Do you already know what career you want, or are you still exploring your options? A summer internship is a great opportunity to gain work experience and leadership skills, network with professionals, and learn more about a career field you’re interested in — even if you’re still in high school.
How Important Is a High School Internship for College Admissions?
You are not required to complete an internship to gain admission to college, but it can certainly strengthen your college applicant profile. And since college admissions committees want to know how you spend your summers, a summer internship is great for academic enrichment. Not only will you gain professional skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving — which will help you with college admissions and future careers — but an internship also demonstrates your commitment to a field of study.
You also set yourself apart from other applicants by taking initiative and building relationships. An internship can also help you find a purpose and clarify your goals, which also helps you stand out.
10 Internship Programs For High School Students
Learning how internships work and what opportunities are available to you can open doorways to enjoying hands-on experiences and exploring your career options. You can find a variety of opportunities, from internships available in your local area to national programs. Enlist your guidance counselor’s help in identifying summer internships that are a great fit for your interests and goals.
From STEM to art, the ten summer internship programs listed here are a good place to start. Some are open to students nationwide while others are only available locally or regionally.
National Programs
1. SEES High School Summer Intern Program
The application deadline for the 2026 program is February 22, 2026.
Offered by the University of Texas Center for Space Research, the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program provides opportunities for students to work with NASA, industry experts, and academics. Students gain technical expertise in various areas while developing their communication, collaboration, and professional skills. The SEES program includes virtual work and a two-week, on-site internship at UT — on-campus housing, meals, local travel, and tours are included. The program culminates in the SEES Virtual Science Symposium.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
- Applicant must be in 10th or 11th grade (rising juniors and seniors).
- Applicant must be 16 years old by July 5, 2026.
- Applicant must pay tuition cost of $2,000 unless they receive a scholarship. Virtual participation is no cost.
- Applicant must arrange their own travel to and from Austin.
2. Stanford Compression Forum Summer Internship
The deadline to apply for summer 2026 is February 1, 2026.
Stanford’s summer research internship program is known as SHTEM, which stands for Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These unpaid internships are open to high school students with an interest in completing fun research projects. In this eight-week, on-campus program, students are grouped together to work on multidisciplinary projects in engineering, linguistics, psychology, technology, philosophy, design, biology, computer science, and more under the mentorship of Stanford Compression Forum students, faculty, and staff.
SHTEM participants and their families are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and travel to and from campus.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be in 11th or 12th grade during the 2025-26 academic year.
- Applicant must be 14 years old by June 21, 2026.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Applications for 2026 will open shortly.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program accepts hundreds of students each year for paid internships with nonprofit organizations in their communities. The eight-week program culminates at the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where students learn how the business, nonprofit, and government sectors collaborate to address critical needs in their local areas. During the program, students develop crucial social, civic, and business leadership skills.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must in 11th or 12th grade and permanently reside in one of the eligible locations (listed on the program’s website).
- Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
- Applicant must be able to work 35 hours per week during the internship period.
- Applicant must be able to participate in the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. (All expenses are paid as part of the program.)
- Applicant must be in good standing at school.
- Applicant must not have been a previous participant in the program.
- Applicant must not have an affiliation with Bank of America as an employee or family member of an employee.
4. Scripps Student Research Internship Program
Applications for summer 2026 are due March 30, 2026.
Offered by the Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI), the 10-week Student Research Internship Program is ideal for highly motivated high school students with an interest in statistics, health sciences, or computer science. During this unpaid internship, students gain hands-on experience in a laboratory as they assist with biomedical research. Students must be able to work in the San Diego area and will be responsible for arranging their own transportation and accommodations.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must have a strong interest in genomics or mHealth translational research.
- High school applicant must be at least 16 years old before the start of the program.
5. United States Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Program
Applications are currently open for the 2026 season.
While this isn’t classified as an internship, the YCC Program offers full-time, paid summer opportunities for high schoolers who care about conservation. Work takes place on federal lands at participating national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and fish hatcheries. Depending on the worksite, students may perform duties such as trail maintenance, habitat improvements, historic preservation, stream restoration, and more.
While Yellowstone National Park offers accommodation for YCC participants, all other locations offer day programs only. Participants must arrange their own transportation to the worksite each day.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must 15-18 years old and a permanent U.S. resident.
- Applicant must be able to travel to and from work each day.
6. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Applications are open through February 15, 2026.
ASSIP at George Mason University provides opportunities for high school students to conduct research with faculty researchers in many disciplines. In this full-time, eight-week program, students gain experience with cutting-edge technologies and equipment, learn scientific writing and communication, and develop crucial skills. Participants who successfully complete the program will earn three credits for COS120: Introduction to Research at GMU.
This is not a residential program — participants will be responsible for their own accommodations and transportation to the worksite each day. Remote internships are also available.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must meet the minimum age requirements: 15 by June 18, 2026, for remote, in-person, or hybrid internships in computer labs and 16 by June 18, 2026, for wet-lab in-person or hybrid internships. (Wet labs typically include the presence of chemicals, biohazards, and other risks.)
- Applicant must be able to pay the $1,299 program cost (plus $25 application fee) unless they meet the requirements for a waiver.
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Applications are now closed for summer 2026 internships but will open in the fall for summer 2027.
The AFRL Scholars Program, which is administered by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), is for upper-level high schoolers who want to work with AFRL engineers and scientists on research projects. Scholars who are accepted into the program earn a stipend for their work, though the amount is based on the project the student is working on.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen with a valid government-issued ID.
- Applicant must be 16 years of age or older by the session application deadline (18 for California locations).
- Applicant must have full-time availability (40 hours per week) for summer internships.
- Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and be in good academic standing.
- Applicants must be willing to relocate to the work location.
- Applicants must participate in a background check.
- Applicants must have access to transportation to and from the worksite.
Local and Regional Programs
8. Chicago Summer Business Institute
The application timeline for the 2026 program is February 1 to March 31, 2026.
Are you a Chicago student who has an interest in business? The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is open to high school sophomores and juniors who reside in the City of Chicago. Students accepted into the program learn about the financial services sector and develop essential skills that prepare them for a career in business. CSBI students participate in seminars and workshops while working paid internships with local partners.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must reside in the City of Chicago.
- Applicant must have an annual household income below $80K.
- Applicant must be in 10th or 11th grade during 2025-26 school year.
- Applicant must maintain a 3.0 GPA or above.
- Applicant must have the ability to commit to the program’s requirements.
9. Met High School Internship Program
Application information for summer 2026 will be released in early February.
The Met High School Internship Program — as in, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City — offers opportunities for high school sophomores and juniors who reside in and attend school (or home school) in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Students in the program work with museum professionals on various projects, including curation, social media, design, imaging, and education — no experience or knowledge of art is required. Students are paid a $1,100 once they complete the program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be a current 10th or 11th grader who resides in and attends a high school or home school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
- Applicant must have the consent of a parent or guardian to apply.
- Applicant must be able to provide working papers and either a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
- Applicant must not have interned previously at The Met.
- Applicant must be available to attend all required sessions of the program.
10. Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University
The application period for the 2026 program is February 15 to March 15, 2026.
Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program is an outreach program for New Jersey high school students that provides a free, full-time research experience in the sciences under the supervision of Princeton faculty and research staff. Internships typically last 5-6 weeks, and each research project operates on its own schedule. Students are required to submit a two-page research summary after their work is concluded.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18 years old by June 15, 2026.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen who is attending a local New Jersey high school.
- Applicant’s parents must provide proof of housing and transportation.
Planning a productive summer? Whether you’re looking into an internship or other extracurricular activities that will enhance your college application, expert guidance is available. Schedule an Initial Consultation with an IvyWise counselor today to see how we can help you find internships and other opportunities that are a great fit for your interests and goals.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2023 and has been updated for accuracy and completeness.
