Compare · checked on 31 October 2026
Ultra Tech Fellowship vs Ladder Internships
Both programs place high school students in remote startup internships.
Ladder Internships runs 8-week internships with more than 50 host companies and publishes its price. The Ultra Tech Fellowship is 7 weeks at a YC or venture-backed startup. It adds weekly 1-on-1 mentorship, and you finish with a reference and a certificate of your work.
Side by side
| Ultra Tech Fellowship | Ladder Internships |
|---|
| What it is | A remote internship at a YC or venture-backed startup | A remote internship at a startup |
|---|
| Length | 7 weeks | 8 weeks |
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| Time each week | 40 hours a week (full time) | 5–10 hours |
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| Companies | YC and venture-backed startups | 50+ host companies |
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| Your work | Real projects in engineering, product, growth or design | Assigned tasks and meetings with company managers |
|---|
| Mentorship | Weekly 1-on-1 mentorship through your placement, and cohort workshops with investors and founders | Not described on its FAQ page |
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| At the end | A reference, a certificate of your work, a portfolio and help connecting with companies for your next role | Not described on its FAQ page |
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| Price | Shown in the application. Need-based aid is available. | $3,190 in two payments. Full aid for about 10–20% of each cohort. |
|---|
| Start dates | Winter (December 2027), summer (May and July) or a custom start during the school term | Four cohorts a year: spring, summer, fall and winter |
|---|
Facts about Ladder Internships come from its own website on 31 October 2026, unless a row says "third-party". Programs change, so check each program's site before you decide.
Which one fits you
- Choose Ladder Internships if you want a published price and a wide choice of host companies.
- Choose the Ultra Tech Fellowship if you want to work at a YC or venture-backed startup, with a weekly 1-on-1 mentor and a reference at the end.
Questions
Can high school students intern at a YC startup?
Yes. The Ultra Tech Fellowship places high school students at YC and venture-backed startups for a remote 7-week internship.
Is the Ultra Tech Fellowship an internship or an externship?
It is an internship. Unlike an externship, where you mostly watch, you do real work that people use.
Can I do both Ultra fellowships?
Yes, in different cohorts. You do one fellowship at a time. The Ultra Venture Fellowship is for students who want to build their own company.
Apply to the Ultra Tech Fellowship
Free to apply. Fully remote. Need-based financial aid is available.
Start your application →
Sources: Ladder Internships FAQ · Ladder Internships home page