Participating in summer internships or programs during high school in fields you are interested in is a great way to demonstrate initiative and make your college applications more competitive. Engaging in hands-on learning, earning potential college credit, and building practical skills in the field you’ve chosen gives you a strong head start—which is particularly important in fields like environmental science, which have a high demand for expertise. Such pre-college programs can help you gain new skills, deepen your knowledge, and prepare you for the rigors of a college degree.
Our blog today focuses on Wave Hill’s Forest Project and what makes it a compelling experience for any high schooler serious about environmental science.
What is Wave Hill's Forest Project?
Wave Hill’s Forest Project is a paid summer internship focused on urban ecology, designed to engage high school students in ecological restoration. Established in 1981, this program is an opportunity for New York City high schoolers to contribute to restoring the local woodland while building environmental awareness and teamwork skills.
Over the course of the summer, you will work on-site to restore natural habitats by removing invasive species, maintaining trails, and protecting eroded slopes. The program additionally provides exposure to intro-level, accredited college courses at Wave Hill teaching ecology and environment management as well as field trips for additional learning.
How is the Forest Project structured?
The internship is held on weekdays over the summer and has you work outdoors in small teams, performing ecological conservation tasks such as trail maintenance and habitat restoration. The curriculum also includes enrollment in the course "Restoration of New York City’s Natural Areas," an accredited college course on urban ecology. Led by Wave Hill staff, this course covers ecological topics through hands-on activities like data collection and research projects.
You will get to participate in field trips to partner organizations, gaining exposure to different ecological initiatives and opportunities for collaboration. Successful completion of the course and the internship will give you a $2,275 stipend and credit for one college course.
Is it prestigious?
While the Forest Project is well-regarded for its experiential learning and impactful community work, its restriction to New York City residents makes it somewhat less prestigious. It offers valuable connections with professionals in ecology as well as Wave Hill staff, and the alumni network improves your access to opportunities to pursue advanced studies and careers in ecology. These training and networking opportunities add significant value for college applications in environmental or urban studies. Overall, we’d rate this internship as slightly prestigious but a valuable learning experience nonetheless.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be able to apply, you need to meet the following requirements:
Be enrolled in high school
Be at least 16 years old by May 1, 2025
Reside in New York City and be eligible to work in the U.S.
Have a strong interest in environmental issues and urban ecology
How does the application process work?
Applications to the Forest Project open on December 1 and close on February 28. You will also need to apply separately to NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) here, selecting St. Nick’s Alliance as a primary provider. SYEP applications are due by March 1. Compensation is approximately $2,275, with college credit available. Limited financial aid may be offered based on individual eligibility.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros
Plenty of practical experience: The structure of the internship lets you work hands-on in several aspects of ecological conservation and restoration, which is valuable for college applications and future careers.
You can obtain college credit: The program offers one college course credit, making it a useful academic achievement.
Good networking opportunities: The field trips and the internship experience itself let you connect with peers, experts in environmental science, as well as program alumni, creating professional relationships.
You can earn a stipend: Successful completion of the internship lets you earn a sizable $2,275, which can go towards future academic opportunities.
Cons
The workload can be both physically and mentally intense: Physical tasks and academic coursework make this program challenging. It's not ideal if you prefer a lighter schedule.
It is geographically restricted: Only New York City residents are eligible to apply.
The prestige of the program is limited: The combination of geographical restriction and no rigorous academic criteria make this internship less prestigious than some others.
Should you apply?
Wave Hill’s Forest Project can be a solid learning opportunity for high school students who are serious about environmental work and urban ecology. While it is restricted to NYC residents, it does provide hands-on experience in ecological conservation and restoration, college credit, and networking opportunities. This program is ideal if you enjoy fieldwork and seek practical training in environmental science.
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.
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 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.