NYU Summer Research Programs for High School Students in 2023

NYU is an internationally renowned private research university based in New York City. Founded in 1831, it has become one of the largest universities in the United States with a student population of nearly 60,000 undergraduates and graduate students. NYU offers a very wide range of summer programs, from niches in STEM and computer science to screenwriting and film. The campus is very unique given its location right in the heart of the city, and if you're eager to experience all that New York City has to offer while participating in an exciting research or coursework program, read on to learn more about the opportunities available this summer!

See our guide for a more complete list of research opportunities for high schoolers.

XR Through Virtual Worlds

Interested in pursuing careers in UX or UI design, game development, human-computer interaction (HCI), or in digital art practice? The NYU Tandon Summer Program for Extending Reality Through Virtual Worlds is designed for high school students to explore the basics of designing and developing augmented reality (AR) video games that focus on choice-driven storytelling. During this two-week program, students will learn how to create narrative-based games with interactive stories that unfold in the real world through AR, with a focus on player choice and blurring the line between the virtual and real. By the end of this course, students should be well prepared for diving into undergraduate STEM coursework in college.

Prerequisites: 

• Must be currently enrolled in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade

• Must have completed Algebra 2 or equivalent and some form of computer programming experience

Credits: Non-credit

Dates: 

• Session 1: Orientation June 16; Program June 20  - June 30

• Session 2: Orientation July 7; Program July 10 - July 21 

• Session 3: Orientation July 28; Program July 31 - August 11 

Cost: 

• $2,500 Tuition 

• $100 Materials fee

• $100 Events fee

• $610 Housing (optional)

• $360 Meal Plan (optional)

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University Tandon School of Engineering in downtown Brooklyn

Deadline:  April 20, 2023 - Application closes for Preferred Sessions (otherwise on a rolling basis til 5/1)

Applied Research in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Through this 7-week summer program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, high school students have a unique opportunity to conduct real-world scientific research under the guidance of faculty and graduate researchers. Students gain valuable experience working in various STEM fields, such as Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Urban Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. They also receive training on presentation & public speaking skills, & present their findings at the concluding colloquium toNYU faculty/students, peers, experts & family members. The great thing about ARISE is that it’s also tuition free! It's open for 10th or 11th grade NYC students who will receive full scholarship + $750 stipend upon completion.

Prerequisites: 

• Available only to NYC high school students

• Must be currently enrolled in 10th or 11th grade

Credits: Non Credit

Dates: June 28 - August 11

Cost: Free

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University

Deadline: March 1st, 2023

Tisch Online High School Screenwriters Workshop

NYU Tisch School of the Arts is widely regarded as one of the top film, drama, and performing arts schools in the world. It is known for its rigorous curriculum, diverse faculty, and well-connected alumni network. Tisch has produced many successful artists and entertainers, including actors, directors, writers, and musicians.

This 5 week online program is designed to familiarize students with the basics of screenwriting. Participants will engage in comprehensive writing activities to enhance their abilities in developing stories, characters, and scripts using film language and proper script format. 

Prerequisites: 

• Must be currently enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade

• Minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0

Credits: 4

Dates: Summer: July 11 - August 5

Cost: $7,140

Location: Online, asynchronous lectures

Deadline:  May 12, 2023

NYU Precollege

Spend six weeks this summer at NYU as an undergraduate student, gaining college credits and building connections with faculty and classmates! The Precollege Program offers 11th and 12th grade students the chance to experience college life and make the most of NYU's offerings in subjects like STEM, Arts & Media, Business, and the Humanities. Whether you know what you want to study or want to try a new subject, Precollege is the perfect way to sharpen your skills and prepare for college.

You’ll be able to see what it's like to live and learn at NYU's New York City campus. Meet students from all over the world in and out of class, and participate in on-campus activities and trips to famous NYC landmarks such as Broadway, Yankee Stadium, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Whether you commute or stay on campus, Precollege students are treated as NYU students for the summer and have full access to campus resources such as dining halls, the NYU library system, peer tutoring services, and more.

Prerequisites: 

• Must be currently enrolled in 10th or 11th grade

• Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 Scale

Credits: 2-8

Dates: July 5-August 16, 2023

Cost: ~$7,266 for 4 credits (see full tuition + fees based on number of credits)

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University. Students can elect to live in dorms or commute

Deadlines: 

• International Students: March 17, 2023

• Scholarship Deadline: April 1, 2023

• Final Deadline: June 15, 2023

Coding for Game Design

Ever dream of making your own video game? This two-week program teaches students about game design and how to create their own custom games using C# and Unity scripting. The program focuses on team collaboration with experienced game designers and developers from NYU. 

Students will work together and individually to create 3D Unity games based on professional techniques used at NYU. The program includes lectures, group activities, and individual projects, helping students improve their coding skills and prepare for college while connecting with students globally.

Prerequisites: 

• Must be currently enrolled in 9th, 10th or 11th grade

• No need to have prior experience with computer programming!

Credits: Non-credit

Dates: 

• Session 1: June 19-June 30 (Virtual) 

• Session 2: July 10-21 (In person)

• Session 3: July 31-August 11(In-person)

• Session 4: August 14-25 (Virtual)

Cost: $2,448

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University for in-person sessions

Deadline: May 31, 2023, Scholarship Deadline is on April 1, 2023

SPS High School Academy

The Career Edge NYU Summer High School Program offers an unparalleled college and career readiness experience. One-week immersive courses in diverse subjects offer students an in-depth look into traditional and emerging careers in fields such as publishing, start-up business, event planning, finance, medicine, and others. The program gives students a glimpse into life on an urban college campus and how to prepare for college.

Prerequisites: 

• Must have successfully completed 9th, 10th, or 11th grade

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0

Credits: Non-credit

Dates: 

• Session 1: July 10–14

• Session 2: July 17–21

• Session 3: July 24–28

• Session 4: July 31–August 4

• Session 5: August 7-11

• Session 6:August 14-18

Cost: 

• Application fee: $25

• Tuition and fees: $2,495

• Housing and dining fees: $607 per week

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University

Deadline: 

• International students: April 15, 2023

• Residential U.S. students: May 15, 2023

• Commuter U.S. students: June 15, 2023

• Online Courses: July 15, 2023

Computer Engineering for Good (CE4G)

If you’re excited by smart devices or internet-connected devices, this could be the program for you. The Computer Engineering for Good initiative is a 2-week course aimed at providing a foundational understanding of computer and electrical engineering. This program aims to teach students how to use technology to solve global challenges, starting by analyzing real-world problems and developing solutions that are both innovative and sustainable. The course covers all stages of the design process, from conception to implementation, giving students hands-on experience in using engineering and computer skills to make a positive impact.

Prerequisites: 

• Must be currently enrolled in 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade

• Must be Age 14+ before program begins (minimum 15 yrs old for housing)

Credits: Non-credit

Dates: 

• Session 1: Orientation June 16; Program June 20  - June 30

• Session 2: Orientation July 7; Program July 10 - July 21 

• Session 3: Orientation July 28; Program July 31 - August 11 

Cost: 

• $2,500 Tuition 

• $100 Materials fee

• $100 Events fee

• $610 Housing (optional)

• $360 Meal Plan (optional)

Location: Program will be hosted at New York University Tandon School of Engineering in downtown Brooklyn

Deadline:  April 20, 2023 - Application closes for Preferred Sessions (otherwise on a rolling basis til 5/1)

There are a ton of other options to explore, and if you’re stuck on which program to pursue be sure to check out our post on how to pick the right summer program for you! If you want to learn more about summer research programs at other schools, check out our list of top research programs!