14 Fall Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student looking for a productive way to spend the fall, consider participating in a fall program! These programs take place during the fall semester and vary in format, from weekend workshops to research internships and short residential experiences. Participating in a fall program can help you develop subject knowledge, build new skills, and understand how your interests might connect to future academic or career paths.
Why should you participate in a fall program in California?
California offers a wide selection of fall programs for high school students, ranging from research and academic enrichment to creative and leadership-based opportunities. Many of these initiatives are hosted by leading universities such as Caltech, UC Berkeley, and the Claremont Colleges, providing structured ways for you to engage with college-level learning and explore potential majors. While some programs are selective and require an application process, others are open to all students seeking experience.
This list highlights 14 fall programs for high school students in California that you should check out!
14 Fall Programs for High School Students in California
1. Fall Fly-in Program: Caltech Up Close
Location: Caltech, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: October 11 – 14
Application Deadline: August 6
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (priority for underrepresented backgrounds in STEM)
Caltech Up Close is a selective fall fly-in program that offers high school seniors an inside look at life and learning at the California Institute of Technology. As a participant, you’ll attend information sessions on academics, research, and admissions while engaging with faculty, staff, and current students. The program also includes campus tours, panels, and discussions that highlight Caltech’s collaborative approach to science and engineering. Designed to make Caltech more accessible, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds, the program provides full funding for travel and accommodations.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year, including fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program designed for ambitious high school students. As a participant, you’ll have the opportunity to intern with high-growth startups across various industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These startups are often high-growth companies that raise over a million dollars. During the program, you’ll collaborate closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. It’s a virtual internship that’s generally meant to last for eight weeks.
3. CMC’s Fall Preview Fly-In Program
Location: Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: October 5 – 7
Application Deadline: August 10
Eligibility: High-achieving first-generation, rural, or low-income high school seniors
CMC’s Fall Preview Fly-In Program gives you an authentic glimpse into college life through immersive campus experiences. You’ll attend college-level classes, meet faculty, and engage in discussions on leadership, economics, and government, which are the college’s academic strengths. You’ll also get to connect with current undergraduates to understand the CMC community and residential culture. Beyond academics, you will participate in sessions on the admissions process and financial aid, gaining practical guidance on how to effectively prepare for applying to selective institutions. The program encourages exploration of liberal arts education through a leadership lens.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year, including fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you will collaborate one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete your own independent research project. Over 12 weeks, you will explore topics such as economics, psychology, computer science, or international relations—areas that genuinely interest you. By the end of the program, you will have authored a research paper that demonstrates your academic curiosity and college-level skills. This provides a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand experience in research before college.
5. Pomona College: Perspectives on Pomona (POP)
Location: Pomona College, Claremont, CA (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: October 5 – 7 (on-campus); October 23 or October 25 (virtual)
Application Deadline: August 11 (on-campus); September 29 (virtual)
Eligibility: High school seniors, especially those from diverse or first-generation backgrounds
Perspectives on Pomona (or POP) is Pomona’s flagship fall fly-in experience designed to introduce you to its academic rigor and collaborative campus community. As a participant, you’ll stay in residence halls, attend live classes, and explore diverse student organizations. The program emphasizes mentorship opportunities through engagement with faculty and current students. You’ll participate in activities that include workshops on the admissions process, essay writing, and financial aid. You’ll also gain insight into Pomona’s commitment to inclusivity, critical inquiry, and research-driven learning.
6. Discover Scripps
Location: Scripps College, Claremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 2 days in the fall
Application Deadline: August 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from first-generation and historically underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds; Must be interested in women’s liberal arts education
Discover Scripps offers you an in-depth experience of Scripps College’s academics and community through residential immersion. You will explore leadership, humanities, and the liberal arts through classroom visits, panels, and interactive workshops. The program fosters mentorship by connecting you with current Scripps students and faculty. Activities often include student life sessions, mock seminars, and discussions on women’s leadership. This opportunity provides valuable exposure to college-level academics while highlighting the benefits of studying at a women’s college.
7. High School Engineering Program (HSEP)
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks from September to November (every Saturday)
Application Deadline: September 4
Eligibility: Local Bay Area high school students (juniors/seniors preferred)
HSEP introduces you to core engineering concepts through weekly Saturday workshops. You will work in small teams on design and problem-solving challenges under the mentorship of UC Berkeley faculty and engineering students. The program includes site visits to campus labs and research centers, providing hands-on exposure to multiple engineering disciplines. You’ll develop collaboration, analytical thinking, and presentation skills through guided projects. HSEP is ideal for those eager to explore college-level engineering in a hands-on setting.
8. Mini-University
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: November 19
Application Deadline: October 29
Eligibility: Bay Area 9th-11th graders interested in STEM
Mini-University is a one-day, interactive program designed to introduce you to UC Berkeley’s academic offerings and campus community. You’ll get to meet engineering students and STEM professors and learn about various STEM career pathways. The program also offers the opportunity to participate in hands-on engineering activities and tour academic labs. Through informational sessions and activities, you will gain exposure to Berkeley’s interdisciplinary approach and research opportunities in STEM.
9. CaltechY’s RISE Tutoring Program
Location: Caltech, Pasadena, CA (online options offered)
Cost: $200 for the academic year; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: September 29 – May 21
Application Deadline: December 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) 8th-12th graders with a GPA of 2.0+; Students outside PUSD can apply after December 1 if there’s space
The RISE Program pairs local high school students with Caltech undergraduates for academic tutoring and STEM mentorship. Through weekly in-person or virtual meetings, you will receive guidance in math, physics, and chemistry, along with exposure to Caltech’s labs and research culture. The mentorship aspect helps build confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. You may also attend community workshops and special campus events focused on STEM careers. The program emphasizes long-term growth through consistent engagement and mentor relationships.
10. SEACAMP San Diego: School-Year Programs
Location: SEACAMP San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: September – November (fall program)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in marine science
SEACAMP San Diego offers school-year programs that run in the fall and spring and will immerse you in marine biology through hands-on exploration and field-based learning. As a participant, you’ll conduct lab experiments, study marine ecosystems, and participate in snorkeling and tide-pool research sessions. The program integrates science with environmental stewardship, helping you understand ocean conservation and ecology. Guided by marine biologists, you will gain valuable research experience in a collaborative, outdoor setting.
11. Preview Pitzer Program
Location: Pitzer College, Claremont, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: October 6 – 8
Application Deadline: August 24
Eligibility: High school seniors from first-generation and low-income backgrounds
Preview Pitzer introduces prospective students to Pitzer’s liberal arts model, rooted in social responsibility, intercultural understanding, and environmental sustainability. As a participant, you will stay on campus, join classes, and engage with current students and faculty. You’ll also attend workshops and panels focused on academic opportunities, financial aid, and the admissions process. The experience also highlights Pitzer’s community partnerships and emphasis on student-led initiatives.
12. Enterprise for High School Students (EHSS) – Fall Internship & Career Program
Location: Various locations in San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Fall and school-year (ongoing)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in San Francisco and the Bay Area
The Enterprise for High School Students (EHSS) program helps you explore careers, gain job skills, and find work opportunities during the school year. As a participant, you’ll get support with job training, résumé building, and interview prep, and you can apply for internships or part-time jobs through EHSS’s community partners. This program is good if you want hands-on experience, to earn work hours during the fall, or guidance as you begin your career journey. You’ll work closely with mentors who help you grow, build confidence, and learn what it’s really like to work in different fields.
13. SWENext Outreach Program
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple single-day sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by event or panel
Eligibility: High school students, with a focus on encouraging female students to explore engineering and STEM careers
The SWENext Outreach Program at UC Berkeley is designed to inspire high school students—especially young women—to explore STEM pathways and envision themselves in future engineering careers. Through SWENext, you can start STEM-focused clubs at your high school and receive guidance on academic planning, college readiness, and career exploration. Berkeley’s SWENext team provides resources, mentorship, and direct support from current engineering students. Each year, SWENext also hosts SWENext Day, a special event where you can tour UC Berkeley, engage with engineering faculty, and participate in activities like 3D modeling and soldering. You’ll also connect with current SWE members to learn about engineering majors and student life. The event includes a dedicated leadership summit to help students build confidence and develop leadership skills.
14. NYLC Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 2-year term (includes fall retreat + year-round meetings)
Application Deadline: Opens in the spring
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 (15+)
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a leadership program for high school students who want to create real change in their communities. As a member, you’ll work directly with NYLC, help shape national conversations around youth leadership, and represent young people at major events. You’ll collaborate with passionate students from across the country, plan youth-led conferences, and give feedback that influences NYLC’s programs. YAC is a great fit if you care about civic action, enjoy sharing your voice, and want to make an impact on a national level. This program helps you build confidence, develop leadership skills, expand your network, and create meaningful change in your school and community.
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