14 Winter Programs for High School Students
As a high school student, winter is a good time to start exploring new academic and career interests. With school schedules often lighter than in the fall or spring, you can use this time to explore interests beyond the classroom. Winter programs provide you with a focused way to do that, offering opportunities in medicine, AI, neuroscience, climate science, construction, and the arts. Unlike summer programs, winter programs are relatively shorter and more affordable, giving you an accessible way to build practical skills, gain early industry exposure, and make connections, while balancing a busy school year.
Many of these programs are led by prestigious universities and established organizations, giving you access to experienced mentors, faculty, and professionals who can guide your learning. Alongside lectures and coursework, you might find yourself working on projects, collaborating on research, developing presentations, or even applying your skills to community-based initiatives. These experiences not only strengthen your academic profile but also help you gain insight into potential majors and career paths before college.
To help you get started, here is a list of 14 winter programs for high school students that provide meaningful learning experiences across diverse fields.
1. Research Internships and Observation for High School Students at Penn State College of Medicine
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
Cost | Stipend: None | Internships can be paid or unpaid
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Depends on lab availability
Program Dates: Throughout the year, including in the winter, depending on lab schedule and student availability
Application Deadline: No specific deadline; depends on supervisor and lab capacity
Eligibility: U.S. high school students | Must be sponsored or supervised by a member of the College of Medicine faculty | Research internship applicants must complete all required training modules | Click here for more information
Through the Research Internships and Observation Program at Penn State College of Medicine, high school students can gain early exposure to biomedical research in a university setting. Depending on your interests and availability, you may apply for a short-term research shadowing session or an extended internship, both designed to introduce you to research environments. The program requires you to secure a faculty sponsor who will guide your experience and ensure compliance with safety and legal requirements. You will also attend a lab safety training session and will be expected to follow strict protocols, especially around hazardous materials. This experience offers a look at how research is conducted in a medical school setting, while also instilling a sense of responsibility, professionalism, and curiosity for scientific research in the students.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available for the AI Scholars program and Deep Dives
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the winter
Application Deadline: Winter I: October 19 | Winter II: November 30
Eligibility: High school students | Applicants to the Deep Dives and AI Fellowship programs must have completed the AI Scholars program or have previous experience with AI concepts or Python.
Through the Veritas AI programs, you can explore key concepts in artificial intelligence under the guidance of mentors from MIT, Harvard, and other leading institutions. The AI Scholars program introduces you to core areas such as neural networks and machine learning through lectures and group projects. The student-to-mentor ratio is 5:1, giving you access to personalized attention and feedback as you progress through coursework and project development. If you are already familiar with AI or coding, consider the AI Fellowship program. It pairs you with an AI expert to design and complete an independent AI research project. Fellowship students receive one-on-one guidance from their mentors and even receive support from a publication specialist to refine their work for submission to academic journals. The programs emphasize both the technical foundations and practical, real-world applications of AI in various fields. You can check out some examples of past projects here. If you want to learn more about the application process, click here!
3. APA Internal Internship Program (IIP)
Location: Remote
Cost | Stipend: None | Both paid and for academic credit (unpaid) internships are available
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Might differ for every internship
Program Dates: Internship opportunities are available year-round, including winter
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students from states where the APA is registered as an employer | Must be authorized to work in the U.S. | Students under 18 need a D.C. Work Permit
IIP gives high school students the chance to explore the field of psychology through internships at the American Psychological Association. The program offers both paid and unpaid positions across departments such as policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, and education, allowing you to align your internship with your interests. Depending on your placement, your responsibilities can involve technical writing, web-based projects, assisting with administrative tasks, or even supporting special initiatives. Interns work closely with supervisors who provide daily guidance while also setting broader learning objectives. Apart from work, you will also join workshops, group projects, networking events, and discussions that highlight current trends in psychology and non-traditional career paths in the field. By the end of the program, you will have gained practical workplace experience and developed a clearer understanding of how psychology connects to a range of professions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type (click here for more information) | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Program Dates: 12–16 weeks starting from December 8 (Winter Cohort) or January 19 (Winter Cohort II)
Application Deadline: Winter Cohort: November 16 | Winter Cohort II: December 28
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and complete an independent research project in fields such as economics, psychology, biology, political science, or engineering. Weekly mentorship sessions guide you through each stage of the process, from developing a research question to performing literature reviews, analyzing data, and writing a formal research paper. The program emphasizes academic rigor and professional standards, helping you experience the research process as it is ppracticedin universities. If you join the Premium Research and Publication Program, you will also get support from a publication specialist as you prepare your work for submission to academic journals.
5. ED Student Volunteer Trainee Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Program Dates: The Winter/Spring cohort lasts 8 to 10 weeks in January – May
Application Deadline: September 1 – November 30 (Winter/Spring Cohort)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old | Must attend an accredited educational institution, including but not limited to high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or graduate school
The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid opportunity available year-round, with cohorts offered in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. As a participant, you will spend eight to ten weeks working in a Department office aligned with your academic background or career interests. Internship placements cover areas such as human resources, education policy, data analytics, project management, grants management, communications, information technology, and more. In addition to your daily responsibilities, you will have the chance to take part in ED-sponsored events, including professional development workshops, brownbag discussions with senior officials, and tours of Washington, D.C. landmarks. Through these experiences, you will build practical skills, strengthen your understanding of federal education policy, and gain exposure to collaborative work in a government setting.
6. UC San Diego’s Ocean Literacy, Climate, and Conservation Leadership Course
Location: Virtual sessions along with in-person sessions at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Cohort I: February 10 – March 22 | Cohort II: March 24 – May 3
Application Deadline: Acceptance is on a rolling basis, so no strict deadline
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors local to San Diego
The Ocean Literacy, Climate, and Conservation Leadership course introduces you to the connections between ocean systems, climate, and human health. Over the course of the program, you will take part in four in-person Saturday workshops at Scripps Institution of Oceanography alongside live online sessions. The curriculum combines virtual and field-based instruction, giving you experience with tools such as ArcGIS for spatial data analysis, scientific diving equipment, and remote sensing technologies. The program emphasizes scientific understanding, environmental leadership, and stewardship, helping you explore how ocean literacy contributes to conservation and sustainability. Completion of the course also makes you eligible to apply for the Conservation Leadership Dive Program, a highly selective summer experience focused on applied marine conservation and field research.
7. Girls Garage Construction + Community Program
Location: Girls Garage, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: 16–24 students per year (Fall cohort has 12 students)
Program Dates: Winter sessions take place for 8 weeks in late January – mid-March
Application Deadline: TBA, but registration opens on December 1
Eligibility: High school girls and gender expansive youth
The Construction + Community program at Girls Garage is a free, after-school program for high school girls and gender-expansive youth interested in architecture, construction, design, and engineering. You can apply to one of the 3 8-week after-school sessions in Spring, Fall, or Winter. Over the course of the program, you will develop technical construction skills while working on projects, build pro bono for local clients, and apply your training directly to benefit community needs. The experience is led by experienced instructors with backgrounds in architecture, construction, fabrication, and teaching, giving you consistent mentorship and guidance. In addition to learning to use power tools and navigate construction sites, you will practice collaboration skills, reflect on identity in the context of your work, and explore how construction skills can support equity and inclusion. By the end of the program, you will have contributed to real projects that strengthen your community while gaining practical skills relevant to STEM, the trades, design, or architecture.
8. UC San Diego’s BioEngineering Research Project B – Research (BERP-B)
Location: Virtual or hybrid at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,600 (Online) | $3,000 (Hybrid) | There might also be a potential $500 lab fee + out-of-pocket cost of $50 for locally sourced miscellaneous supplies
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Winter dates TBD
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 14 years old (15 for the in-person or hybrid programs) | Required minimum cumulative GPA is 3.0 | Enrollment must be approved by the instructor (contact bextship@ucsd.edu for more details)
The UC San Diego BioEngineering Research Project B – Research (BERP-B) allows students to design and carry out an independent bioengineering research project through experimentation, data acquisition, and analysis. Classes involve lectures, discussions, and lab meetings, totaling 6–10 hours per week, with an additional 3–6 hours of homework. You will have the chance to implement your proposed projects with potential support from collaborating research laboratories, analyze and interpret results, and develop both a scientific abstract and a formal research paper. Each project concludes with a formal presentation, which may need to be structured to meet the requirements of science and engineering fairs or other academic formats. Remote participants receive a laboratory kit shipped directly to their home, included in tuition, with an additional estimated $50 for locally sourced supplies. Loaned materials must be returned after the course to maintain eligibility for future UC San Diego Research Scholars programs.
9. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program – Medicine: An Inside Look At Treating Patients
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Fairly welcoming
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions in the winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
If you are interested in medicine and patient care, the Medicine: An Inside Look at Treating Patients course gives you the chance to explore how healthcare teams work together to treat complex conditions. Across the course, you will follow case studies on kidney transplant, vascular disease, and cancer while hearing from physician specialists and other professionals involved in every step of patient care. The curriculum also introduces you to complementary and integrative medicine techniques, along with emerging innovations like genetic testing. A key component of the program is the Final Capstone Project, where you will design an ideal healthcare team for a patient scenario and present the role of each provider in the treatment process. With guidance from a mentor, you will receive feedback and support as you move through lectures, discussions, and assignments, building a deeper understanding of both medical science and the collaborative nature of healthcare.
10. Cornell's Winter Session
Location: Both online and in-person at various locations
Cost: $1,940/credit hour
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Fairly welcoming
Program Dates: January 2 – 17
Application Deadline: Open admissions; enrollment starts on October 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students. Check individual courses to see if they have any prerequisites.
Cornell University’s Winter Session offers online and off-campus courses taught by faculty across a wide range of disciplines. The sessions are open to undergraduates, high school students, alumni, and other learners. The program allows you to earn credits before the Spring semester, either to get ahead in your studies or to explore new academic interests. Courses span fields such as economics, law, communication, computer science, psychology, art history, microbiology, and more, giving you the flexibility to pursue subjects aligned with your goals. Depending on the course you choose, you may build skills in areas such as data analysis, scientific research methods, ethical reasoning, economic modeling, or professional communication. The courses come in both synchronous and asynchronous online formats as well as in-person classes, accommodating different schedules and learning preferences. They also provide opportunities to work closely with Cornell faculty, deepening subject knowledge while developing skills relevant to academic and professional pathways.
11. Burke Neurological Institute’s Introduction to Neuroscience Course for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500 (scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Winter session: February 4 – March 27
Application Deadline: Varies; registration typically opens in December
Eligibility: High school students who have successfully completed the NYS Regents Living Environment or equivalent Biology class
The Introduction to Neuroscience course by the Burke Neurological Institute is an evening online program where you can study how the mammalian nervous system supports movement, sensory processing, learning, and memory. The course might introduce you to core areas such as basic neuroanatomy, neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, glial cell function, and neurodegenerative diseases, with additional discussions on topics like nervous system imaging, traumatic injury, and neurotechnology. You will engage with current questions in neuroscience, including what happens after a stroke and how the nervous system might be repaired. The program may also serve as an entry point to future mentorship or research opportunities at Burke and other institutions, helping you prepare for advanced study in science.
12. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)’s Joint Enrollment Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $100 application fee + program costs (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Winter session is from January 6 – March 13
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old | Individual courses might have their own prerequisites
SCAD’s Joint Enrollment Program gives you the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school. You can enroll in up to two online classes per quarter, earning five credit hours for each completed course that can later be applied toward a SCAD degree. Course options span creative and academic fields, including art, business, advertising, anatomy, mathematics, politics, psychology, and more. Classes are taught virtually by SCAD professors, with Zoom hangouts and academic resources available to support your learning. This program allows you to build your portfolio, strengthen your academic foundation, and get an early start on your college career.
13. Northwestern Pre-College Online Medicine Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Fairly welcoming
Program Dates: Multiple 2 and 4-week sessions throughout the year, including in the winter
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions throughout the year
Eligibility: Students between the ages 13 –19 who have not yet enrolled in college
Northwestern University’s Pre-College Online Medicine Program offers high school students the chance to study key areas of medicine through flexible, specialized courses. Options include Medicine: The Journey to Saving Lives, Medical Research: Evaluating Claims and Facts, Physiology: Understanding the Body’s Systems, and Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment. In each course, you will learn through video lessons and interactive assignments, ending with a Final Capstone Project based on the topics covered in the program. Courses cover topics ranging from emergency department procedures to the critical evaluation of medical research and the study of human physiology. Along the way, you will be mentored by experienced faculty and medical professionals who provide guidance and feedback. The program emphasizes applied learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving, giving you a better understanding of medical concepts and their real-world applications.
14. Pratt Winter PreCollege
Location: Virtual or in person at the Pratt Brooklyn Campus, NY
Cost: 1-Credit Classes: $1,244 | Non-Credit Classes: $675 | Non-Credit Workshops: $170 – $249 | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: January 17 – 19 | The NonCredit Workshops are on January 17
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students between the ages of 15–18 | International students with an approved U.S. Visa can also apply
Pratt Winter PreCollege offers high school students ages 15–18 the chance to take college-level courses in art, design, and architecture while preparing a portfolio for undergraduate admission. The credit-bearing option mirrors Pratt’s undergraduate curriculum, with classes taught by faculty and alumni that focus on developing technical skills and creative problem-solving. Each completed course earns one transferable college credit and requires students to work on assignments outside of class. Noncredit classes and workshops provide focused opportunities to expand your creative practice, whether through portfolio development, figure drawing, or specialized techniques like embroidery. Both formats emphasize mentorship, studio-based learning, and collaboration with peers, giving you the experience of working in a professional art school environment. By the end of the program, you’ll leave with finished projects and portfolio pieces that highlight your artistic growth.
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