Harvard University extends unique learning opportunities to exceptional high school students through a range of internships and pre-college programs. These initiatives are designed to introduce students to the world of advanced academics, research, and professional development in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.
For ambitious high schoolers seeking a meaningful summer experience, Harvard’s internships can serve as a pivotal stepping stone toward academic and career excellence.
What Are Harvard High School Internships?
Harvard doesn’t offer a single unified internship program for high school students, but rather a selection of specialized opportunities provided through different departments, centers, and affiliated organizations. These include research-based internships, science and medicine immersion programs, humanities fellowships, and lab experiences. In many cases, students are mentored by Harvard faculty, graduate students, or affiliated researchers, giving them direct access to the academic standards and culture that define Harvard.
Some popular programs include:
- Harvard Pre-College Program: While not an internship in the traditional sense, this two-week residential program allows students to live on campus, attend college-level courses, and participate in workshops that develop academic and leadership skills.
- Secondary School Program (SSP): A longer, credit-bearing summer program that allows students to take real Harvard courses alongside college students. It is ideal for those wanting to explore specific subjects in depth.
- Research Internship Programs: Select Harvard departments, such as the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), offer rigorous internship experiences. The HSCI Internship Program, for example, places high school students in university laboratories, where they contribute to ongoing stem cell research.
- Harvard Museums of Science & Culture Internships: For students interested in museum studies, anthropology, or history, these internships offer practical exposure to exhibit design, collections research, and public programming.
Eligibility and Selection
Harvard’s high school programs are competitive, often requiring a strong academic record, teacher recommendations, and essays or statements of purpose. For research internships, prior coursework or experience in the relevant subject areas is a plus. While some opportunities are available to students from around the globe, others are specifically tailored for students from the Boston area or underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Students are encouraged to apply early and to carefully tailor their applications to the specific goals of the program they’re interested in. Harvard looks for curiosity, initiative, and a readiness to engage with complex ideas.
Benefits and Outcomes
Participating in a Harvard high school internship or summer program offers numerous benefits:
- Academic Enrichment: Students experience college-level coursework or research, preparing them for future university challenges.
- Mentorship: Direct interaction with faculty, researchers, and graduate students allows for valuable mentoring relationships.
- Networking: These programs bring together driven students from diverse backgrounds, fostering connections that can last into college and beyond.
- Enhanced College Applications: Completing a Harvard-affiliated program can boost a student’s college application by demonstrating initiative and academic readiness.
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Summary
Harvard High School Internships are more than just impressive lines on a résumé—they are transformative experiences that shape intellectual growth, self-confidence, and career aspirations. Whether in a lab, classroom, or museum, students come away with newfound skills, deep insights, and a clearer vision of their future. For any high school student passionate about learning and discovery, these programs offer a remarkable opportunity to experience the Harvard ethos up close.
Online Apply
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