Yale Programs for High School Students

Yale's high school programs cluster around the humanities, global affairs, and the arts — Model UN institutes, drama intensives, young-scholar summer programs — alongside open online courses.

For students building a humanities or leadership profile, a Yale program plus sustained work at home reads far stronger than a summer of scattered activities.

16 verified Yale programs, 9 free — every listing includes cost, eligibility, deadline, and the official application link.

Featured programs

Browse 16+ curated programs for high school students:

  • Yale Entrepreneurial Society High School Fellowship — Yale Entrepreneurial Society: Master entrepreneurship skills in this free 8-week virtual fellowship for high school students. Build startups, strengthen college applications, and l
  • Yale Summer Conservatory for Actors — Yale School of Drama: Develop advanced acting skills in Yale’s intensive summer program for high school students. Build confidence, gain hands-on experience, and stand out
  • Yale Pathways to Science Summer Scholars — Yale University: Free summer research program for underrepresented students in STEM
  • Yale Young Global Scholars - Biology & Biomedical Sciences — Yale University: 2-week intensive in biology and biomedical sciences at Yale.
  • Yale Model Government Europe (YMGE) — Yale International Relations Association: Simulate European parliamentary government at Yale's premier international affairs conference. Debate real EU policy issues alongside 800+ students fr
  • Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) — Yale University: Explore astrophysics in an immersive summer program for high school students. Gain hands-on research, Python skills, and a standout boost for college
  • Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) — Yale University: Empower your future with a free in-person summer program for African high school students. Gain academic skills, leadership insights, and boost your c
  • Yale Bulldogs Investment Fund — Yale University: Student-managed investment fund experience at Yale. Learn portfolio management from Yale finance community.
  • Yale Young Global Scholars - Application Portal — Yale University: Official application portal for YYGS residential sessions.
  • Yale Pathways to Science — Yale University: Explore free STEM labs, lectures, and master classes at Yale, gaining hands-on research experience and mentorship to boost college applications. Perfe
  • Yale Model Government — Yale University: Join a competitive high school government simulation to enhance debate, policy, and leadership skills. Perfect for college prep and hands-on civic exp
  • Yale Model United Nations (YMUN) — Yale International Relations Association: Develop leadership, debate, and policy skills at Yale’s flagship Model UN conference. Perfect for high school students seeking hands-on experience and
  • Yale Young Writers' Workshop — Yale Summer Session: Elevate your creative writing skills in this online summer program with Yale-affiliated authors. Build your portfolio and gain a competitive edge for
  • Yale Invitational Debate Tournament — Yale University: Compete in the prestigious Yale Invitational Debate Tournament! High school students sharpen public speaking, critical thinking, and boost college app
  • Yale Science and Engineering Association (YSEA) Science Bowl — Yale University: Elite invitational science bowl at Yale. Top teams from across the nation. College campus experience.
  • Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) — Yale University: Highly selective 2-week summer program for outstanding high school students from around the world to engage in interdisciplinary academics.

Frequently asked questions

Does Yale offer programs for high school students?

Yes — ExtracurricularHub lists 16 verified Yale programs open to high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link. Yale's high school programs cluster around the humanities, global affairs, and the arts — Model UN institutes, drama intensives, young-scholar summer programs — alongside open online courses.

Are any Yale high school programs free?

Yes — 9 of the Yale 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 Yale deadlines are coming up soonest?

The next deadlines: Yale Invitational Debate Tournament (September 25, 2026); Yale Model Government Europe (YMGE) (October 15, 2026); Yale Model Government (January 3, 2027). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the official Yale page.

How competitive are Yale 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.