High school goes beyond just attending classes; it’s an opportunity to explore your interests and build skills for the future. This summer in New York, you can participate in different programs that will broaden your experience.
You can intern at law firms or news publications, gaining real-world insights into those fields. If you’re interested in science, there are research opportunities at respected institutions. Plus, you can join immersive summer experiences that offer hands-on learning.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve put together a list of 17 summer programs for high school students in New York:
17 Summer Programs for High School Students in New York
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject area: Multiple fields available
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a program worth considering if you’re eager to enhance your research skills and explore a specialized topic. Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications.
Available subject areas include chemistry, biology, data science, political theory, neuroscience, and more.
2. The New York City Bar’s Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program
Subject area: Law
Application deadline: January 29
Eligibility: All public high school students interested in law
Program dates: The program runs from April to August annually, the internship section of the program is usually 6-8 weeks long and takes place sometime between June and September
Location: New York City
Stipend: 15-21$ per hour
Aiming to increase diversity in legal professions, this program will connect you with a legal employer such as a law firm, corporate, or non-profit. Your work will include activities like assisting paralegals, data entry, record keeping, and fielding phone calls. The curriculum also includes career development sessions to help you build skills and knowledge for a future in law. You can learn more here.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject area: Multiple fields available
Application deadline: Four cohorts throughout the year, applications due in February, May, September, and December. You can apply here.
Eligibility: All high school students
Program dates: There are four cohorts throughout the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter
Location: Online
Fee: Details not provided
Financial assistance: You can check out the Lumiere Foundation, a non-profit research program, which offers assistance to low-income students
Lumiere offers a rigorous research program where high school students receive 1-on-1 guidance from a PhD mentor and develop an independent research project. You will engage in university-level academics and can choose from various fields, including physics, economics, computer science, psychology, international relations, and more. You will also be able to customize your research topic, if not currently available in the offerings. You can apply to the program here.
4. Simons Summer Research Program
Subject area: Science, math, or engineering
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are US citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years of age
Program dates: July 1 – August 9
Location: Stony Brook University, NY
Fee: Free, students receive a stipend at the end of the program
Established as an outreach program for local high school students, the Simons Summer Research program attracts applicants from all across the country to the Stony Brook campus. With a competitive acceptance rate of about 5%, this program pairs you with faculty mentors and research teams, allowing you to immerse yourself in real-world scientific projects. You will conclude your experience by creating a research abstract or poster. You can select from various research areas, ensuring a tailored experience that aligns with your academic interests. This free program also includes a stipend at the end, making it a valuable addition to your summer. There is a wide range of research areas available and you must select three preferences during the application.
5. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Summer Student Program
Subject area: Biomedical sciences
Application deadline: Applications generally open in December and close in February
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 14 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, and live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Program dates: June 30 – August 22
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Canter, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,100
Taking place at one of the world’s leading cancer research centers, this Summer Student Program is designed for high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in the biomedical sciences. As an intern, you will participate in an 8-week biomedical or computational lab-based internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center. You will be paired with a mentor who will supervise your activities and help you develop essential technical skills. Throughout the internship, you will learn various lab techniques, work on an independent project, and explore topics such as computational biology, genomics, optics, immunology, and pharmacology. You can apply to the program here.
6. NYU’s ARISE Program
Subject area: Multiple areas available
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are residents of New York
Program dates: June 3 – August 9
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Stipend: $750
ARISE is a summer research program that immerses you in the fundamentals of research. You will learn about scientific ethics, issues in scientific inquiry, data collection, data analysis, lab techniques as well as presentation methods. Assigned to a research lab, you will gain hands-on experience while studying college-level coursework.
7. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
Subject: Art and Culture
Application deadline: March 8 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Program dates: June 22 – August 9
Location: The Met, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
If you’re passionate about museums, art, and culture, the Met internship offers a paid opportunity to get involved behind the scenes. You will assist one of the museum’s departments such as design, conservation, engineering, curation, and publications, and also work on a project.
The Met encourages students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Interns will receive a stipend per New York State minimum wage law upon completion of the program.
Please note that this is a highly selective program with a 3-4% acceptance rate.
8. The NYC Summer Academy
Subject area: Multiple humanities fields available
Application deadline: October 21
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 15 years old
Program dates: The following sessions are available:
- Term 1: June 8 – 20
- Term 2: June 22 – July 4
- Term 3: July 6 – 18
- Term 4: July 20 – Aug 1
Location: The School of The New York Times, New York, NY
Fee: $7,265 for the residential track, $5,935 for the day program
Financial assistance: Scholarships are available and those who apply before December 1 get an early bird discount
The School of The New York Times NYC Summer Academy offers high school students an opportunity to engage with a wide range of humanities topics, including journalism, creative writing, media, technology, culture, sports, fashion, and more. Courses are taught by industry professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom.
In addition to rigorous academic instruction, you will participate in extracurricular activities, field trips, and events, such as the photojournalism challenge, that help you deepen your understanding and support skill development in the field.
9. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
Subject area: Computer science
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school students who reside in NYC
Program dates: July 15 – August 9
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Fee: Free
CS4CS is a fully funded summer program introducing high school students to cybersecurity and computer science. No prior experience is needed. You’ll explore essential topics like “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, and digital forensics. You’ll also learn software tools and techniques used to detect cyber threats, investigate their origins, and secure computer networks using ciphers and basic coding skills.
The program covers behavioral science to help you understand threats like phishing and identity theft. A unique part of CS4CS is Irondale, a theater-based program that builds your communication and public speaking skills through improv.
10. The Rockefeller University’s Summer Science Research Program
Subject area: Biomedicine
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old
Program dates: June 23 – August 7
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Stipend: Stipends are available for students facing financial difficulties
A highly selective program with an acceptance rate of approximately 3%, the Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) offers hands-on research experience in biomedicine. You and your team will work in a RockEDU lab and be mentored by a scientific trainee from the tri-institutions. The SSRP experience includes elective courses, guest lectures, workshops, networking opportunities, and social events to enhance your learning.
The program concludes with a symposium where you present your findings.
11. Columbia’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers
Subject area: Engineering
Application deadline: March 26, however, rolling admissions begin after the priority deadline on December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates
Program dates: Session 1 from July 8 – 26 | Session 2 from July 29 – August 16
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Fee: $5,500
Financial assistance: Limtedneed-based scholarships are available
Columbia University’s SHAPE is a commuter program designed for high school students eager to dive into university-level engineering courses. You can choose from options such as biomedical engineering, sustainable engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, robotics, and data science.
This program is tailored for students curious about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and emphasizes project-based learning. Each three-week session offers you the opportunity to engage in college-level engineering courses taught by faculty at Columbia University. In addition to core coursework, you will benefit from supplementary electives and sessions focused on college preparation.
12. Hk Maker Lab
Subject area: Engineering design and biomedical engineering
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors who attend a NYCDOE public or charter school and can demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage
Program dates: July 8 – August 13
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Fee: Free
The HK Maker Lab, a collaboration between Columbia University and HYPOTHEkids, offers you an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of engineering design and innovation techniques. Throughout the program, you’ll develop a project focused on creating digital media to address healthcare issues, gaining practical skills in innovation and problem-solving.
Upon successful completion, you may also qualify for a paid internship the following summer at a research lab or healthcare institution.
13. City Limit’s CLARIFY News Program
Subject area: Journalism
Application deadline: The deadline for the summer session is generally in mid-June
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and graduating high schoolers who live in New York City
Program dates: July 17 – July 27
Location: CUNY Brooklyn or CUNY York’s College Campuses
Stipend: $1,000
Offered by NYC’s oldest non-profit investigative news agency, this internship will teach you about public service journalism. You will learn about investigative techniques, interviewing, media ethics, story structure, and other elements of reporting.
Upon completion of the program, pre/post surveying has indicated a significant increase in understanding of public-service journalism and the role it plays in local communities. Previous students have even gotten their work published.
14. Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s Summer Institute
Subject area: Leadership
Application deadline: Not specified, the applications open during the spring
Eligibility: Women and gender-expansive high school students who live in New York or Newark
Program dates: This is a 6-week program that takes place during the summer months
Location: Four available locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark.
Stipend: A stipend is provided at the end of the program, based on the participation
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s Summer Institute is designed to empower high school students through workshops, field trips, and networking opportunities to foster leadership and communication skills. Focusing on power, identity, and privilege, the curriculum covers topics such as art and activism in America, anthropology of gender, colorism in communities, self-defense training, and more.
15. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity’s Environmentor Internship
Subject area: Environment Studies
Application deadline: Applications generally open in March and close in May (tentative)
Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who live or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
Program dates: June 5 – August 5
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Interns are paid a stipend of up to $1,200
Environmentor is a science research mentorship program for high school students to conduct practical, hands-on research on the Rockaway shoreline. Guided by a professional scientist, you will work on an individual project on a topic such as salt marsh restoration, dolphin morphology, sea turtle stranding, or air quality monitoring. In addition to research, students will participate in outdoor recreational activities organized by the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA), such as surfing.
The program is entirely in-person.
16. Writopia Lab’s Advanced Writing Seminar Residency in NYC
Subject area: Creative writing
Application deadline: May 15 but applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Program dates: July 13 – July 26
Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Fee: $4,200
Financial assistance: Limited financial aid is available
This two-week residency offers an immersive experience where you’ll work directly with published authors and playwrights to develop your writing skills. Through small-group workshops, you’ll explore genres and formats like spoken word poetry, detective fiction, villain psychology, and zine-making.
At WriCampia, you will participate in morning writing workshops with published authors and produced playwrights. Each afternoon, you can explore over 20 artistic and active electives. Evenings will feature campfires, scavenger hunts, readings, and various fun activities.
17. University of Buffalo’s CSExplore Camp
Subject area: Computer science
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All high school students
Program dates: July 10 – July 12
Location: University of Buffalo, Getzville, NY
Fee: Free
If you’re interested in computer science but have no prior experience, this program could be an ideal choice. This is a 3-day youth program designed to give high school students an engaging, fun-filled, and hands-on immersive summer experience.
As a participant, you will learn the fundamentals of computer science, from studying circuit hardware to writing software. Previous sessions have also included robot programming, video game designing, and trips to research labs.
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