10 Amazing Conferences for High School Students in 2024-2025
Are you a high school student who wants to enhance your college applications while gaining valuable skills and knowledge? Conferences designed for high schoolers provide unique opportunities for mentorship, interactive sessions, and workshops across a range of subjects. These events often include resources aimed at navigating the college application process and helping students stand out in competitive college admissions.
By participating in these conferences, you not only gain exposure to new ideas and networking opportunities but also demonstrate your commitment to personal and academic growth, which can significantly bolster your college application.
Here are 10 amazing conferences for high school students in 2024-2025!
Date of the conference: October 19 – 20, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Last date to register: Usually between February-March
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school students
Location: In 2024, the conference was in Malaysia. The venue for the 2025 conference hasn’t been announced yet
This conference offers a unique opportunity for high school students to engage with the scientific community and showcase their talents. You can participate in hands-on science workshops led by experts from various universities and organizations. The workshops will introduce you to the latest research and technological advancements, encouraging collaboration with peers from different backgrounds. Additionally, you will have the chance to present your work, compete for awards, and potentially earn a fully sponsored trip to Japan. This conference offers valuable networking opportunities and exposure to international scientific communities. For more details, you can visit the event's official page here.
Date of the conference: September 13, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Last date to register: Typically in September
Cost: A registration fee of $35 will be charged
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
This conference is for high school students from Kentucky and nearby regions. Students gather at Western Kentucky University for a one-day retreat dedicated to enhancing their leadership abilities. The event offers various workshops and interactive sessions that cover essential leadership topics. You will engage with a college panel to learn about academic success strategies, how to boost organizational motivation, and the role of diversity in effective leadership.
Other sessions focus on practical skills, such as planning successful events, leveraging social media, and understanding different leadership styles. The retreat also tackles topics like ethics in leadership, personality’s impact on leadership, and insights into different leadership approaches.
Date of the conference: February 5 – 7, 2025
Last date to register: An initial deposit to NAIS is typically required by August 1, with the final payment due by October 15
Cost:
$1,300 per student (NAIS member rate)
$1,450 per student (non-member rate)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Location: Washington, D.C.
The NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit brings high school students from around the country together to deepen their civic awareness and develop strategies for community impact. Over three days, you will discuss major national issues with experts, examining how these challenges resonate locally and exploring your role in addressing them. Through workshops and discussions, you will collaborate to identify effective community engagement practices, develop vision statements, and create actionable plans for change.
The summit will culminate in presentations at the 2025 NNSP Annual Conference, where you will showcase your strategies to educators and other leaders. This experience encourages you to harness your leadership skills and consider diverse perspectives.
Date of the conference: October 19 – 20, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Last date to register: September 30, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Cost: An application fee of $20, with a $30 participation fee for virtual attendees and a $130 fee for those attending in person
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
The Harvard Science Research Conference (HSRC) is a two-day event at Harvard University aimed at inspiring high school students interested in the natural sciences and research. Hosted on Harvard’s campus, the conference features a mix of talks, hands-on workshops, and mentorship sessions led by university faculty and researchers. The event encourages you to explore scientific inquiry and connect with peers who share similar interests.
The conference covers essential skills like scientific writing, public speaking, and critical reading, giving you skills that will be valuable if you pursue science in college. The conference culminates in Harvard student-led mentoring, offering insights into future opportunities in research and the sciences.
Date of the conference: Usually between June and July. There are different dates based on different programs. Check the full list here
Last date to register: NSLC remains open to applications as long as there is available space in a program or on its waitlist. Current availability can be checked through the online enrollment application
Cost: On average, between $4,000 – $5,000. Prices vary based on the program. Check the full list here
Eligibility: High school students and middle school students
Location: Different college campuses in the U.S. Check the full list here
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offers career-focused summer leadership programs for high school and middle school students. NSLC gives students an immersive experience on college campuses across the nation. You will live in dorms and participate in a variety of activities, such as lectures, workshops, guest speaker sessions, and field trips, all tailored to their program’s focus.
Programs run from 6 to 18 days, depending on the topic, and are organized into six core categories: Art and Design, Business, Computer Science, Government and Law, Leadership and Community, and STEM. Through these programs, you will gain leadership skills, explore future careers, and get a taste of college life, helping you build skills and networks for your academic and professional future.
6. STEM For Her
Date of the conference: November 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Last date to register: To register for STEM for Her Day, keep an eye on the official website
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Female high school students
Location: Washington, D.C.
STEM for Her Day is a hands-on conference for 300 female high school students in the D.C. Metro area. The event exposes you to industry professionals and various career pathways, offering insights into university options and real-world applications of STEM education. Through a mix of workshops led by professionals, discussions, competitions, and networking opportunities, you can explore different aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math. The conference features four distinct tracks—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—allowing you to tailor your experience based on your interests. For more information and updates, including registration links, you can visit the official STEM for Her website.
Date of the conference: June 29 – July 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Last date to register: Registration and housing instructions vary by state
Cost: $195
Eligibility: High school and middle school students
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
At this four-day conference, middle and high school students gather to compete in leadership events and explore career-building ideas through workshops and exhibits. It’s a valuable experience for students interested in honing leadership skills, gaining industry insights, and expanding their professional network. This conference is especially valuable for those who want to run for national office. The 2024 conference included a recreational trip to Universal Studios.
Date of the conference:
Session I: March 7 – 10, 2025
Session II: March 12 – 15, 2025
Last date to register: October 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 dates)
Cost:
Regular registration: $135
School and delegation fees: $95
Eligibility: High school students
Location: New York Hilton Midtown, Manhattan, NY
NHSMUN is the largest and most prestigious Model UN conference for high school students worldwide. Known for its talented participants, expert staff, and intense debates, NHSMUN offers a rigorous, immersive experience in New York City—the center of global diplomacy. You will meet with diplomats from the countries they represent and engage directly with United Nations and NGO leaders through Q&A sessions. Whether you’re a Model UN novice or a seasoned delegate, NHSMUN allows you to explore diplomacy and global issues in-depth.
Date of the conference: No information available. To learn more, please contact Joseph Ruanto-Ramirez, the SPACES SIAPS Advisor, at jaruantoramirez@ucsd.edu
Last date to register: No information available
Cost: No information available
Eligibility: High school students
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
SPACES (Student Promoted Access Center for Education and Service) collaborates with student organizations to host one-day conferences for high school and community college students to get a firsthand look at college life and the admissions process at UC San Diego. These conferences inspire students to pursue higher education by connecting them with current UCSD students through workshops, student-led discussions, and keynote sessions. Topics range from admissions guidance and career pathways to social, political, cultural, and educational issues.
Date of the conference: February 7 – 9, 2025
Last date to register: January 10, 2025
Cost: $200
Eligibility: High school juniors
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
The High School Leadership Conference is a three-day program at the University of Oklahoma that is fully student-led by an executive committee of over 100 University of Oklahoma students. The conference focuses on inspiring young leaders to develop skills that they can bring back to their communities to create positive change. The conference also offers guidance in the college application process.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.