15 Fall Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a high school student, fall programs provide a great opportunity to expand your learning beyond the classroom. Fall programs for high school students allow you to explore subjects you’re interested in while developing skills, gaining industry exposure, and connecting with mentors. Participating in a program outside of school can also strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers that you’ve challenged yourself academically.
Massachusetts is home to many prestigious colleges and organizations, offering research labs, creative workshops, and internships for high school students. With so much happening during the school year, participating in a fall program can also teach you time management and balance. To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 fall programs for high school students in Massachusetts, showcasing opportunities that blend academic rigor with practical experience.
1. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) Fall High School Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 11-December 6
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Applicants must reside and attend high school physically in the U.S.; currently enrolled in 10th or 11th grade
The MIT Beaver Works Saturday Program extends STEM learning into the fall semester with in-person sessions at MIT and Lincoln Laboratory on Saturdays. This program introduces high school students to robotics, programming, engineering, and artificial intelligence through hands-on workshops, design challenges, and project-based learning. Instructors include MIT faculty, researchers, and STEM professionals who guide you through real-world applications of emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, drones, and cybersecurity systems. A special track, “Girls Who Can,” is designed to encourage female participation in fields such as digital logic, biotech, AI, and computational problem-solving.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8-12 weeks, devoting 10-20 hours/week
The Ladder Internship Program matches motivated high school students with startups and nonprofits for 8 weeks of remote project-based work. You will be paired with a company in fields such as artificial intelligence, health technology, consulting, or journalism, where you’ll take on tasks that contribute to ongoing projects. Many partner companies are early-to-mid-stage startups with strong growth potential. Each placement comes with guidance from both a Startup Mentor and a dedicated Ladder coach, allowing you to gain feedback from different perspectives. Internships conclude with a presentation of your work to company leadership, giving you experience in communicating results to professionals.
3. Massachusetts Life Science Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various life‑science workplaces across MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; part- or full-time internships at $17 per hour for six weeks of full-time work
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx. 150 placements each year
Dates: Internships must occur between May 1 and April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: MA high school students who are at least 16 years old by the internship start date and from underrepresented or low‑income schools
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge creates subsidized, paid internship opportunities for underrepresented and low-income students across the state. Each year, more than 150 placements are made at biotech companies, research labs, and academic institutions, with interns earning $17 per hour for working up to six weeks. Before beginning this paid fall program for high school students in Massachusetts, some students complete a pre-internship training course in biotechnology techniques and workplace readiness skills, ensuring they are well prepared for lab and office tasks. Once you are placed, you might assist with experiments, contribute to data entry, or support ongoing biomedical research under the guidance of professionals.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week remote opportunity where you design and complete an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD mentor. The available fields for study range from neuroscience, medicine, to economics and computer science, giving you flexibility to pursue your academic interests. Throughout the program, you’ll regularly meet with your mentor to refine your research questions, review scholarly literature, and learn how to apply formal research methods. The program concludes with a written paper that can be submitted to journals or competitions, showcasing your ability to handle college-level inquiry.
5. WPI School-Year Programs – Celebrating Women in STEM Day
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: November 1
Application Deadline: October 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-10
Worcester Polytechnic Institute hosts academic-year programs such as Celebrating Women in STEM Day, a fall event created for high school students and their adult champions. During this one-day event, participants engage in faculty-led workshops that showcase current STEM research areas such as bioscience, environmental engineering, and robotics. Students and their champions collaborate on a design challenge focused on water filtration, analyzing factors like efficiency, clarity, and cost in the process. Workshop tracks change but often include engaging options like “BioSleuths & Smart Solutions” and “Bots & Beams,” helping participants connect classroom concepts to real-world problem-solving.
6. New England Conservatory (NEC) Prep
Location: NEC campus and Tufts University
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: September 2 – December 8 or 15 (depending on campus); Examination period: December 16 – 17
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: Musically inclined students (ages vary; typically 8–18 years, depending on the course).
The NEC Prep program runs year-round and features in-person fall classes, ensembles, and lessons for high school musicians. With more than 1,500 students participating weekly, the program provides conservatory-level training across a range of disciplines, including orchestras, chamber music, jazz ensembles, and voice. Placement-based programs, such as large ensembles or chamber music, require auditions, while registration-based electives like composition seminars or music theory can be joined directly. The program also supports individual artistic growth through private lessons, technique workshops, and courses in areas like improvisation or reed-making.
7. BioBuilder High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: BioBuilder Learning Lab @Allston Labworks
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, 24 students
Dates: October 18–December 13
Application Deadline: Opens in September; rolling
Eligibility: Massachusetts high-school students aged 16+ years
This program combines online and in-person sessions, helping high school students build technical knowledge, laboratory skills, and professional competencies required for the life sciences domain. You will meet virtually on Thursdays and work in the lab on Saturdays, with lunch provided during the in-person days. Over the course of this fall program, you can practice synthetic biology concepts, benchwork techniques, and strengthen communication and collaboration skills relevant to research and biotech workplaces. Participants may also attempt micro-credential assessments in specific lab skills, though these are not guaranteed.
8. Museum of Science Museum Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically 7 weeks in the fall
Application Deadline: Applications open in June/July and vary depending on the specific internship
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-19 years
The Museum of Science in Boston offers school-year internships that give high school and college students hands-on experience in a professional science-focused environment. As an intern, you’ll develop workplace competencies such as communication, teamwork, and time management while contributing to the museum’s mission to engage the public with science. Depending on placement, interns may assist visitors, support programming, or help behind the scenes. The program also emphasizes professional development, giving you comprehensive feedback from supervisors and opportunities to reflect on your performance. Perks of an internship include free admission to museum exhibits, films, and shows, as well as reciprocal access to local institutions.
9. MIT Splash
Location: MIT campus
Cost/Stipend: $70 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: November 22–23
Application Deadline: Starts mid-October
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
MIT Splash is a 2-day fall program where high school students visit the MIT campus for a weekend of immersive learning through hundreds of short courses taught by MIT students. Held every November, the event allows you to choose from topics ranging from music production, philosophy to rocket engines, neuroscience, and digital forensics. Some sessions are designed as brief introductions, while others are longer seminars or workshops that allow deeper exploration. The classes are informal but academic in nature, promoting an environment where curiosity drives the experience. Over 21 hours, you can explore new subjects or dive into areas that match your interests.
10. Massachusetts Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP)
Location: Massachusetts community colleges, state universities, and undergraduate university of Massachusetts campuses
Cost/Stipend: $25 admission fee (may be waived) | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Fall semester (exact dates vary by college)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the college
Eligibility: Massachusetts high-school students (grades 9–12); admission requirements vary depending on the course
High school students in Massachusetts can earn both high school and college credit by taking real college courses during the fall semester. The courses are available at participating community colleges and state universities, either on campus or through approved high school partnerships. You will receive both high school and college credit for successful completion of your course, which can help to reduce your future tuition costs and accelerate your progress toward a degree. This fall program is especially valuable for low-income, first-generation, or underrepresented students, offering them their first experience with college-level coursework. Participation depends on specific public higher education institutions and available funding, so students should coordinate with their local campus to determine eligibility and enrollment options.
11. Berkshire Community College – Bridge to College
Location: Berkshire County
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September 2–December 11 | Finals: December 12–18
Application Deadline: August 22
Eligibility: Rising high-school juniors/seniors in Berkshire County or a Berkshire County resident pursuing secondary education (including but not limited to home schooling or virtual schooling); minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
The Berkshire Community College Bridge to College program enables high school students in Berkshire County to earn college credit during the fall semester while finishing their high school education. Through dual enrollment, you can take a course taught by a BCC professor either on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Concurrent enrollment is also offered, where approved high school teachers deliver BCC-accredited courses within local schools. Students can earn up to 15 credits in a semester, gaining exposure to college-level coursework that helps students seamlessly transition into postsecondary studies.
12. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Philadelphia, PA (Remote and in-person)
Cost/Stipend: No cost | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Spring: February to May, Summer: June to August, and Fall: September to
December
Application Deadline: Varies, check here for more details
Eligibility: High school students authorised to work in the U.S.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute offers internships for students interested in international affairs, security studies, and global policy. As an intern, you are paired with a scholar or professional mentor in fields such as Middle East studies, Eurasian politics, or national security, assisting with research, writing, and event coordination. Depending on your interests, you can choose from different roles such as research intern, communications intern, special events/development intern, or operations intern. Weekly seminars featuring guest speakers provide insight into career pathways while enhancing your understanding of foreign policy issues. You also gain access to all FPRI events, whether in person, hybrid, or virtual, broadening your exposure to the policy community. Interns can develop a research paper for potential publication in the institute’s “Intern Corner”.
13. Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $8,008 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: October 13 - November 21
Application Deadline: September 9
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
The Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop is a 6-week fall course that teaches students to write, direct, shoot, and edit short films through an asynchronous online format. Instruction is delivered using pre-recorded lectures and video modules, which you can complete at your own pace, alongside scheduled meetings with your instructor and film crew. Throughout the program, students complete a series of projects including a crew-based documentary, a music video, 3 technical assignments, and a final narrative film. You are expected to spend 6–10 hours per week on coursework, with daily or weekly deliverables that require consistent engagement. Collaborative elements, such as real-time video meetings with your film crew, help to simulate the teamwork of film production. At the completion of this fall program, participants will earn 4 credits.
14. Cornell SCE Pre-College Studies: Fall & Spring Study
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $1,940/credit hour | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 25–December 20
Application deadline: August 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 years and above
Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education offers high school students an opportunity to take credit-bearing courses during the fall and spring semesters. You will study alongside Cornell undergraduates and graduate students in subjects such as engineering, architecture, business, health sciences, international relations, and technology. Courses are offered both on campus and online through the Canvas platform, where interaction happens via discussion boards, video conferences, and direct communication with faculty. Students gain access to university resources, including libraries and learning platforms, and all grades are recorded on an official Cornell transcript. Credits earned may be transferable to Cornell or other universities, subject to each university’s policies.
15. Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $2,810 per session, after which each additional course costs $2,700 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September 19–December 7
Application deadline: Starts in April
Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolled in grades 9–12
Columbia University’s Academic Year Weekend is a 10-week online program that combines rigorous academic study with student life experiences. You can take up to four courses, each lasting two hours and scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, covering subjects such as law, creative writing, neuroscience, mathematics, business, and technology. Classes are taught in small sections by Columbia instructors and practitioners, with opportunities for interaction and feedback. Beyond academics, students can join virtual clubs, participate in Digital Community Groups for peer connection and mentoring, and attend seminars and workshops on college preparation and career development. Completing the program earns you a Certificate of Participation from Columbia, along with a written evaluation.
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