Why choose a fall program?
Fall programs are a great way for you to explore your passions without interrupting the school year too much. They are shorter, more focused, and designed to give you hands-on experience in your areas of interest. Unlike summer programs, fall sessions let you work on long-term projects, collaborate closely with mentors, and gain skills that can set you apart in college applications. Many fall programs also offer financial advantages, like lower tuition or scholarships, making them a smart choice for students and families alike.
For students in California, fall is the perfect time to take advantage of programs offered right in your state. Prestigious universities such as Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC host programs in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to the humanities. These programs provide opportunities to engage with university faculty, industry professionals, and peers who share your interests, all without the cost and hassle of relocating.
Below are 13 such fall programs for high school students in California.
13 Fall Programs for High School Students in California
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: NASA centers across the U.S., including California, with some remote options depending on the project
Stipend: Varies based on academic level, project, and session length
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks, late August/early September to mid-December
Application Deadlines: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens with a minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
The NASA OSTEM internship program offers opportunities for high school students to contribute to ongoing projects related to space exploration, aerospace engineering, and scientific research. Depending on your placement, you might assist with data analysis, help develop or test equipment, support software development, or contribute to communication and outreach efforts. Internships cover a range of topics, including structural design, systems testing, programming, and space biology. You’ll collaborate with NASA staff and gain experience working in a professional research environment.
2. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: Available online, hybrid, or in person at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies depending on the chosen program and format
Dates: Available year-round, including summer, fall, and winter sessions
Application Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 14 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The UC San Diego Research Scholars program allows high school students to engage in authentic university-level research in their field of interest. You can select from research tracks such as Engineering in Medicine, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, Business Research, Medicine, and Marine Science. Throughout the experience, you will learn how research questions and experimental designs are created, and how results are interpreted. At the conclusion of the program, you will prepare a research poster and present your findings to fellow students, university faculty, and industry professionals.
3. California State Assembly Fall Student Internship Program
Location: California State Assembly District 18 Office, Oakland, CA
Stipend: None; may qualify for school credit
Dates: September–December 2025
Application Deadline: Around late August
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
In this program, you commit to at least 10 hours per week during business hours, supporting special events, constituent services, and community-based projects. The role involves administrative, communications, and research tasks related to legislative work. You gain direct exposure to state government operations and receive mentorship from elected officials and staff. Although unpaid, the position offers valuable opportunities to enhance civic awareness and deepen your understanding of government functions. Students from all majors are welcome, with a preference to those in public service. You develop legislative and policy analysis skills, as well as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
4. CSULB Fall 2025 Internships (Media, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations)
Location: California State University, Long Beach, CA and regional offices (including public agencies, private companies, and nonprofits)
Cost/Stipend: Opportunities range from unpaid to paid ($17+/hr); some for school/college credit
Dates: Approximately 12 weeks between September–December
Application Deadline: Typically early August to early October
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, recent graduates
CSULB posts diverse fall internship opportunities each year for students seeking hands-on experience in content production, digital media, entertainment, journalism, government/social impact, and more. You gain practical skills in media research, writing, marketing strategy, public relations, creative content, and managing communications for real organizations. Responsibilities could include social media management, content creation, event support, marketing campaigns, research, copyediting, graphic design, and more practical, hands-on tasks in media and communications fields.
5. Wildwoods School Year Programs
Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Wildwoods Nature Institute)
Cost: Varies by session
Dates: Fall I: August 25–October 17, Fall II: October 20–December 19
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration open until programs are full
Eligibility: High school students (see program details for age limits; some programs are multi-age)
Wildwoods offers structured school-year outdoor education programs that emphasize environmental science, nature connection, and leadership development. You participate in hands-on activities including hiking, wilderness skills, ecological studies, and creative arts projects led by experienced naturalists. The program fosters collaboration, resilience, and an understanding of local ecosystems through experiential learning in small groups. Activities are designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, supporting social-emotional growth alongside academic enrichment.
6. Stanford Grades 9–12 Math Circle
Location: Stanford University in Stanford, CA, or Online
Cost/Stipend: $525 tuition per quarter for the in-person class; $500 tuition for the online class
Dates: Typically early September to mid-December
Application Deadline: Typically late August
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12
The Stanford Grades 9–12 Math Circle, also known as the Advanced Math Circle, is a quarter-long, after-school enrichment program designed for high school students passionate about mathematics. It consists of weekly online sessions during the fall semester, where you’ll work through complex math problems and explore advanced topics not typically covered in standard coursework. Sessions are led by experienced instructors and involve active participation with both peers and teachers. The focus is on building problem-solving strategies and encouraging a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.
7. ModernBrain Debate Classes
Location: Irvine, Thousand Oaks, San Marino, Palos Verdes (California); Online
Cost: $1,333.12 for 32 hours of training; more variations here
Dates: August 18 – December 14 (16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies based on location and session; typically August
Eligibility: Students from elementary through high school; tailored classes by age and skill level
ModernBrain provides fall semester classes in speech, debate, mock trial, and Model United Nations, structured to support students at various experience levels. The program offers a range of formats, including Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Policy Debate, Congressional Debate, Parliamentary Debate, and Mock Trial. Courses focus on developing communication, argumentation, and critical thinking skills over time. You’ll participate in regular weekly sessions, with an option for additional workshops if you’re part of an advanced team. The schedule is designed to be flexible while supporting consistent progress throughout the semester.
8. California Academy of Sciences — Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid (above minimum wage)
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students in 9th or 10th grade in an SFUSD school | 2.5 GPA | Grade C or higher in math and science | U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the country
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program offers students from San Francisco public high schools the chance to gain experience in environmental science through practical work at the California Academy of Sciences. As an intern, you’ll take part in field studies, assist with sustainability initiatives, and help support public science programming. The program includes training in areas such as science communication, data collection methods, and financial literacy. You’ll also attend workshops focused on preparing for college.
9. Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program
Location: California (Burbank and Los Angeles County)
Cost/Stipend: None / $5,000 scholarships paid over four summers
Dates: Fall cohort runs from September to December (exact dates vary; internship follows graduation)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort. Typically in June for the fall cohort
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior in Burbank or Los Angeles County | Minimum CGPA of 3.0 upon graduation
The Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program offers a combination of a paid internship and a scholarship for high school seniors in Burbank or Los Angeles County who are interested in the business side of the media and entertainment industry. If accepted, you’ll complete an internship at Warner Bros. Discovery in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, or content development. Your placement will align with the track you select , such as Business, Production, or Studio Operations , where you’ll contribute to projects that focus on workplace communication, collaboration, and understanding how different departments function within a large media company.
10. Dartmouth Pre College Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Multi-length courses are available throughout the year with flexible scheduling
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program offers students ages 13 and up the chance to take college-level courses remotely. You can choose from a range of subjects, such as psychology, biology, regenerative medicine, or finance. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of instructional material, interactive lessons, and assigned work. You’ll work with program mentors for support and complete a final project that reflects what you’ve learned. At the end of the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth College.
11. NorCal Public Media – Pat Geis Public Media Internship Program
Location: Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, CA (in-person; note: next available cohort begins Fall due to a facility move)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Fall (September – November)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students interested in journalism, media, or communications
The NorCal Public Media Internship is a paid program for high school students interested in journalism, media production, and communications. You’ll select a focus area such as audio, video, environmental reporting, or news , and collaborate with professionals to produce content for radio, television, and online platforms. Typical tasks include writing public service announcements, helping create promotional materials, managing social media posts, and suggesting story ideas for possible broadcast. During the internship, you’ll develop skills in areas like storytelling, media production, and content planning.
12. JA NorCal Financial Literacy Course
Location: Junior Achievement of Northern California, various sites, CA, or remote, or hybrid formats
Cost: None
Dates: Semester-long course aligned with school calendars flexible scheduling available depending on school
Application Deadline: Varies as schools or districts interested in participating coordinate with JA NorCal for scheduling
Eligibility: All high school students at partner schools
This semester-long course, part of the JA High School Experience, offers instruction in personal finance through a structured, standards-aligned curriculum. You’ll study key topics such as banking, budgeting, saving, credit, investing, insurance, and managing financial risk. The course meets A-G requirements for University of California admissions and follows both state and national guidelines. Instruction includes a combination of teacher-led lessons, guest presentations, and interactive online components like simulations and activities. You’ll complete projects and case studies that demonstrate your understanding of financial concepts and decision-making. The course is available in classroom, remote, or hybrid formats to accommodate different learning environments.
13. Ecampus at Oregon State University
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition fees apply but not explicitly stated; contact OSU directly for exact pricing
Dates: Multiple dates between September – December
Application Deadline: Typically early September
Eligibility: High school students who meet OSU’s admission requirements for college credit courses
Oregon State University’s Ecampus allows high school students to take fully online college courses and earn university credit. You’ll enroll as a nondegree-seeking student, which means you can take individual classes without being part of a full degree program. This option lets you explore subjects that might not be available at your school while building college-level skills in areas such as writing, research, analysis, and critical thinking. The program offers more than 100 online courses across a range of disciplines, including anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, psychology, sociology, statistics, and more. Courses are asynchronous, so you can complete work on your own schedule from home.
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 – California Academy of Sciences