An academically rigorous on-campus program for exceptional high school students.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program for high school students is an intensive two-week summer program designed to give you a glimpse of college life. You will live on the Harvard campus during your two-week session while taking a college-level course with other Pre-College Program students.
In this collegial setting, you will practice the art of healthy debate, learning to communicate clearly and diplomatically on complex topics.
Applications for Summer 2025 open on December 2.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is designed for mature, academically motivated students who are interested in exploring a potential major or simply finding out what college is really like.
Our Pre-College Program is open to rising juniors and seniors. To be eligible for Summer 2025, you must meet both of the following criteria:
See the Pre-College Calendar for all important dates and deadlines.
In the Harvard Pre-College Program, you have the opportunity to choose from dozens of co-curricular activities to participate in each week. These opportunities help ensure that you have a well-rounded experience.
With almost 30 courses to choose from in each session, you’re sure to find a topic that piques your interest among the courses offered to Pre-College Program students.
You take one course during a session, and although courses are non-credit and do not have letter grades, they are rigorous.
At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your instructor, as well as a Harvard transcript with a grade of AR or NM (“requirements met” or “requirements not met”). This is a great way to supplement your college application. Please note: You need to attend every class in its entirety to receive a passing grade of “Met All Requirements.”
Explore the 2024 course catalog or browse courses by topic below.
Speech, Writing and Literature View More
Psychology, Medicine, and Public Health View More
Law, Politics, Philosophy, and History View More
Business and Leadership View More
Race, Gender, and Ethics View More
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) View More
The total fee for a 2024 Harvard Pre-College Program session was $5,550. The program fee included tuition, room and meal plan, activity costs, and an accident and sickness insurance plan for the full two weeks. There was also a non-refundable $75 application fee.
A limited number of scholarships are available to assist eligible students who demonstrate financial need. Awards vary based on need, and a typical award covers a portion of the tuition.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week program during which you will live on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During these two weeks, you’ll experience what it’s like to live on a college campus, attending classes every day, studying, and participating in program activities. Each summer, we offer three two-week sessions so you can find the program that fits into your summer schedule.
At Harvard’s Pre-College Program for high school students, you’ll build advanced academic skills—and amazing memories—that will last a lifetime.
You’ll learn to live independently on a college campus. You’ll make new friends from around the world. And with hard work and diligent study, you’ll expand your knowledge in an immersive college class.
These experiences will not only enrich your high school years. They will set you on the path for success as you move onto your college journey.
At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your instructor, as well as a Harvard transcript with a grade of AR or NM (“requirements met” or “requirements not met”). This is a great way to supplement your college application.
You will not earn college credit through the Pre-College Program.
The Pre-College Program is designed to allow you to explore the expectations of college academics without the pressure of grades. You can explore a subject you think you may want to major in, or you can explore an interesting topic just for fun.
However, Pre-College Program courses are intensive. Each day, you will be in class for three hours and you should expect to have 2-4 hours of homework. To successfully complete the program, you’ll have to attend and participate in every class and complete all assignments.
Participation in a Pre-College Program at Harvard can help with college admissions in several important ways.
Successfully completing a pre-college program demonstrates your ability to succeed in a rigorous college course. It also shows admissions committees that you are a motivated and dedicated student who is willing to put in the extra effort to succeed.
Most importantly, however, our Pre-College Program is designed to offer you tools to navigate the college admissions process successfully.
Our college readiness activities include workshops on how to write your college admissions essay, seminars on understanding the financial aid process, and panels on how to choose the right college. We even host a series of panels with admissions officers from colleges around the country.
So when you leave the Pre-College Program, you’ll be ready to jump right into the college admissions and application process.
Previous Harvard Summer School students have gone on to attend college at institutions such as Harvard College, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Boston University, and Brown University. In fact, 20 percent of respondents to a 2024 survey reported attending an Ivy League institution after attending Harvard Summer School.
For additional information, read more Common Questions about the Pre-College Program at Harvard Summer School.
Harvard’s Pre-College Program combines the hard work and rigor of an Ivy League education with the fun that comes with living, studying, and socializing with new friends.
Whether you’re engaging in meaningful debate in class, sharing your skills at a talent show, or exploring the Boston area, you’ll be creating memories that will last you a lifetime.
The first step in your journey toward this amazing experience is applying. Complete our information request form to hear from us about important deadlines and helpful resources.
Looking to take for-credit courses? Our Secondary School Program for high students offers college courses for credit in a four- or seven-week session.
Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students
Request InfoRegister for our free virtual panel discussion on September 25, 2024, to hear from recent Harvard Pre-College and Secondary School Program students and proctors about their day-to-day experiences, and learn how these unique programs can shape your future.
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.
