As a high school student, participating in a fall program is a great way to build your academic profile and gain extracurricular experience during the school year. Whether you're interested in earning college credit, exploring career paths, developing technical skills, or strengthening your leadership abilities, there are plenty of opportunities that can fit alongside a regular school schedule.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 8 fall programs for high school students.

1. Delta Careers by Delta Institute

Delta Careers is a collection of career-focused programs rather than a single program. Students can choose from Discover for career exploration, Delve for industry work experience, Deepen for advanced one-on-one industry mentorship, and Delta Founders Academy for entrepreneurship. The programs are virtual and are designed to fit alongside the academic year, making them accessible to students around the world.

Students can choose the pathway that best aligns with their interests and goals. Each program is mentored by industry experts from companies like Google, Microsoft, AWS, Ferrari, EY, BCG, and more depending on the students area of interest. 

Cost: Discover - $2,000; Delve - $4,900; Deepen - $6,500; Delta Founders Academy - $5,500

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Upcoming deadline is October 23

Program Dates: Discover -  4 weeks; Delve - 4 weeks; Deepen - 8 weeks; Delta Founders Academy - 8 weeks

Eligibility: Open to high school students globally

2. Delta Launch by Delta Institute

Delta Launch offers several specialized learning pathways, allowing students to choose from Delta Code, Delta AI, Podcast Immersion, or Speak to Inspire, depending on whether they want to build a technical project, create an AI application, launch a podcast, or strengthen their public speaking skills through one-on-one mentorship.

Students complete a tangible portfolio project based on the pathway they choose. Delta Launch’s project-based approach allows students to finish the program with work they can showcase in college applications, portfolios, or future opportunities.

Cost: AI/Code Intensive - $2,200; AI/Code Immersive - $4,800; Podcast Immersion - $4,800; Speak to Inspire - $4,800

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Upcoming deadline is October 23. Students can apply here

Program Dates: Delta AI/Code - 5 to 12 weeks; Podcast Immersion - 12 weeks; Speak to Inspire - 12 weeks

Eligibility: Open to high school students globally. 

3. The Junior Academy by The New York Academy of Sciences

The Junior Academy is a virtual program for high school students interested in solving real-world challenges. Participants collaborate with peers from around the world to solve real-world challenges proposed by industry and research partners. Upon successful completion of the program, you receive a certificate of completion and a Young Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences, while also gaining valuable experience in teamwork, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: July (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: September to November (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Ages 13 to 17, comfortable collaborating in English, and able to commit to 3 to 4 hours of work per week

4. Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program

Wharton’s Pre-baccalaureate Program gives you the chance to take online undergraduate-level Wharton coursework during the fall. For 2026, Fall 1 runs from August 24 to October 6, and Fall 2 runs from October 19 to December 2, giving you two school-year entry points. 

You engage in a graded course experience built around weekly live sessions, assignments, and the expectations of a real college class. This is a strong option if you want a rigorous academic fall program.

Cost: Application fee - $100; tuition - $4,230 per course; online service fee - $81 per course; course materials fee - $76 per applicable course

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Fall 1, July 15, 2026; Fall 2, September 9, 2026

Program Dates: Fall 1, August 24 to October 6, 2026; Fall 2, October 19 to December 2, 2026

Eligibility: Open to high school applicants who meet Wharton’s admissions requirements. 

5. University of Vermont Pre-College Courses

UVM’s Pre-College Courses let you take on-campus or online college classes during the regular academic year while you are still in high school. The courses allow you to earn college credit and help you build a stronger academic foundation, while learning alongside current UVM students.

This is a practical choice if you want a fall college-credit program that can fit around high school rather than only a summer experience. 

Cost: Vermont residents - $353 per credit; out-of-state students - $972 per credit, plus applicable fees

Location: Virtual or University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Application Deadline: August (based on previous years) 

Program Dates: August onwards (based on previous years) 

Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 10 to 12, and to recent graduates in the summer after 12th grade

6. NYU Precollege

NYU Precollege offers current high school juniors and seniors the chance to take undergraduate courses during the fall term. As part of NYU’s precollege courses, you get the chance to experience university level curriculum. You have the option of taking courses without credits, or up to 8 credits – making the program adaptable to different schedules and requirements. 

This is a great opportunity for students to connect with peers from around the world and experience living on campus with complete access to campus resources. 

Cost: Application charge - $50; estimated tuition fee charge - $700 to $16,000 depending on total credits taken

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Application Deadline: August (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Program Dates: September to December (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Open to current 11th and 12th grade high school students for fall terms 

7. Anchorage Assembly Youth Representative Program

Anchorage’s Youth Representative Program is a school-year civic leadership opportunity for local applicants. The program is designed to help you gain direct experience in local government, public speaking in a civic setting, and a stronger understanding of how municipal decision-making works. 

The Anchorage Assembly enables you to engage in real work by connecting you to your local government, giving you a direct role in Assembly, and the opportunity to gain extra credit by attending Assembly meetings. This is a good option for students looking for leadership and public service programs. 

Cost: Free

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Application Deadline: May (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Program Dates: August onwards (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Eligibility: Anchorage residents aged 16 to 19 who have lived in the city for at least one year; if eligible to vote, you must be registered 

8. Franciscan High School Advantage Dual Enrollment

Franciscan’s High School Advantage Dual Enrollment pathway is a semester-based progra, that lets rising juniors and seniors take asynchronous college courses online while they are still in high school. 

As part of the program, you receive college credit, an official transcript, and access to Franciscan’s online academic community, university library, writing center, student success center, and multiple live and recorded talks and presentations. 

Cost: $600 for a 3-credit course, or $200 per credit on the program page; university fees page also lists High School Advantage tuition as $150 per credit

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: Year-round options available

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school, age 16 or older, with at least a 2.4 GPA.