30 Summer Internships For High School Students in 2024
If you’re in high school, chances are that the school year passes by in a jiffy. Summer is a great time to engage in some immersive learning experiences and boost your profile for college applications!
You can choose to intern, work on a passion project, join a volunteering organization, or pursue independent research.
Why is summer the perfect time to intern during high school?
A lot of prestigious and coveted internship programs take place in the summer because students have more time to do rigorous work and take up a challenge.
Since an internship is usually an intensive program spread over multiple weeks, during the summer you have the freedom to fully engage with your work, take up travel, and interact with your fellow interns as much as possible.
A lot of experienced researchers and members of organizations have some extra time during the summer to volunteer and mentor in these programs.
Internships will help you build skills that are typically valued in a work environment. This is a great supplement to academic knowledge.
When should you start looking for summer internships?
You start scouting for summer internships 6 months to a year before the target summer for the internships.
Most competitive summer opportunities have a rigorous application process and early deadlines — usually from the near end of the previous year. Not to mention, many internship applications would require you to send in recommendation letters, school transcripts, and records of other experiences – all of which can be time-consuming to figure out! So it’s best to start looking as early as you can, that way you’ll have plenty of time to prepare your applications.
In this blog, we’ll cover 30 summer internships for high school students, complete with eligibility requirements, dates, and deadlines, as well as the stipend you will be given upon successful completion. Note that these internships are quite prestigious, and are open to only a few students each year. We’ve also included a bonus section with research-focused internships for students keen on exploring academic research across various fields!
We’ve also mentioned the estimated acceptance rates of each of these internships - summer internships are usually very competitive and receive a huge number of applications, so it’s a good idea to know your odds and pick internships that you are comfortable applying to.
This is how we’ve calculated the acceptance rate:
Information on the organization's website, newsletters, company reports, and statistics mentioned by alumni and new interns on their blogs.
Estimated acceptance rate based on the number of interns in each cohort. For example, if the cohort size is 10-12 students, and the average number of applications is about 600-800 from across the country, we can estimate the acceptance rate to be about 2- 4%.
Apart from prestige, competitiveness and a stipend, if you’re also looking to find an internship that helps you build on a specific set of skills, consider factors such as networking opportunities, skill building, and exposure while applying to summer internships.
30 Summer Internships That Welcome High School Students
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $1,990. Financial assistance is available.
Acceptance Rate: 25%, with each company accepting about 2-3 students for each cohort. The upcoming summer cohort has about 100 students.
Ladder Internship is a selective program for high school students to work with start-ups, in fields including technology, machine learning and AI, finance, environmental science and sustainability, business and marketing, healthcare and medicine, media and journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Interns will work on a real-world project and present their work at the end of the internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship - the Ladder Coach serves as a second mentor and a sounding board, guiding students through the internship and helping you navigate the startup environment. This virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
STEM summer internships for high school students
2. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Hybrid (on-site experience at the University of Austin, Texas campus)
Eligibility: High school juniors who hold U.S. citizenship can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: May - July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Cost/Stipend: None.
Acceptance Rate: 3-4%, with 6-7 students making it to each cohort.
A highly prestigious, highly competitive competition (with an acceptance rate of 3-4%, 6-7 students make it to each cohort) for high school students, the SEES is hosted by UT Austin in collaboration with NASA. This is a national-level internship program, where you can work beside NASA subject matter experts.
The program is focused on Earth and space research and relies on interns to assist with analyzing and visualizing data - key aspects of moving a project faster and foundational knowledge for aerospace engineering. All project teams will present their research during the Virtual SEES Science Symposium.
There is a virtual, learning component to the program and then an onsite experience on campus at the University of Texas, Austin. You are also expected to present your research at the program's concluding symposium.
Note: Here are a few things the SEES team looks for in an intern - your academic records, a written application that includes answers to essay questions, an introduction video, a letter of recommendation form, a transcript, and a demonstration of interest in STEM.
3. Summer Internships for High School Students (Laboratory Learning Program) at Princeton
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ.
Eligibility: Students who
- are enrolled in a U.S. high school and are at least 16 years old. High school graduates who will not turn 18 by June 15, 2024, can apply (for the 2024 cohort)
- are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students enrolled in a U.S. high school can also apply. Princeton does not sponsor visas for the program.
Application deadline: March 15, 2024
Program dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the schedule of the researchers. Each research project has its own schedule. Interns work full-time, Monday to Friday, with no weekend activities.
Cost/Stipend: None.
Acceptance Rate: About 6%, with 40 students making the final cohort out of 700 applicants.
The Laboratory Learning Program is a highly selective prestigious summer internship for high school students, giving them the unique opportunity to work with faculty and researchers in Princeton laboratories, assisting them with ongoing research, usually in engineering and the natural sciences. Around 25 Princeton laboratories accept 40 interns annually.
Princeton faculty lead research teams, which include postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, and other staff researchers. At the end of the program, interns must produce a two-page research summary report. Research opportunities change every year, depending on the laboratory and the researcher’s focus. Some of the research projects interns participated in last year included:
Machine learning methods for power magnetics modeling
Heat pumps to save the world
Investigating heteroresistance to antibiotics
Machine learning for green power generation
Decoding human genetic variation in human health and disease
Biofuel oxidation at supercritical pressure
You can see the entire list of 2023 research opportunities here.
Location: University of Maryland, Princess Anne, Maryland
Eligibility: High school seniors who are entering their first year of an undergraduate degree program in the fall. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum of a 2.7 GPA. The program particularly encourages students from underrepresented groups who are planning to pursue a career in geoscience to apply.
Application Deadline: You can expect the deadline for the 2024 cohort to be around April-end.
Program Dates: June - August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Stipend: $500 per week, along with reimbursements for travel. The program includes all lectures, field trips, college courses, housing, and meals at no cost.
Acceptance Rate: 2-3%, with only 7-8 students making it to each cohort.
This is a 6-week, fully-funded internship offered to high school graduates interested in geoscience. The internship is meant to serve as a bridge program between high school and university, and sees hundreds of applicants from across the country.
As a GeoSciences intern, you will be expected to engage and learn about ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques. Additionally, you will also be required to take two college-level courses, right before you start your undergraduate degree, to help prepare you for college academics.
The program funds all your meals, housing, travel to and fro the University of Maryland, as well as any other activities you may choose to undertake as part of the internship, and provides a stipend.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Eligibility: All current high school students who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate: about 3%, with 27 students making it to the final cohort each year.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer internship and mentoring program sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. The program stimulates interest in fisheries and aquatic science, especially among underrepresented groups. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be matched and mentored by a fisheries professional in your local area. You will gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, conducting laboratory and field research.
You will participate in resource conservation and management projects as a Hutton Scholar. Moreover, you will learn about career opportunities while receiving resources on potential courses. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data procession, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more. Since its inception in 2001, the program has seen over 750 scholars placed in more than 250 institutions.
An added benefit is an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas!
6. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are highly encouraged to apply, but a GPA of less than 3.0 will not disqualify applicants. Students applying must be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline). It’s recommended you read through all the eligibility requirements before applying.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Program Dates: Varies from project to project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for 9 weeks.
Stipend: $468.80 per week
Acceptance Rate: 8-10%, with past cohorts selecting about 63 students from across the country.
Once selected, you will have the opportunity to receive guidance from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers while touring AFRL laboratories and working on cutting-edge research and technology. You can expect to work on areas such as aerospace / mechanical design for morphing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, and metalens design and modeling (to name a few).
These opportunities are also open to undergraduate and graduate-level students so be sure to filter for specific opportunities open to high school students. A few research areas open to high schoolers are Clean-up of PFAS contamination, Data Structures for Advanced Satellite Navigation Signals, and Experimental Navigation Satellite Signals Simulation and Testing, to name a few.
7. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Acceptance Rate: 4-6%, with 15 students making it to the final cohort at each of the 10 NASA centers.
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships at locations all around America. These internships are an exceptional opportunity for high school students to contribute to projects ongoing at the agency under the guidance of a NASA mentor. The program provides training, mentoring, and career development opportunities alongside the chance to work with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.
During this internship, you may be involved in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies – engaging in real-world experiences, gaining valuable experience and insight into NASA's work. The program nurtures a passion for scientific discovery. You can check out a complete list of positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students. If you’re a budding engineer or astrophysicist, interning with NASA is the most prestigious experience you can showcase in your college application!
8. Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, WA
Eligibility: Rising first-year students of a bachelor’s degree program (graduating high school seniors) that live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington. Students must be at least 16 years old and have a legal right to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program dates: 4 weeks, July - August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Stipend: $20 per hour
Note: While this program is fairly competitive, with only a few students selected after the final round of interviews, we were unable to verify an exact acceptance rate.
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program allows high school students to get hands-on learning and explore technology opportunities at Microsoft. ‘Discoverers’ will participate in a curriculum designed to learn programming fundamentals and develop career readiness skills while gaining mentorship from Microsoft employees. You will discover how your passions can evolve into a career in tech at Microsoft and beyond.
9. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: May 1, 2024 (based on past year's dates)
Program dates: 6-8 weeks, June to August
Stipend: $500 for some. Some internships might be unpaid.
Acceptance rate: <5%
Spark SIP is a highly prestigious internship opportunity for budding CS majors in college. A program open to all high schoolers interested in CS and related disciplines, the Spark SIP program allows students to immerse themselves in research opportunities in the field, interact and learn from scholars and leaders, and gain real-world experience through a full-time summer internship program.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on. For the 2023 cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future
Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and exploring its various non-idealities.)
Understanding spike-timing and spike-rate impact on Spiking Neural Network (SNN)
The program not only allows you to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks, but also lets you interact and learn from industry leaders, university professors and mentors. Moreover, SPARK provides opportunities and resources that can be used during and after college applications!
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. There is room for some exceptions. Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1st every year.
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Cost: There are no registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. You can expect to have to travel to and from your lab, depending on your placement.
Acceptance Rate: Around 10%
This is a great option for you if you want a more research focused internship. SEAP is an immersive 8-week summer program that places academically talented high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories. If you’ve been thinking about science and engineering for your future studies and career, you must consider this program. It’s an opportunity to work with leading researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country, on real Naval research. During the program, you will receive mentoring from expert scientists and engineers. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.
Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is highly competitive. Selection is based on academic achievements, personal statements, recommendations, and alignment with career and research interests.
Medical summer internships for high school students (and related fields!)
11. Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at the City Of Hope Cancer Center
Location: City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Eligibility: Students must be 16 years old before their first day on campus and have completed chemistry and biology classes in high school before applying.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close mid-March.
Program Dates: The dates for the program are yet to be announced.
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate: <5%, with the program selecting only 100 students from 2000+ applicants.
If selected after a rigorous process, this prestigious program requires students to spend 10 weeks as a biomedical intern. Alongside attending seminars and laboratory sessions with the staff, students can create their own research biomedical projects under the recognized mentoring of the City of Hope facilitators. The curriculum ends in the completion of a research paper, which is then presented at the end of the program.
12. Student Research Internship Programs at Scripps Research Translational Institute
The institute offers two internships under this program: one focused on translational science (I - Student Research Internship Program and the other on precision medicine (II - Medical Student Research Internship Program). Both have substantial overlap in subjects covered.
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA. The institute provides a few resources to help students find housing.
Eligibility: Highly motivated students in high school who will be at least 16 years old before the internship begins can apply.
Application deadline: March 30, 2024 (I) and February 29, 2024 (II)
Program dates:
- June 3, 2024 – August 9, 2024 OR June 17, 2024 - August 23, 2024 (I)
- May 20, 2024 - July 29, 2024 (II)
If these dates do not work for you, the institute recommends you note your specific available dates in your application (You are required to give 10 weeks for I, 8 weeks for II).
Stipend: For I, information on funding is yet to be updated. For II, a stipend will be provided; travel and housing expenses will be covered.
Note: While this program is highly selective, we were unable to verify an exact acceptance rate.
The competitive 10-week internship brings together 40 talented and motivated students (high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional) from across the country for an immersive research program. As an intern, you will learn about current topics in translational science, precision medicine, focusing on digital health, clinical genomics, and community engagement. You will also study design and analysis procedures relevant for translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies. You will observe the steps of proposing, designing, undertaking and analyzing clinical trials. At the end of the program, you will present a scientific concept to your peers and mentors. Based on your interests, you will be assigned a primary mentor for the program who will guide and advise you.
13. KP Launch High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente
Location: You can intern at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business office closest to where you are. Find a location near you.
Eligibility: Students aged 16-19 by June 1, 2024, and are current high school students and/or graduating seniors of the Class of 2024, can apply. Priority is given to juniors and senior-level students. Those applying must have the right to work in the US.z
Application deadline: Applications typically close December-end.
Program dates: June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Stipend: $15.50 - 18 per hour
Acceptance rate: <5%, with a cohort size of 40-50 students.
For students keen on exploring the healthcare industry, this internship offers practical experience and insight into it. During this program, you will have the opportunity to work alongside healthcare professionals and learn about various medical disciplines, such as nursing, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, and more. You will take part in hands-on activities, shadowing experiences, and educational workshops that enhance your understanding of healthcare practices. The program emphasizes mentorship, teamwork, and personal development, and can encourage you to explore your career interest in the medical field.
14. Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Jerome L. Greene Science Center, Columbia, NY
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the summer session. Applicants must reside in New York City, but preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
Application Deadline: While the deadline for 2024 has not been announced, applications open in Fall 2023.
Program dates: 5 weeks during the summer (tentatively, based on last year’s schedule)
Stipend: Students will be paid a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Note: This is a moderately selective program.
BRAINYAC is a program for high schoolers to conduct hands-on research in neuroscience at a Columbia University laboratory. Through this program, you will get to connect with scientists as you learn critical skills required when working in a research environment.
As an intern, you will be matched with a Columbia neuroscientist mentor who will guide you through a research project. At the end of the program, you can gain an enhanced understanding of how laboratory research leads to transformative discovery, exposure to a professional academic career, and more robust fundamentals in neuroscience. An example of past projects is Edgar Garcia, who looked into the function of specialized neurons that help relay sensory information from the outside world.
Note: You can only apply to BRAINYAC if you are nominated by their partner programs, namely S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, and BioBus.
15. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
Note: Part of the HS-SIP are two programs, High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP) and HiSTEP 2.0.
Location: Students can choose from NIH campuses across the country. The NIH campus and labs are located in Bethesda, Baltimore and Frederick, MD; Research Triangle Park, NC; Hamilton, MT; Framingham, MA; and Phoenix, AZ.
Eligibility: Students who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application (or have recently graduated), and are 17 years or older on June 15, 2024, may apply. Do look through all the eligibility requirements before applying. There are some additional requirements for HiSTEP and HiSTEP 2.0.
Application deadline: February 1, every year.
Program dates: Minimum 8 weeks in summer, information on exact dates is not available.
Stipend: $2,300-2,530 (for students currently in high school) | $2,570-2,840 (for students who have graduated high school)
Acceptance rate: <10%, with about 20 students making it to the final cohort each year.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers a suite of summer internship programs for high school students. HS-SIP is an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on biomedical research alongside leading scientists and mentors. During this program, you will work on ongoing research projects, analyze data, and acquire essential laboratory skills.
HiSTEP is designed for the next generation of scientists. The program partners with renowned research institutions, so students can dive into cutting-edge scientific investigations across diverse disciplines. HiSTEP is not a hands-on, full-time research program. It will combine an introduction to scientific, professional, and personal skills with leadership training, wellness programming, and an exploration of STEM-M (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine-related) careers. In addition, it will help prepare you for future scholarships and internships.
HiSTEP 2.0, an advanced continuation program, offers an in-depth exploration of scientific research. This is for students who have completed HiSTEP or similar research experiences. HiSTEP 2.0 allows you to design and conduct independent research projects under the guidance of mentor scientists in the field of biomedicine.
You will also participate in weekly workshops and seminars aimed at developing your scientific, professional, and personal skills.
Business summer internships for high school students
16. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: The program is held all across the country – you will be assigned a local non-profit organization to work with in your region/area. The Leadership Summit will be held in Washington DC.
Program dates: 8-week summer internship, including an all expenses-covered week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Dates vary by location, but the internship usually begins shortly after the school year ends.
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and typically close in January.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. See all eligibility criteria here.
Stipend: It is a paid internship, but no information is available on the exact amount. The trip to Washington DC is covered by the bank!
Acceptance Rate: About 5-8%, with only 300 students being accepted into a cohort from thousands of applicants from around the country.
With this program, the bank aims to foster community-mindedness, encouraging and training students who are passionate about improving their community. Via the program, you will work at a local non-profit organization, as you develop your leadership and community skills. While you learn about the various aspects of running such an organization, engage in community service projects and develop a deeper understanding of social issues, you will simultaneously work on skills that will aid in your future academics and career.
As part of the program, you will engage in real-world projects and assignments related to financial analysis and community leadership. This hands-on experience allows you to apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations, fostering problem-solving skills and leadership abilities. The internship includes a week-long Student Leadership Summit held in Washington, DC. The travel, food and stay for the same will be covered by the bank.
Bank of America selects about 300 driven high school students from over 100 diverse communities. You will have the opportunity to connect with professionals in the banking and financial industry, which can be valuable for your future career prospects. Additionally, the program often includes access to guest lectures and workshops led by experienced professionals, providing you with a broader perspective on the financial industry. We’d highly recommend this internship as a gateway to unlocking future opportunities because Bank of America has a pretty strong reputation with corporate and not-for-profit entities.
Location: Menlo Park, CA.
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Program dates: 6 weeks (June through July)
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend!
Acceptance Rate: While we can’t verify an exact rate, about 150 students make it to the final cohort from hundreds of applications.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has launched a prestigious summer opportunity for high school students, known as the Meta Summer Academy. As a participant, you will learn about various practices in Meta and learn and be a part of its day-to-day environment as an extern. It runs for 6 weeks, from June through July, and is held in California. You will be expected to participate for 30 hours/week. Also, you will be mentored by Meta summer academy mentors – these are employees at Meta. The program provides transportation to all externs, making it accessible to applicants across California. Landing an internship at Meta as a high school student is a matter of prestige, as the selection process is quite competitive, with only 150 students making it to the final cohort.
18. KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience
Location: New York City
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school, who live in commutable proximity to a KPMG local office and can participate in-person during normal business hours, are eligible.
Application deadline: There is no information available on this at the moment.
Program dates: 3 weeks in July
Stipend: $25 per hour.
Note: This is a moderately selective program.
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is a program designed to provide high school students with a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to the world of accounting and professional services. Throughout this immersive experience, you can expect to gain a deep understanding of fundamental accounting principles, auditing procedures, tax concepts, and advisory services. This goes beyond textbook knowledge, as participants engage in interactive workshops, collaborate on real-world case studies, and interact with KPMG professionals.
During the program, you will be encouraged to work in teams, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance their critical thinking abilities. This experience serves as an exceptional opportunity for participants to build a strong foundation for their future careers in the finance and accounting industry.
One of the standout aspects of the KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience is the networking and mentorship opportunities it offers. You will have the chance to connect with professionals at KPMG, learning from their experiences and insights. This can be invaluable in making informed career choices and building professional relationships that will prove beneficial in the future. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and workshops led by industry experts, further enriching their understanding of the field.
KPMG is very well known for financial services, so we’d highly recommend you apply for this if you are passionate about a career in finance.
Political Science & Law summer internships for high school students
19. Pathways Internship Programs at the U.S. Department of State
Location: This will vary, students can opt for programs close to their location. Check available options here.
Eligibility: Students applying must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of the post you’re applying to. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and throughout internship appointment.
Application Deadline: Varies from location to location
Program dates: While the dates of the internship will vary from post to post, those under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) are expected to last the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled, and those under the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) will run during seasonal and holiday breaks as well as year-round.
Stipend: This varies from post to post.
Note: There is no information on the selectivity of this program.
These internships are opportunities to explore federal careers in various offices of the government. Through them, students can gain firsthand experience in various aspects of foreign affairs, public policy, and international affairs by working as an intern at offices such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Structured Finance and Insurance, Office of the General Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency, and so on.
The program offers a structured learning environment, where you will work alongside experienced professionals, engage in meaningful projects, and develop critical skills for the global stage. The internships can prepare you for future leadership roles, and encourage you to become informed and culturally sensitive global citizens.
As mentioned above, there are two types of internships under this program: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). IEP interns, while in the program, are eligible for noncompetitive promotions and federal employee benefits. ITEP interns are appointed to temporary appointments, which will not exceed one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one year increments.
Note: All vacancies part of this internship program are posted on USAJobs.gov. So details such as the application deadline, internship dates will vary from role to role, and will be available on each specific posting. Check the current vacancies here.
Location: United States Senate, Washington, DC
Eligibility: High school juniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/B, may apply.
Application deadline: This information will be available on the respective senator’s website, and if not, you can contact their office for details.
Program dates: Fall (early September - late January) | Spring (late January - early June) | Summer Session I (3-4 weeks in June) | Summer Session II (3-4 weeks in July)
Cost: No cost, annual salary of $35,116 (payments are made monthly, so close to $3000 per month that you are working)
Acceptance Rate: The program is highly selective, with only 30 Senate Pages accepted each term. There are four terms annually.
The U.S. Senate Page Program is a chance for high school juniors to learn the value of public service, while meeting some of the nation’s prominent leaders, and witnessing political debates in the Senate first hand. As a page, you will play a significant role in the daily operation of the Senate, and will have a range of responsibilities that you share with other pages.
These will include delivering correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, preparing the Chamber for Senate sessions, working on the Senate floor providing assistance during roll call votes, supporting senators and staff during debates, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. This program will provide an insight into the legislative process and expose you to the inner workings at the nation's capital.
Note: The application process differs across Senators’ offices. Many offices provide information on their application process online, however not all senators sponsor pages. Students should contact their senators’ offices directly if they need further guidance. Unfortunately, the program does not have a list of senators who are able to sponsor pages. If you wish to apply for a page position, find your senator’s website here and apply directly. Information on stipend, housing and other details will also be provided by the respective senator’s office.
21. Judicial Intern Opportunity Program by ABA
Location: Various cities across the country.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Program dates: 6 weeks typically in the summer.
Cost: $2000
Acceptance Rate: This is a fairly selective and competitive program.
This program, offered by the American Bar Association (ABA) is a unique and prestigious opportunity for high school students to intern with federal or state judges across the country. This program aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in the legal profession by encouraging students from all backgrounds to explore careers in law. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience in a court environment, observe trials, and conduct legal research. During the program, you'll have the privilege of working directly with judges and their chambers, experiencing the judicial system from the inside. You'll have the chance to engage in legal research, writing, and observe court proceedings, helping you develop a comprehensive understanding of the legal process and invaluable practical skills.
The JIOP is ideal for those who are genuinely committed to pursuing a career in law, specifically those interested in working within the judicial branch of government.
22. New York City Bar's Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP)
Location: New York City
Eligibility: NYC public high school students are eligible to apply
Application Deadline: Applications for 2023 have closed. Based on this year, deadlines close in the last week of January.
Program Dates: May – August
Stipend: $15-21 per hour
Acceptance Rate: 10-11%, with approximately 45 students making it to each year’s cohort.
The New York City High School Law Internship Program aims to connect interested high school students in the city with legal employers. Since its inception in 1993, it has accepted more than 2000 interns and linked them with prestigious employers. The employers include law firms, corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The internship offers you practical training, panel discussions, and networking events to help you prepare for a career in law. Internship duties may include assisting paralegals, filing paperwork, maintaining records, and organizing documents. In addition to the on-the-job experience, you will also receive exposure to the legal profession through development programs offered by your legal employers as part of the internship program.
Humanities summer internships for high school students
23. Student Historian Internship at the New York Historical Society
Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 can apply. Applicants must live in and attend school in the New York City metro area (includes the five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey).
Application deadline: Applications typically close in September.
Program dates: October - June
Stipend: Interns who attend a Title 1 School or are eligible for free or reduced lunch will be offered a stipend to participate. Unpaid internships will be provided for all other accepted students, with the option to receive community service hours or school credit. Participation in this program can be used to fulfill the extracurricular requirement for the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness.
Acceptance Rate: This program usually takes place in cohorts of 25 students per session.
High school students participating in the Student Historian internship program leverage New-York Historical's resources to embark on research endeavors and showcase their scholarly work through innovative digital projects. As part of the program, these students engage in informative sessions with experienced professionals, where they gain insights into the realms of museums, libraries, digital humanities, and history. They will also develop collaborative skills by working closely with their peers to enhance their historical analysis, communication, and digital media abilities. Additionally, they actively participate in hands-on activities aimed at deepening their grasp of American history and the digital humanities. The overarching theme for this internship program this year is 'Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass' America.'
24. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, NY
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in and around New York City
Application Deadline:
School-year Internship: October 28, 2023
Summer Internship: March 31, 2023
Program Dates:
School-year Internship: January 14 - June 9, 2024
Summer Internship: June 25 - August 12, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost, stipend of $1,100 provided
Acceptance Rate: 3-4%, with about 36 students being selected each year, according to this blog. However, cohort sizes may have been subject to change after 2021 based on departmental availability, as well as pandemic restrictions.
The Met invites students passionate about art, design, architecture, and creative expression for their fully-funded internships. The Met offers two kinds of internships - one that goes on alongside your school year, and the other that runs exclusively in the summer.
The internship program invites a cohort of students to connect with art, museums, and creative professionals as they develop professional skills, network, and gain work experience. As a MET intern, you regularly interact with museum professionals, as well as experts in marketing, scientific research, social media, law, and educational programming. You also participate in Career Labs - sessions where you interact and learn from professionals about their work, and experiences, and receive advice!
Bonus! Prestigious research internships for high school students
25. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age are eligible.
Application deadline: February 24, 2024
Program dates: June 10, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Stipend: Students earn a stipend of $500 - $2,500. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Please note: There is a $40 application fee, which can be waived. Stipends of $2500 and above are given on a needs-based system from special grants.
Acceptance rate: 3%, with about 50 students making it to the final cohort.
SIMR is one of the most prestigious internship programs. It’s an 8-week internship program where you will get to collaborate one-on-one with a mentor, a Stanford graduate student or a postdoctoral fellow, and engage in hands-on research. You will have to select one of eight study fields – Immunology, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Biology, Bioinformatics and Genetics and Genomics. Once selected, you will be assigned a particular field of study (branch) based on your preference, and spend two months as a mentee. You will be mentored by imminent scholars, researchers, and Ph.D. fellows in the field of medicine. This is a fairly competitive program with a cohort size of about 50 students – at an acceptance rate of less than 3% (approximately).
During the first couple weeks of the program, you will attend lectures in the morning and spend the rest of the day working in your lab. A majority of the program will be spent in full-time lab work. During the last 2 weeks of the program, you will work on your research poster of your project, which you present to your peers, teachers, family and the Stanford community at the end of the program. Each branch has a slightly different internship structure to help you get the best exposure to that branch, so be sure to read through the internship structures carefully.
Note: Stanford also offers some great STEM programs for high school students, including residential, immersion, and workshop-based programs. You can check out the complete list here.
26. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34. |
Program dates: July - August
Application deadline: December 13, 2023
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, and there is no stipend offered.
Acceptance Rate: <5%. If you get into this program, you have a very good chance of getting accepted to MIT as a freshman!
Research Science Institute (RSI) is an unparalleled opportunity for you if you want to pursue technology in the future and have a passion for cutting-edge research. This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, immerses you in an intellectually stimulating environment where you collaborate with like-minded peers from around the globe. Picture yourself delving into high-level scientific inquiry, exploring technological frontiers through hands-on projects, and engaging in discussions with leading researchers and experts in the field. RSI's commitment to academic excellence and research innovation ensures that you don't just study technology but actively contribute to pushing its boundaries.
The RSI experience extends beyond traditional classroom learning, providing you with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and mentorship opportunities with distinguished scientists.
27. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Eligibility: Students who
- are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here;
- have maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math;
- can obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US);
- can commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation;
- can commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required);
- demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science; can apply.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024.
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Acceptance Rate: Approximately 8-10%. The program website does not mention acceptance stats but notes that they accept about 42 students each year.
CiS is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, you can consider this immersive internship program. As an intern, you will work alongside scientists, researchers and educators at the California Academy of Sciences. You will learn the ropes of scientific research and science communication. This internship includes interactive training sessions twice a week, outdoor field activities and guidance on your college applications. In groups, you will work on a science research or environmental action project.
28. Harvard-MIT’s Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Harvard or MIT
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (both international and US citizens) can apply.
Application deadline: May 2024 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program dates: September 2024 - May 2025 (tentative)
Stipend: Students will be paid a stipend by the City of Cambridge, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Acceptance Rate: <5%, with 10-15 students forming the final cohort.
SRMP offers the best of Harvard and MIT mentorship and research opportunities, and is open to all high-schoolers with a passion for research to conduct independent research programs under the guidance of Harvard and MIT scholars, in the fields of astrophysics and climate science.
The program, which runs through the school year, offers all the resources you may need to carry out sound research, such as a laptop. You are split into 5-6 research groups, and expected to attend weekly discussion sessions, meetings, and guest lectures. At the end of your program, you will present a cumulation of your research efforts at the annual Harvard symposium.
29. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. Note that transportation, housing, or meals will not be provided. Fermilab can help you with discounted rates for local hotels near the internship site.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or those who have a permanent resident status with Illinois high school enrollment. Proof of medical insurance is required.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
Program Dates: June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Acceptance Rate: This is a fairly selective program, but there’s no information on the number of students per cohort.
Quarknet offers a 7-week summer internship program where students interested in engineering physics can contribute to Fermilab research. Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) operates under the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Science and is America’s premier lab for particle physics research. This internship’s association with the government makes it a prestigious choice for students keen on these STEM fields.
The area of interest is particle physics and accelerator research, and as an intern you will work on projects involving particle physics, particle accelerators and detectors, computer and quantum science to analyze data that is used for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe. Additional responsibilities will include data collection through entrance and exit surveys, writing the team’s research abstract and giving oral presentations!
30. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS): Project Pipeline Baltimore
Location: Virtual and in-person options. The in-person program will be held at the JHU Campus in Baltimore, MD.
Eligibility:
- Juniors and seniors from around the country are eligible to apply to the 5-week, virtual program.
- Juniors and seniors residing in Baltimore City and the metro area, who have a strong passion and interest in science and medicine, are from underrepresented groups, and have an academically strong background are eligible for the in-person program.
Application Deadline: March 1, every year.
Program Dates: 8 weeks, June 2024 - August 2024 (in-person); 5 weeks, July 2023 - August 2023 (virtual)
Stipend: In-person participants receive an hourly stipend (amount varies) and their transportation costs will be covered. Virtual interns receive a stipend of $500.
Acceptance Rate: 4-5%, with about 11 students being selected as JHIBS interns.
A program aimed at making the field of neurological sciences more inclusive and representative, the Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program is an 8-week, fully funded summer research program for bright high school students from underrepresented communities. As part of the program, you are expected to participate in research under the guidance and mentorship of leading researchers in the field and will take part in hands-on projects, discussions, scientific seminars, weekly personal and professional development sessions, and interactions with leading neuroscientists at JHU.
The program is also offered virtually, for students who cannot attend the program on campus. At the end of the program, you will present your research via an oral or poster presentation. To get an idea of past projects, visit this page!
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.