11 Fall Programs for High School Students
As the fall semester approaches, it’s the perfect time for high school students to explore exciting opportunities and programs. By participating in these programs, you will gain hands-on experience, face the challenges and rewards of your chosen field, and also significantly enhance your college applications.
You’ll also have the chance to learn in dynamic settings like universities, hospitals, and research centers while interacting with industry professionals — further broadening your understanding and connections in your chosen field.
In this blog post, we have curated a list of some of the best fall programs for high school students. These programs provide valuable real-world experiences and insights into potential careers in your areas of interest.
Lumiere, founded by Harvard and Oxford graduates, offers selective research programs for high school students. Participants work one-on-one with PhD mentors to develop an independent research paper. The program covers a wide range of disciplines, allowing students to choose topics of interest or those at the intersection of multiple fields. This one-on-one format ensures that students learn the latest developments and expand their skills by working with experts.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to interact with mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford, and CMU, making it an excellent option for those interested in interdisciplinary research and creating individual research papers. You can find more details about the application here!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Fall cohort from September to December, Winter cohort from December to February. Applications for the fall are yet to open.
Cost: Full financial aid available!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note. students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Applications for the fall are yet to open.
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program for ambitious high school students. In this program, you will be paired with a startup or nonprofit worldwide for a virtual internship role. Ladder’s partner organizations function across a wide range of industries, and you can take your pick! Choices include technology, engineering, media, sustainability, visual communication, journalism, artificial intelligence, health tech, and more. As an intern, you will work closely with a manager from the startup or nonprofit on a real-world project, contributing to the organization’s larger goal. You will also be paired with a Ladder coach, who will serve as a second mentor, guiding you during the program. Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other valuable skills. You will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall and spring.
Cost: Starts at $1990 (Financial aid is offered.)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates and gap year students!
Selectivity: Highly Selective (<10% acceptance rate)
Deadline: Fall deadline TBA; last year's fall deadline was September 10.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Cost:
$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
$4,700 for both
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort usually close around September of that year.
The EnergyMag Research Internship is ideal for students interested in renewable energy and energy storage. Internships can be half-time (2-8 weeks, 20 hours per week) or quarter-time (1-9 months, 8 hours per week), accommodating different schedules and commitment levels. Half-time internships, perfect for a more immersive experience, are offered during the summer for 2 to 8 weeks, requiring about 20 hours of work per week. Quarter-time internships are available year-round, lasting 1 to 9 months, with about 8 hours of work per week.
Interns will engage in activities related to renewable energy and energy storage, like researching emerging technologies, analyzing market trends, and contributing to articles and reports published by EnergyMag. The program often culminates in a substantial research project or a series of smaller projects.
Note: Students can expect a competitive selection process as this program is open to college students as well!
Location: Virtual
Dates: Flexible; runs during the fall and can be managed along with academics.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class, with a minimum GPA of 3.25, can apply.
Selectivity: Highly Selective as the number of internships is limited.
Deadline: Applications are open all year round, you can apply here.
Treasury student internships in Washington, D.C. offer valuable experiences for high school students by providing direct exposure to federal careers. Intern tasks vary by office but typically include data analysis, research, communication, government engagement, event coordination, and supporting management functions. These roles offer insight into the Treasury Departmental Offices, which develop strategies in economics, finance, and national security, and oversee the Treasury Department. So, if you have an interest in any of these functions, this could be the best opportunity for you. For a deeper dive into the program, you can check out our blog post here.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Dates: Fall internship runs from September to December.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens; enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution.
Selectivity: Selective (cohort sizes depend on the specific opportunities).
Deadline: Apply in June. All internship opportunities will be announced on www.usajobs.gov.
The Dolphin Research Center’s Volunteer Resources Department offers an internship program for high school students passionate about marine biology and the operations of a marine mammal facility. These internships are department-specific and last 16 to 18 weeks.
Interns work 40 hours per week, typically spending four days in their assigned department and one-day supporting various operations. Internships include Animal Care and Training, Education, Information Technologies, the Medical Department, Research, and Visual Communications. Additional projects may be assigned based on the center’s needs and the intern’s skills and interests. With this internship, you will get hands-on experience that can fuel your passion and love for the subject.
Location: Dolphin Research Center, FL
Dates: September to December; duration is 16-18 weeks.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who have English language proficiency and are physically fit (due to the nature of the work).
Selectivity: Selective (number of internship positions is very limited).
Deadline: June 15, 2024.
Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) is an urban ecology research and youth development program for high school sophomores and juniors who live in the Bronx. The program is run by the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo Education team in partnership with Fordham University.
During Project TRUE, you will conduct field research on topics ranging from mammal species distribution and bird community composition to water quality and invasive species management. Learning through doing, you will have the opportunity to utilize various data collection and analysis methods and develop your science communication skills. You will acquire the tools to work through the scientific process on an authentic field research project and ultimately get a chance to present your findings to peers, scientists, and the general public.
You will also be provided with in-depth training in scientific research, a chance to bolster your professional networks, and assistance preparing for college.
Location: WCS Headquarters, Bronx, New York.
Dates: Fall Program (September - December) (2024 Dates TBA)
Summer Program (Late June - August) (2024 Dates TBA)
Cost/Stipend: No cost.
For the fall, interns will receive a stipend of about $350.
For the summer, interns either receive a $750 stipend and a MetroCard to cover travel OR are paid $16/hour through SYEP if eligible and work with WCS's authorized providers.
Eligibility: Applicants must:
Be a high school sophomore or junior in good standing.
Be comfortable in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Live in the Bronx.
Selectivity: Highly selective.
Deadline: February 24, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis).
Textron Aviation serves government, military, and commercial aviation needs, specializing in engineering and manufacturing. The company offers a variety of high school internships beyond engineering and manufacturing, including finance, sales, marketing, IT, flight operations, and human resources. This internship allows you to explore careers in aviation, engage in meaningful business tasks, and connect your foundational knowledge to future career goals.
Location: Textron Aviation facilities, primarily in Wichita, KS
Dates: Part-time work during the Fall Semester, between 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; stipend provided.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16-19 who are U.S. citizens
Selectivity: Selective (cohort size unspecified).
Deadline: Varies depending on internship; applications typically open in July for the fall semester; see their website for openings.
The U.S. Senate Page Program offers high school juniors a unique chance to engage in public service, interact with national leaders, and observe Senate debates. Pages play a vital role in daily Senate operations, handling tasks such as delivering letters and legislative materials, setting up the Senate Chamber, assisting during roll call votes, supporting senators and staff during debates, and delivering bills and amendments to the Senate desk. This program offers the participants a firsthand look at the legislative process — you will get an opportunity to closely observe the workings of the public sector. For anyone eager to work in the public domain, this is an excellent chance to see what it's like. Look at this article for a detailed review of this program.
Location: United States Senate, Washington, DC (Residential)
Dates: September 3rd - January 24th.
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; pages are paid on an annual salary basis of $37,238 to cover living expenses during the program.
Eligibility:
High school juniors
Aged between 16-17 years old during the time of the program.
U.S. citizen with a valid social security number
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Selectivity: Highly Selective (only 30-page positions exist each term - 15 male pages and 15 female pages)
Deadline: The application materials you need vary by senator and state, so you’ll need to contact your senator’s office if you’re interested.
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students internships to participate in ongoing research at NASA. Under experienced mentors, interns contribute to projects in space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and communications.
Interns work with top professionals in science, engineering, finance, IT, and business, engaging in tasks like designing experiments, analyzing space mission data, and developing new technologies. Interns will gain knowledge and understanding of ongoing research at NASA in a very professional environment. This real-world experience will boost their passion for scientific discovery.
Check the complete list of positions and use the “Filter” option to find opportunities for high school students.
Location: NASA centers across the country; virtual options are available.
Dates: Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December)
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; housing, transportation, and meals are not covered; stipend provided.
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time U.S. high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and are at least 16 years old when applying.
Deadline: Varies from internship to internship. 2025 Internship Application Deadlines:
Spring 2025: Aug. 23, 2024
Summer 2025 – Early Decision: Oct. 25, 2024
Final, Feb. 28, 2025
Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York offers several unpaid internships for students interested in law. Specialized placements include Automated Litigation Support, the Library Legal Information and Resource Center, and Paralegal-Legal Studies.
These internships are ideal for students interested in studying pre-law, criminal justice, accounting, information technology, library management, human resources, or community crime prevention. They provide a prestigious opportunity for high school students keen on pursuing a career in law.
Location: Brooklyn and Central Islip offices, NY
Dates: September to December 2024
Cost: Free for all accepted participants; housing, transportation, and stipend are not provided.
Eligibility: Entering seniors from an accredited high school.
Deadline: June 15th for Fall Program
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
Image Source: NASA logo