13 College Courses for High School Students in NYC

TL;DR

On this page, you’ll find college-level courses and programs in and around New York City, from free research placements at NYU and Rockefeller University to paid pre-college intensives at Parsons and NYU. Many free options, such as ARISE and the Summer Arts Institute, are limited to NYC residents or public school students, while Parsons and NYU’s Career Edge courses accept international applicants. Parsons’ three-week intensive earns you three college credits. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in New York welcomes students aged 15 to 18 from around the world at Barnard College, Columbia University.

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High school is often the ideal time to begin exploring academic interests beyond the standard curriculum. College courses for high school students in NYC allow you to experience university-level learning, develop advanced academic skills, and gain insight into potential fields of study before applying to college.

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Studying in New York City also provides access to one of the world’s most dynamic educational and professional environments. Beyond the classroom, you can benefit from exposure to leading industries, cultural institutions, research centers, and professional networks that complement your academic learning.

What kinds of college courses for high school students are available in NYC?

New York City is home to some of the most prestigious universities and educational institutions in the United States, creating a wide range of opportunities for academically motivated high school students. Some programs focus on earning transferable college credit, while others emphasize academic exploration, research experiences, or pre-professional preparation.

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Universities across NYC offer college courses in fields such as business, engineering, computer science, medicine, psychology, economics, law, public policy, and the humanities. You’ll engage with university-style teaching through lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, collaborative projects, and independent assignments. Many courses are designed to introduce you to the pace, expectations, and intellectual rigor of higher education while helping you make informed decisions about future academic pathways.

13 College Courses for High School Students in NYC 

1. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
Cost: Free, plus a $2,000 stipend when you complete the program
Program Dates: June 1st to August 14th (2026 dates; 2027 dates not yet posted)
Deadline: February 27th at 5 p.m. (2026); applications typically open in mid-January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are full-time New York City residents attending NYC schools. International students are not eligible unless they meet the NYC residency and school attendance requirements.

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ARISE is a 10-week STEM research program that combines academic preparation with laboratory research. You’ll begin with four weeks of remote workshops focused on lab safety, college writing, and research skills. During the following six weeks, you’ll work in an NYU research laboratory under the guidance of faculty members, researchers, and mentors. The program emphasizes scientific inquiry, data analysis, experimental design, technical communication, and research collaboration. 

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You’ll apply research techniques while contributing to ongoing projects across fields including engineering, computer science, biology, artificial intelligence, materials science, environmental science, and cybersecurity. Throughout the summer, you’ll participate in public speaking workshops, college readiness programming, and group and one-on-one college application support. You’ll gain roughly 150 hours of lab experience and finish by presenting at both the American Museum of Natural History Poster Symposium and the NYU ARISE Colloquium.

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Why it stands out: It combines a $2,000 stipend with approximately 150 hours of research experience in NYU laboratories and multiple public research presentations.

2. Immerse Education’s New York Summer School

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York City (residential)
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15 to 18; open to international students from around the world

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Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in New York gives you two weeks exploring a career alongside industry professionals while you live and learn at Barnard College, Columbia University. You can choose from subjects such as Banking & Finance, Business Management, Fashion & Design, Marketing & Entertainment, and Medicine. Classroom sessions with industry experts cover the theory of your chosen field, and off-campus industry visits show you how that theory is put into practice. 

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Past visits have included a private Wall Street training session at the New York Institute of Finance and clinical simulation at an Advanced Medical Simulation Center. Outside class, you’ll cruise past the Statue of Liberty, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and see Times Square and Top of the Rock. You can also opt in to earn 8 UCAS points or 3 US college credits.

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Why it stands out: You test a career path in New York City with small classes and industry visits that show you how professionals in that field actually work.

3. The Met High School Internship Program

Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
Cost: Free, plus a $1,100 stipend when you complete the program
Program Dates: Bootcamp on July 1st, with departmental placements from July 7th to August 7th (2026)
Deadline: March 13th at 5 p.m. ET (2026)
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11 (or working toward a High School Equivalency) who live in and attend a high school or homeschool in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. You must be able to provide working papers and either an SSN or ITIN. International eligibility not specified.

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The Met High School Internship Program introduces you to museum careers through professional experience at The Met. You’ll work directly with museum staff in departments such as curatorial, education, design, social media, and imaging. The program emphasizes career exploration, professional communication, collaboration, and workplace readiness rather than art history alone. 

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Your departmental placement totals 40 hours, usually 10 to 20 hours a week, scheduled around your availability and your supervisor’s. The internship also includes a bootcamp, biweekly cohort check-ins with mentors, and two required Teen Fridays. No prior background in art or museums is required. By the end of the program, you’ll gain workplace experience, professional connections, and a clearer understanding of careers in cultural institutions and the creative sector.

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Why it stands out: It offers paid access to museum professionals across multiple career fields while requiring no prior experience in art or art history.

4. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York
Cost: Free, with no application fee; you receive an OMNY card for NYC public transit, and need-based stipends may be awarded
Program Dates: June 21st to August 5th, 2027
Deadline: January 4th, 2027, at 5 p.m. ET, including your letter of recommendation
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 by June 21st, 2027. You must commit to the entire seven-week program. Students outside the U.S. may apply, but RockEDU cannot help with transportation, housing, or visas.

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The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is a full-time, team-based biomedical research experience designed for high school students interested in laboratory science. You’ll join a research team led by scientific trainees from the Tri-Institutions: Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Each summer, 32 to 40 students are accepted and split into four teams of 8 to 10 scholars, each with at least three dedicated mentors. You’ll work alongside mentors to develop and investigate research questions connected to your team’s scientific theme. 

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Additional programming includes workshops, guest lectures, networking opportunities, and elective courses that complement your lab work. During the final weeks, you’ll analyze findings and prepare a research poster for the program symposium. By the end of the program, you’ll gain practical research experience, collaborative problem-solving skills, and a stronger understanding of how scientific investigations are conducted.

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Why it stands out: It offers a structured team-based research model that mirrors the organization and collaborative workflow of professional biomedical laboratories.

5. STEM Research Academy (STEM RA)

Location: CUNY campuses across New York City, including Baruch College and City Tech
Cost: Free; the stipend amount varies by campus (for example, $1,575 at City Tech for summer 2026), and some campuses provide transit cards
Program Dates: A spring pre-college research course followed by a summer research internship of about six weeks
Deadline: Varies by campus; contact the College Now office at the CUNY campus linked to your high school
Eligibility: NYC public high school students, mainly juniors, with some campuses also accepting sophomores. International eligibility not specified.

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The STEM Research Academy is a two-part research program that introduces you to scientific inquiry through coursework and laboratory research. You’ll begin with a spring pre-college course that teaches you to form researchable questions, design testable experiments, search library databases, and read peer-reviewed articles. At City Tech, the spring course earns you three college credits before you move into a summer lab placement with a CUNY faculty mentor. 

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During the summer, you’ll apply scientific concepts to research questions in disciplines such as biology, psychology, environmental science, engineering, computer science, chemistry, and physics. The program emphasizes experimentation, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication. You’ll present your research at the end of the summer, and the Academy is part of the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium. By the end of the program, you’ll gain research experience, mentorship, college-level exposure, and a stronger foundation for future STEM studies.

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Why it stands out: It combines a credit-bearing research preparation course with a paid, faculty-mentored summer lab placement across CUNY campuses.

6. Future Game Designers

Location: NYU Game Center, Downtown Brooklyn, New York
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Saturdays, January 30th to May 8th, 2027
Deadline: November 9th, 2026
Eligibility: High school first-years, sophomores, and juniors who can commute to the NYU Game Center in Downtown Brooklyn; up to 16 students are selected. International eligibility not specified.

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Future Game Designers is a 14-week intensive workshop focused on digital and tabletop game development. You’ll examine the foundations of game design, game history, and the broader game industry while building practical development skills. The program is primarily lab-based, so the focus is on learning by doing rather than on reading and discussion alone. Over the 14 weeks, you’ll create a series of digital game prototypes, or sketches, that build toward one final polished game. 

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The curriculum also introduces tabletop game design and teaches you to talk and write about games within critical and cultural frameworks. Throughout the workshop, you’ll practice collaboration, communication, consensus-building, and team-based creative problem-solving. By the end of the program, you’ll have a finished game project and foundational experience in the design process used across the gaming industry.

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Why it stands out: It combines digital game development, tabletop design, and critical game studies in a free project-based program hosted by NYU’s Game Center.

7. Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)

Location: The Rockefeller University, Manhattan, New York
Cost: Free (meals, equipment, and supplies covered)
Program Dates: August 10th to 21st, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (2026 dates; 2027 dates not yet posted)
Deadline: March 15th at 11:59 p.m. (2026)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a New York City public school who are at least 16 by the start of the program; selection doesn’t depend on grades or prior science experience. International students are not eligible unless enrolled in an NYC public school.

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The Summer Neuroscience Program is a two-week intensive course that introduces you to modern neuroscience through active investigation and scientific inquiry. You’ll examine how the brain functions through interactive lectures led by Rockefeller graduate students. The program emphasizes scientific reasoning, experimental design, and engagement with current neuroscience research. You’ll read and present a scientific article, then work with a partner and a mentor to design your own original neuroscience experiment. 

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Practical experiences include dissecting a sheep brain and cow eye, visiting research facilities, and meeting Rockefeller scientists. Small-group mentorship is integrated throughout the program, helping you analyze research papers and communicate scientific ideas. By the end of the program, you’ll gain a stronger understanding of neuroscience research methods and greater confidence in evaluating scientific evidence.

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Why it stands out: You design your own neuroscience experiment while working closely with researchers in an active scientific environment.

8. Summer Arts Institute (SAI)

Location: New York City, New York
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Four weeks in the summer (2026 session)
Deadline: March 9th at 10 p.m., including your online audition (2026)
Eligibility: NYC Public Schools students, with separate middle school and high school tracks. International students not eligible.

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The Summer Arts Institute is a four-week intensive arts program administered by the NYC Public Schools’ Arts Office for students pursuing advanced training in the arts. You’ll major in one artistic discipline: dance, theater, concert band, strings, vocal music, film, or visual arts. The program emphasizes technical skill development, creative expression, and artistic collaboration through daily studio work. 

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You’ll study with professional artists from partner organizations such as American Ballet Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Ghetto Film School, and the New York Philharmonic. Beyond the studio, you’ll attend professional performances, visit arts venues, and explore career pathways within the arts. By the end of the program, you’ll showcase your work in a final exhibition and performance while gaining a deeper understanding of artistic practice and professional opportunities.

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Why it stands out: You receive intensive arts training and mentorship from professional artists while collaborating with leading cultural organizations across New York City.

9. Bossgirls Summer Program

Location: The City College of New York, Manhattan, New York
Cost: Free (sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank); no stipend is provided
Program Dates: June 29th to July 30th, Monday to Thursday (2026)
Deadline: Summer 2026 applications have closed; 2027 details not yet posted
Eligibility: Girls and nonbinary students currently in grades 9 to 12 (graduating seniors remain eligible) who live in the New York tri-state region and can commute to The City College of New York. International eligibility not specified.

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The Bossgirls Summer Program is a five-week entrepreneurship program run by CCNY’s Zahn Innovation Center that introduces you to business creation, innovation, and problem-solving. You’ll learn to analyze everyday problems and find business opportunities within them. The curriculum puts the customer first, teaching you a human-centered design approach to building a business idea with your team. 

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You’ll build communication, collaboration, and presentation skills through mentorship, group discussions, and workshops. The program treats entrepreneurship as both a possible career path and a mindset you can apply in any field. No prior experience is required. By the end of the program, you’ll pitch your idea in a Shark Tank-style finale and join a community of peers and mentors.

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Why it stands out: You develop and pitch a business idea using human-centered design principles while learning from entrepreneurs, mentors, and innovation professionals.

10. Sarah Lawrence College Precollege Programs

Location: Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, just north of New York City (residential or commuter)
Cost: Varies by program
Program Dates: Varies by program, from week-long sessions such as Writers Week to longer summer intensives
Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students. Painting From Poetry: Visual Arts Program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and Hudson River Ecology is open to high school and undergraduate students. International eligibility not specified.

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Sarah Lawrence College’s Precollege Programs introduce you to college-level study through intensive courses in creative writing, theatre, musical theater, visual arts, environmental science, and science research. You’ll learn through project-based, experiential work such as seminars, workshops, fieldwork, lab activities, studio work, readings, and group projects. The programs emphasize active participation and small-group learning, reflecting Sarah Lawrence’s student-centered seminar model. 

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Most courses are offered for credit, so you can earn one to three transferable college credits depending on the program, subject to agreement with your future college. You’ll work closely with faculty, graduate students, and guest experts while developing academic and creative skills. By the end of the experience, you’ll gain exposure to college-level expectations and a clearer understanding of potential academic pathways.

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Why it stands out: You explore specialized academic interests through small, discussion-based classes that mirror Sarah Lawrence College’s distinctive seminar model.

11. Parsons New York Summer Intensive Studies

Location: Parsons School of Design, The New School, Greenwich Village, New York City
Cost: $5,805 tuition plus a $274 university fee and a $55 non-refundable application fee; 2027 housing fees to be announced; a limited number of tuition-only scholarships available
Program Dates: June 28th to July 16th, 2027 (no classes on July 5th)
Deadline: April 1st, 2027, for international students who need a visa; May 1st, 2027, for all other applicants (applications are reviewed on a rolling basis)
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 18 who are 16 by the program start date. International students are eligible and must meet English proficiency and student visa requirements.

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The Parsons New York Summer Intensive Studies program is a three-week, credit-bearing pre-college experience for high school students interested in art and design. You’ll examine creative practices through studio-based coursework taught by Parsons faculty in a college-level academic environment. The program emphasizes project-based learning, critical thinking, and portfolio development across a range of art and design disciplines. 

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Classes run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., with daily out-of-class work and faculty critiques that prepare you for art and design college admissions. The curriculum is complemented by industry guest speakers, field trips, and supervised evening and weekend activities across New York City. Small class sizes allow for individualized feedback and sustained interaction with instructors and peers. By the end of the program, you’ll earn three college credits, strengthen your portfolio, and gain experience with the expectations of undergraduate art and design study.

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Why it stands out: You earn three college credits while studying art and design in an intensive studio environment led by Parsons faculty in New York City.

12. Finance NYC: An Insider’s View

Location: New York University School of Professional Studies, New York City, New York (optional NYU housing)
Cost: $2,579 per course plus a $50 non-refundable application fee; optional housing and dining is $684 (2026); no financial aid, scholarships, or discounts are available
Program Dates: Six one-week sessions between June 29th and August 7th (2026); 2027 dates will be posted later this year
Deadline: Summer 2026 applications have closed; 2027 deadline not yet posted
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11. International students are eligible.

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Finance NYC: An Insider’s View is a one-week Career Edge course that introduces you to the foundations of finance, investment management, and financial analysis. You’ll examine how the financial system works, the types of assets that are traded, and techniques for measuring and managing risk and return. The course covers topics such as capital budgeting, the time value of money, financial derivatives, current economic conditions, and the role of the Federal Reserve. 

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You’ll apply financial concepts through projects and short assignments designed to prepare you for college classroom work. Instruction is provided by an industry expert, offering insight into how financial principles are used on Wall Street. You’ll leave with an NYU transcript showing your grade, though the course doesn’t award college credit or a certificate. By the end of the program, you’ll have foundational knowledge of finance and a clearer sense of whether a finance or business major suits you.

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Why it stands out: You explore core financial concepts through a focused pre-college course taught by an industry expert in New York City, a major global financial center.

13. Creative Writing

Location: New York University School of Professional Studies, New York City, New York (optional NYU housing)
Cost: $2,579 per course plus a $50 non-refundable application fee; optional housing and dining is $684 (2026); no financial aid, scholarships, or discounts are available
Program Dates: Session 2: July 6-10; Session 4: July 20-24; Session 6: August 3-7 (2026); 2027 dates not yet posted
Deadline: Summer 2026 applications have closed; 2027 deadline not yet posted
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11. International students are eligible.

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The Creative Writing course is a one-week NYU Career Edge program that introduces you to the core elements of fiction writing in a pre-college environment. You’ll examine techniques used across literary fiction, dystopian fantasies, fairy tales, and mysteries while developing your own original work. The course emphasizes story structure, character development, dialogue, description, world-building, and narrative arc. 

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You’ll apply these concepts through writing exercises and workshop discussions that give you constructive feedback on your drafts. Instruction is led by an industry expert and supplemented by lectures and interactions with noted authors. You’ll walk away with a portfolio of peer-critiqued short pieces, from stories and scenes to poems and flash fiction, plus an NYU transcript showing your grade. The course does not award college credit, but it gives you a strong sense of the craft of storytelling.

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Why it stands out: You develop a portfolio of original fiction and creative pieces while taking part in writing workshops and discussions with authors and industry professionals.

Frequently asked questions: College Courses for High School Students in NYC

Are there any free college courses available for high school students in NYC?

Yes, several of the programs on this list are free, and some even pay you. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy offers a free spring research course that can earn college credit, followed by a paid summer lab placement. NYU’s ARISE is free with a $2,000 stipend, and Rockefeller University’s SSRP and Summer Neuroscience Program cost nothing to attend. Most free options are limited to NYC residents or public school students, so check eligibility first, and browse these free internships in NYC for more no-cost ideas.

What classes do colleges want you to take in high school?

Colleges generally want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you in core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and a world language. A summer course in NYC doesn’t replace that record, but it can show admissions officers where your interests lead. A three-credit Parsons intensive supports an art and design application, while a lab placement through ARISE or SSRP shows a real commitment to STEM. Pick a summer course that connects to the major you’re considering.

What programs are available for high schoolers in NYC?

You can choose from research placements, arts intensives, career programs, and credit-bearing pre-college courses across the city. On this list, ARISE, SSRP, and CUNY’s STEM Research Academy focus on lab research, while the Summer Arts Institute and Future Game Designers center on creative work. The Met’s internship and Bossgirls offer career and entrepreneurship experience, and Parsons and NYU’s Career Edge courses give you a taste of college classes. For more lab-focused options, see these research programs in NYC for high school students.

Do summer courses in NYC give you college credit?

Some do, but many don’t, so check before you enroll. Parsons’ summer intensive earns you three college credits, and Sarah Lawrence offers one to three transferable credits depending on the program. NYU’s Career Edge courses give you an NYU transcript with a grade but no college credit. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in New York lets you opt in to earn 8 UCAS points or 3 US college credits.

Can international students take college courses in NYC as a high schooler?

Yes, but mostly through paid programs, since many free options require NYC residency or enrollment in a local school. Parsons accepts international students, with an April 1st, 2027, deadline if you need a visa, and NYU’s Career Edge courses welcome students from around the world. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in New York is open to students aged 15 to 18 from any country, with classes averaging 7 participants. You can also read about life for international students in New York before you plan your trip.

How do you choose the right college course in NYC?

Start with the field you want to test, then check eligibility, cost, and schedule. If you’re weighing a STEM major, a research placement like ARISE or SSRP gives you lab experience, while art and design students may get more from Parsons’ portfolio-focused intensive. Shorter options like NYU’s one-week Career Edge courses suit you if your summer is busy. If you attend an NYC public school, free programs like the Summer Arts Institute and the Summer Neuroscience Program are worth putting at the top of your list.

Discover your future major in New York City

A few weeks in a Brooklyn lab, a Manhattan museum, or a Greenwich Village studio can show you which subjects you’d happily study for years.

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With so many college courses for high school students in NYC, you can test a STEM, arts, or business path before you apply to college.

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Check each program’s residency and age rules early, since many of the city’s free options are open only to New York City public school students.

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When you’re ready to turn that summer into applications, our University Preparation blogs help you choose a major, plan your courses, and apply with confidence.