If you’re a high school student, participating in a summer program can be a fun and rewarding way to spend your break. Whether you’re looking to gain hands-on experience, explore future career paths, or simply expand your knowledge, the opportunities in New Jersey offer something for everyone. Not only do the programs listed below enrich you academically, but they also provide valuable networking opportunities and a chance to explore your interests in a structured, supportive environment.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 10 great summer programs and internships available to high school students across the Garden State. These programs span a range of interests, from STEM and the arts to leadership and community service. Whether you’re aiming to boost your college applications or simply want to spend your summer exploring a new field, this list has something for you. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
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 PhD 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. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History
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.
2. Game Design Academy at Rider University
The Game Design program at Rider University is an opportunity for high school students passionate about gaming and creativity. You’ll learn the fundamentals of digital design and game logic programming. Over the course of the program, you’ll work to create playable games and build skills in system design, interaction design, and digital art. You’ll learn how to use graphic design tools. The academy also aims to introduce you to college life, especially the Game and Interactive Media Design program at Rider.
Cost: $1,400
Location: Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
Program Dates: July 7 – 12 | July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Areas: Game Design, Programming, Digital Art, System Design
Eligibility: High school students
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, designed by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work individually with PhD mentors on independent research projects. You receive guidance in crafting a college-level research paper, along with support from writing coaches.
You can select from a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program concludes with a symposium, providing an opportunity to present your research findings, and there is also potential for publication.
Subject Areas: STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available
- Individual Research Program: $2,990 (12 weeks)
- Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900 (16-20 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Apply here!
Program Dates: The summer cohort typically runs from June to August. Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA are eligible to apply
4. Mercer County Student Internship Program
The Mercer County Internship Program offers high school students an opportunity to gain real-world experience in government, public service, and community engagement. Over the course of this summer internship, you will work directly with county departments and agencies. Whether you’re interested in transportation and infrastructure, economic development, human resources, or administration, this program provides a look at the inner workings of local government. You’ll participate in activities organized by the Office of Personnel and learn about different career paths in the public sector.
Cost: No cost, high school students are paid $15.14/hour
Program Dates: June through Labor Day
Application Deadline: TBA
Subject Areas: Government, Public Service, Administration, Human Resources, Transportation, Library Services
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old and are residents of Mercer County or attend school in Mercer County
5. Pre-College Programs at Stevens Institute of Technology
The Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College Summer Program gives high school students the chance to explore fields like engineering, computer science, business, and more, all while getting a taste of college life. The program offers several one and two-week classes. In the engineering bootcamp, you’ll work on a research project within an engineering specialty such as mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and more. The electronic music production class will teach you how to use a Digital Audio Workstation to practice MIDI sequencing, synthesis and sound design, and sampling.
Cost: $2,950 or $4,500, depending on one week or two weeks. Need-based scholarships available
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Program Dates: Several 1 and 2 week programs offered in June and July
Application Deadline: TBA
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Biology, Medicine, Genetics, Business, Civil Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Policy, Neuroscience, Music, Computer Science, Game Design, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
6. Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University
Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program allows high school students to conduct research alongside Princeton’s faculty and graduate students. The program offers multiple research opportunities within the natural sciences and engineering. Last year’s engineering projects included developing a bio-inspired soft robot, studying lung development in birds and lizards, and creating a hurricane risk forecasting system. The natural sciences research projects used computational mass spectrometry to map metabolism, analyzed animal size responses to climate variability, and studied sustainable catalysis.
Cost: No fees!
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program Dates: Varies (usually at least 5 weeks during the summer)
Application Deadline: March 14
Subject Areas: Natural Sciences, Engineering
Eligibility: Students must be:
- Enrolled in a New Jersey high school
- At least 16 years old by June 15
- New Jersey or Pennsylvania residents living within 50 miles of Princeton University
7. Rutgers University’s Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE)
The WISE program at Rutgers offers high school students an opportunity to conduct original research in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Over the course of four weeks, you will work alongside Rutgers faculty to analyze the DNA sequence of the duckweed Landoltia punctata. You will purify the DNA fragments to compare with those of other species using industry standard bioinformatics tools. You will also have the chance to submit your analysis for publication to GenBank, a global repository of DNA sequences.
Cost: $2,000
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Program Dates: June 20 – July 3 | July 29 – August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Areas: Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one high school-level biology course
8. Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics
If you’re a high school student with a passion for math, the Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics is a great option to deepen your understanding and challenge your skills. This program aims to encourage high school students to pursue careers in mathematical sciences. Sample topics covered include combinatorics, probability, graphs, number theory, cryptography, and game theory. To apply, you have to submit the solution to a math problem provided by the program.
Cost: $4,500. Scholrships available
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: TBA
Subject Areas: Discrete Mathematics, Mathematical Sciences
Eligibility: High school students
9. The Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology
The New Jersey Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers is a competitive summer program designed for the state’s top high school students passionate about engineering and technology. For four weeks, you will explore advanced topics like robotics, programming, and sustainable design while working on research projects alongside Rutgers faculty and industry experts. You’ll present your research findings at a symposium at the end of the program. By visiting local companies, you’ll have the opportunity to explore potential career paths. To apply, you must be nominated by your high school.
Cost: Free!
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering, Piscataway, NJ
Program Dates: July 1 – 26
Application Deadline: January 12
Subject Areas: Engineering, Technology, Robotics, Physics, Game Design
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are New Jersey residents
10. Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS)
The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine’s MINDS program is designed to empower the next generation of diverse medical professionals. Focused on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, this program provides high school students from underrepresented backgrounds with the opportunity to explore the medical field through simulations and field trips to hospitals. Over six weeks, you’ll learn about the various career paths within medicine and how social factors affect health. You’ll also have the chance to work on a research project about health disparities in New Jersey. The program also offers CPR certification and SAT preparation.
Cost: No cost, stipend provided
Location: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ
Program Dates: Typically 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Subject Areas: Medicine, Healthcare
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are underrepresented or financially disadvantaged and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
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