25 Computer Science Internships for High Schoolers in 2024
What’s Covered:
Are you a programming whiz? Do you hope to pursue a career in computer science—software development, cybersecurity, or another niche? Then you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up some of the best computer science internships and programs for high school students, because it’s never too early to get a head start on a successful future.
25 Computer Science Internships for High School Students
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Application Deadline: February 15
Duration: Seven weeks (June 16 – August 1)
Through this seven-week, intensive research program, 12 juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in a variety of areas, including computer science, at Texas Tech University with faculty. Scholars receive room and board, and at the successful completion of a project report, they will earn a $750 stipend. In addition to research, scholars will participate in activities, seminars, and field trips.
2. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Application Deadline: Rolling
Duration: Varies
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship allows students to spend their summer participating in innovative research at a university research lab or one of the U.S. Army Research Laboratories and Centers. Along with learning to use high-tech equipment and cutting-edge techniques, students will receive mentorship from practitioners while connecting with a community of like-minded peers and near-peer mentors.
Students will also have access to AEOP’s webinar series on STEM careers, research areas, and more, as well as workshops on college readiness and professional skills. Apprentices receive a stipend for their work.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Application Deadline: Varies
Duration: Eight weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries from tech/deep tech, AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are all high-growth companies raising over a million dollars, on average.
Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, students closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—internships are available throughout the year, and you can also do your work fully remotely. Students can expect to work 10-20 hours per week, for 8-12 weeks. Gap-year students are also eligible to participate! Here is the application form.
4. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Application Deadline: April 14
Duration: Three weeks (July 15 – August 9)
CS4CS is a “barrier-breaking” introduction to computer science and cybersecurity for high schoolers. This free, three-week opportunity is held through NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering. The program aims to introduce students with no cybersecurity or computer programming background to the fields.
From white-hate hacking to digital forensics to cryptography, the program covers broad and niche topics. To be considered, you must be in grades 9 through 12 and be a New York City resident.
5. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP)
Application Deadline: N/A
Duration: Two weeks
- Session 1: June 14 – 28
- Session 2: July 8 – 19
- Session 3: July 29 – August 9
A free, two-week program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, SIP gives future STEM professionals exposure to the field of computer science. Through the program, students (girls and non-binary individuals) around the world will learn about tech jobs and meet like-minded peers.
Along with participating in engaging projects virtually, students will learn critical computer science concepts and practice in smaller breakout groups. A self-paced program is also offered, allowing participants to explore computer science at their own speed.
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program Research
Application Deadline: February 9
Duration: Eight weeks (June through August)
Divided into six NIST laboratories, NIST performs research in a variety of engineering and physical sciences topics. Through this program, students may work in any of these laboratories:
- Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL)
- Engineering Laboratory (EL)
- Information Technology Laboratory (ITL)
- Material Measurement Laboratory (MML)
- NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR)
- Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML)
Students apply to the specific lab that interests them. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors interested in scientific research.
7. National Security Agency Student Programs
Application Deadline: October 31
Duration: Varies
The NSA provides a number of opportunities for students, including internships and scholarships. Two programs targeted specifically at high schoolers are the Gifted and Talented Language Program and the High School Work Study Program. The language program is a 12-week summer internship at Fort Meade, Maryland, for students with an aptitude for Chinese Russian, Korean, Farsi, or Arabic. The work-study program runs from September to August and provides seniors with work experience (in a variety of fields) during the school year.
Bear in mind that the Agency selects candidates for its programs up to a year in advance, so students should apply early for a better chance at acceptance.
8. Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship
Application Deadline: February 14
Duration: Six weeks (June 30 – August 9)
A six-week program for academically motivated rising seniors, RISE allows students to conduct real research under the guidance of Boston University faculty, postdoctoral fellow, or graduate student mentor. There are a number of STEM tracks available, including computer science.
In addition to partaking in a research project, you’ll present your work at a Poster Symposium and may even be able to submit it to national contests. You’ll also participate in weekly workshops that will help you gain insight and skills necessary for being a valuable contributor to the STEM community.
9. Sandia Internships
Application Deadline: Varies
Duration: Varies
Sandia encourages students from high school to the Ph.D. level to tackle real-world, challenging projects that impact the nation and globe. Interns partake in projects, often at technical institutes, in disciplines like cybersecurity, software development, and more. In their roles, students will receive mentorship and have the opportunity to engage in social activities.
Students will be paid for their work and potentially receive academic credit, along with training and practical work experience. The program is open to high school students 16 years and older—those pursuing R&D and technical positions will need a minimum 3.0 GPA.
10. Simons Summer Research Program
Application Deadline: Varies
Duration: Seven weeks (July 1 – August 9)
Participate in hands-on research under the guidance of faculty mentors. In this program, rising high school seniors learn laboratory techniques and tools, be a part of an active research team, and get a taste of college life. Along with their work, apprentices attend weekly faculty talks and participate in events. At the culmination of the program, apprentices produce a written abstract and research poster.
11. Spark Summer Mentorship Program
Application Deadline: N/A
Duration: N/A
The SPARK program isn’t an internship per se, rather it’s a mentorship program that connects Seattle area high schoolers with industry experts, educators, and mentors in disciplines like computer science. While participating in research in real-world settings, students receive guidance from these industry leaders.
12. Tech360
Application Deadline: May 24
Duration: Three weeks
This three-week program is open to rising juniors and seniors enrolled in New York City (all boroughs), Los Angeles County, Miami-Dade, and Broward County high schools. The program teaches students how to code through web design and development. At the culmination of the program, participants will work in teams to create a website and present it to their peers. Students receive a $500 stipend upon successful completion of the program.
13. Microsoft Discovery Program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Duration: Four weeks (July 8 through August 2)
The Microsoft Discovery Program is open to graduating seniors interested in technology who live within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington, or attend high school around Atlanta, Georgia. Participants will learn the fundamentals of programming and get firsthand experience working at one of the world’s largest technology companies. Students will also receive mentorship from Microsoft employees and build valuable career skills.
14. MITRE Nationwide High School Student Program
Application Deadline: N/A
Duration: Eight weeks
The MITRE Nationwide High School Student Program provides students with the chance to participate in a paid, eight-week internship aimed at making the world a safer place. Positions are available in fields such as research, development, engineering, and analysis and are open to students 14 or older.
15. Meta Summer Academy
Application Deadline: March 1
Duration: Six weeks (June 17 through July 26)
This awesome opportunity offers students the chance to gain real-world experience working at one of the world’s largest social media companies. Meta Summer Academy participants receive mentorship, build career skills, explore career paths, and learn about the day-to-day operations of a leading technology company.
This program is open to students with a minimum 2.0 GPA from:
- East Palo Alto
- Belle Haven
- North Fair Oaks
- Redwood City
16. MITES Summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Duration: Six weeks
This free, on-campus program aims to introduce students to STEM fields at one of the nation’s top schools, MIT. MITES packs a semester of college into one summer program—students will take five classes and participate in labs, workshops, special events, and tours. The program is open to super-motivated high school juniors. Students from underrepresented backgrounds, underserved communities, and potential first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply.
17. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars (CSS)
Application Deadline: March 1
Duration: Four weeks (June 22 – July 20)
Carnegie Mellon’s CSS is a grant-funded, merit-based program. Participants learn about the world of computer science through classroom instruction, hands-on research projects, faculty lectures, and programs in conjunction with the country’s leading tech companies. The program is open to current high school sophomores who are 16 years of age or older.
18. Forage Virtual Work Experience Programs
Application Deadline: Varies
Duration: Five to six hours
Forage provides students with bite-sized experiences at some of the world’s top companies in a variety of fields, including computer science. Partners include companies like Electronic Arts, Lyft, and SAP. Programs are just five to six hours long and are designed to provide students with insight into what a day of work is like and the skills needed for a successful career. All Forage programs are open-source and free.
19. Fermilab TARGET
Application Deadline: February 5
Duration: Six weeks (June 17 – July 26)
TARGET is open to Illinois high school sophomores and juniors with an interest in and aptitude for physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This highly competitive opportunity only selects between 10 and 15 participants annually. Priority is given to minorities underrepresented in the STEM fields and women. To participate, you must be enrolled in an Illinois high school and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
20. Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab at the University of Chicago
Application Deadline: January 16
Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 2)
The DSI Summer Lab program is an immersive eight-week paid summer research program that pairs high school (freshman through seniors), undergraduate, and UChicago Masters students with a data science mentor to work on a research project. Projects are available in a variety of computer-focused fields, such as computer systems and architecture, hardware and devices, and networking. High school participants will earn a $4,800 stipend for participating in the program.
21. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Application Deadline: March 6
Duration: 10 weeks (June 3 – August 9)
This program for New York City rising sophomores and juniors immerses them in the world of STEM. Participants explore a variety of disciplines, including computer science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
The program follows a unique schedule. Its first four weeks consist of after-school workshops which are conducted online. The last four weeks of the program are held on the campus of NYU, where students gain hands-on experience working in research labs.
Students who complete the ARISE Program receive a $750 stipend.
22. Kode With Klossy
Application Deadline: March 13
Duration: Varies
Although not technically an internship, students interested in computer science will want to check out this free, two-week coding camp. The camp is open to women and gender-expansive teens between ages 13 and 18 who are enthusiastic about exploring technology and will cover topics including web development, mobile apps, machine learning, and data science.
23. CUNY STEM Research Academy
Application Deadline: N/A
Duration: Six weeks
This program for 10th and 11th graders from New York City public schools—and occasionally exceptional 9th graders—introduces participants to college-level coursework and provides hands-on research experience. In the spring, students take a credit-bearing, pre-college science class and follow it with a six-week summer research experience. Program participants are introduced to a broad array of STEM fields, develop valuable skills, and gain real-world experience in an academic research laboratory.
Participants receive a $1,000 stipend for completing the program.
24. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Application Deadline: November 1
Duration: Eight weeks
High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are provided the opportunity to perform research in a Department of Navy (DoN) lab and receive mentoring from world-class scientists and engineers in this summer apprenticeship program. This is a competitive program with only about 300 students selected for apprenticeships in more than 38 DoN labs across the nation.
New participants in the program earn a $4,000 stipend for their participation in the program while returning participants earn a $4,500 stipend.
25. Meyerhoff Scholars Program
Application Deadline: December 1
Duration: N/A
While not exactly an internship, minority high school seniors interested in computer science will want to look into the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Participants are selected for their academic achievement, interest in the sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science, and plans to pursue a Ph.D. or combined M.D./Ph.D. in those fields.
Scholars are provided generous scholarships to the university, are welcomed into a competitive and supportive community, and participate in research, conferences, paid internships, and study-abroad experiences. Students don’t apply to become a scholar, rather they’re nominated—typically by their high school administrators, guidance counselors, or teachers.
How Much Do Internships Impact Your College Chances?
Extracurricular activities are divided into four tiers, with tier 1 representing the most exceptional and rare extracurriculars and tier 4 representing the most common activities admissions committees see.
If you’re applying to highly selective schools, we recommend having at least a few tier 1 and 2 activities to set yourself apart from other applicants. Internships vary in terms of rigor and selectivity, but prestigious, national programs in particular can certainly fall into tiers 1 or 2.
If you’re curious about how your computer science or other internship stacks up, use CollegeVine’s free chancing engine. This tool will give you a more granular view of how your activities impact your chances of admission at hundreds of schools across the U.S. Plus, you’ll receive tips for improving your profile.
Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.
