15 College Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
- Stephen Turban
- 13 hours ago
- 11 min read
College programs can be an effective way for high school students to explore academic interests in a structured, university-level environment. They expose high school students to advanced coursework, research expectations, and professional norms. Many college programs for high school students emphasize hands-on learning, mentorship from faculty or researchers, and access to institutional resources that are typically unavailable at the secondary level. These programs can also help students assess their readiness for rigorous academic fields without committing to a full undergraduate degree.
Why should you attend a program in NYC?
New York City offers a uniquely dense ecosystem of universities, research centers, and cultural institutions, making it a strong location for college programs for high school students. College programs for high school students in NYC often provide direct access to laboratories, studios, makerspaces, and academic communities tied to globally recognized institutions. As a result, college programs for high school students in NYC vary widely in structure, cost, and selectivity, ranging from fully funded research placements to tuition-based academic intensives.
Below is a curated list of 15 college programs for high school students in NYC.
If you’re looking for free STEM programs, check out our blog here.
15 College Programs for High School Students in New York City
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Stipend: $1,000
Dates: June 1–August 14
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | New York City residents only
NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer research experience that introduces you to academic STEM research through structured training and hands-on lab work. The program begins with four weeks of online instruction covering lab safety, research ethics, scientific writing, and college preparation. You then transition to a six-week, in-person placement in an NYU research lab, contributing approximately 120 hours to an active research project. Working alongside faculty and graduate mentors, you assist with experiments, data collection, and analysis in fields such as engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and machine learning. Workshops throughout the program focus on communication, presentation skills, and professional development. ARISE concludes with formal research presentations at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
Location: NYU's Brooklyn campus
Cost: $3,145 | Scholarship available
Dates: July 27–August 7
Application deadline: Rolling | Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by May 31 | April 30 (scholarship deadline)
Eligibility: High school students who will be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the Fall
This NYU college program for high school students in NYC explores how artificial intelligence intersects with creative practices, including visual art, music, animation, and character design. Over two weeks, you learn foundational concepts behind machine learning, generative AI, and large language models through hands-on activities and creative experimentation. Projects include AI-generated imagery, music composition, and interactive characters that integrate AI tools into the artistic process. The program also addresses ethical issues such as bias, data consent, and authorship in creative AI systems, with group discussions and case studies encouraging critical thinking about the social impact of AI-driven art. Your experience culminates in a final creative project and a public art show where students present their AI-assisted work.
Location: NYU's Washington Square Park campus, West Village
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship
Dates: Classes are conducted on Saturdays throughout the Fall and Spring semesters
Application deadline: August 15
Eligibility: Students entering, or currently enrolled in grades 9-12 who live within commutable distance to NYU's Washington Square Park campus in NYC's West Village
The NYU High School Law Institute is a student-run program that introduces you to the foundations of the U.S. legal system through discussion-based classes. Meeting on Saturdays during the academic year, the program focuses on constitutional law, criminal law, and speech and debate. You work through legal cases, contemporary issues, and written assignments guided by NYU Law and undergraduate instructors. Classes are centered on critical reading, evidence-based reasoning, and structured argumentation, and assignments are designed to help you understand how legal frameworks shape public policy and civic life.
Location: The Rockefeller University, Manhattan
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22–August 6
Application deadline: January 2 | Limited to 32 students only
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are age 16+ at program start
The Summer Science Research Program at Rockefeller University places you on a small research team for seven weeks of immersive laboratory work. After an initial training period on lab safety and research techniques, you collaborate with PhD-level scientists and trainees on a shared research question. Teams operate like real research labs, with defined roles, regular discussions, and collaborative data analysis. Research topics reflect the expertise of team leaders and often span neuroscience, genetics, immunology, and cell biology. Beyond lab work, the program includes electives, guest lectures, and workshops introducing different biomedical research careers. You spend the final weeks analyzing results and designing a research poster. The college program for high school students in NYC concludes with a formal symposium where teams present their findings.
Location: Columbia University
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Winter/Spring training + 7–10 weeks summer research
Application deadline: Opens in October
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in New York City and enrolled in a partner school (preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx)
BRAINYAC places you in a Columbia University neuroscience laboratory, where you work directly with a scientist on an ongoing research project. As a participant, you actively participate in experiments, data analysis, and lab discussions that explore how the brain is studied. Training sessions introduce essential research skills, including laboratory safety, experimental design, and research ethics. You also attend cohort workshops focused on scientific writing and communication. Throughout the summer, you connect with peers who share an interest in neuroscience through group meetings and collaborative sessions. The program concludes with presentations that reflect the full research process from question to results. Many participants continue their research through fellowships or return as paid interns.
Location: NYU's Washington Square Park campus, West Village
Cost: $7,360
Dates: July 6–August 2
Application deadline: Financial Aid Applicants and International students: February 15 | Regular Decision: March 1 | Limited to 54 students
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11 who have demonstrated interest and academic strength in studio and fine arts
This college program for high school students in NYC is a four-week program designed to help you develop technical and conceptual skills across multiple studio art disciplines. You’ll rotate through core classes in digital art, painting, and sculpture, working with both traditional materials and contemporary tools such as laser cutting and textiles. Structured studio time is complemented by evening hours dedicated to independent portfolio development. Faculty-led critiques provide feedback on technique, composition, and artistic intent. Seminar sessions introduce you to New York City’s contemporary art scene and career pathways in the visual arts. Conversations with working artists offer insight into professional creative practice.
Location: NYU’s Washington Square campus
Cost: $700+
Dates: July 1–August 12
Application deadline: June 15 (U.S. students) | March 13 (international students)
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade high school students in summer or current 11th or 12th grade students in the fall or spring semesters with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NYU Precollege gives you the chance to enroll in actual NYU undergraduate courses while living on campus or commuting in New York City. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines, including STEM, business, arts, humanities, and social sciences, and study in small, college-level classes taught by NYU faculty. This college program for high school students in NYC mirrors the rigor of undergraduate classes and includes graded assignments, projects, and exams tied to your chosen subject. Alongside academics, you attend College 101 sessions that address admissions, financial aid, and study strategies. You also gain full access to NYU's resources, including libraries, tutoring services, dining halls, and student activities. The program allows you to earn college credit while experiencing daily life as a student at a major research university.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Cost: $3,300 (tuition fee) | Optional housing and meal plans available
Dates: Session 1: June 16–27 | Session 2: July 7–18 | Session 3: July 28–August 8
Application deadline: May 1 or until full (varies)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 (typically age 14+) who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in any programming language, and hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
NYU’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC) is a two-week, in-person program that introduces you to the fundamentals of robotics, electronics, and programming. You’ll work hands-on with sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, and circuitry while learning how software controls physical systems. The coding curriculum focuses on core concepts such as loops, variables, and conditionals, which you apply directly to robot behavior. Over the course of the program, you design, build, and program multiple robots, including a mobile manipulator system. Daily sessions combine guided workshops with problem-solving challenges focused on engineering design thinking. The experience concludes with a robotics challenge in which your completed robots are tested on performance-based tasks.
Location: NYU's New York City campus
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship
Dates: January 31–May 9
Application deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school students who are currently enrolled in grades 9–11
Tisch Future Artists is a no-cost, 14-week spring semester program that introduces you to university-level arts training across multiple disciplines. Meeting on Saturdays, the program offers focused tracks in areas such as filmmaking, dramatic writing, dance, photography, game design, theatre, and recorded music. You study with Tisch faculty and engage in projects aligned with NYU’s undergraduate curricula. Each track emphasizes hands-on creation, collaboration, and discipline-specific skill development. For example, some students focus on storytelling and visual narratives, while others explore performance, choreography, or music industry fundamentals. By the end of the semester, you will have complete projects that reflect professional artistic processes.
Location: NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship
Dates: July 13–August 7
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be studying in 10th or 11th grade at the time of applying | Must be residents of New York City or nearby areas such as Jersey City, Newark, or Hempstead
CS4CS is a three-week summer program at NYU Tandon that introduces you to cybersecurity and foundational computer science concepts. You’ll engage in topics such as ethical hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, and data privacy through hands-on challenges. Practical exercises include Capture the Flag competitions and applied security scenarios that simulate real-world cyber threats. The college program for high school students in NYC also addresses the human side of cybersecurity, including phishing, identity theft, and social engineering. A distinctive component involves improv-based training through Irondale Theater to strengthen communication and public speaking skills.
Location: Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Cost: $2,400 (limited scholarship support may be available)
Dates: August 11–29
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11 who have a demonstrated interest in mathematics and a good academic standing (math grades B- or higher)
NYU’s Summer Math Program is a three-week academic experience hosted at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Students dive into college-level topics such as number theory, graph theory, topology, combinatorics, and introductory computer science. Faculty and graduate student lectures are followed by collaborative problem-solving sessions where concepts are applied in depth. The program also includes math-based games and puzzles that promote creative and strategic thinking. Guest speakers discuss how mathematics is used across scientific and professional fields, and sessions on college preparation help contextualize academic pathways in STEM. A group visit to the National Museum of Mathematics rounds out the experience.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential fee: $11,500 | Commuter fee: $6,250 (Need-based scholarships available)
Dates: Session 1: July 6–24 | Session 2: July 27–August 14
Application deadline: December 22 (Priority) | March 2 (Regular)
Eligibility: Current high school students (16+ for the residential program)
Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program is a selective, three-week summer experience for high school students interested in engineering and STEM fields. You’ll take college-level courses in areas such as robotics and computer science, supported by labs and applied assignments. This college program for high school students in NYC is focused on quantitative reasoning, process analysis, and engineering problem-solving. In addition to core classes, you participate in workshops focused on research skills, entrepreneurship, and college preparation. Access to Columbia’s Makerspace allows hands-on experimentation with tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters, depending on the course. Mentorship from Columbia students and staff supports academic development throughout the program.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship
Dates: July 6–August 7 (ieSoSc I) | July 13–August 7 (ieSoSc II)
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 9th to graduating 11th-grade students who are at least 15 years of age and are residents of NYC and Nassau County
NYU Tandon’s ieSoSC program combines technology, entrepreneurship, and urban systems into a five-week summer curriculum. You’ll learn technical skills such as coding, circuit design, sensor integration, and Internet of Things concepts while examining how these tools support smart city development. The program also introduces business fundamentals, including product development, branding, and intellectual property. During the second half of the program, you work in a small team to design and prototype a device or application addressing a real-world urban challenge. Each team receives a budget to support hands-on development. Communication and pitching skills are reinforced through public speaking workshops. The experience concludes with a public presentation of your prototype to engineers and community stakeholders.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York
Cost: $3,180 tuition + optional costs
Dates: Session 1: June 15–27 | Session 2: July 6–17 | Session 3: July 20–31 + one-day online orientation scheduled 3–4 days before each session begins
Application deadline: Session 1: April 17 | Session 2 and 3: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are 15 years old or above | Open to U.S. and international students
This college program for high school students in NYC is a two-week, in-person course focused on the computational and mathematical foundations of machine learning. As a participant, you’ll explore concepts such as linear regression, neural networks, cross-validation, and model evaluation through structured lessons. Programming-based assignments allow you to apply theory to practical data-driven problems. Daily schedules combine lectures, coding sessions, and collaborative work. The curriculum connects machine learning methods to real-world applications, including image recognition, autonomous systems, and medical diagnostics. Outside of class, you participate in organized activities with other summer students.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Cost: $3,230 tuition + additional costs
Dates: June 15–27
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent) | Have some experience in programming (in any language) | Must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
Design, Invent & Innovate is a two-week summer program at NYU Tandon focused on practical engineering and innovation skills. You’ll work in the university’s Makerspace, learning rapid prototyping, CAD modeling, and fabrication techniques. Early sessions introduce principles of innovation through case studies drawn from fields such as medicine, transportation, and electronics. You also conduct fieldwork to identify real-world problems worth solving. As the program progresses, you design and build a prototype that applies these concepts in a hands-on project. The experience concludes with a completed project that reflects both technical and creative problem-solving.
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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