Are you a high schooler in New York looking to learn beyond your school curriculum but can’t commit to a summer program? If yes, check out fall programs in the city.
New York is home to many organizations, cultural centers, and universities that host fall programs each year. These programs cover a wide range of interests, from business and STEM to art, media, and public service. You can gain practical exposure, work on hands-on projects, and learn directly from experts and mentors who guide you through structured activities.
Fall is a good time to join these programs because many universities and local organizations run smaller, more focused batches during this period. The schedule is usually lighter, so you can explore new interests or gain real-world experience without putting your schoolwork on hold.
Choosing a local fall program is also a financially practical move if you live in or near NYC. You save on travel and housing costs, and you can still get hands-on experience through recognized institutions. Many programs also offer need-based financial aid or scholarships for city residents.
With that, here is a list of 13 fall programs for high school students in New York!
13 Fall Programs for High School Students in New York
1. CondéFuture
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free; you will receive a stipend every four months during the program
Program Dates: October – June
Deadlines: April 10
Eligibility: Open to rising public high school juniors (current 10th graders) in the New York City area with an interest in arts, media, design, or journalism
CondéFuture, an initiative by Condé Nast in partnership with the Educational Alliance, helps you explore careers in media, fashion, and design through immersive, hands-on learning. Across two academic years, you’ll attend weekly sessions at Condé Nast’s One World Trade Center offices and gain exposure to professionals from brands like Vogue, Teen Vogue, and GQ. The program emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and mentorship, guiding you through projects that strengthen your portfolio and technical skills. You’ll also participate in summer activities and may travel to Los Angeles, all while receiving a regular stipend and expert support for college and career development.
2. NYU SPS High School Academy: Leadership and Management Course
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $850 + $50 non-refundable application fee (no financial aid available)
Program Dates: October 25 – November 22
Deadline: Rolling admission; first-come, first-served
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 with an interest in leadership, management, or business
The NYU SPS High School Academy: Leadership and Management Course is a selective fall program that introduces high school students to leadership and organizational management. It’s held over two weekends and includes lectures, group activities, field trips, and case studies. You’ll learn about leadership styles, decision-making, and how teams work effectively. You’ll also practice writing mission statements, managing peers, and building your own leadership plan. The course includes guest speakers and site visits that show how business and nonprofit leaders solve real challenges.
3. NYC Department of Buildings: DOB Next Gen Program
Location: New York City, NY (280 Broadway, Department of Buildings Headquarters)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: October – December (meets Wednesdays, 4:15–6:15 p.m.)
Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: Open to NYC high school students interested in construction, engineering, architecture, sustainability, or public policy
The DOB Next Gen Program introduces you to the foundations of construction, engineering, and architecture through direct mentorship from New York City’s Department of Buildings professionals. Over several weeks, you’ll participate in hands-on workshops, research and design projects, and team activities that simulate real-world problem-solving in urban development. The program also encourages you to think critically about sustainability and innovation in city infrastructure. By the end of the term, you’ll create a building model or rendering to showcase your ideas and present them to peers and mentors. Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate of achievement.
4. CLARIFY: City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth
Location: New York City, NY (Virtual with select field trips)
Cost: Free. A stipend is provided
Program Dates: Fall session: October – December
Deadline: September
Eligibility: Open to NYC high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in journalism, writing, or civic engagement
The CLARIFY internship immerses you in public service journalism through a hands-on, team-based newsroom experience. Over eight weeks, you’ll learn investigative reporting, news writing, and editorial collaboration under professional mentorship from City Limits reporters. Sessions are held online twice a week, with optional field assignments that deepen your understanding of community issues and urban policy. At the end of the internship, you’ll receive a $500 stipend and have the opportunity to publish your work in City Limits, gaining tangible experience in professional journalism.
5. Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC)
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Heights, New York City, NY
Cost: Fully funded; includes travel, hotel, and meals for the student and one parent/guardian
Program Dates: October 12 – October 14 (three days, two nights)
Deadline: July 21
Eligibility: Open to high-achieving high school seniors with strong academic records in math and science, including students from underserved, low-income, first-generation, or Title 1 schools
The Engineering Preview at Columbia is a fully funded, selective program designed to introduce you to the unique engineering education offered at Columbia University. Over three days, you’ll explore campus life, meet faculty and current students, and visit world-class research centers while participating in college admissions and financial aid workshops. The program focuses on accessibility, welcoming students who may have had limited exposure to engineering, including first-generation and low-income students. You’ll experience hands-on learning, NYC’s cultural and professional opportunities, and gain insight into pursuing an engineering degree, all while developing connections that can guide your academic and career paths.
6. STARS Fly-In at Columbia
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Heights, New York City, NY
Cost: Fully funded; includes travel, hotel, and meals for the student and one parent/guardian
Program Dates: October 18 – October 20 (three days, two nights)
Deadline: July 21
Eligibility: Open to high-achieving high school seniors from rural areas or small towns with limited prior exposure to NYC and higher education opportunities
The STARS Fly-In at Columbia provides a fully funded, immersive experience for students from rural and small-town backgrounds to explore Columbia University and life in New York City. Over three days, you’ll engage with current students, participate in elements of Columbia’s Core Curriculum, and attend college admissions and financial aid workshops. The program includes campus visits, cultural exploration, and discussions with peers who share similar rural or underserved backgrounds. By the end of the program, you’ll gain firsthand insight into college life, build connections with faculty and student mentors, and experience New York City’s academic, professional, and cultural opportunities.
7. NYU Precollege: Fall Term
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Tuition varies by course; 3-credit course $6,006, 4-credit course $8,008; $50 application fee, $250 non-refundable deposit (applied to tuition)
Program Dates: September 2 – December 11; Exam period: December 15–19
Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade students; minimum 3.0 GPA; international students eligible for online participation
NYU Precollege offers a college-level learning experience for high school students interested in exploring academic subjects before starting university. During the fall term, you’ll enroll in undergraduate-level courses, gaining exposure to disciplines ranging from business and finance to engineering, journalism, or foreign languages. Attendance and participation are mandatory, mirroring a true college classroom environment. You’ll benefit from interactions with NYU faculty and peers, develop academic and research skills, and strengthen your college readiness.
8. College Now: Fall Semester
Location: Various CUNY campuses and participating NYC public high schools, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Fall semester
Deadline: Typically late March to mid-September
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th–12th grade, including registered homeschoolers and students in GED programs; GPA requirements vary by course and campus
College Now provides NYC public high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits, explore subjects across multiple disciplines, and develop skills for college and career readiness. During the fall semester, you can enroll in courses ranging from science, engineering, and mathematics to arts, journalism, and business, depending on your interests and eligibility. Courses are delivered in-person at high schools or CUNY campuses, online, or in hybrid formats, often before or after the school day. Classes are taught by college faculty and qualified high school instructors, providing a rigorous, college-level academic experience.
9. The STEM Institute: Fall
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Saturdays: September 13 – December 20; Mondays/Wednesdays: September 15 – December 20; Tuesdays/Thursdays: September 16 – December 20
Deadline: August 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; 10th–12th graders may be eligible for College Now credit
The STEM Institute at CCNY offers NYC students a hands-on, high-energy learning experience in STEAM subjects. You can earn college credit while exploring coding, robotics, design, entrepreneurship, and architecture, whereas younger students engage in the Explorations in STEAM Topics course for a broad introduction. Middle schoolers can participate in SHSAT prep, 3D modeling, and architecture courses. Classes are offered after school and on Saturdays, complemented by optional virtual tutoring and homework support.
10. The Saturday Program at Cooper Union
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: October 4 – December 13
Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: Open to NYC public or charter high school students in grades 9–12 who face barriers to accessing arts education, including limited school resources or financial constraints.
The Saturday Program at Cooper Union offers free art and architecture classes to New York City public high school students. It’s been running since 1968 and is designed to support students from underserved communities by providing access to visual arts education. You’ll learn through studio practice, field trips, and writing workshops, all taught by current Cooper Union undergraduates. This near-peer setup helps you connect with young artists while building your skills. If you’re a junior or senior, you can apply for the Portfolio Prep track, where professional artists help you create a strong college portfolio.
11. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Location: Bronx, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Fall runs September – December (Saturdays)
Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors in good academic standing who reside in the Bronx and are comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Project TRUE, a collaboration between the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Education team and Fordham University, immerses Bronx high schoolers in authentic urban ecology research. You’ll study topics like species distribution, bird communities, water quality, and invasive species management, learning to collect, analyze, and communicate data. The program combines fieldwork with mentorship, pairing small student teams with Fordham undergraduates and WCS scientists.
12. Mayor’s Office Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: October 20 – April 10
Deadline: August 31
Eligibility: Open to NYC high school students aged 16 or older who hold valid working papers and are currently enrolled in high school. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited institutions are also eligible.
The Mayor’s Office Internship Program places NYC students at the heart of city government. You’ll work within a department aligned with your interests, researching, analyzing data, supporting events, and assisting with special projects that impact local communities. The program includes bi-weekly Speaker Series sessions with top city officials, offering insight into the workings of municipal leadership. Interns also collaborate on a service project through NYC Service, designing community initiatives such as park restorations or cleanups.
13. FIT Precollege: Fall High School Programs
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Cost: $550 per 10-day class; $440 per 4-day workshop (all fees included)
Program Dates: 10-day classes: September 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22; and December 6; 4-day workshops: November 1, 8, 15, and 22
Application Deadline: 10-day classes: September 17; 4-day workshops: October 22
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9 through 12 as of fall
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Precollege Fall Programs give high school students practical experience in fashion, design, business, and technology. FIT offers two options depending on your schedule: The 10-day classes run on Saturdays during the fall semester, and the 4-day workshops take place on four consecutive Saturdays in November. All sessions are led by FIT faculty and industry professionals. You’ll study topics such as fashion design, photography, interior design, graphic design, styling, and merchandising. During the program, you’ll build portfolio-ready projects, learn about FIT’s majors, and understand the college admission process. You’ll also meet other students from across the tri-state area who share your interest in creative work.
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 – Fashion Institute of Technology