12 Best Summer Extracurricular Activities + Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student thinking about how to make the most of your summer, extracurricular programs and internships are a great place to start. These opportunities offer practical exposure to fields like technology, healthcare, journalism, engineering, environmental science, and business—allowing you to explore your interests beyond the classroom.
Many programs are designed specifically for high school students and provide the chance to work on real projects, develop technical and professional skills, and learn directly from industry experts. They’re also often free or low-cost and hosted by respected colleges or organizations.
To help you get started, we’ve included a curated list of 12 summer extracurriculars that stand out for their quality, accessibility, and impact. Each one offers a different way to build skills, gain experience, and explore future pathways—so you can find the option that best fits your goals.
1. MIT’s MITES Summer
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors; Students from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds are encouraged
MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) is one of the most prestigious summer programs for high school students interested in STEM. Hosted by MIT, this free six-week program is designed for rising seniors who want to dive deeper into subjects like computer science, engineering, and advanced math. You will take college-level courses, work on hands-on projects, and attend workshops led by experts, all while exploring how STEM can drive real-world change. The MITES Summer Program packs a semester of college-level learning into one summer. Electives will cover topics such as Machine Learning, Architecture, and Genomics—topics most high schools do not cover.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on program type (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, summer included
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students available to work 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program designed for motivated high school students eager to gain real-world experience. As part of the program, you'll intern with a high-growth start-up in industries like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These start-ups are fast-growing, with many having raised over a million dollars in funding. You will work closely with company managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach, contributing to real projects and presenting your work to the team. You can explore available opportunities and apply directly through their application form.
3. UCSF’s CURE Research Internship Program
Location: The University of California, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 12-13 (Orientation) + June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 2 – February 16
Eligibility: Currently in 11th grade or enrolled at CCSF (community college); At least 16 years old by program start; Minimum GPA of 2.5; Completed Biology or Chemistry with a grade of B or higher
The CURE Program at UCSF is an excellent summer internship for high school students interested in healthcare and biomedical research. Designed to support educationally disadvantaged students, it offers hands-on research experience in areas like clinical, behavioral, and population sciences. You'll work with UCSF faculty and researchers, learn how to conduct experiments, analyse data, and present your findings at a final Research Symposium. In addition to research training, the program also provides college and career guidance, including help with applications and professional skills. This makes it a strong extracurricular choice for aspiring healthcare or science students in the Bay Area.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, summer included
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4; No prior knowledge of your field needed
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging and rewarding research program for high school students. It offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. researchers, allowing you to work on your own independent research project over 12 weeks. By the end of the program, you’ll have written a full research paper. You can choose from a wide range of subjects like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
You can apply here.
Location: Various locations in the U.S
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Various internships throughout the year; Specific dates depend on the internship
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older and have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NASA offers prestigious internship programs for high school and college students, providing a unique chance to gain hands-on experience with one of the world’s leading space and research agencies. As a NASA intern, you’ll work on meaningful projects in fields like engineering, science, business, IT, and mathematics, collaborating closely with experts and contributing to cutting-edge research and technology development. These internships give you a rare insight into how a major government agency operates and allow you to build valuable skills in your chosen field. Opportunities are available at various NASA centers across the country, with applications opening periodically. You can find opportunities here.
6. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Location: Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Manhattan high schools
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a prestigious, paid five-week extracurricular internship designed for students interested in law and governance. This program offers a unique inside look at the criminal justice system through workshops on topics like criminal justice reform, police practices, and civic engagement. You’ll gain hands-on experience by participating in a mock trial and working in a professional office setting, developing important skills such as teamwork and communication. It’s an excellent extracurricular internship for students considering careers in law, justice, or public service.
7. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Location: Virtual with a presentation at UPenn
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: September 29 – December 5 (for the competition); More info here
Application Deadline: June 30 – September 13
Eligibility: All high school students
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a free extracurricular competition for high school students interested in business, finance, and market risk. Hosted by the Wharton School, a prestigious part of the University of Pennsylvania, the competition challenges teams to use a stock market simulator to build and manage a mock investment portfolio. Over ten weeks, you’ll develop skills in risk management, market analysis, strategy, and teamwork. The top teams get to pitch their ideas at the Global Finale held at UPenn, providing a valuable opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills.
8. MET’s High School Internships
Location: The Met, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8; More info here
Application deadline: February 3 – March 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Met’s Summer High School Internships are prestigious extracurricular internships designed for students interested in art, fashion, editorial, and related fields. This program offers a unique chance to explore museum careers and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a world-class institution running. As an intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and work closely with staff across departments like editorial, marketing, social media, education, conservation, and scientific research. With workshops, group sessions, and one-on-one mentorship, this internship provides valuable insights into the arts, museums, and creative industries.
9. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Location: Various nonprofits in Houston, TX + a summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer + a summit from July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in eligible locations; More info here
The Student Leaders Program is a selective and prestigious eight-week paid extracurricular internship for high school students interested in nonprofits, community service, and business. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience working with local organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of America or Habitat for Humanity, developing leadership and professional skills. The program also includes a fully funded week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will connect with peers nationwide and learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government collaborate to address community challenges. This competitive internship offers valuable insights into nonprofit operations, community engagement, and professional work environments.
10. Princeton University’s Laboratory Learning Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: Students must be at least 16 by June 15 of the application year; U.S. high school graduates who haven't turned 18 by June 15 may also apply; More info here
High school students passionate about STEM can participate in Princeton University's Laboratory Learning Program (LLP). The program offers hands-on experience working alongside Princeton’s faculty and research staff on active science and engineering projects. Each internship is tailored to the research team’s needs, allowing you to develop practical skills while contributing to cutting-edge work. With its focus on academic rigor and professional mentorship, LLP provides an immersive and valuable experience for students interested in pursuing STEM fields.
11. Stony Brook University: Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Around 5%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: School nomination deadline: January 31; Application submission deadline: February 7; Teacher recommendation deadline: February 14
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors aged 16 or older at the start of the program
If you’re interested in STEM fields like engineering, technology, or data science, the Simons Fellowship is a great extracurricular research program for you. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll work closely with Stony Brook faculty mentors, join research teams, and even lead your own project. This hands-on experience will help you develop strong research skills through presentations, workshops, and lab tours led by experts. The program concludes with a poster symposium where you present your work, and you’ll also receive a stipend for your participation.
12. Internships at Maryland Public Television (MPT)
Location: MPT, Maryland
Stipend: Paid internships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by internship; June 2 – August 15 for the summer
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors committing to at least 16 hours weekly
Internships at Maryland Public Television (MPT) provide both in-person and virtual extracurricular internship opportunities for students interested in the business side of media and journalism. You’ll gain hands-on experience working on TV programming, show development, co-productions, and media operations. As an intern, you will be expected to be creative, motivated, and committed to at least 16 hours per week. MPT also offers internships in areas like public relations, communications, content creation, sales, marketing, client relations, and administration, making it a great choice for those exploring careers in journalism and media.