15 Winter Programs for High School Students
Why do a winter program in high school?
If you’re a high school student looking to make the most of your winter break, winter programs are a great way to step outside your normal routine and dive into something new. You can explore college-level subjects, try out different career paths, build real skills, and in some cases even earn college credit, all while connecting with students who share your interests.
Many colleges and organizations across the country offer winter programs for high school students in everything from marine science and medicine, to business, psychology, art, and tech. Many of them are flexible too, offering in-person, hybrid, or fully online options so you can join in no matter where you live.
For those looking for free programs, look at our blog here, and for those interested in leadership-specific programs, check out our blog here.
To help you find a program that fits your goals, we’ve rounded up the top 15 Winter Programs for High School Students.
1. Fox Chase Cancer Center: Immersion Science Program
Location: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly Selective
Dates: 11 weeks for winter session (January through mid-March)
Application Deadline: Early November (exact date not specified)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older; must have completed both high-school Biology and Chemistry; students in the Philadelphia-TriState area (PA, NJ, MD)
The Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Immersion Science Program is designed for high school students interested in conducting cancer research. During the program, you’ll work alongside professional scientists and educators as you learn how real research is planned, tested, and analyzed. You’ll practice lab techniques, explore research methodology and even design your own experimental project. After completing the training course, you can apply for the summer fellows program, where students continue their work on advanced research projects. Because the program is competitive, you’ll need to have completed high school biology and chemistry before submitting your application.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program that connects motivated high school students with fast-growing startups. During the program, you will spend about eight weeks working with start-ups across industries such as technology, deep tech, AI/ML, mental health, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The start-ups involved are typically high-growth companies, many of which have raised over $1 million in funding. As an intern, you will collaborate closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company leaders at the end of the internship program. You can apply here!
3. SCAD Joint Enrollment Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $100 application fee
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Winter Cohort: January 5–March 12
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age
The SCAD Joint Enrollment Program allows high school students to take college-level classes and explore a wide mix of subjects, depending on their interests. You can take up to two online courses per quarter and earn college credits for every completed course. SCAD offers options in Anthropology, Advertising, Business, Design Thinking, World Religions, Psychology, Politics, History, and various other fields. Many of the courses are interdisciplinary, so you’ll get to explore topics from multiple angles while learning directly from SCAD faculty. The application required a transcript, resume and two letters of recommendation.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), and Spring (March–June); Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program tailored for high school students who want to explore a subject in depth. The program gives you an opportunity to work one-to-one with a PhD mentor on an independent project in any field of your choice. You’ll have the freedom to choose from a wide range of research areas, such as environmental studies, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program is highly personalized and lets you dive into a research topic you are passionate about, under the guidance of a mentor. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can find more details about the application here.
5. UC San Diego Research Scholars Marine Science
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Tuition varies based on the course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Dates vary based on the course
Application Deadline: Varies based on the course
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; must be at least 14 years old by program start
The UC San Diego Research Scholars Marine Science programs are designed for high school students who want to dig deep into environmental and marine sciences. The programs are divided into tiers, and you can choose the level that matches your knowledge in the field. The Tier 1 Marine Biodiversity program provides a foundational understanding of marine biology and introduces you to the various processes that shape marine ecosystems. Tier 2 courses take things further by offering hands-on workshops where you’ll design and work on your own research projects in areas such as animal physiology, thermodynamics, metabolic processes, and fisheries science. For students who want an even more advanced experience, Tier 3 focuses on higher-level scientific research skills, including writing, data interpretation, and analysis of research findings. Students in Tier 3 may even get an opportunity to publish their work.
6. Pratt PreCollege Programs
Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Varies based on program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: January 17‑19
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High‑school students ages 15–18
Pratt’s Pre-College program lets high school students explore the creative world of art and design. During the program, you’ll explore your artistic passions, gain practical experience, build a portfolio and network with creative professionals. You’ll get the opportunity to work on your creative thinking skills while gaining insight into various areas such as fine art, fashion, graphic design, architecture, animation, and creative writing. The winter cohort features courses such as ‘Bold/Rouge’ and ‘Another Earth’, where you will explore new art forms and study world-building through writing and visual art.
7. Rosetta Institute Molecular Medicine Workshops
Location: Various locations across universities
Cost: Vary based on program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Vary based on program
Application Deadline: Applications processed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research offers Molecular Medicine Programs for high school students interested in exploring fields such as medicine, biomedical research, drug development, pharmacy and nursing. You’ll learn about molecular and cellular biology through lectures and hands-on lab work. Participants will learn how medicines are developed and how treatments are being tailored to fit each person’s unique needs. You’ll be guided by instructors on how to design your own experiment, and you’ll get to work on a research project focused on a molecular or genetic process of your choice. In addition to the scientific training, the program includes opportunities for career exploration, working on academic skills and building your college portfolio.
8. Cornell Precollege Winter Session
Location: Virtual
Cost: Vary based on course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: January 2 – January 18
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school seniors and juniors who are 15 or older
Cornell University Precollege Program offers high school students an opportunity to experience college-level learning, while exploring subjects they are passionate about. The winter session allows you to explore subjects such as Economics, Marketing, Animal Science, Art History, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Analysis, Psychology, and Entomology. All courses are taught by Cornell Instructors and designed to give you a well-rounded understanding of the subject area, while earning college credit. Many courses include assignments, group research projects and exams to help you apply what you learn and deepen your understanding of the subject.
9. Burke Neurological Institute: Introduction to Neuroscience
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500 (scholarships/tuition waivers available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Weekly sessions between February 4 and March 27
Application Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: High school students; completion of biology in high school
The Introduction to Neuroscience Program at the Burke Neurological Institute is designed for high school students interested in exploring the brain and the science behind how it works. The course takes place through weekly classes where you learn about fundamental neuroscience topics such as the structure of the nervous system, sensory processing, learning, and how the brain controls movement. You’ll also get a glimpse of the college-level science curriculum along the way, and on completion of the program, you may have the opportunity to apply to research opportunities at the Burke Neurological Institute.
10. UMBC Winter Session
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD (In-person/ online and virtual options)
Cost: Varies based on the course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: January 5–23
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Academically strong high school juniors or seniors who meet the high school concurrent enrollment requirements
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, offers a variety of courses during its winter session, allowing students to gain a foundational understanding of subjects they are interested in. You can take courses in a wide range of subject areas, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, psychology, economics, history, literature, philosophy, and communication. All courses offer credit and include coursework, giving you the chance to gain a deeper understanding of these fields. You’ll have the opportunity to explore various paths and gain insight into what different fields have to offer.
11. Girls Garage Construction + Community Program
Location: Girls Garage, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective (12 student per cohort)
Dates: 20 January - 10 March
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 9 -12
Construction + Community is a program for high school girls and gender-expansive youth interested in exploring architecture, construction trades, design, and engineering. The program takes place over 8 weeks, where you’ll learn technical skills and apply them through community-focused projects. The experience is hands-on from start to finish, giving you a chance to work with tools, create designs and gain practical knowledge in the field. You’ll learn from industry professionals, work collaboratively with peers who share your interests, and see how construction and design can make a meaningful impact on the local community.
12. Pre-College Vogue Winter Break
Location: Vogue College of Fashion, New York City, NY
Cost: Residential – US $3,945; Commuter – US $3,100
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: January 4 - 9
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders or graduating seniors who are at least 15 by the start of the program
Vogue Winter Break is a five-day program for high school students interested in exploring the business side of fashion. During the program, you’ll explore how creative ideas are turned into successful brands by learning about strategy, marketing, branding, and promotion. You’ll work on hands-on projects, participate in discussions with industry professionals, and visit designer headquarters, studios, and exhibitions, thus getting an inside look at the working of the fashion world. The program ends with a capstone project, where you and your peers will create your own fashion brand.
13. Ithaca Winter Session
Location: Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Varies based on course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies based on specific course (December-January)
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: High school students
Ithaca College offers a wide range of winter session courses for students who want to dive deeper into their academic interests during the winter break. You can opt for courses in subjects such as social sciences, psychology, sociology, natural sciences, humanities, creative arts, writing, and diversity. These courses will help you earn college credit and get a glimpse of the college curriculum and coursework. By taking a winter class at Ithaca, you’ll strengthen your academic skills, build academic confidence and explore subjects that could shape your future interests.
14. Pace University High School Bridge Program
Location: Pace University, New York City, NY
Cost: Varies based on course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: August - December (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the course
Eligibility: High school students
Pace University offers a High School Bridge Program that allows high school students to take real courses and earn credits even before graduation. You can choose from subjects such as anthropology, art history, communication, mass media, microeconomics, criminal justice, mathematics, and psychology. You’ll be taught by faculty instructors and develop a deep understanding of the subjects through assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, and discussions.
15. UC San Diego Research Scholars
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the course
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies based on course
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9‑12
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies offers the Research Scholars Program for high school students interested in exploring various academic and career pathways through real research experiences. You’ll learn how research is conducted from start to finish and gain practical experience by contributing to ongoing research projects. You can dive into fields such as Bioengineering, Business, Engineering in Medicine, Life Sciences, Marine Science, and Sports Medicine. Each track offers an in-depth look at its subject areas through fieldwork, experiments, projects, and discussions with industry professionals.
Image source - Fox Chase Cancer Center logo