20 Summer Programs in New York for High Schoolers in 2023 (2023)

What’s Covered:

• Why Should You Attend a Summer Program?
• 20 Summer Programs in New York
• How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?

Home to numerous college and universities, government institutions, theaters and performance venues, landmarks, and much more, New York is a place of opportunity.

For high school students, it can also be a vehicle for self-discovery. What better a place to explore your talents, interests, and prospective career and education paths? To that end, we’ve rounded up some of the best summer programs for high schoolers in New York State, focusing on disciplines across numerous fields from science to art.

Why Should You Attend a Summer Program?

As you look toward applying to and attending college, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve engaged in meaningful experiences and sought to develop intellectually and personally, even while on vacation. Often taking place on college and university campuses, summer programs give high schoolers a taste of college life while learning in an immersive environment alongside peers who, like them, are passionate about a topic or niche.

Students are usually taught by college faculty and industry professionals and sometimes have the opportunity to get a head start on earning college credit, all while building confidence and independence, important skills you will need as you start your college journey.

20 Summer Programs in New York

Note that costs are estimates and can vary due to factors such as commuter or residential status and more.

1. Adelphi Pre-College | Art and Digital Production

Host: Adelphi University

Grades: 11th and 12th

Dates: July 9-29

Cost:

• Commuter: $3,000
• Residential: $5,200

Application Deadline: May 31

Participants in this program explore the fundamentals of drawing and design in two-dimensional art. Students will gain hands-on experience working with a variety of wet and dry media, along with collage. Outside of the studio, visual presentations and peer critiques will help bolster their ability to create and analyze art. Students earn three college credits upon the successful completion of this program.

2. Adelphi Pre-College | Psychology and Pop Culture

Host: Adelphi University

Grades: 11th and 12th

Dates: July 9-29

Cost:

• Commuter: $3,000
• Residential: $5,200

Application Deadline: May 31

In this fascinating program, students learn how to use basic psychological principles to analyze youth culture, social media, advertising, contemporary music and television, and the internet. Participants will explore real-world issues, like how social media and societal pressure affect human emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of mental health disorders and their impact on individuals. Students will also participate in college preparedness workshops and sample a slice of college life.

3. Young Women’s Leadership Institute

Host: Barnard College

Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th

Dates:

• Session 1: June 25-July 14
• Session 2: July 23-August 11

Cost:

• Commuter: $7,772
• Residential: $9,058

Application Deadline: April 15

Young women have the opportunity to explore the relationship between gender and leadership at one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the country, Barnard College. Participants will focus on one of the following tracks: STEMinist, Writing and Literature, Political Science and Economics, Urban Studies and Architecture, Art History, Sociology and Gender Studies, or Dance.

4. Summer Food Institute

Host: Barnard College

Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th

Dates:

• Session 1: June 25-July 14
• Session 2: July 23-August 11

Cost:

• Commuter: $5,182
• Residential: $6,040

Application Deadline: April 15

This two-week summer program has students examine the U.S. food system through four key lenses: agriculture; health, policy, and justice; food systems and climate change; and soil health. Participants will visit farms, meet farmers, and see firsthand how food is grown. They’ll also explore ways to produce food in an ecological manner that supports communities and the planet.

5. Musical Theatre Precollege Summer Intensive

Host: Marymount Manhattan College

Grades: 10th and 11th

Dates:

• Intensive I: June 25-July 8
• Intensive II July 9-22

Cost: $4,500

Application Deadline: February 28

Learning from Marymount faculty and theater professionals, students who take part in this program at Marymount Manhattan College will explore the dance, voice, and acting process in New York City. These will develop fundamental skills and gain insight into the audition process, as well as attend Broadway shows and participate in activities. At the program’s end, they will perform their work in front of family and friends.

6. Summer Leadership Academy

Host: Mercy College

Grades: 11th

Dates:

• Session 1: June 26-July 2
• Session 2: July 10-16
• Session 3: July 24-30

Cost: $495

Application Deadline: Rolling

Students must be nominated to attend this week-long program focusing on building entrepreneurial and leadership skills. They will learn from Mercy College faculty and leaders from top companies in areas including career mindset, personal branding, careers in finance, accounting, marketing, and more. While most of the program takes place on the Dobbs Ferry campus, participants will also visit the Manhattan Campus and Fortune 500 companies.

7. Pace PreCollege Summer Immersion Program

Host: Pace University

Grades: Rising 11th and 12th

Dates: July 9-22

Cost: $3,400

Application Deadline: Rolling

This two-week program features courses in business, theater arts, digital film productions, and psychology. Students will have an intensive educational campus on Pace University’s NYC campus while learning from faculty from around the world.

8. Pratt Institute Pre-college Summer Program

Host: Pratt Institute

Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th

Dates: July 9-August 2

Cost:

• Tuition: $4,446
• Housing: $1,149
• Meal plan: $684

Application Deadline: March 1

Young artists will participate in college courses modeled after Pratt’s undergraduate offerings, taught by faculty and industry professionals, with the opportunity to earn four college credits. Students will also attend events throughout New York City and develop strong portfolio pieces for college admission.

9. Summer Science Research Program

Host: Rockefeller University

Grades: 11th and 12th

Dates: June 26- August 10

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: January 6

Under the mentorship of leading scientists, high schoolers will conduct hands-on research in one of the top biomedical research facilities in the world. Students will participate in real lab experiments while learning about research techniques, scientific literature, important skills, and more. Stipends are available to students experiencing financial hardship.

10. School of Visual Arts Pre-College Program

Host: School of Visual Arts

Grades: 9th-12th

Dates: July 10-28

Cost: $2,500-$3,125

Application Deadline: N/A

SVA’s Pre-College Program is taught by the top faculty from the college’s undergraduate degree programs. Programs are available both in-person and online and allow young artists to explore topics such as Animation, Advertising, Cartooning, Painting, and Photography. Upon successful program completion, they will receive three college credits.

11. Skidmore College Summer Pre-College Program

Host: Skidmore College

Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th

Dates: July 5-August 4

Cost: $2,410-$3,880

Application Deadline: April 1

Modeled after real college-level courses, these programs, compressed into five weeks, challenge students in areas like Anthropology, Psychics, Writing, and more. At Skidmore College, students get a head start on college life, learning alongside other exceptional students from around the world.

12. Stony Brook | Research Experience for High School Students

Host: Stony Brook University

Grades: 9th-12th (must be at least 16 years old)

Dates: June 26-August 11

Cost: $3,700

Application Deadline: N/A

Talented high schoolers will be immersed in an intensive experience, conducting independent research with guidance from Garcia Center faculty, staff, and students, while also receiving formal instruction. Participants will have the option of continuing their work through the Mentor Program during the academic year, working on research with a faculty mentor.

13. Syracuse Summer College

Host: Syracuse University and Online

Grades: 9th-12th

Dates: Dates vary by program

Cost: Cost varies by program

Application Deadline: May 1

Students will participate in noncredit and credit-bearing programs for up to six weeks across subjects such as forensic science, coding, writing, art, and more. Options are available for residential, commuter, and online students. Hybrid offerings are also available.

14. Parsons Summer Intensive Studies

Host: The New School

Grades: High schoolers ages 16-18

Dates:

• Session 1: June 12-June 30
• Session 2: July 10-28

Cost: $4,675

Application Deadline:

• Session 1: May 15
• Session 2: June 8

This art and design program will prepare students for college-level work in studio art and earn them three college credits. Participants will choose from courses such as graphic design, product design, illustration, printmaking, and more. Students will also develop portfolio pieces for their college applications.

15. Rochester Intensive Studies | Business Bootcamp: Innovation Management

Host: University of Rochester

Grades: 11th and 12th

Dates: July 11-28

Cost: $8,505

Application Deadline: March 5

This three-week program introduces students to the development of new ideas—learning and experimenting with business tools that generate, screen, prioritize, and improve raw concepts into feasible business cases. Students will build skills that transcend specific business fields and prove beneficial whether they’re pursuing a bootstrapped startup or a career with a Fortune 500 company.

16. NYU Precollege

Host: New York University (NYU)

Grades: Rising 11th and 12th

Dates: July 5-August 16

Cost: $3,652

Application Deadline: June 15

This six-week program allows students to experience college life, explore potential majors, and earn college credit. Precollege courses are offered in four areas of study: Arts and Media; STEM; Humanities and Social Science; and Business. Outside of the classroom students will participate in the best New York City has to offer with organized trips to Broadway Shows, baseball games, and more.

17. Ithaca Summer College for High School Students

Host: Ithaca College

Grades: N/A

Dates: July 3-21

Cost:

• Commuter: $3,900
• Residential: $5,480

Application Deadline: May 15

This three-week program introduces students to college life and provides a chance to earn three college credits. Students can take courses in communications, environmental sciences, health, and natural science fields while, outside of the classroom, numerous social activities allow them to make friends and become part of the campus community. The summer program closely aligns with Ithaca’s commitment to racial equity and inclusiveness—students should be prepared to engage in conversations that explore race, antiracism, and what it means to be in an inclusive classroom.

18. Exploring Entrepreneurship

Host: Fordham University

Grades: Rising 11th and 12th

Dates: June 26-30

Cost: $1,000

Application Deadline: April 1 is the priority deadline—rolling after that

Students in this week-long summer program at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business gain firsthand experience with entrepreneurship. Participants will work with their peers to develop a business idea and pitch it to a panel of experts. They will also visit a start-up incubator to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to begin a business.

19. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom

Host: Fordham University

Grades: 9th-12th

Dates:

• Session 1: June 26-30
• Session 2: July 24-28

Cost: $1,000

Application Deadline: April 1 is the priority deadline—rolling after that

Students with an interest in studying finance will want to check out this week-long summer program—it covers tops like personal finance, investing, and economics. Students will leave this course with a better understanding of the fundamentals of finance while getting the chance to interact with top finance firms and executives in New York City.

20. Writer’s Week: A Creative Writing & Performance Arts Workshop

Host: Sarah Lawrence University

Grades: 9th-12th

Dates:

• Online: July 10-14
• In-person: August 7-11

Cost:

• Online: $825
• In-person: $1,325

Application Deadline: N/A

This immersive week-long experience allows aspiring young creatives to explore writing—covering topics such as what defines a poem, a story, and the best way to communicate ideas through writing. Students are encouraged to write, read each other’s work, and work as professional writers—generating content, revising, and rewriting. Classes are intentionally intimate, each is limited to just 18 students and led by two faculty members.

How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?

Extracurricular activities are typically evaluated according to four tiers, with Tier 1 indicating those that are the most exceptional, and Tier 4 indicating those that are the most common and least impressive. While summer programs are usually considered Tier 3-4 activities, some particularly selective (and free or low cost) programs can be in higher tiers.

How do particular summer programs affect your chances of admission? Our chancing engine will estimate your true odds of acceptance to hundreds of colleges across the country. You’ll also receive free tips on how to improve your profile!