15 Fall Programs for High School Students in New York
If you’re a high school student, consider spending your fall participating in educational programs for high school students. Participating in programs for high school students will help you develop subject-specific skills, gain exposure to new fields, and connect with peers who share similar interests. You will also have the opportunity to explore your areas of interest and consider potential future study or career paths while still in high school.
New York has several academic and enrichment programs to offer, ranging from research opportunities in science and medicine to workshops in writing, art, and global studies. Many of these programs are hosted by universities and research institutes, introducing you to college-level learning and campus environments. Some meet on weekends, while others run virtually for multiple weeks during the semester.
Here are 15 fall programs for high school students in New York that are worth checking out!
15 Fall Programs for High School Students in New York
1. NYU Pre-college: Fall Term
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: $700+
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: September 2 – December 19
Application Deadline: August 15
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0+
During the NYU Precollege program, you’ll get to enroll in undergraduate courses at NYU and earn real college credits. You’ll study alongside college students, explore subjects that interest you, and experience life at a major research university in New York City. Some of the courses available to you will be in subject areas like STEM, humanities, arts, business, social sciences, and more. Aside from this, you’ll also get to attend College 101, which is a series of workshops and seminars focused on preparing you for applying to college. You’ll learn about what admissions officers expect, how to navigate financial aid, and so much more.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program designed for ambitious high school students. You will have the opportunity to spend around eight weeks working with high-growth start-ups that raise over one million dollars through a structured internship. The participating start-ups span various industries, including technology, deep tech, artificial intelligence/machine learning, health technology, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. As an intern, you will collaborate closely with your managers on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
3. City Limits CLARIFY Program
Location: City Limits, New York, NY
Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: October 15 – late November (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early fall
Eligibility: NYC high school students (grades 11-12 or recent grads)
CLARIFY is a paid internship in public service journalism that offers valuable professional development opportunities through the perspective of public service journalism. As a participant, you will gain skills in writing articles, researching local issues, and enhancing communication and critical thinking abilities. You’ll also benefit from hands-on training, mentorship, and real work experience. Designed to support students from diverse backgrounds, CLARIFY provides a paid opportunity to build confidence, strengthen media literacy, and develop career-ready skills.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you’ll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete your own independent research project. Over 12 weeks, you’ll explore topics like economics, psychology, computer science, or international relations—anything that truly interests you. By the end, you’ll have written a research paper that showcases your academic curiosity and college-level skills. It’s a unique opportunity to experience real research before college. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Syracuse University Accelerated Semester Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $750 per credit + nonrefundable $35 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: August (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0+
Syracuse University’s Accelerated Semester Online gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to take rigorous, eight-week online courses taught by Syracuse faculty. The program offers classes across subjects like business, communications, writing, and STEM, allowing you to explore college-level material in a flexible format. Coursework is fast-paced and mirrors the academic expectations of Syracuse’s undergraduate programs. You will gain exposure to college-style lectures, assignments, and discussions, all while earning credit that can be applied toward future study.
6. FIT Pre-college: 10-Day Classes
Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, NY
Cost: $550
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Fall semester (10-day sessions offered throughout the year)
Application Deadline: July 21 – September 17
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The FIT Precollege program gives you the chance to explore fashion, design, business, and creative industries through short, intensive 10-day sessions held throughout the year, including fall. Classes are hands-on and designed to help you build skills and start developing a portfolio. You’ll also get to learn from and work with FIT faculty, industry experts, and alumni. If you’re interested in fashion, art, or design, FIT’s Precollege sessions are a good way to improve your creative skills and get an understanding of the industry.
7. Pratt Institute Pre-college Programs
Location: Various Pratt Institute campuses across New York; Virtual options available
Cost: Varies by course; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in the year, including fall
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18
Pratt Institute offers pre-college programs throughout the year during which you’ll be able to take college-level courses in art, architecture, and design, and earn college credit. These courses are taught by Pratt faculty and will help you develop your art and design skills and build a portfolio for college applications. Some of the courses available to you include Digital Illustration, Digital Photography, Painting and Drawing, Architecture, and more. You’ll also get to meet and connect with peers who share your creative drive.
8. Columbia University College Edge: Academic Year
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,574 per point
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: September 2 – December 19
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11-12 with a cumulative GPA of 3.3+
Columbia University’s College Edge: Academic Year program gives you the chance to attend college-level courses while still in high school. During the program, you’ll learn alongside college students and also get the chance to earn college credit. Your courses will be taught by Columbia faculty or domestic and international experts who will share their insight and experience in the field. You can choose from courses in chemistry, math, statistics, German, and more. Aside from this, you’ll attend workshops focused on college and career preparation. You’ll also get to develop leadership skills and connect with students from around the world.
9. New York Tech Advance
Location: New York Tech, New York, NY
Cost: Varies by course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year, including fall
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores to seniors with a minimum cumulative average of a B
New York Tech offers several pre-college programs, including the New York Tech Advance. During this program, you’ll be able to participate in university-level courses taught by faculty members. This gives you the chance to explore a variety of college majors before having to decide on one. You’ll also get to earn New York Institute of Technology college credit. Aside from this, you’ll also get to go on campus tours and partake in hands-on learning experiences.
10. Hudson Valley Community College: College in the High School
Location: Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY
Cost: $70 per credit; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: September 2 – October 24
Application Deadline: Opens April 14
Eligibility: High school students (11th-12th graders preferred)
Through this program, you can enroll in college-level courses, earning early college credit from Hudson Valley Community College. The curriculum emphasizes academic writing, source evaluation, and analytical reading, which are skills essential for success in college. Some of the fall courses you can participate in include English, Statistics, Python Programming, Biology, Intro to Criminal Law, and so much more. This program is a good way to challenge yourself academically while boosting your future transcript.
11. Baruch College STEP Program
Location: Baruch College, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: October 11 – November 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: September (tentative)
Eligibility: NY high school students with good academic standing who meet the state-determined economic criteria
This free, four-week program at Baruch College will help you prepare for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). Sessions are held on Saturdays and focus on strengthening math and verbal reasoning skills through structured lessons and practice tests. The program is designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds who are aiming for New York City’s specialized high schools. You will work with experienced instructors who’ll provide test-taking strategies and individualized feedback. It’s a focused, supportive environment for students who want to build confidence and improve their SHSAT scores before exam day.
12. Mercy College High School Achievement Program
Location: Mercy College campuses in NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Scholarships and grants available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: September 15 – October 17 (fall semester)
Application Deadline: October 17
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with good academic standing
Mercy College’s High School Achievement Program provides students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school, often at a reduced cost. As a participant, you may choose to join either the fall or spring semester, or both, and will engage in college-level coursework. Many of these courses carry academic credit, which can be directly transferred to Mercy University and other post-secondary institutions. Scholarships and grants are available, making this program accessible to many students. Some of the courses available to you are in subject areas like business law, sociology, economics, art history, and more (see others here).
13. Columbia University: Academic Year Weekend
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,810 per session (additional costs apply)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: September 19 – December 7
Application Deadline: August 27 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students from around the world
For ten weekends, you will have the opportunity to participate in your choice of over 20 courses within a dynamic virtual classroom environment. Additionally, you will have the chance to join virtual clubs and leadership seminars, supporting both academic and personal growth. Classes are scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays, providing flexibility for academic-year learning. The program also offers mentoring support through Digital Community Groups. This program is well-suited for those seeking a challenging pre-college experience while maintaining their regular school commitments.
14. NYU SPS High School Academy
Location: New York University, New York, NY (virtual options available)
Cost: $50 non-refundable application fee + $850 per course (10% NYU staff discount only)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: October 25 – November 22
Application Deadline: October 10 (rolling until filled)
Eligibility: High school students interested in college or professional readiness
This college prep program offers professional and academic workshops designed to help you explore different majors and career interests. Courses focus on fields like marketing, business, design, and technology, with practical exposure to real-world concepts. Taught by NYU faculty, the workshops offer an early introduction to college life and expectations. During the program, you will engage in short projects that simulate college-level work and provide tangible takeaways. You’ll also participate in sessions that help you navigate the college application process with confidence.
15. College Now – CUNY
Location: Various CUNY campuses across New York City
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Varies by campus and semester
Application Deadline: Rolling (typically closes one month before semester start)
Eligibility: NYC public school students in grades 10-12 with a GPA of 70-80+ (varies by course type)
College Now is a dual-enrollment initiative offering NYC high school students the chance to earn free college credits. It provides exposure to university-level courses while supporting college and career readiness. You will get to attend workshops in writing, math, and the English language to strengthen academic foundations. The program includes career fairs, campus visits, and advice sessions with CUNY faculty. As a participant, you will be individually guided to select courses that match your strengths and aspirations. This program is an excellent pathway for those aiming to transition smoothly into higher education.
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