Summer programs and research opportunities are a great way to get hands-on experience, go deeper than your classes allow, and strengthen your college applications. Here are 12 programs based in New York, with descriptions, eligibility, and rough acceptance rates. (Rates are estimates and change year to year, so confirm details on each program’s site.)
1. Columbia University Summer Immersion Program
Description: Courses across science, writing, business, and the arts, with faculty-led workshops, projects, and discussions.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12.
Acceptance Rate: ~50%.
2. NYU Precollege Program
Description: A six-week program where you take real NYU college courses for credit, plus workshops on college applications and essays.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a strong academic record.
Acceptance Rate: ~35%.
3. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Description: Places students in real research labs at Rockefeller University to work alongside scientists on active projects.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with prior coursework in biology or chemistry.
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective, ~5%.
4. Cooper Union Summer STEM Program
Description: A free program built around hands-on team projects in science, technology, engineering, and math, ending with presentations.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Acceptance Rate: ~15%.
5. Barnard College Summer in the City
Description: A program for young women with courses in leadership, STEM, and the arts, plus college-prep seminars and a taste of liberal arts college life.
Eligibility: High school girls entering grades 10-12.
Acceptance Rate: ~40%.
6. Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Einstein-Montefiore High School Research Program
Description: Biomedical research under faculty mentorship, contributing to real studies.
Eligibility: Rising seniors from the New York City area interested in biomedical science.
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive, under 10%.
7. City College of New York STEM Institute
Description: STEM enrichment in coding, engineering, and math, plus SAT prep and college-readiness workshops.
Eligibility: New York City public high school students, particularly from underrepresented groups.
Acceptance Rate: ~30%.
8. Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP)
Description: A free ten-week program that introduces students to careers in medicine through lectures, workshops, and mentoring from medical professionals.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with priority for students underrepresented in medicine.
Acceptance Rate: ~20%.
9. AMNH Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Description: Students work with scientists at the American Museum of Natural History on research in fields like astrophysics, biology, and anthropology, presenting at a symposium.
Eligibility: New York City high school students in grades 10-12.
Acceptance Rate: ~15%.
50+ free STEM opportunities
Ultimate Guide to Engineering Research Ideas
10. Stony Brook Garcia Summer Research Program
Description: Materials science research where students learn lab techniques and run experiments under faculty mentors. Note: Garcia charges tuition (it’s not a free program).
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a strong science and math background.
Acceptance Rate: Selective, ~10%.
11. SUNY Downstate High School Summer Program in Medicine
Description: A behind-the-scenes look at careers in medicine through shadowing, lectures, and hands-on clinical experiences.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare.
Acceptance Rate: Selective, under 15%.
12. HK Maker Lab at Columbia University
Description: An engineering and design program where students solve real-world problems through prototyping, using tools like 3D printers.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors interested in engineering and design.
Acceptance Rate: ~25%.
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