Pre-college programs give high school students valuable academic experience and a taste of college life. Here are ten of the top pre-college programs.
Summer is a great time to explore what you love, learn new things, and see what college is like. Pre-college summer programs offer many ways to do this, from going deeper in subjects you enjoy to trying new creative projects. Pick a program that matches your interests and goals. Costs, dates, and admissions details change year to year, so confirm the current information with each program.
1. Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Studies
Description: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies offers programs that let intellectually curious students explore advanced subjects rarely taught in high school, using Stanford’s resources to help them grow as scholars and individuals.
Eligibility: students in grades 8-11 at the time of application.
Acceptance rate: selective, with a holistic review of applications.
2. Cornell University Pre-College Program
Description: Cornell’s Pre-College Program lets high schoolers take online undergraduate courses taught by Cornell faculty, earn college credit and a Cornell transcript, and experience the challenge of college-level study.
Eligibility: open to rising juniors and seniors from any high school in the world who are academically motivated and ready for college-level work.
Acceptance rate: the program’s specific rate isn’t published, but Cornell’s overall acceptance rate has been around 10-12% in recent years.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars
Description: Yale Young Global Scholars brings outstanding high schoolers from around the world to Yale’s campus for interdisciplinary sessions that explore global challenges from many angles.
Eligibility: ages 16-18, fluent in English, currently a sophomore or junior (or the international equivalent). YYGS is for first-time participants only.
Acceptance rate: the exact rate isn’t published, but it’s highly competitive (estimated at least 34%).
Cost: around $6,500. Financial aid is available, with over $3 million in need-based aid and scholarships offered, covering up to 100% of tuition for those who qualify.
4. NYU Pre-College Programs
Description: NYU Pre-College lets high schoolers live as NYU students, earn college credit, and take undergraduate courses across many subjects taught by NYU faculty.
Eligibility: rising 11th and 12th graders with strong academics (minimum 3.0 GPA). International students must show English proficiency.
Acceptance rate: not widely published, but generally less competitive than some selective summer programs, since the focus is on giving students a taste of college.
5. MIT LaunchX
Description: MIT LaunchX helps high schoolers become entrepreneurs. Participants work in teams to build real startups, learning from industry experts and using MIT’s resources.
Eligibility: high schoolers passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation.
Acceptance rate: selective, around 30%.
Cost (varies by format):
- Online Innovation Summer Program: $4,750
- Online Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $6,500
- Ann Arbor Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $9,970
- Bay Area Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $9,970 (plus a $150 international fee for non-US participants).
Financial aid is available for families earning below $100,000, and the program aims to support all qualified applicants who need aid.
6. California College of the Arts Pre-College Program
Description: CCA’s Pre-College Program lets high schoolers earn three college credits while exploring art and design in a supportive community, and experience what attending an art and design school is like.
Eligibility: current high schoolers completing their sophomore, junior, or senior year by summer. Open to domestic and international students, in-person and online.
Acceptance rate: CCA’s overall acceptance rate is roughly 70-76%; the program’s specific rate isn’t published.
Cost:
- On-campus residential: about $6,975 (tuition, fees, meal plan, and housing).
- On-campus commuter: about $4,595 (tuition, fees, and lunch).
- Online: about $3,995 (tuition and fees).
Tuition scholarships are available.
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7. Emory University Pre-College Program
Description: Emory’s Pre-College Program offers a glimpse of academic and residential life at a top national university, with many courses taught by Emory faculty.
Eligibility: at least 15 by the session start and in 10th or 11th grade, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. International applicants must show English proficiency and may need test scores or a Zoom interview.
Acceptance rate: no official data, but the program is more inclusive than highly exclusive.
Cost (varies by session and format):
- Residential (Sessions A, B, and C): $4,667
- Commuter: $3,292
- Online: $2,992 (plus a $70 application fee and a $350 enrollment deposit, both non-refundable).
8. Harvard Pre-College Program
Description: Harvard’s Pre-College Program is an intensive two-week summer program. Participants live on campus, take a college-level course without letter grades, and join co-curricular activities.
Eligibility: open to rising juniors and seniors.
Acceptance rate: selective.
Cost: around $5,550 per session (tuition, housing, and required activities for the full two weeks), plus a $75 non-refundable application fee.
9. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs
Description: Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs mirror the undergraduate experience, letting rising juniors and seniors explore their interests with instruction from acclaimed faculty and a mix of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Eligibility: high schoolers ready to challenge themselves academically.
Acceptance rate: not published, but likely competitive given CMU’s overall undergraduate acceptance rate of around 11-17%.
10. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Programs
Description: Penn’s Pre-College Programs offer Ivy League academics over the summer. Students take undergraduate courses across many disciplines taught by Penn faculty, staff, and visiting scholars, in residential or online formats.
Eligibility: current 10th and 11th graders, domestic and international.
Acceptance rate: selective.
More opportunities
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