If you want a real preview of college before you apply, college programs for high school students are a great place to start. These programs let you take classes in a university setting, work with professors or mentors, and explore subjects in more depth than a typical high school course. Whether you’re drawn to research, writing, engineering, business, or the arts, you’ll build skills like critical thinking, time management, and academic communication while strengthening your college applications.
Why NYC Is an Ideal Place to Explore College Programs
New York City offers something few places can match: access to top universities and real-world learning in one place. With schools like Columbia and NYU, along with research centers, startups, and cultural institutions across the city, you can explore a wide range of academic interests without leaving home. Many programs also connect classroom learning to the city itself, giving you hands-on experience and exposure to professional networks early on.
You can also check out our blog on free summer programs for high school students, here.
13 College Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovation in Science & Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~ 65 students
Dates: June 1 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are NYC residents attending NYC schools
The NYU Tandon Applied Research Innovations in Science & Engineering (ARISE) program is a free 10-week summer research experience for high school sophomores and juniors living in New York City. You start with four weeks of workshops on lab safety, research methods, and college writing before joining an NYU research lab for six weeks. You’ll work with faculty and graduate students in areas like robotics, computer science, and bioengineering, contributing to ongoing projects and gaining around 120 hours of lab experience. You also develop skills in data analysis, communication, and public speaking. The program ends with a symposium at the American Museum of Natural History, where you present your research. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend and continued mentorship, along with college application and networking support.
2. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer: July 6 – 31 | Academic Year: TBA
Application Deadline: Summer: April 15 | Academic year: November 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 who are New York residents | Maintenance of an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a free program for students in grades 7-12 who are interested in medicine or STEM fields. It has two sessions — a summer session in July and an academic year session from October to May. You take courses in subjects like anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, psychology, and advanced math, including calculus and statistics. The program also includes PSAT and SAT prep, career and college workshops, academic counseling, and field trips. You’ll get to explore college campuses, meet professionals in different fields, and build the skills needed for pre-med and STEM pathways.
3. Columbia University Zuckerman Institute — BRAINYAC
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Program runs in the summer; exact dates not specified
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who reside in New York City and are from select partner programs and schools that serve students in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx
The BRAINYAC program at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute is a summer research internship for high school students interested in neuroscience. You work full-time in a Columbia lab, assisting a neuroscientist mentor with experiments, data collection, and ongoing research projects. Before the summer, you complete workshops to learn essential lab skills and ethical research practices. During the program, you receive one-on-one mentorship from graduate students, postdocs, and faculty, gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art neuroscience tools. At the end of the program, you present your findings to peers and faculty, building both research and communication skills.
4. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship and who meet all the attendance and research requirements of the SSRP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (must be at least 16 years old at the program start)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University is a free, seven-week research experience for high school juniors and seniors. You join a research team led by scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine, working on a real scientific question. During the program, you conduct experiments, analyze data, and learn lab techniques in a team environment that mirrors an actual research lab. The experience also includes elective courses, guest lectures, skill-building workshops, networking events, and social activities. You spend the final weeks analyzing results and preparing a poster to present your findings at the SSRP symposium.
5. HK Maker Lab
Location: Columbia University campus (Hypothekids), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high‑school juniors and seniors who attend NYC public or charter schools; priority to students from educationally or economically under‑resourced backgrounds
The HK Maker Lab is a free summer engineering design program that introduces you to biomedical engineering and innovation. The program combines hands-on prototyping, digital design, and entrepreneurship, with guidance from Columbia University faculty and mentors. It includes Columbia’s three-week SHAPE program plus an extra two weeks focused on digital media and product development. The experience ends with a pitch competition where you present your prototype to engineers and health professionals. Completing the program also makes you eligible for NY Bioforce, a paid research internship, and gives you lifelong access to the HK alumni network.
6. Columbia ENG (Engineering the Next Generation)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 7 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current 11th graders) from local partner schools in New York City | Must comply with Columbia’s vaccination requirements (MMR)
The Columbia Engineering the Next Generation (ENG) program is a free six-week summer research experience for high school juniors interested in STEM. You’ll work in Columbia’s engineering labs alongside faculty, graduate students, and researchers on projects in areas like computer science, biomedical engineering, or environmental engineering. The program includes two tracks: the Foundations of Research Track, which focuses on lab-based research, college prep, and science communication workshops; and the CS3 My Streetscape Track, where you study how technology shapes urban life through research in AI, data science, computer vision, and the Internet of Things (IoT). You’ll also get the chance to present your work to professionals and explore how engineering can impact real-world communities.
7. Fordham Summer Leaders Academy
Location: Fordham University campus, New York City / Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies by specific program/course; more details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple immersions from June to August
Application Deadline: Resident: May 1 | Commuter: May 29 (Immersion 1 commuter deadline is May 15)
Eligibility: Students who will have completed their first year of high school by summer may apply. Non-credit classes are open to all students. Credit-bearing courses may be taken by rising seniors with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better
The Fordham Summer Leaders Academy gives high school students the chance to experience college life while exploring subjects that match their interests. You can choose from courses in fields like Pre-Health, Pre-Law, STEM, Business, or the Arts, and take part in case studies, discussions, and group projects. The program also includes college prep sessions on admissions and essay writing. Outside the classroom, you’ll join campus activities and visit New York City landmarks, museums, and theaters. Whether you commute or live on campus, you’ll build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while learning in Fordham’s supportive, Jesuit academic community.
8. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 5% applicants are admitted
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 7 (tentative; application info for the upcoming program will be available in late November)
Eligibility: High school junior; must be a U.S. citizen and/or permanent resident; and must be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a free summer opportunity for high school juniors interested in science, math, or engineering. You’ll join a research team, work in a university lab, and complete an independent project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Throughout the program, you’ll learn lab techniques, attend faculty talks, and join workshops and campus events. The experience ends with a poster symposium, where you present your findings and receive a stipend for your work. It’s a great way to gain real research experience and see what life is like at a major research university.
9. Democracy Scholars @ New York University
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising seniors at NYC public high schools. Preference for the Democracy Scholars program will be given to first-generation student applicants attending a public high school
The NYU Democracy Scholars program is a free, three-week residential summer experience for rising high school seniors in New York City. You’ll live on campus, take seminar-style classes led by NYU professors, and study topics like political philosophy, social justice, and civic leadership. The program helps you strengthen your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills as you prepare for college. You’ll also receive one-on-one mentoring and college application guidance, including a recommendation letter from an NYU professor. After the summer, you continue with the program during your senior year to design and carry out your own civic engagement project.
10. Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy
Location: Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost/Stipend: A fee of $695 for food and activities; no tuition fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 5 – 11 | July 19 – 25 | August 2 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors)
Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy is a one-week program for rising high school seniors interested in business and leadership. Hosted by Mercy’s School of Business, the program combines classroom learning, team-building, and hands-on career exploration. You’ll learn from faculty with experience at top global companies and visit Fortune 500 firms like LinkedIn, Disney, and Google. Activities include Shark Tank-style pitches, personal branding workshops, and communication challenges. Throughout the week, you’ll build leadership, collaboration, and professional skills while exploring careers in areas like finance, marketing, and management.
11. NYU Pre-college
Location: New York University, New York, NY / Online
Cost/Stipend: $700 – $14,000; precise cost is based on the credit load
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort
Eligibility: Must be rising 11th or 12th grade high school students in the summer or current 11th or 12th grade students in the fall or spring semesters. Students must have strong academic records (minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale)
NYU Precollege is a summer program that lets high school students take real NYU courses and earn college credits. You can choose from subjects in arts, STEM, business, or the social sciences, offered both online and on campus. The program gives you a taste of college life; you’ll attend lectures taught by NYU faculty, join social events and field trips, and connect with students from around the world. You’ll also take part in College 101, a series of workshops on college admissions, study skills, and financial aid. Whether you’re exploring new interests or preparing for a future major, NYU Precollege helps you build skills and confidence for college.
12. Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: TBA, check the official website for more details
Application Deadline: TBA, check the official website for more details
Eligibility: High school students who are 15+ and NYC residents
The Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) program is a free five-week summer course hosted by NYU Tandon School of Engineering. It’s designed for NYC high school students who want to learn how technology and innovation can make cities smarter. You’ll get hands-on experience with coding, electronics, and sensors while building real tech prototypes. Alongside the technical work, you’ll take workshops on entrepreneurship, economics, and communication, learning how to pitch your ideas, manage projects, and understand the business side of technology.
13. Mercy University High School Programs
Location: Programs are offered at your high school
Cost/Stipend: $50 per credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Fall semester: October 17 | Spring semester: February 27
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with strong academic records
Mercy University High School Programs allow juniors and seniors to take college-level courses while still in high school. These courses earn college credit that can transfer to Mercy University and many other institutions. Classes are held at your high school during the academic year, giving you the convenience of learning on familiar grounds. The program helps you get a head start on college, gain experience with advanced coursework, and save both time and money toward your degree.
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 – Stony Brook University