Summer programs provide a structured way to explore subjects you’re passionate about — whether it’s technology, creative arts, or social sciences — while gaining hands-on experience and working alongside experts in the field.
Summer programs go beyond traditional learning by immersing you in real-world applications and collaborative projects. They’re designed to help you sharpen critical skills, build confidence, and discover potential academic or career paths.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 summer programs for high school students, including research programs, internships, and pre-college programs in NYC.
1. Barnard College Pre-College Programs
The Barnard Pre-College Programs offer a rigorous, immersive experience in New York City for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Participants can choose from specialized tracks such as the STEMinist Track, where students will engage with gender and science topics while using analytical tools for research, or the Global Humanities Track, which introduces comparative politics and global socio-economic structures. In the Art, Movement, and Performance Track, students explore creative expression through various mediums, gaining insight into art theory and performance techniques. The Sustainable Food and the City track covers urban agriculture and sustainability, with practical experience in designing eco-friendly food systems. Other options include leadership and entrepreneurship through the NextGen Leadership Institute and the Athena Summer Innovation Institute. Students will develop critical thinking, research, and project management skills while engaging with a diverse, global community.
Location: Barnard College, New York City
Cost: $10,171 (3-Week); $14,411 (7-Week)
Dates: June 29 – July 18 (Session 1), July 21 – August 8 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th graders
2. Columbia University Pre-College Programs: College Edge Summer
The College Edge program at Columbia University offers rising 11th and 12th graders an authentic college experience. You will enroll in real undergraduate courses, earning college credits while studying alongside Columbia’s undergrad students. This immersive academic experience provides access to advanced subject areas such as computer science, economics, and literature, with students using university-level software and research methods.
Outside of class, You can expect to engage in two to three hours of independent study per hour of class. With professional development and academic advising integrated into the program, you will gain critical insights into college-level work, research practices, and time management skills. It’s a chance to experience academic rigor while being supported by Columbia’s faculty and resources.
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York City
Cost: $2,474 per point (3 points typically equal 1 course)
Dates: May 26 – July 3 (Session A), July 7 – August 15 (Session B)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
3. Summer High School Internship Program at The Met
The Met High School Internship Program offers paid opportunities for students in grades 10 and 11 (or those working toward their High School Equivalency degree) who live in or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. This program allows you to connect with art, museums, and professionals while developing key skills, networking, and gaining valuable work experience.
This internship lets you connect directly with Museum professionals in fields like editorial, marketing, social media, education, scientific research, conservation, and more. You’ll have the chance to explore where your interests overlap with the world of museums, learning from both peers and professionals as you go.
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11, or those obtaining their High School Equivalency degree. Must reside in or attend a high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
4. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Virtual After-School Program
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Virtual After-School Program is a year-long initiative aimed at building leadership and debate skills in high school students from New York City’s five boroughs. This program focuses on socio-emotional development, preparing participants for leadership roles by honing their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Held weekly on Wednesdays, the program provides a structured environment for students to engage with key leadership concepts and practice public speaking and debate.
With a special focus on students from underserved communities, particularly those who identify as female or gender-expansive, BALI ensures that these young leaders develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate leadership in various settings.
Location: Virtual (accessible to students in all five boroughs of NYC)
Dates: November 2025 – May 2026 (Tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: October 15 (Tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Open to public high school students in NYC’s five boroughs, especially those identifying as female or gender expansive, attending low-income high schools or Title I schools
5. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
The ARISE program at NYU offers high school students a unique 10-week immersive experience in STEM, combining remote workshops with in-person research lab work. Over the first four weeks, students will participate in remote workshops during evening hours, gaining foundational knowledge in topics such as Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Robotics, and Machine Learning.
The subsequent six weeks are dedicated to hands-on, in-person work in NYU’s research labs, where students will apply concepts to real-world projects. This program provides a deep dive into interdisciplinary STEM fields, fostering critical skills in research, problem-solving, and technical communication. Students will also work with advanced software and lab equipment, gaining practical experience that is directly applicable to college-level STEM work.
Location: New York University, NYC (remote and in-person)
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC students completing 10th or 11th grade in June 2025
6. NYC Residential Summer Program at Columbia University
The NYC Residential Summer Program at Columbia University offers high school students a comprehensive college experience with the opportunity to reside on the Morningside Campus. This immersive three-week program includes over 70 course options in disciplines ranging from engineering and computer science to literature and history. Classes are taught by expert faculty, challenging students to develop independent thinking, critical analysis, and creative problem-solving skills.
With approximately four hours of class time each weekday, participants will also engage in campus activities and have access to Columbia’s resources, including libraries, dining facilities, and health services. Students can expect a deep dive into academic rigor while living in a supportive, collegiate environment just steps away from New York City.
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York City
Cost: $12,750 per session (includes housing, dining, and fees; $3,500 deposit required
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16 or older at the start of the program
7. Democracy Scholars at NYU
The Democracy Scholars program at NYU offers rising high school seniors from New York City a free residential summer opportunity to explore political philosophy and social justice in an academic environment. Over the course of three weeks, students engage in small, discussion-based seminars led by distinguished NYU professors, diving into texts that have shaped U.S. history.
The program emphasizes college-level reading, writing, and critical thinking, providing participants with the academic tools needed to excel in higher education. In addition to seminars, students will participate in NYU’s vibrant campus life, while receiving mentorship in the college application process. After the summer program, participants continue to meet and work on civic engagement projects, strengthening their leadership skills. Preference is given to first-generation students attending public high schools in NYC.
Location: New York University, NYC
Cost: Free (includes housing and meals)
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens early 2025
Eligibility: Rising seniors from NYC public high schools, with a preference for first-generation students
8. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
CS4CS is a three-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to the world of cybersecurity and computer science. This program is open to NYC residents in 10th and 11th grades with no prior experience required. Participants will explore key topics such as white-hat hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, and privacy. The program also covers cyber threat detection, data protection, and tools used to safeguard computer networks.
A unique element is the Irondale program, where theater-teaching artists use improv techniques to enhance communication and public speaking skills.
Location: New York University, NYC
Cost: Free (Full Scholarship)
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: NYC residents, 10th and 11th grade students
9. NYSCF Summer Internship Program (2025)
The NYSCF Summer Internship Program offers high school, undergraduate, and graduate students an enriching experience in stem cell research at a nonprofit research institute in New York City. The program provides exposure to cutting-edge science, career opportunities, and valuable professional connections.
Interns have the chance to work across various tracks, including Data Science, Automation/Software Engineering, Programs Administration, and Laboratory Research. Internship opportunities are available both onsite and in hybrid formats, depending on the selected track and mentor capabilities. The program is a paid opportunity, with compensation based on the intern’s academic level.
Location: New York City
Cost: Free; paid internship
- Undergraduates: $18/hour
- Recent graduates: $19/hour
- Graduate students: $20/hour
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31 (Rolling review starts January 8)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students
10. The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) 2025
The SSRP is an immersive, team-based mentored research program for high school juniors and seniors. Scholars will work alongside scientific trainees from leading institutions, including Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medical College. Students will engage in research projects tailored to their scientific interests, with a focus on practical lab techniques and data analysis. The program includes elective courses, guest lectures, and networking opportunities, culminating in a symposium to present research findings.
Students will be placed in one of four research teams, each consisting of 8-10 students and led by 3 dedicated mentors. Throughout the program, students will explore scientific questions, conduct experiments, and analyze results while gaining hands-on lab experience.
Location: Tri-Institution Labs (Rockefeller, MSK, WCMC)
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors, age 16+ at program start
Bonus summer programs for high schoolers in NYC that you should check out:
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as environment, machine learning and social media, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more!
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. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring 2025: February 16; Summer 2025: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring 2025: March 3; Summer 2025: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research opportunity for high school students. Through this program, you’ll be paired with a PhD mentor and work closely with them on a research project tailored to your interests.
Throughout the program, you’ll receive personalized guidance through nine individual sessions with your mentor and two with a writing coach. The program culminates in the completion of a research paper, which you’ll present at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
Location: Remote.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, and have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher. No prior knowledge of your field of interest is required.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Spring Cohort application deadline is February 9!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, Fall: September – December, Winter: December – February, Spring: March – June.
Cost: Full financial aid available
3. Veritas AI Fellowship
The Veritas AI Fellowship is a prestigious mentorship program designed for high school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning through hands-on projects. Participants collaborate with experts from top institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Princeton to design and develop personalized AI solutions in areas such as healthcare, finance, and environmental science.
Students receive 1:1 mentorship from professionals, ensuring their projects meet professional standards and reflect their unique interests and career aspirations. The fellowship emphasizes practical experience, equipping participants with the skills and tools needed to create impactful AI projects suitable for portfolios or college applications.
Cost: Starts at $2,290
Location: Online
Application Deadline: February 23 (Spring cohort).
Program Dates: Vary by session (Winter, Summer, and other cohorts).
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12. Middle school students with a coding background may also apply.
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