TL;DR
Ladder Internships is a fully online internship program for high school students who want to work with startups on real projects. You apply to the program, complete an interview, and, if accepted, get matched with a startup based on your interests. The core Startup Internship Program runs for eight weeks, with students spending around 5–10 hours a week on their projects. Ladder also offers a CEO Internship Program and an Executive Fellowship for students who want more direct access to startup leaders. If you want academic research instead of startup work, Horizon Academic Research Program offers a different route, with one-on-one mentorship from a professor or PhD scholar and a research project of your own.
If you’re in high school, an internship can be a useful way to test out an industry before you start thinking seriously about college majors and careers. You get to see how people actually work, take on a project, and figure out whether you enjoy a field outside the classroom.Ladder Internships is one option for students who want that experience online. The program connects high school students with startups and gives them a defined project to work on with guidance from a company manager. It runs multiple cohorts during the year, so you can apply around your school schedule.
If you’re looking for more remote opportunities, check out Horizon’s guide to 15 Virtual Internships for high school students!
Why do an internship in high school?
A good internship can help you:
- Try out an interest: See what working in a field is actually like.
- Build practical skills: Work on tasks you won’t find in a normal class.
- Meet professionals: Learn from people already working in the field.
- Build something you can show: Finish a project you can talk about in future applications and interviews.
If you want something more academic, Horizon’s 14 Research Programs for Complete Beginners guide is another place to start.
What is Ladder Internships?
Ladder Internships is a virtual internship program for high school and university students that connects you with startups for hands-on, project-based work. The experience combines startup projects with mentorship, structured deliverables, and opportunities to present your work.
The main Startup Internship Program runs for eight weeks, with a typical commitment of 5–10 hours per week. You work with a host company, meet with a company coach, develop project deliverables, and present your work during the program. The current lineup includes the Startup Internship, CEO Internship, Executive Fellowship, and University Internship programs.
For high school students, the Startup Internship and CEO Internship programs are the most relevant options. The University Internship Program is designed for university students, including those taking a gap year or early in their university journey.
Who is eligible for Ladder Internships?
Ladder offers programs for high school students, university students, and gap-year students, depending on the program. The University Internship Program is specifically designed for university students, while the Startup and CEO programs are the relevant options for high school students.
Are Ladder Internships online?
Yes. Ladder Internships are fully online. You work with your startup remotely, attend virtual meetings, and complete your project from wherever you are. That can make the program easier to fit around school, especially if you don’t live near companies that offer internships to high school students.
When do Ladder Internships take place?
Ladder runs multiple cohorts throughout the year. These include:
- Fall Cohort
- Winter Cohort
- Spring Cohort
- Summer Cohort
For the upcoming Winter cohort, the application deadline is November 15, and the cohort begins December 7. Because Ladder runs several cohorts, application deadlines change throughout the year. Check the official Ladder application page for the cohort you want.
How much does Ladder Internships cost?
The current price for Ladder’s basic Startup Internship Program is $3,190, which can be paid in two installments, with a $200 deposit used to secure your spot after you approve your company match.
| Cost | Details |
| Program cost | $3,190 for the Startup Internship Program |
| Payment plan | Payable in 2 installments |
| Initial deposit | $200 to secure your spot |
| Remaining balance | Due after your company match is approved |
| Financial aid | Full and partial financial aid is available for students who demonstrate financial need |
| Financial aid eligibility | Students may qualify if their family income is $50,000 or less |
| Financial aid availability | $204,000+ provided in financial aid so far |
What programs does Ladder Internships offer?
Ladder currently lists four main program types. They differ in their focus, level of mentorship, and intended audience.
| Program | Duration | Weekly commitment | What you do | Who it is designed for |
| Startup Internship Program | 8 weeks | 5–10 hours | Work on a project with a high-growth startup | High school students and aspiring young professionals |
| CEO Internship Program | 8 weeks | 5–10 hours | Work directly with a startup CEO on a project | Students seeking direct experience working with a startup founder |
| Executive Fellowship Program | 8 weeks | 5–10 hours | Intern at a startup and work 1:1 with its CEO | Students looking for both startup experience and direct CEO mentorship |
| University Internship Program | 8 weeks | 5–10 hours | Work on a startup project connected to your major or interests | University students in gap years or early in their academic journey |
How do you apply to Ladder Internships?
The application process has four main steps:
- Submit the application: Share your interests, goals, and background.
- Interview: Shortlisted applicants complete an interview.
- Get an admission decision: Ladder reviews your application and interview.
- Review your company match: If you’re accepted, Ladder suggests a startup and project based on your interests.
Students have a say in their final project match. The company suggests projects based on the application and interview, then shares the relevant details with the student before they decide whether to move forward.
You can start through the Ladder application process.
Is Ladder Internships competitive?
Ladder describes its admissions process as selective.
Its current website reports 6,200+ applications and 1,200 interns selected, along with 50+ host companies. Ladder separately reports that its Summer 2023 cohort had more than 700 applicants for 70 spots. These figures reflect past application activity and should not be treated as a current acceptance rate.
For a current application, the process is straightforward: you submit an application, complete an interview, and wait for an admission decision. Ladder does not currently publish a current cohort-wide acceptance rate on its main application page.
What is the internship experience like?
A Ladder internship follows a structured eight-week format. You are matched with a company based on the interests and preferences in your application, then work on a defined project with guidance from a company coach or manager.
How does Ladder match you with a company?
At the beginning of the program, you are matched with a host company based on the interests you share in your application. The company provides a project for you to work on during the internship, with the goal of giving you practical experience in a real work setting.
What does a typical week look like?
The internship runs for eight weeks, with a typical commitment of 5–10 hours per week. You meet with your company coach or manager during the program to discuss your project, review your progress, and plan your next steps.
The first weeks focus on defining your project and setting clear deliverables. By Week 4, you present your first deliverable. You then continue developing your work before preparing the final project for presentation in Week 8.
What projects and feedback do you receive?
Your project is broken into clear deliverables throughout the eight weeks. You receive feedback as you work, giving you opportunities to improve your project before the final presentation.
At the end of the internship, you present your completed project to your host company. The structure gives you a clear project to work toward from the first week through the final presentation.
What industries can you explore through Ladder Internships?
The companies in Ladder’s network cover a wide range of industries. Its current site highlights areas including technology, AI, mental health, finance, consulting, media, and other startup sectors.
Past project areas have included:
- Finance
- Health tech
- Environmental science
- Engineering
- Fashion
- Technology and deep tech
- Nonprofits
- Consulting
- Mental health
- Machine learning and AI
- Media and journalism
Ladder’s company mentors have previously worked at companies such as Google and have been funded by Y Combinator.
What projects do Ladder interns work on?
The project depends on your company match. Some examples from the program’s earlier materials include:
- Competitor research for a health tech company
- A whitepaper for a mental health nonprofit
- A machine learning model for customer drop-off
- A marketing plan for a media company
The current program is designed around a tangible company project and a final presentation.
If you’re more interested in research projects than startup work, check out this guide to 15 Research Internship Opportunities for High School Students.
What do students say about Ladder Internships?
Student reviews of Ladder Internships often mention three parts of the experience: company matching, mentorship, and hands-on project work. On Ladder’s student testimonials page, students describe working with startup teams, taking on real projects, and building professional skills. Reviews on Trustpilot mention similar themes, including supportive mentors, company matches based on students’ interests, and opportunities to work on projects connected to their career interests.
That is why reviews are best read alongside the actual Ladder program structure, $3,190 program cost, weekly workload, mentorship model, and company-matching process. Your experience can depend heavily on the company you are matched with, your mentor, the project you receive, and how much responsibility you take on.
If you are comparing options, you can also look at 15 Virtual Internships for High School Students to see how Ladder compares with other online opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of Ladder Internships?
Pros
1. Fully online
You can participate without relocating or commuting.
2. Real project work
You work on a defined project for a startup.
3. Regular mentorship
You have a company coach or manager to guide your work.
4. Financial aid
Ladder offers full and partial financial aid to students who demonstrate financial need.
5. You have input on your project
Ladder says students have the final say on whether they want to move forward with a suggested company match.
Cons
1. It is expensive
The current basic Startup Internship Program costs $3,190.
2. It is fully remote
You won’t get the day-to-day experience of being in a physical workplace.
3. The schedule moves quickly
You have eight weeks to learn the company, complete the work, respond to feedback, and present your project.
4. Your experience depends on your match
The company, manager, and project can make a big difference to your experience.
Is Ladder Internships worth it?
Ladder makes the most sense for a high school student who wants to work with a startup, complete a real project, and get regular guidance along the way.
The main question is cost. The current $3,190 price is significant, so the experience needs to match what you’re looking for. Financial aid can reduce the cost for eligible students, but it isn’t guaranteed.
It is worth looking closely at the company-match process too. You should know what kind of project you could receive, who you’ll work with, and how much time you can realistically give the internship.
If your goal is startup or business experience, Ladder gives you a clear eight-week structure and a finished project to take away. If your goal is academic research, a research program may fit better.
For example, Horizon Academic Research Program is built around one-on-one research mentorship and a research project. You can compare that type of experience with startup internships through Horizon’s 30 Research Programs for High School Students guide.
Looking for a research-focused alternative? Try Horizon
If startup work isn’t what you’re looking for, Horizon Academic Research Program offers a research-focused option for high school students. You choose a research area and work with a professor or PhD scholar who mentors you through the project.
Horizon covers fields including data science, machine learning, biology, chemistry, political theory, and other research areas. You can learn more about the different types of opportunities in Horizon’s 14 Research Programs for Complete Beginners guide or explore 15 Research Internship Opportunities for High School Students.
Image source: Ladder Internship