15 Fall Programs for Gifted High School Students
If you’re a high school student looking for academic opportunities beyond the standard curriculum, a selective fall program can be a worthwhile way to explore new subjects. Fall programs for gifted high school students offer intellectual rigor, practical learning, and early exposure to college-level academics.
Why should I participate in a fall program for gifted high school students?
Whether you are interested in scientific research, machine learning, or advanced humanities coursework, these programs help you develop skills that go beyond what traditional classrooms offer. Many provide insight into campus life, industry experience, and personalized mentorship from leading scholars and professionals. Programs for gifted students are academically selective, which means participating in one can make you stand out in the college admissions process. Several programs are free or provide need-based financial aid, making advanced learning opportunities accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 fall programs for gifted high school students.
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program; financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; the summer cohort priority application deadline is March 9
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 16 weeks, devoting 5 - 15 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective program founded by Harvard alumni that connects high school students with virtual internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. You can work in various fields, including technology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, nonprofit work, health tech, software engineering, consulting, environmental science, media, and journalism. As an intern, you will contribute to projects that align with your assigned organization’s mission and present your final work at the end of the program. The internship includes personalized training in communication and time management, as well as group training sessions. You will also receive support from a manager at your internship site and mentorship from a ladder coach throughout the program. Apply now!
2. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: Remote or on-site at one of NASA’s 10 field centers, depending on the project
Cost/Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on their academic level and session length
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Fall: 16-week program from September to December; varies depending on the cohort
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16; varies depending on the cohorts
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and are at least 16 years old, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships that allow students to work directly with professionals across science, engineering, technology, business, and communications. You can explore areas such as space science, aeronautics, robotics, microbiology, astronomy, ecology, and science communication while gaining experience inside a NASA center. During the internship, you might design experiments, analyze mission data, or contribute to developing new technologies. Depending on your placement, you may work one-on-one with a NASA researcher or collaborate with a small project team. You’ll also participate in virtual lectures and special sessions led by NASA astronauts and subject-matter experts, giving you insight into current missions and emerging discoveries.
3. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies according to cohort; lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (GPA>3.67/4.0 GPA scale) can apply; most accepted students are 10th or 11th graders; only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites; more details of which can be found here
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across disciplines such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar from a top university who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll complete a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can submit to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use for future projects and college applications.
4. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $37,238 for the term; stipend is paid monthly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: September 1 - January 23
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the sponsoring senator
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents (with SSN) | ages 16 - 17 years | rising juniors or seniors | minimum GPA of 3.0 | required health clearance and insurance
The Senate Page program gives you the opportunity to work directly on the floor of the U.S. Senate, assisting with daily legislative operations. You will deliver correspondence, help prepare the chamber for sessions, and support senators during roll call votes. Although not research-focused, the program offers a close-up perspective on policy-making and government procedures. You will live in supervised housing with expenses covered, gaining mentorship, civic learning, and hands-on public service experience in Washington, D.C.
5. Sandia National Laboratories Internship Program
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Livermore, California, and various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: $17.75 - $19/hour as stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Co-op internships: 3 - 8 months during the academic term | year-round internships: during academic terms (up to 25 hours a week)
Application Deadline: Year-round with rolling deadlines
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and enrolled as a full-time high school student | minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 | more details here
The Sandia National Laboratories internship program gives high school students hands-on experience in science, engineering, and national security. You will work on projects alongside mentors in areas such as cybersecurity, software development, engineering design, and energy research. The program offers year-round part-time roles and co-op options that fit your school schedule. In addition to technical training, you will participate in professional development workshops, networking events, and access health services, helping you build practical skills and explore potential pathways in STEM and research careers.
6. Internship Opportunities at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Location: Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA (remote or in-person)
Cost/Stipend: No application fee; a limited number of paid internships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Fall session: September - December; spring session: February - May; summer session: June - August
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the session
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
During the internship at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), you will gain hands-on experience in international relations while working inside a respected think tank. You will conduct research, analyze information, and develop professional communication skills under the guidance of a scholar or policy expert. You will strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, and time management skills and take part in weekly seminars on global affairs and foreign policy careers, often featuring guest speakers. You will also attend FPRI’s in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, giving you exposure to real-world policy work and professional networks.
7. New York Tech Advance
Location: New York Tech, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the course; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Accessible
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
The New York Tech Advance program lets high school sophomores and seniors take university-level courses taught by New York Institute of Technology faculty and earn college credit. You will explore a variety of potential college majors while gaining insight into different academic fields before choosing your future field of study. The program provides experience through projects, labs, and collaborative assignments, helping you build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You will also participate in campus tours, interactive workshops, and other activities that give you a real sense of college life while connecting with peers who share common academic interests.
8. College Now – CUNY
Location: Various CUNY campuses across New York City
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Widely accessible
Dates: Varies depending on 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+
The College Now is a dual-enrollment program that allows NYC high school students to earn free college credits while gaining exposure to university-level courses. You will strengthen your academic foundation through workshops in writing, math, and English, and receive personalized guidance to choose courses that align with your strengths and interests. The program also includes career fairs, campus visits, and advising sessions with CUNY faculty, giving you practical insights into college pathways and future career options. The program provides a strong foundation for a smooth transition into higher education while helping you explore your academic and professional goals.
9. MITES Semester
Location: Virtual or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June - December (summer and fall)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors with strong academic records
The MITES Semester is a six-month STEM and college preparation program that immerses high school juniors in live online courses, weekly webinars, workshops, social events, and college admissions counseling. You will take two intensive courses: one project-based class in subjects such as machine learning, thermodynamics, or astrophysics, and another supplemental core course in physics, calculus, computer science, or science writing and communication. During the summer STEM immersion phase, you will collaborate on team projects and present your work at the MITES summer conference, gaining hands-on experience, mentorship from MIT faculty, and preparation for advanced college-level academics.
10. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (online, hybrid, or in-person) Cost/Stipend: $1,500 to $4,800, depending on the chosen program and format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive
Dates: Programs are available year-round, including summer, fall, and winter sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 - 12 who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The UC San Diego Research Scholars Program is a selective research experience that allows students to work directly with university labs and faculty. You can choose from academic tracks such as engineering in medicine, bioengineering, life sciences, medicine, marine science, and business research. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in an active research environment, analyze real data, and complete structured projects that help you to understand how professional research is conducted. The business research track is ideal if you’re interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. You’ll explore how business ideas are created, financed, and scaled while learning about product design, venture funding, and market strategy. By the end of the program, you’ll also develop a full business proposal and apply economic reasoning to real-world business challenges.
11. Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $8,008
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Accessible
Dates: October 13 - December 21
Application Deadline: September 9
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 9 - 12 with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop, offered by NYU Tisch School of the Arts, provides an introduction to writing, directing, shooting, and editing through hands-on film projects. You’ll work on a crew-based documentary, a music video, three technical assignments, and a final narrative film. The program is asynchronous, so you can access pre-recorded lectures and course modules at your own pace. This six-week fall workshop awards four college credits and covers digital film production across documentary, experimental, and narrative formats. You’ll refine your directing, shooting, and editing skills by creating short films three to five minutes in length and music videos, focusing on visual storytelling.
12. Ecampus at Oregon State University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $217 per credit cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: September - December
Application Deadline: September 9
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Oregon State Ecampus allows high school students to earn university credits online by enrolling as non-degree-seeking students. You will have the flexibility to take college-level courses not offered at your high school and study alongside OSU students, following the same academic expectations and grading standards. With more than 100 courses across subjects such as sciences, mathematics, social sciences, business, languages, and more, you can explore your academic interests in greater depth. The program is fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete coursework at your own pace and fit classes around your high school schedule. Upon successful completion, you will earn an official Oregon State University transcript, and your earned credits may be transferable to other colleges or universities.
13. NYU Pre-college: Fall Term
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $700 plus cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: September 2 - December 19
Application Deadline: August 15
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.0+
The NYU Precollege program allows students to enroll in undergraduate courses at NYU and earn college credits while studying alongside college students. You will explore subjects across STEM, humanities, arts, business, and social sciences, gaining experience at a major research university in New York City. You will also take part in College 101, a series of workshops and seminars that cover how to navigate the college application process, understand admissions expectations, and plan for financial aid, giving you practical guidance as you prepare for your academic future.
14. Syracuse University Accelerated Semester Online
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $750 per credit plus a nonrefundable $35 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
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 opportunity to take rigorous, eight-week online courses taught by Syracuse faculty. The program offers classes across subjects such as business, communications, writing, and STEM, allowing you to explore college-level material in a flexible virtual 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, while earning credits that can be applied toward future study.
15. Columbia University College Edge: Academic Year
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,574 per point cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
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 opportunity to attend college-level courses and earn college credit. Your courses will be taught by Columbia faculty and subject matter experts from around the world who will share their insight and experience in the field. You can choose from courses in chemistry, math, statistics, German, and more. You’ll attend workshops focused on college and career preparation. You’ll also develop leadership skills and connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
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