15 Fall Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- 6 hours ago
- 10 min read
As a high school student, programs during the fall can be a practical way for you to explore college-level academics and professional environments. Through a blend of structured coursework, mentorship, and projects, fall programs can help you build academic depth, explore career interests, and form meaningful connections with peers and professionals while balancing your regular school schedule. These opportunities also provide early exposure to selective institutions, competitive admissions environments, and rigorous expectations similar to those found at the college level.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
New York City is home to universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and industry hubs that offer experiences across STEM, policy, business, and the arts. These programs allow you to work on guided projects, such as building tech prototypes, conducting lab research, creating art portfolios, or exploring urban policy issues, while connecting with mentors, college faculty, and motivated peers. Whether you live in the city or plan to travel to NYC, these fall programs give you access to rich learning environments and diverse professional communities.
To help you shortlist the right options, we have compiled a list of 15 fall programs for high school students in NYC.
If you are looking for research programs in New York City, check out our blog here.
15 Fall Programs for High School Students in NYC
Location: City Limits, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; small fall cohorts each year
Stipend: $500
Dates: September – December; check details here.
Application deadline: Summer (date varies by year)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending public or charter schools in NYC; priority given to students from underserved backgrounds
CLARIFY is a selective journalism internship that trains high school students in investigative and accountability reporting focused on New York City issues. The program combines classroom-style workshops with hands-on reporting assignments, allowing you to develop skills in research, interviewing, fact-checking, and article drafting. You will work closely with professional journalists who provide editorial guidance and feedback throughout the reporting process. The program curriculum emphasizes civic engagement, with structured opportunities to engage with public officials, government agencies, and community organizations. By the end of the fall session, you will earn bylines in published articles and gain experience working under newsroom deadlines in a professional reporting environment.
Location: Remote
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Fall Cohort: September – December; summer, spring, and winter cohorts are also available.
Application deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high school student. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: BioBase Harlem at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cohort size: Not specified
Stipend: $17/hour
Dates: September in the first year – June in the next year; requires commitment of one day/week.
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who identify as women, non-binary, or gender non-conforming and live or attend school in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood
BioBus offers internships to NYC high school students interested in research. As an intern, you will work in Columbia University’s Biobase lab, contributing to team-based or independent biology projects and learning how to work with advanced lab tools. Throughout the fall, you will run experiments, analyze data, and learn how to present your findings. You will also gain experience as an educator while leading science activities for local youth and community members. The program additionally offers access to mentorship, career talks, and college readiness workshops.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited fellowship placements
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Fall cohorts: September – December; summer, spring, and winter cohorts are also available.
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; prior AI/Python experience or completion of AI Scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Wildlife Conservation Society & Fordham University, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; small research teams with undergraduate mentors
Stipend: $350 for fall interns | $750 stipend or $16/hour for summer interns
Dates: Fall: September–December (Saturdays) + Summer program: Late June – August
Application deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living in the Bronx with good academic standing
Project TRUE is a selective, fully funded research program that trains high school students in ecology and urban conservation science over the summer and fall. During the fall session, you will build on your summer fieldwork by analyzing real datasets related to mammal populations, bird communities, water quality, and invasive species across New York City. Weekly Saturday workshops will focus on research design, statistical analysis, and science communication, helping you interpret and present ecological data effectively. You will work in small teams under close mentorship from Fordham University undergraduates and Wildlife Conservation Society scientists. The program culminates in formal presentations of your findings to researchers and public audiences.
Location: The New York Historical, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited academic-year cohort
Stipend: $700
Dates: October – June (fall + spring during the academic year)
Application deadline: Late August
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 – 12 who live and attend school in the New York City metro area
The Student Historian Internship Program is a selective, paid academic-year internship that trains high school students in historical research and digital humanities. During the fall session, you will utilize The New York Historical museum and library collections to conduct in-depth research around a historical theme, such as Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America. You will work closely with museum educators and professional staff to develop skills in archival research, historical analysis, and academic writing. The program also emphasizes digital storytelling, allowing you to produce creative digital projects designed for public education. Throughout the fall, you will collaborate with peers in a seminar-style setting and work on building communication and critical thinking skills.
Location: NYC Parks & Urban Park Ranger sites, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective placement; limited spots per park location
Cost/Stipend: Free; community service hours provided
Dates: Fall Session: September – December (~eight weeks)
Application deadline: Rolling; placements filled on an ongoing basis
Eligibility: New York City high school students interested in environmental science or conservation
The Ranger Conservation Corps Internship is a fall program that allows high school students to work alongside NYC Urban Park Rangers on conservation and restoration projects. During the program, you will participate in hands-on environmental work in natural areas across the city’s major parks, gaining exposure to urban ecology and environmental stewardship. You will assist with activities such as habitat restoration, wildlife observation, and park maintenance while learning about local ecosystems. The program also includes experiential learning opportunities such as field trips, which may involve canoeing or overnight camping. You will earn community service hours and gain practical experience that supports future coursework and college applications in environmental and biological sciences.
Location: Various NASA centers in the U.S. + virtual opportunities
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; varies by opportunity
Stipend: Paid; amount is based on the academic level and session duration
Dates: Late August/early September – mid-December (16 weeks)
Application deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and are U.S. citizens and 16 or older
NASA’s OSTEM offers internships in the fall, summer, and spring to high school students. As an intern, you will work with scientists, engineers, and other NASA professionals on real projects in aerospace and space technology. In the process, you will build research and technical problem-solving skills. You will have access to the mentorship of NASA experts and gain insights into the agency’s mission of advancing science, tech, aeronautics, and space exploration. You will explore STEM career paths in and outside NASA during the internship.
Location: Everett Children’s Adventure Garden at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), New York, NY
Cohort size: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: None; some paid positions may be available.
Dates: Flexible internship period in the fall; a commitment of 125 volunteer hours required over six months or less
Application deadline: April 22
Eligibility: High school students
The NYBG Explainer Program offers high schoolers the opportunity to serve as volunteer educators for the garden’s visitors. You will begin the internship learning about the NYBG’s mission, which focuses on enhancing science, education, and horticulture through garden tours and activities. Then, you will join your assigned team, conduct citizen science phenophase research in the Thain Family Forest, and attend seminars on botany, climate literacy, horticulture, environmental education, and career development. You will also work on developing teaching skills to organize and conduct activities for children and families at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Cost: $550/course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September 27 + October 4, 11, 18, and 25 + November 1, 8, 15, and 22 + December 6 (10 dayes)
Application deadline: September 17; first-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
This program offers you the chance to take 10-day courses taught by FIT professionals on Saturdays throughout the fall. You can enroll in one or two classes, with each class lasting three hours and offered either in the morning or the afternoon. Options span various creative and business areas, including sewing, styling, fashion journalism, jewelry design, illustration, fashion portfolio building, fashion business, advertising, graphic design, interior design, and fine arts. As a participant, you will create competitive portfolio pieces, explore FIT's majors, experience campus culture, and connect with like-minded peers. The program can help you discover various fields in fashion.
Location: New York University (NYU), New York, NY
Cohort size: Not specified
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Fall sessions run from September to December
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in late August for the Fall program
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
NYU’s Medical Ethics Internship is a two-week opportunity to dive into bioethics through the lens of law, health care, and public policy. As a participant, you will learn about healthcare-related ethical issues and medical dilemmas, like reproductive rights, end-of-life decisions, and the use of AI in medicine. Led by faculty, the program includes guest talks delivered by professionals in public health, biotech, patient advocacy, and law. You will also engage in seminar-style conversations and draft short reflections. The internship ends with the submission of a final paper, for which you will investigate a bioethics issue of your choice.
Location: Online or at NYU, New York, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $50 application fee + tuition: $700 – $16,016, depending on the number of credits
Dates: Fall: September 2 – December 11; summer and spring sessions also available
Application deadline: Fall: August 15
Eligibility: Current 11th and 12th-grade high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
NYU offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to engage in credit-bearing college-level coursework during the summer or the academic year through spring and fall courses, held on the university campus or online. You can choose courses from various tracks, including STEM, business, social sciences, the arts, and media, based on your interests. As a participant, you will attend lectures led by NYU faculty and engage in field trips relevant to your course. The program also allows you to enroll in the College 101 workshop series, which covers the essentials of college coursework, college admissions and financial aid processes, and application essays.
Location: Alley Pond Park and other field sites, Queens, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes per session
Cost: $150; financial aid available
Dates: Fall session: September – December (Saturdays only)
Application deadline: August 1
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up, who can commit to outdoor fieldwork and attend at least five of six scheduled sessions
Alley Pond’s Field Biology Internships are designed for high school students interested in ecology, environmental science, and hands-on field research. During the fall session, you participate in guided fieldwork across urban ecosystems in Queens, applying classroom concepts directly in outdoor environments. You will engage in activities like conducting biodiversity surveys, observing birds, sampling soil and water for quality testing, identifying macroinvertebrates, coastal seining, and native flora planting. You will learn foundational research skills such as experimental design, data collection, record keeping, and observation under the guidance of local environmental professionals. The internship ends with a final presentation, allowing you to share insights based on your field research.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $80 application fee + $2,810 tuition/session
Dates: September 19 – December 7; spring session is also available.
Application deadline: Late August
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University allows high schoolers to engage in college-level coursework during the fall and spring through the Academic Year Weekend Program. You will spend 10 weekends attending classes, connecting with peers from diverse backgrounds, participating in virtual clubs, and receiving mentorship from a Student Life Intern. You can choose a course from around 20 options, including courses in STEM, business, and social sciences. The program also offers access to leadership seminars, career exploration workshops, and lectures to help you prepare for college.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $8,008 + $75 online application fee; scholarships are available.
Program dates: October 13 – November 21; summer sessions also available
Application deadline: September 9
Eligibility: High school students
NYU Tisch’s Online High School Filmmakers Workshop is an asynchronous program that covers various aspects of the development and production of short films. This four-week credit-bearing program allows you to collaborate with and create short films digitally. You will work on technical and creative projects, including the development of a music video, a documentary, and a final narrative short film. You will also join a crew-like setup as you connect virtually with peers and explore the real challenges and operations of production teams. The program is designed to help you explore visual storytelling, screenwriting fundamentals, and film structure through readings, exercises, and online media consumption.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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