms.
9. Cambridge Centre for International Research — CCIR Academy
CCIR Academy offers online research programs for high school students, led by faculty from Oxbridge and Ivy League universities. You will work one-on-one with a mentor to design and complete a research paper in a field like engineering, social sciences, business, medicine, or technology. You can choose between the 1-on-1 Research Mentorship or the Future Scholar Programme.
Both options give you the chance to submit your work to journals such as IEEE or the Columbia Undergraduate Research Journal. If you are interested in hands-on research, you can also apply to the CCIR Lab at MIT, where students conduct in-person research under the supervision of PhD mentors.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $3450 for a one week | $6900 for two weeks
Application Deadlines: Rolling admissions. August 9 for the fall cohort.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including during the fall.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record are eligible to apply.
10. Ecampus at Oregon State University
Oregon State University’s Ecampus lets you take online college courses as a high school student and earn university credit. You will apply as a nondegree-seeking student, which allows you to take classes without being enrolled in a full degree program. This is a way to study subjects not offered at your school and practice college-level skills like critical thinking, research, writing, and data analysis.
You can choose from over 100 courses in fields like anthropology, animal sciences, business, biology, chemistry, communication, computer science, environmental sciences, hospitality management, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, and statistics. All courses are fully online, and you can complete assignments on a flexible schedule from home.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $366 per credit + a $30 nonrefundable application fee.
Application Deadline: September 10
Program Dates: September 24 — December 12
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
11. Dartmouth Pre College Online Program
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program allows students 13 and older to take college-level courses from home. You can choose from subjects like psychology, regenerative medicine, finance, and biology. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of instruction, interactive content, and assignments. You’ll receive guidance from mentors and complete a final capstone project. After finishing, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Multi-length courses are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
12. Northwestern Pre College Online Program: Engineering
Northwestern University’s pre-college online engineering course offers high school students the chance to explore engineering concepts during spring break. You’ll learn how engineers in fields like civil, environmental, materials, mechanical, and biomedical engineering solve problems using creative and analytical approaches.
The course covers real-world applications, tools, and methods in each discipline. You’ll also discuss the practical and ethical challenges engineers face. The program ends with a capstone project where you apply your knowledge to solve a problem in one of the engineering areas.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available including spring break.
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up.
13. The New York Academy of Sciences’ Junior Academy Innovation Challenges
The Junior Academy is an online program where students work in teams to solve challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll start with a short boot camp covering skills like research methods, design thinking, and data analysis.
Over ten weeks, you’ll collaborate with up to five students from different countries and get guidance from a STEM mentor. At the end, a panel reviews the projects, and top teams are recognized at the Global STEM Alliance Summit. The program, organized by The New York Academy of Sciences, offers hands-on experience in solving global problems.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: July 1
Program Dates: Challenges occur twice a year. Once in the fall (September to December) and once in the spring (January to May).
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–17 can apply.
14. NYU Precollege Program for High School Students
Spring in New York lets you take courses at NYU during the spring semester. You can continue studying a subject or explore something new. The program offers both in-person and online classes, and you can enroll part-time or full-time, with options for up to 18 credits.
You’ll study alongside NYU undergraduates and access university resources like libraries and academic support. For 11th and 12th graders, NYU Precollege offers college credit in subjects like Art, Media, Humanities, STEM, and Business. Course options include topics like Introduction to Engineering and Design or Revolutionary Movements of the 20th Century.
Location: In person at New York University, NY, or Virtual
Cost:$5,748 for a 3-credit course | $7,664 for a 4 credit course. Here is a complete cost breakdown.
Application Deadline: August 19
Program Dates: September 3 – December 20 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule).
Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be rising 11th or 12th-grade high school students in the summer or current 11th or 12th-grade students in the spring semesters. Students must have strong academic records (minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale).
15. Internship Opportunities at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) offers internships for high school students interested in international relations. As an intern, you’ll work with a think tank and learn from experts in the field. A mentor, such as a scholar or policy expert, will guide you in developing skills like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
The internship includes weekly seminars on foreign policy topics and career paths, with guest speakers often joining. Depending on your role, you may contribute to research, assist with events, support communications, or help with operations. You can also write a research paper, with the option to submit it for publication in FPRI’s Intern Corner. Roles include research intern, special events/development intern, or operations intern, among others.
Location: Available remotely or in person at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: No application fee. Paid internships are available based on financial need, along with part-time unpaid options.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the session.
Dates: Fall session: September — December; Spring session: February — May; Summer session: June — August
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
Image source – New York University