16 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)

From college essays to storytelling and even explaining big ideas, writing plays a role in almost everything we do. And if you're a high school student in New York City, summer is the best time to hone your writing skills before you apply to college

There are many writing programs across the city where you can learn from experienced teachers, write every day, and explore different styles, from poetry and fiction to journalism and screenwriting. These programs let you try new things, get feedback from instructors and classmates, and figure out what kind of writing you actually enjoy. Plus, it’s a fun way to meet students from other schools, build your portfolio, and get a feel for what it’s like to write in a more professional or academic setting. 

We’ve picked 16 of the best summer writing programs for high school students in New York City! This list includes programs that are rigorous, well-known, and offer real networking opportunities.

16 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Lumiere is a selective online research program where high school students work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research paper. Most mentors are from universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Oxford. The program runs for 12 weeks across multiple cohorts each year.

You can choose from subjects like computer science, medicine, biology, economics, psychology, political science, business, engineering, international relations, and more. After choosing your subject, you develop a research question, explore academic sources, and write a research paper. Some students submit their papers to journals or competitions. You can find more details about the program application here.

2. Columbia University NYC Pre-College Writing Programs

Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York, NY

Cost: $12,764 (residential), $6,310 (3-week commuter), $2,830 (1-week commuter), $3,965 (2-week online), $2,815 (1-week online) per session, plus a non-refundable $80 application fee and course-specific fees. Need-based scholarships are available.

Dates: Vary, June through August

Application Deadline: March 17

Eligibility: You must be a rising 9th–12th grader (residential students must be 16+)

Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies offers over 70 pre-college summer programs for high school students, with options to attend on campus or online. If you are interested in writing, you can choose from courses in creative writing, fiction, comedy writing, and more. 

These classes help you build your skills through writing exercises, readings, and discussions. You might explore how to create vivid characters, craft imaginative stories, or even write through comedy and improvisation. When you finish the program, you will receive a Certification of Participation and a personalized evaluation letter.

3. Fordham University Writing for Leadership

Location: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY

Cost: $1,939 (Residential), $1,358 (Commuter); need-based discounts available up to April 1

Dates: June 23 - June 27

Application Deadline: May 15 (for course only), April 30 (for course and housing)

Eligibility: High school students who have completed their first year by summer; recommended for students with a GPA of 3.0 or above

Fordham University’s Writing for Leadership program is a five-day summer experience held at the Rose Hill campus for high school students who want to strengthen their writing and communication skills. You will explore how to write for real-world situations, including college applications, professional emails, career materials, and digital platforms like LinkedIn or blogs. You will work closely with current Fordham students to build a mock resume and learn about networking. There may even be off-campus trips to round out the experience.

4. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

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. 

5. Fordham University English Summer Courses – Composition Track

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies, typically 4 - 12

Location: Fordham University, Rosehill Campus, Bronx, NY/Lincoln Center Campus, New York, NY

Cost: $3,255

Dates: July 1 - August 5

Application Deadline: Rolling till spots fill

Eligibility: High School Students

Fordham University’s pre-college programs offer high school students a range of summer courses, including two English Composition sessions, one at the Rose Hill campus and one at Lincoln Center. These classes introduce you to literacy narratives and academic writing while helping you build confidence in reading and writing across different genres.

You will explore how to communicate in various academic and real-world contexts, take part in thoughtful discussions, and respond to a variety of readings and writing assignments. At the end of the course, you will complete a final project and portfolio and receive feedback from both your instructor and your peers. You can check the details here.

6. NYU Tisch Summer High School Dramatic Writing Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24

Location: Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing, NYU, New York, NY

Cost: $14,603 + $75 application fee; need-based financial aid offered

Dates: July 5 - August 1

Application Deadline: December 1

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (preference for juniors) with a 3.0 GPA. International students need a valid passport and English proficiency scores.

The Tisch Summer High School Program at NYU gives high school students a chance to explore dramatic storytelling through a college-level experience. Based on the Tisch undergraduate curriculum, the program blends writing classes with studio and production time to help you develop both academic and professional skills. 

You will earn credit through graded courses in screenwriting and playwriting while creating your own short film, outlining a full-length screenplay, and crafting monologues that professional actors will bring to life. You’ll also attend pre-college seminars, enjoy a Broadway show, and end the program by presenting your work, including staged scenes from your original plays.

7. 92NY’s Young Writers Workshop

Location: 92nd Street Y, New York, NY

Cost: $1,800 (2 weeks), $2,600 (3 weeks) with need-based financial aid available

Dates: Jul 14 - 24 (2 weeks), Jul 14 - 31 (3 weeks)

Application Deadline: July 8

Eligibility: Age criterion as per the course

The 92nd Street Y in New York offers summer writing workshops for teens from the U.S. and around the world. You’ll spend your mornings in two-hour writing sessions and your afternoons in small roundtable workshops to share work and exchange feedback. If you're 17 or older, you can also stay on site by choosing the residential option for an extra fee.

There are two workshop tracks. If you are between 12 and 14, you will read stories, poems, and essays to spark your creativity, write your own pieces, and give feedback to your peers. If you are between 15 and 18, you’ll explore poetry and fiction during the first two weeks, then dive into narrative history, journalism, and true crime in the final week. You’ll also pick up tips on how to write personal essays or even try out podcasting as a way to tell a story.

8. Sarah Lawrence College Summer Writing & Theatre for Teens

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 - 75 (in-person), 50 (virtual); individual workshops 12 - 14

Location: Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY

Cost: On-campus- $1,750 ($250 non-refundable deposit), Virtual - $1,095 ($250 non-refundable deposit); scholarships available for Yonkers Public School students

Dates: July 21 - July 25 (Session 1), August 4 - August 8 (Session 1), July 7 - July 11 (Virtual)

Application Deadline: Rolling till spots fill

Eligibility: High school students entering 9 - 12 grades the following fall; must be age 14 or older at program start

Sarah Lawrence College’s Writer’s Week brings together high school students ages 14 to 18 for a creative summer experience that blends writing and theatre. You’ll explore storytelling through a wide mix of formats, comedy and sketch writing, audio podcasts, playwriting, monologues, and more. Each day starts with a morning writing workshop, where you’ll respond to creative prompts like reimagining a fairy tale or writing a poem inspired by a Wiki page. 

Guest authors and theatre artists often join for special sessions, and you may even have the chance to step up to the mic at an open reading. In the afternoon, you’ll join theatre workshops to explore how writing comes alive on stage. You’ll work in a small cohort of 12 to 14 students led by two instructors, with plenty of time to connect with peers on campus.

9. The School of the New York Times Summer Academy Feature Writing Program

Location: The School of New York Times, NYC

Cost: $6,990 (residential), $5,660 (day program) + $50 application fee; extra fees for materials, equipment, activities; flexible payment plans and scholarships available; $500 discount on each term for enrolling in multiple terms

Dates: July 6 - July 18 (Term 3), July 20 - Aug 1 (Term 4)

Application Deadline: Rolling, on a first-come, first-served basis

Eligibility: Rising 10-12, Graduating Seniors based on the grade entering in the fall; must be age 15 years by the first day of the term

The School of the New York Times Summer Academy gives high school students the chance to dive into feature writing with a focus on real-world industries. You’ll learn how to write for professional audiences by exploring business-to-business storytelling, covering trends, products, and services in depth.

Taught by experienced instructors and featuring sessions with Times journalists and guest experts, the program blends writing workshops with hands-on field research. You’ll visit local NYC businesses like a perfumery, a cheese shop, or a pop-up market to gather material for your feature stories. By the end of the session, you’ll receive a digital certificate and a personalized evaluation.

10. St John’s University Summer High School Scholars Program – Writing Tracks

Location: St. John's University, Queens, NY + virtual

Cost: $1,000 per course (some may have extra fees). Students attending St. John’s after high school can get a $2,000 annual grant, renewable for up to 4 years.

Dates: July 14 to August 14

Application Deadline: June 20

Eligibility: High school rising seniors with an anticipated high school graduation date of the next year; must have a cumulative high school average of 92 without Standardized Test Scores or a cumulative high school average of 90 with minimum Standardized Test Scores of 1210 SAT or 25 ACT

St. John’s University’s Summer Writing Program is designed for high-achieving rising seniors who want to earn college credit while exploring their interests in writing and literature. You can choose to attend in person or online, with the flexibility to pick courses that match your goals. You can enroll in up to two college-level classes, with options that include professional writing, fiction workshops, and literature-focused courses. Whether you're looking to strengthen your storytelling skills or dive into analyzing literary texts, there’s something here for you. You can check the list of courses here.

11. Barnard College The NextGen Leadership Institute Writing and Literature Track

Location: Barnard College, New York, NY

Cost: $10,171 (maximum for 3-week program) + $75 application fee (waived if application received by February 10 priority date)

Dates: June 29 – July 18

Application Deadline: Rolling till spots fill

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school

Barnard College’s Writing and Literature track is part of the NextGen Leadership Institute, open to high school students as a residential or commuter experience. You’ll build a writing portfolio, explore publishing pathways, and take part in leadership sessions each week. Courses include Dystopia in the Margins, Screenwriting, and Writing about Literature and Culture. You’ll read, write, workshop your work, and study film and fiction in small cohorts. The program uses the Canvas platform for class discussions and assignments, and includes campus activities and weekly staff meetups

12. University of Iowa Summer Writing Online (SWO)

Location: Virtual

Cost: $295; financial aid and additional scholarships are offered (not offered to international students)

Dates: July 7 - July 25

Application Deadline: April 18

Eligibility: High school students currently in Grades 9 - 11

The University of Iowa’s Summer Writing Online (SWO) program gives high school students the chance to grow as writers in a virtual, college-level environment. Classes are held live over Zoom, and you'll also access readings, assignments, and discussions through the university’s digital learning platform.

Each day includes two morning sessions: one focused on writing structure, where you’ll learn how to apply new concepts to your own work, and another where you’ll dive into genres like fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. In the afternoon, you’ll join workshops with your peers to share your writing, give thoughtful feedback, and explore ways to revise and improve.

13. Columbia Writing Academy: Writing the College Admissions Essay 

Location: Virtual

Cost: $3,960 per session + $80 application fee + expenses for course materials up to $50

Dates: July 21 - July 31 (6 - 8 hours, 3 days/week)

Application Deadline:

Eligibility: High school students and others across the world

The Columbia Writing Academy offers students an opportunity to attend online instructional classes to develop an admissions essay that reflects their own story and experiences. The 2-week program is conducted on Zoom with three weekly workshops and focused time with individual students. You will be given writing and reading assignments and participate in 1:1 tutorials and workshops. The workshops will include guidance on selecting the right college and tips for the college application process.

14. Lighthouse Writers Workshops

Location: Virtual

Cost: $270 with tuition assistance available

Dates: Vary, June through August (typically 5 days)

Application Deadline: Till spots fill

Eligibility: Students in grades 3 - 12

Lighthouse Writers offers five-day virtual workshops for teens led by published authors and university-level writing instructors. You can choose online sessions in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and each workshop includes daily readings, writing exercises, peer feedback, and instructor support. You’ll start by reviewing course materials on the first day, then spend the week diving into discussions, submitting your work, and engaging with your peers’ writing. 

Some standout courses include Creative Writing Cornerstones for exploring multiple genres, Short Story Studio for feedback on your fiction, and College Essay for shaping a standout personal statement. You can check current workshops here.

15. Writopia Lab Advanced Writing Seminar

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30

Location: Pratt Art Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: $4,200 with financial aid available

Dates: July 13 - July 26th

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, and rising college freshmen

Writopia Lab’s Advanced Writing Seminar is a two-week residential program for high school students who want to take their writing to the next level. You’ll join multi-genre workshops and choose a focus area that matches your interests, whether it’s comedy, poetry, memoir, or something else.

Led by professional authors, playwrights, and essayists, the program offers niche intensives like writing short plays, magazine features, or detective stories. You’ll also venture out to spots like local cafés, the Brooklyn Promenade, or even the Staten Island Ferry to sharpen your observational writing skills through real-world experiences.

16. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Writing Programs

Location: Fully remote

Cost: Varies by course and course format - $550 - $1,365 (live), $984 - $1,499 (individually-paced), $716 - $2,127 (session-based), $191 (clubs); Application fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)/for international students $20 (outside the U.S. only); financial aid available for tuition costs for courses starting July 1 and later

Dates: Vary, June through August

Application Deadline: Rolling dates

Eligibility: Grade levels vary as per course type; some courses require qualifying scores on an advanced assessment

Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers online writing programs that let you dive deep into the craft from wherever you are. You’ll spend around 12 to 15 hours a week on live sessions and independent assignments that build your skills and confidence.

Whether you're interested in fiction, grammar, analysis, or persuasive writing, there’s a course to match your goals. Options include Word Building for grades 7 to 10, Crafting the Essay and Writing Analysis & Persuasion for grades 8 to 12, and The Writer’s Toolkit to strengthen your grammar and writing style. You can check out the details of the courses here.

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.

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