10 Free Pre-College Summer Programs in NYC for High Schoolers
- Stephen Turban
- 50 minutes ago
- 7 min read
If you are a high school student in New York City looking to engage in college-level academics, consider joining a pre-college summer program in the city. These programs give you the chance to take college-level courses, work with professors, and build skills in subjects like STEM, business, journalism, and the arts. They can also strengthen your college applications by showing that you can handle advanced academics and are committed to learning beyond the classroom.
College admissions officers value students who take initiative, and attending a summer program can help you stand out. You’ll develop research, writing, and problem-solving skills, collaborate with peers who share your interests, and gain experience that can shape your future studies. Since these programs are free, they provide access to high-quality academic experiences without financial barriers.
To help you find the best options, we’ve put together a list of 10 free pre-college programs for high school students in NYC that are completely free to attend. Keep reading to discover which programs made the cut!
10 Free Pre-College Summer Programs in NYC for High Schoolers
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a free summer program where you can take anatomy, chemistry, psychology, physics, and calculus classes. You’ll also get PSAT and SAT prep, career workshops, college counseling, field trips, and campus tours to help you prepare for college.
The program connects you with professors and professionals in different fields. If you're interested in research, you can apply for Columbia’s BRAINYAC neuroscience apprenticeship or the YES in THE HEIGHTS cancer research internship, where you’ll get hands-on lab experience.
Location: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
Dates: July 7 – August 1 (summer session)
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: 7th–12th graders in NYC interested in STEM and medical careers
The Fordham Summer Leaders Academy lets you take one- or two-week courses that build real-world skills in fields like AI leadership, real estate development, digital media, healthcare, game design, and business communication. You’ll learn data analysis, project management, storytelling techniques, medical research basics, coding for games, and public speaking, skills that connect to majors in computer science, business, communications, medicine, and design.
The program also offers college application workshops, career coaching, and networking events with industry professionals. Outside class, you can use campus gyms, join social events, and explore NYC through guided trips to museums, landmarks, and Broadway shows.
Location: Fordham University (Bronx & Manhattan)
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in exploring academic and career pathways.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering gives NYC high school students hands-on STEM research experience in university labs. With mentorship from NYU faculty and graduate researchers, you’ll work on real projects in biomedical engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, and more.
The program starts with four weeks of remote workshops covering research methods and technical skills, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work. It ends with a colloquium, where you’ll present your findings to faculty and peers.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City
Dates: Remote Workshops: June 2 – June 27 (evenings); In-Person Lab Work: June 30 – August 7; Final Presentation: August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th or 11th grade with a strong interest in STEM.
The Alice Hoffman Young Writers Retreat at Adelphi University is a free, five-day summer program for high school juniors interested in creative writing. You’ll take part in daily workshops on fiction, poetry, and personal essays, led by Adelphi faculty, published authors, and MFA students.
Sessions cover narrative structure, character development, revision techniques, and literary analysis. You’ll also attend guest lectures, peer critique sessions, and readings by professional writers. The retreat builds a tight-knit writing community, helping you refine your work and prepare for college-level writing.
Location: Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
Dates: July 15 – 19
Application Deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors interested in creative writing
The Mathematical Modeling at Mercy University (M3U) Program is a free summer program that teaches real-world mathematical modeling, research methods, and STEM career pathways. You’ll work on data-driven projects in computer and science labs, analyze real-world problems using math and coding, and explore ethical issues in science.
The program includes research center and museum visits, mentorship from faculty and STEM professionals, and team-based problem-solving. It ends with a final project presentation where you’ll showcase your research. All participants receive an $800 stipend upon completion.
Location: Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, Manhattan, and Bronx campuses)
Dates: July 7 - August 2
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students with a B or better in math and science; women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University is a free, seven-week research program for high school juniors and seniors interested in scientific research and lab work. You’ll join a research team led by scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine, working on a research question, conducting experiments, and analyzing data.
The program includes elective courses, guest lectures from leading researchers, and skill-building workshops. You’ll also attend networking events and social activities. It concludes with a symposium, where you’ll present your findings to faculty, researchers, and peers.
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 years old at the program start)
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University is a free summer program for high school juniors interested in science, mathematics, and engineering research. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor, join a research team, and work on an independent research project in a university lab. The program includes hands-on lab work, faculty research talks, skill-building workshops, and campus events. It concludes with a poster presentation, where you’ll showcase your research to faculty and peers.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Closed for 2025; typically opens in the fall for the following summer
Eligibility: High school juniors (must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 16 years old by the program start)
The HK Maker Lab is a free, five-week summer program for NYC public and charter high school students interested in engineering, digital media, and innovation. You will spend the first three weeks at Columbia Engineering, choosing between Biomedical Engineering or Innovation and Design, where you’ll learn design thinking, prototyping, and problem-solving in healthcare.
In the final two weeks, you will work in teams to create digital media solutions for real-world global health challenges. You will also get mentorship from Columbia faculty, network with industry professionals, and access paid internships through NY Bioforce. The program includes workshops, site visits to research labs, and a final project showcase where you will present your work.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors from NYC public or charter schools. Applicants must demonstrate educational or economic disadvantage.
The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program is a free, in-person program for high school students interested in engineering, math, and science. You will tackle college-level projects based on real research, and building skills in 3D design, coding, electronics, and sustainability. Courses include Embedded Systems, Computational Physics, Interactive Art, and Data Visualization.
You’ll also work with microcontrollers, CAD software, and advanced lab tools to develop practical solutions to real-world problems. The program emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, ending with a final showcase where you’ll present your project to peers and faculty.
Location: The Cooper Union, New York City
Dates: July 7 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (current 9th–11th grade students.
The NYU College Access Leadership Institute (CALI) is a free, residential summer program for rising high school seniors looking to navigate the college admissions process. Led by NYU Admissions counselors, you will attend workshops and seminars on college essay writing, building a college list, and applying for financial aid and scholarships. The program also covers college readiness, application strategies, and campus life. You’ll gain insider knowledge from admissions experts, connect with peers, and leave with a stronger understanding of how to apply to college successfully.
Location: NYU, New York City
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders in the NYC metro area, first-generation and/or from underrepresented backgrounds
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!
Image Source - Columbia University Logo
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.