35 Best Pre-College Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student, registering for a pre-college program can be a wonderful way to take college-level courses in your field, allowing you to obtain in-depth knowledge and understanding of what you will learn in college. Pre-college programs, especially prestigious ones offered by leading universities, can also impress college admissions committees.
As a participant in these programs, you will gain skills and practical experience, enhance your theoretical knowledge, collaborate with peers, undertake projects, learn presentation skills, attend social activities, and learn from faculty. To help you get started, we have curated a list of the 35 best pre-college programs for high school students. Before we begin, however, take a look at some of our selection criteria.
How Have We Narrowed Down This List of Pre-College Programs?
Pre-college programs are offered by a large number of universities across the country. In this list, we have included only the most popular and prestigious choices, which we identified using the following criteria.
Selectivity and Prestige: The pre-college programs on this list are prestigious due to the reputation of the university offering them. Some of these programs are also highly competitive, with only 5-10% acceptance rates.
University Ranking: The universities whose pre-college programs we have listed are some of the top-ranking universities in the country and the world. Many of these are Ivy League universities.
Cost: The list includes several free programs, although many of them include tuition and residential fees. However, most programs offer scholarships and financial aid.
Course Offerings: We have included some field-specific pre-college programs (with diverse course options) that are so well-regarded that they warrant a separate place on the list. Others are broader pre-college programs offering a variety of course offerings in multiple subject areas.
The MITES Summer program is a pre-college experience in which students take five intensive math, science, and humanities courses. One of these courses is a project-based elective course, with options including architecture, electronics, genomics, machine learning, engineering design, and more. In addition to classes, you will attend lab tours, workshops, recitations, social events, trips, college preparation sessions, and meetings. Sessions with admissions counselors are included in the programming to provide insight into the admissions and selection process. Once the program ends, you will receive written evaluations from your instructors. MITES is highly competitive, accepting only 3-10% of applicants. To see MIT's other pre-college programs, check out this blog.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors with strong academic records
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June-August (6 weeks)
Cost: Free, including room and board
2. Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) Pre-College Program
Columbia University’s SHAPE is a pre-college program offering college-level project-based courses taught by Columbia’s faculty. You will choose a subject and attend classes in it throughout the program. Courses include robotics and autonomous driving, biomedical engineering, walking robots, competitive programming, sustainable engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, data science, and civil engineering. Note that these courses may change each year. The program includes electives, workshops, college preparation, and chances to interact with Columbia students. Lab sessions and designated project times are included in this program.
Subject Areas: STEM
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: December | Final deadline: March
Dates: July 8 - July 26 | July 29 - August 16
Cost: $5,500 (housing and transportation not included). Need-based scholarships are available.
One of UCLA’s popular pre-college programs is the Computer Science Summer Institute (Introductory Track), in which students focus on the UCLA Computer Science 30: Principles and Practices of Computing course. This program covers concepts like functional decomposition, common control structures like loops and conditionals, and common data types like integers, strings, booleans, and lists. This program features lectures covering the course syllabus, coding boot camps, lab tours, discussion sessions, seminars, homework sessions, a final exam, and a concluding hackathon. Students do not need prior programming or computer science experience to attend this program. You can check out UCLA’s other pre-college program offerings here.
Subject Areas: Computer science
Location: UCLA
Eligibility: High school students (9th-12th grades)
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in June.
Dates: June 24 - July 12
Cost: $3,197 (housing and transportation not included). Scholarships are available.
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer as many as 60 courses every year, of which students can choose one to focus on throughout the pre-college sessions. Most of these courses are taught online, although some might include hands-on work and occasional meetings on campus. Courses are taught by Stanford faculty. The options included game design, innovation and entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, philosophy, equity and medicine, environmental solutions, marketing, and more. Only 16 students are accepted on average in each course. To check out Stanford's other pre-college programs, look at this blog.
Subject Areas: Multiple: STEM, history, creative writing, philosophy, social justice, and more
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA / Online
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
Application Deadline: Applications close in March.
Dates: June 17 - June 28 (session 1) | July 8 - July 19 (session 2)
Cost: $3,050. Financial aid is available.
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer Program is a two-week program allowing high school students to take one college-level course. Each course has a class size of around 15 students, making this a competitive program. Students can choose from nearly 30 course offerings, which include speech, writing and literature, business and leadership, psychology, medicine, public health, race, gender, ethics, and STEM. Several extra-curricular activities are included in this program, such as college preparation workshops, essay writing sessions, panels and talks, seminars on financial aid, talent shows, arts and crafts, trips and tours (if you are on campus), and more. Check out Harvard's other pre-college programs here.
Subject Areas: STEM, arts, race, gender, psychology, medicine, law, politics, history, business, literature, and more
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-19
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in January-February.
Dates: June 23 - July 5 (session 1) | July 7 - July 19 (session 2) | July 21 - August 2 (session 3)
Cost: $5,550 + $75 application fee. Housing is included. Limited need-based aid is available.
The most popular option for high school students considering studying at Yale over the summer is the Yale Young Global Scholars program (YYGS). The program focuses on exposing students to a college-like environment with academic courses, social activities, and collaborative learning experiences. An acceptance from YYGS reflects well upon your student profile, as the program is competitive, with an acceptance rate of 34% and applicants from around the world. We’ve done a deep dive into the best opportunities available at Yale. Pro tip: YYGS hosts webinars on college admissions, tuition, academics, and more! Check them out here.
Cost: $6,250
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: Session 1: June 18 - 30; Session 2: July 2 - 14; Session 3: July 16 - 28
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Eligibility: Open to all high school juniors and sophomores
NYU’s Precollege Program is a chance for high school students to experience NYU’s campus and take a college-level course, learning from faculty and interacting with like-minded peers. Course options you can consider include art history, comparative literature, dramatic literature, computer science, biomolecular science, nutrition, film and TV, and more. In addition to classes in the above courses, you will also participate in College 101 workshops covering essay writing, research, and applications. Social events and activities are included in this program, too.
Subject Areas: Arts and media, humanities and social sciences, STEM, business, and college 101
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Eligibility: Rising/current 11th and 12th-grade students
Application Deadline: January (spring) | March/June (summer) | August (fall)
Dates: July 2 - August 15 (summer) | September 2 - December 20 (fall). Spring sessions are also offered every year.
Cost: Varies based on credits
Carnegie Mellon University’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) is a pre-college program focusing on STEM and related fields. The university’s faculty will teach the program’s curriculum through classroom instruction and lectures, workshops, and projects. SAMS takes place in two parts—a pre-program virtual session to focus on skill-building and introductions and the 6-week in-person program with courses and meetings. You will further work on a project with supervision from faculty or graduate students. The program will conclude with a symposium where you will present your project. You can check out other pre-college programs at Carnegie Mellon here.
Subject Areas: Math and science
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Dates: June 22 - August 3
Cost: Free; this is a fully funded program.
Brown University’s Summer@Brown is one of its pre-college offerings where students can choose from one of Brown’s 300+ non-credit courses taught by faculty. Over 6,000 students participate in this pre-college program every year. Each class features small sizes and discussions. Course offerings include acting and other performing arts, literature and writing, medical and health sciences, engineering and technology, visual arts, creative arts, and others. You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program. Check out Brown University's other pre-college programs here.
Subject Areas: Biology, natural sciences, business, literature, writing, engineering, tech, medicine, political science, psychology, visual and performing arts, and more
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI / Online
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 16
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Dates: June 23 - July 16
Cost: Varies based on length, housing, and format. Scholarships are available.
RISD’s Pre-College Residential Program offers college-level classes, studio sessions, critiques, projects, trips, and tours to art museums and studios. The program is a great way to build your portfolio before you apply to colleges. You will take three foundation courses—drawing, design, and critical studies in art. Additionally, you will choose a major and work on projects within it. You can choose from course options like animation, art and activism, architecture, drawing, fashion design, art and science, ceramics, furniture design, film/video, graphic design, graphic novels, jewelry, illustration, printmaking, and textile design.
Subject Areas: Design and Art
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 10th or 11th grades and are 16-18 years old
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Dates: June 29 - August 3
Cost: Residential program: $11,350 | Commuter program: $8,715. Scholarships are available.
The Bovard Scholars program helps you develop critical thinking skills and research aptitude while refining your career goals and assisting you with college application prep. This fully residential program spans 3 weeks and is known for its excellent student-to-staff ratio (3:1). You will be assigned a coach to guide you through application processes at different universities, competitive exam prep, and career guidance after the program ends. The program includes events with industry leaders, group activities, scholarship databases, and goal-setting exercises.
Cost: Completely free of cost
Application Deadline: January 13
Program Dates: July 10 – 29
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Juniors in high school
TASS offers two free summer programs for high school students: TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) and TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies). The program is hosted at multiple universities and aims to prepare students to become critical thinkers, leaders, and contributors to society and the larger world. If you’re interested in history, literature, politics, and art from people of African descent, do check out this program!
Subject areas: Leadership, Democracy, and Service
Location: Cornell University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan
Application deadline: January 4.
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 25 – August 5
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from all backgrounds, especially students of color and/or of disadvantaged backgrounds
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program stands out as one of the top free summer programs for high school students interested in journalism. The program offers a mix of virtual and residential opportunities, including weekly lectures and workshops taught by program alumni and journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, Politico, Sports Illustrated, and CNN, among other media outlets. You will also participate in weekly discussion groups covering various topics and attend seminars about the college admissions process. To check out more pre-college programs at Princeton, look at this blog.
Subject areas: Journalism
Location: Online
Application deadline: February 23
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 26 - August 4
Eligibility: Applicants must be high-achieving juniors in high school from low-income backgrounds
You will collaborate with Stanford faculty and researchers during this program to conduct medical research. SIMR is one of the best free summer programs for high school students. You will select one of eight fields and then be allocated to a lab to be mentored one-on-one.
Subject areas: Biology, chemistry, medicine
Location: Stanford University campus (Stanford, CA)
Stipend: The program provides a $500 stipend. There is a $40 application fee with a need-based waiver.
Application deadline: December 15
Program dates: 8 weeks, June 13 - August 4
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old when the program begins, live in the U.S., and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card.
15. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Clark Scholars Program is a 6-week comprehensive research program that allows you to conduct research in various fields. One-on-one research with academics, weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits are part of the curriculum. With just 12 students selected each year, the Clark Scholars Program is very competitive. Applicants must be 17+ by the program start date. The program offers a stipend of $750, and the application closes on February 16th.
Subject areas: Multidisciplinary
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Stipend: The program provides a $750 stipend
Application deadline: February 13
Program dates: 6 weeks, June 18 - August 3
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date and should graduate in this or the next year (U.S. and International)
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer the chance to engage in advanced studies under the guidance of Stanford University and instructors. You may choose from over 70 online courses across diverse subjects such as art, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, social justice, and more. You will work on projects with peers worldwide and present your findings in an academic showcase. Classes will be held online.
Location: Online
Cohort size: Approximately 15 students per class
Dates: Session 1: June 16 - June 27, Session 2: July 7 -July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising 8th-11th graders
Cost: $3,080
This is a three-week college prep program for rising high school seniors from select school networks. A wide range of courses are offered, from international relations to entrepreneurship, with classes designed to mimic a college seminar experience. You will attend classes, field trips, group discussions, seminars, workshops, campus tours, and networking sessions. By living on Georgetown’s campus, you will get a taste of college life. Another benefit of the program is that it helps with the college application process. You can participate in an SAT prep workshop, begin the Common Application, interact with mentors, attend college prep workshops, and explore the college search process.
Location: Georgetown University
Cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: June 29 - July 18
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students must be members of the Cristo Rey Network or KIPP Foundation school systems or other invited school, network, or community-based organizations. Students must also receive a nomination to apply from their principal, guidance counselor, or KIPP regional advisor.
Cost: Free
The Duke Pre-College Programs encourage you to explore challenging subjects not often taught in high school. Open to all students from grades 6-11, the program offers hands-on learning experiences, field trips, research projects, and more. You may take for-credit courses, marine lab courses, on-campus courses, or even online courses. You will also receive extensive mentorship from Duke University faculty.
Location: Variable (Duke University, Marine Lab, or online)
Cohort size: Approximately 20 students per course
Dates: Variable, depending on course
Application deadline: Variable, depending on course
Eligibility: Courses are open to students in grades 6-11, although it is recommended that students have a GPA above 3.5. Some courses may have additional prerequisites
Cost: Variable, depending on course
The University of Chicago’s Pre-College program offers diverse opportunities to orient students to college life. You will participate in lectures, workshops, and discussions with the University of Chicago faculty while exploring the campus and city of Chicago. You may choose to do one of four residential programs: “Enrichment,” “Career Insight,” “Immersion,” and “Practicum.” You can also do a remote program. UChicago Online allows you to take an undergraduate-level course online, and the Summer Language Institute enables you to learn a new language for 6-8 weeks.
Location: University of Chicago or online
Cohort size: 25-30 students per class
Dates: Variable, depending on course
Application deadline: Variable, depending on course
Eligibility: Variable, depending on course
Cost: Variable, depending on course
This program aims to help you develop leadership skills and a sense of social responsibility. You will explore complex global issues, engage in workshops, and collaborate with peers to develop solutions. You will hone your skills in public speaking, active listening, and teamwork. Various courses are offered, including “Women and Leadership,” “Leadership and Social Change in Sports,” “Art and Social Change,” and “Leadership, Law and Social Movements.” You can choose the 2-week residential program at Brown University or the 4-week online program.
Location: Brown University or online
Cohort size: Approximately 20 students per session
Dates: Two residential sessions: June 29 - July 11, July 13 - July 25; One online session: June 23 - July 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12, ages 14-18 by June 15
Cost: $5,788 for the residential program, $4,540 for those who commute, and $5,528 for the online program
The Columbia University Pre-College Program allows you to experience the rigor of Ivy League academics while participating in projects and workshops. You will reside on Columbia’s Morningside Campus. You can choose from over 70 courses in a broad range of subjects. Classes are taught by instructors from Columbia University. Upon successful completion, you will earn a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an evaluation letter. This can help set you apart in the college application process.
Location: Columbia University
Cohort size: Approximately 50 students per session
Dates: Session A: June 30 - July 18; Session B: July 22 - August 8
Application deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Students who are 16 years old or older may apply for the program
Costs: $12,750
This program aims to give current sophomores and juniors a glimpse of college life at a top university. You may choose a non-credit course (Pre-College) or a course for college credit (Summer College). Courses cover a range of topics, such as neuroscience, business, creative writing, and more. Each course is taught by an Emory professor who is a leading expert in their field. You will live in on-campus residence halls, gain access to Emory’s advanced resources, and get a glimpse of college life.
Location: Emory University
Cohort size: Approximately 100-150 students per session
Dates: Session A: June 15 - June 28; Session B: June 29 - July 12; Session C: July 13 - July 26
Application deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Cost: Varies by course
This summer program allows rising high school juniors and seniors to take college courses for credit. You can enroll in a research or internship course, working with peers and under the guidance of Rice University’s faculty. For high schoolers, this research experience can stand out on one’s resume. High school students must fill out a Visiting Student Application.
Location: Rice University
Cohort size: Variable
Dates: There are 7 sessions. Information on each can be found on the program website.
Application deadline: Variable depending on the session
Eligibility: High school junior or senior
Cost: Students will not be charged tuition for up to 3 credit hours.
The Notre Dame Summer Scholars program allows you to spend two weeks on Notre Dame’s campus and experience academic life at the collegiate level. Courses in many different subjects are offered, such as “Archaeology,” “Confronting Poverty,” “Creativity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” and “Engineering and Inventing the Future.” Due to the small class size, the program guarantees personalized instruction from Notre Dame faculty. You can also earn one transferable college credit upon completion of the program.
Location: University of Notre Dame
Cohort size: Approximately 20 students per course
Dates: Session 1: June 7 - 21; Session 2: June 28, July 12
Application deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors with strong academic standing. At least 16 years old by or on August 1st
Cost: $4,950
MMSS is a summer enrichment program for high schoolers interested in math and science. The program introduces you to research and development. You will study topics such as Chemistry, Anthropology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and more. You can access the University of Michigan’s labs, classrooms, technology, and faculty. Outside of academics, you will live on campus, attend activities, and explore the city of Ann Arbor!
Location: University of Michigan
Cohort size: Around 15 students per class
Dates: Session 1: June 22 - July 4, Session 2: July 6 - July 18, Session 3: July 20 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school
Cost: The tuition is $1,300. Residential students will also pay an additional $1,100. There is also a $100 application fee.
Northwestern’s online program allows you to enroll in college-level courses across disciplines. Courses available include “Law: From Interview to Argument,” “Psychology: Inside Diagnosis and Treatment,” and “Engineering: Solving Problems Through Design.” The online format allows for more flexibility—courses are available year-round, and you can participate whenever your schedule allows. For each course, you can earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern for your college application. At the end of the program, you will work on a final capstone project to present to your mentors and peers.
Location: Online
Cohort size: Unknown
Dates: Two- to four-week sessions year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be aged 13 or older
Cost: $1,795 / course
If you want an in-person experience at Northwestern, the In Focus seminars allow you to take a two-week certificate course structured like a college seminar. Seminars feature discussions and readings led by Northwestern-affiliated instructors. Example sessions include “So You Want to Be a Doctor?” “Investigating the Power of Ethics,” and “Moneyball 2.0: Data, Technology, and Innovations Changing the Sports Industry.” You will receive an official Northwestern University transcript and certificate at the end of the program. The program also includes workshops to prepare you for college and introduce you to the Northwestern community.
Location: Northwestern University
Cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Session 1: June 23 - July 4, Session 2: July 7 - July 18, Session 3: July 21 - August 1, Session 4: August 4 - August 15
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be 14-17 years of age at the start of the program. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have completed freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school by the start of the program
Cost: $3,450
Northeastern University’s Accelerate program allows high school juniors and seniors to learn from Northeastern faculty and explore the city of Boston. You can choose from a variety of topics, including “Exploring Identity, Culture, and Innovation through Language,” “Cybersecurity & Privacy,” “Experiential Entrepreneurship,” and more. The program focuses on work experience and building a diverse community.
Location: Northeastern University
Cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Varies by course
Application deadline: Priority deadline: January 15, Regular deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising high school juniors or seniors
Cost: Varies by course, typically $6,895.
The University of Southern California (USC) offers a four-week program for high school students on their campus. Courses are taught by USC faculty and combine lectures, workshops, labs, and guest speakers. Courses cover various subjects, including architecture, business, engineering, journalism, performing arts, health, and more. You will work closely with faculty and peers to complete projects and presentations while exploring USC’s campus and Southern California. You will also be eligible to earn college credit through the program.
Location: University of Southern California
Cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: June 15 - July 12
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed at least the 9th grade before the start of the program. Applicants should be pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum.
Cost: $7,062
This program offers courses in public health, sustainability, and creative arts. Example courses include “ARCH 1001: Analog Design,” “Climate Change,” “Coastal Engineering,” “Debating Ethics,” and more. You will participate in projects in each course and interact with Tulane faculty and mentors. Field trips around New Orleans add a cultural dimension to the academic experience. You can elect to participate as residential campers or commuters and choose whether to take courses for credit.
Location: Tulane University
Cohort size: Small class sizes
Dates: Varies by course
Application Deadline: February 21 for priority, April 4 for regular, and April 25 for extended
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Applicants must be at least 14 years old by the first day of their session
Cost: $4,895 for the residential enrichment experience; costs vary for the commuter and credit-bearing programs
For students interested in math and science, this program introduces the engineering design process at a leading institution for engineering. You will participate in activities involving building a bridge, programming robots, and more. Various engineering disciplines are offered, such as chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, biomedical, and sustainable energy engineering. You may also choose between an in-person residential program, a commuter program, or an online program.
Location: John Hopkins University or online
Cohort size: Approximately 20 students per course
Dates: Varies by course
Application Deadline: May 28
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors
Cost: Varies by program
This program allows high school students to earn college credit while living on UC Berkeley’s campus. You will take two courses Berkely offers and participate in extracurricular activities, workshops, and explorations of California. After the program, you can request a Berkeley transcript and college credit that can be transferred to another college. You will also get a personal letter of commendation from the Dean of Extended Education! The program offers college preparation workshops with academic courses.
Location: UC Berkeley
Cohort size: Approximately 150 students
Dates: Session C: June 22 - August 15, Session D: July 3 - August 15
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Domestic students must have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program, have an overall B average, and be 16 years of age by June 22.
Cost: Session C (8 weeks): $15,950, Session D (6 weeks): $14,650
This summer track allows students from around the world to take UC Berkeley courses online. You will be able to learn and engage with UC Berkeley faculty and students and complete the coursework on your own schedule. Like the in-person program, you can obtain a Berkeley transcript, earn college credit, access college preparation workshops, and more.
Location: UC Berkeley
Cohort size: Unknown
Dates: 6 sessions offered. Check the website for more detailed information
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Students must have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the program's start, have an overall B average, and be 16 years of age by June 22.
Cost: Variable by session
This three-week credit-bearing program is designed to help you explore areas you’re interested in and have a college experience. You will earn six college credits that may be transferred to other colleges. You will select one academic specialty in either “Architecture, Engineering, and Technology,” “Business, Law, and Global Studies,” “Communication and Media,” “Exploration Sciences,” and “Healthcare and Medicine.” Each specialty consists of two courses and includes workshops, guest lectures, lab work, and field trips.
Location: University of Miami
Cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: June 30 - July 17
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Students must be a current sophomore or junior in high school and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Cost: $9,057 for the residential program; $7,799 for the commuter program
In Cornell’s Pre-College program, you will choose from a set of three- or six-week undergraduate courses taught by Cornell instructors. You can earn transferable college credits, meet like-minded peers, and explore Cornell’s campus. The program hosts college admissions workshops, offering one-on-one counseling for essays, application materials, and more. You’ll attend program events, learn alongside Cornell students, and meet faculty in each discipline. At the end of the program, you will receive an official transcript from Cornell.
Location: Cornell University
Cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Three-week session: June 22 - July 12 or July 13 - August 2; Six-week session: June 22 - August 2
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students must be rising high school juniors or seniors aged 16-18
Cost: $1,840 per credit
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.