10 Summer Programs for High School Students in New York (NYC)
If you're a high schooler in NYC looking to explore a subject, learn a new skill, or get a head start on college applications, a summer program could be a great option. These pre-college programs let you dive deeper into subjects, gain practical skills, and experience college life. While some programs have costs, others are free or offer stipends.
Participating in a summer program helps you expand your knowledge, build connections, and explore career paths. Competitive programs, which offer stipends or are linked to prestigious organizations, can also strengthen your college applications.
In this blog, we cover 10 summer programs in New York City for high school students across fields like STEM, arts, business, and medicine—some of which are free or offer stipends.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research project in their chosen subject area. Selected students will engage in immersive sessions with their mentors to produce a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches.
You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, engineering, and more. The program concludes with a symposium and offers the potential for publication of your research.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI is an online program designed for middle and high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduates. Participants work on practical AI projects in fields like medicine, finance, and autonomous vehicles, with guidance from mentors from top universities. The AI Scholars program is 25 hours spread over 10 weekends and is ideal for beginners.
For those who have completed the AI Scholars boot camp or already have Python experience, the AI Fellowship offers a 12-week opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor on developing a personal project or research paper. This path allows students to explore AI in various disciplines and showcase their skills. To apply, click here.
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Cost: $2,290 (AI Scholars) | $5,400 (AI Fellowship) | $6,900 (both). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, offers high school students a unique chance to intern with startups and nonprofits worldwide. You can choose from various fields, including computer science, technology, engineering, machine learning, AI, media, journalism, sustainability, healthcare, and more.
This 8-week virtual internship is centered around real-world projects tailored to your chosen field. In addition to working closely with startup managers, you'll receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. This dual mentorship provides a comprehensive learning experience, offering support, insights, and the opportunity to showcase your work at the end of the internship.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Summer deadlines are typically in April and May
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It's one of the few programs that allows you to choose between quantitative and qualitative research.
After selecting your subject track and research type, 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 on creating a 20-page, university-level research paper that can be submitted to prestigious journals for publication.
This program is an excellent opportunity to pursue research in specialized fields under the guidance of top scholars. It also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback, which you can use for future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
Summer seminars typically run from June to September
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 few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are typically in May
The Young Founder’s Lab is a hands-on start-up boot camp founded by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you'll work on building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem, with mentorship from established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
In addition to building your start-up, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This program is a great opportunity to explore the world of business in high school, combining both theoretical and practical frameworks for creating a successful business. You can check out the program brochure here.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops.
Program Dates: Multiple, year-round cohorts
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Summer deadlines are typically in April and May. You can access the application link here!
MAD offers Artslife, a paid art internship for high school students in New York City. This 6-week program combines art and design with leadership training, museum studies, and community engagement. You'll explore various careers within museum departments like Curatorial, Education, Development, Communications and Marketing, Visitor Services, Security, and Registrar.
The first week of Artslife is dedicated to team bonding and an introduction to the museum. The following five weeks focus on collaborative projects with mentors, including museum staff, local designers, and arts professionals. These projects may involve creating artwork and visiting other cultural institutions.
Location: Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York, NY
Program Dates: July 9 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Stipend: $16/hour and an unlimited MetroCard for the duration of the internship
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors in NYC
Application Deadline: April 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Genspace, a community biotech lab in New York City, offers a program for students eager to explore biotechnology and genetic engineering. In this program, you'll conduct research on topics like DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics, guided by expert mentors.
You'll gain access to advanced lab facilities and technologies, helping you develop essential laboratory techniques and analytical skills. Past interns have researched subjects such as biofilm behaviors, algal growth for water purification, and using Zebrafish liver cells as biosensors.
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Program Dates: July 1 – August 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost/Stipend: No Cost; stipend is $2,000
Eligibility: Students 16 years or older by the orientation date who attend an NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in February
If you're interested in law and the criminal justice system and want practical experience, this five-week internship is a great opportunity. You'll work with top prosecutors, gaining an insider's view of the field while being mentored. The program includes discussions, workshops, a mock trial, and professional skill development. It's a paid internship offering valuable hands-on experience in law and criminal justice careers.
Location: Attorney Offices in Manhattan, New York, NY
Program Dates: July 8 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: No cost, interns are paid minimum wage
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live or attend school in Manhattan
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in January and close around March
New York University’s ARISE is a fully funded, 10-week summer research program for students interested in STEM fields like bio- and molecular engineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and AI/machine learning. The program begins with four weeks of remote, after-school workshops, followed by six weeks of in-person lab work.
You'll work in NYU labs, participating in faculty-led research under the guidance of a mentor, typically a graduate or postdoctoral student. The program also includes training in presentation and public speaking, culminating in a final presentation where you'll share your findings with faculty, graduate students, and fellow ARISE participants.
Location: Hybrid; online and at New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Free. $750 stipend provided upon completion
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who live in New York City
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
The School of The New York Times offers high school students a range of courses in journalism, new media, arts, sports, and more, all taught by journalists, editors, and industry experts. With 33 courses available, topics include U.S. immigration, investigative journalism, political commentary, playwriting, the UN and human rights, podcasting, storytelling, and more.
Location: New York City, NY
Program Dates: Multiple sessions for each course throughout the summer
Cost: $7,265 (residential) or $5,935 (commuter) + $50 application fee. Scholarships available
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10,11, and 12 and recent high school graduates who are at least 15 years of age
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in October 2024
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.
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