Columbia Programs for High School Students
Columbia pairs New York access with real research: neuroscience programs at the Zuckerman Institute, science honors courses that run through the school year, and pre-college programs across writing, business, and engineering.
For students in or near the city, the academic-year options are the quiet advantage — sustained weekly research beats a two-week summer camp on any application.
8 verified Columbia programs, 5 free — every listing includes cost, eligibility, deadline, and the official application link.
Featured programs
Browse 8+ curated programs for high school students:
- Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Awards — Columbia University: Gain national recognition in journalism and publishing! This high school competition develops writing skills, boosts college applications, and honors
- BRAINYAC Youth Science Council — Columbia University Zuckerman Institute: Gain hands-on neuroscience research experience in a paid NYC apprenticeship for high school students. Build skills, work with mentors, and boost your
- Columbia Engineering SHAPE — Columbia University: Explore engineering, coding, and robotics in a hands-on summer program at Columbia. Perfect for building STEM skills and enhancing college application
- Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE) — Columbia International Relations Council and Association: Join a specialized high school Model UN conference to sharpen diplomacy, public speaking, and leadership skills. Boost your college application with h
- Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) — Columbia University: Selective Saturday science/math program during the academic year in NYC.
- Columbia University PreCollege Programs — Columbia University: Pre-college program at Columbia University for high school students focusing on real world experience in variety of classes at ivy league.
- Columbia Science Honors Program — Columbia University: Explore advanced STEM topics in this free Saturday program for high school students at Columbia. Gain hands-on experience and boost your college appli
- International Politics & Human Rights — Columbia University: A other opportunity for high school students.
Frequently asked questions
Does Columbia offer programs for high school students?
Yes — ExtracurricularHub lists 8 verified Columbia programs open to high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link. Columbia pairs New York access with real research: neuroscience programs at the Zuckerman Institute, science honors courses that run through the school year, and pre-college programs across writing, business, and engineering.
Are any Columbia high school programs free?
Yes — 5 of the Columbia programs featured on this page charge no participation fee. Funded programs are often the most selective, so apply early and to more than one.
Which Columbia deadlines are coming up soonest?
The next deadlines: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Awards (August 31, 2026); Columbia University PreCollege Programs (September 11, 2026); Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition (CMUNCE) (October 29, 2026). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the official Columbia page.
How competitive are Columbia programs?
It varies widely within one organization — flagship selective programs sit alongside broad-access options. Read each listing's eligibility, and treat the selective ones as reach applications: apply to several programs across organizations rather than betting a summer on one.