Participating in a Pre-College summer program can provide students with a variety of valuable experiences and skills. These programs offer hands-on learning opportunities in areas of interest, such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEM), leadership, or humanities. Students can explore new subjects and deepen their knowledge, gaining a competitive edge for college applications.
In addition to academic enrichment, Pre-College programs offer students the opportunity to develop crucial life skills, such as time management, problem-solving, and effective communication. These programs also provide a taste of college life, allowing students to experience dorm life, navigate college campuses, and engage with diverse peers.
By participating in a Pre-College program, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to their education and future goals, which can be a significant factor in the college admission process. Additionally, Pre-College programs often provide students with letters of recommendation, which can further support their college applications.
Finally, Pre-College programs can provide students with a sense of belonging and community, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. This can lead to lasting relationships and a network of support that can benefit students both in college and beyond.
Here is a list of our top summer Pre-College programs for students in K-12th grade.
(Note: you can sort the table by cost, grade…etc. to find the program that best fits your needs)
| Program Name | Student Grade | Cost | Deadline | Program Type | Month | Program Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Road | 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $985-$7,995 | There is a discount offered for registering before December 31; programs are open until filled, or April 15, 2023. | In Person | July, August, June | Learn More |
| Alfred University Summer Programs | 11, 12 | $750-$1080 | In Person | Learn More | ||
| American University: High School Summer Scholars- Biotechnology | 10, 11, 12 | $919 | Rolling Admission | Online | June, July | Learn More |
| Austin Youth Initiatives: High School Summer Internship Programs | 10, 11, 12 | $0 -- you get paid! | 28-Feb-23 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Barnard College: Pre-Baccalaureate Program- Session 1B (young women only) | 10, 11, 12 | Residential: $13,724, Commuter: $9,434 | Priority Deadline: February 11, 2023; Applications Close: April 15, 2023 | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| Barnard College: Young Women's Leadership Institute | 11, 12 | Residential - $9,058; Commuter - $7,772 | 15-Apr-23 | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Beacon College: Summer for Success, for Students with Learning Differences | 10, 11, 12 | $5,450 - $7,500 | Rolling Admission | In Person | July | Learn More |
| Boston Leadership Institute | 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Post-Grad | $599-$2200 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July | Learn More |
| Boston University: High School Honors Programs | 11, 12 | $6,510-$9,386 | 26-May-23 | Multiple Options | July, August | Learn More |
| Boston University: Summer Challenge | 10, 11, 12 | $3,454 Online; $4,550 Residential | 1-Jun-23 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Brandeis University: Pre-college Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | Genesis: $5535; Online PreCollege Program: $995 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July | Learn More |
| Brown University: Pre-College Program | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $3,000-$9,000 | Rolling Admissions until May 12, 2023 | June, July, August | Learn More | |
| Calvin University: Summer Career Explorations | 10, 11, 12 | $550-$1,600 | 30-Apr-23 | In Person | June | Learn More |
| Carleton College: Summer Liberal Arts Institute Pre-College Programs | 11, 12 | $4,300 | Round One: January 27, 2023; Round Two: March 3, 2023 | In Person | July | Learn More |
| Carnegie Mellon University: Pre-College Summer Programs | 11, 12 | Free-$12,454 | Early Decision: Feb 9, 2023; Regular Decision: March 16, 2023 | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| Champlain College: Pre-College Programs | 10, 11, 12, Post-Grad | $4,500 | 15-Jun-23 | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| Clemson University: Summer Scholars | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $1,200 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Columbia University: Summer Immersion New York City | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $12,154 ( 3 week residential) | 3-Mar-23 | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Columbia University: Summer Pre-college Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12, Post Grad | $2,810.00 - $12,449.00 | Feb 3, 2023 (Early Action); March 31, 2023 (Final) | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Cornell University: School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions | 10, 11, 12 | $1,680 per college credit | Online | May, June, July, August | Learn More | |
| Cornell: Pre-college Studies | 10, 11, 12 | $1,680 per credit | 5-May-23 | Online | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Davidson College Summer Programs | 11, 12 | Learn More | ||||
| Drexel University: Summer Pre-College Programs | 10, 11, 12 | $300-$2,200 | Varies by program: generally April - June 2023 | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| Emory University: Pre-College Program | 11, 12 | $2,992-$9,372 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | June, July, August | >Learn More |
| Envision Experiential Learning | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 , 11, 12 | $4,195 - $5,095 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| EXPLO Summer Programs | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $3,570 - $7,350 | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More | |
| Foundation for Teaching Economics | 10, 11 | $750 | 12-Apr-23 | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| George Washington University: Pre-College Program | $3350-$3925 | Learn More | ||||
| Hamline University Summer Camps | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $498 - $698 | Rolling Admission | In Person | July | Learn More |
| Harvard: Pre-College and Secondary Programs | 11, 12 | $5,300 | Early Application: January 25, 2023; Regular Application: February 22, 2023; Final Deadline: April 26, 2023 | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Illinois Tech: Summer Programs | 10, 11, 12 | Online Programs- $249; In-Person Programs- $595 - $1,395; For-Credit Programs- $1,595 - $5,000 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July, June | Learn More |
| InternWorks | Ages 16 & up | $3,500 - $6,500 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | Other | Learn More |
| ISSOS International Summer Schools | 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $8,200 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July, August | Learn More |
| James Madison University: Summer Honors Institute | 11, 12 | $1,000 | 15-May-23 | In Person | July | Learn More |
| Loyola Marymount University: Pre-College Summer Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,200-$9,500 | 15-Mar-23 | Multiple Options | June, July | Learn More |
| Marist Summer PreCollege | 10, 11, 12 | Sessions I & II (In-Person): $3,500; Session III (Virtual): $1,500 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | June, July | Learn More |
| Miami University of Ohio Summer Session | 11;12 | $1,080 (includes housing) | Learn More | |||
| National Conference of Governor's Schools | 9, 10, 11, 12 *Varies based on State and Program | Free | Varies | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| National Student Leadership Conference Summer Programs | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $3,695-$7,000 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| New York University: Career Edge High School Summer Program | 10, 11, 12 | Learn More | ||||
| New York University: High School Spring Weekend Workshops | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $495 - $545 | 31-Mar-23 | April, March | Learn More | |
| Northwestern University: College Preparation Program | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $1,850 - $10,398 | 3-Apr-23 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Northwestern: Center for Talent Development's Summer Programs | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,660-$5,550 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| NYU: Middle School and High School Programs | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Varies by Program | Program dependent | Multiple Options | June, July, August, Other | Learn More |
| Oregon State: College Credit for High School Students | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $346 - $549 | Rolling Admissions | Online | Other | Learn More |
| Pacific Discovery Abroad | 10, 11, 12 | $3,950 - $6,599 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Purdue University: Summer College for High School Students | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $724.10 - $2,412.85 | 15-May-23 | Multiple Options | May, June, July, August | Learn More |
| Purdue: Summer Programs at the Gifted Education Research & Resource Institute | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,400 | July | Learn More | ||
| Putney: Pre-College Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $4,490 -$7,990 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Quinnipiac University: Summer Programs for High School Students | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $1,680-$3,360 | 1-May-23 | Multiple Options | July | Learn More |
| Santa Clara University: Young Scholars Program | 11, 12 | June, July | Learn More | |||
| Smith College: Summer Precollege Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,595- $7,298 | 15-May-23 | In Person | June, August | Learn More |
| Stanford University: Pre-College Summer Institutes | 8, 9, 10, 11 | $3,050 | 22-Mar-23 | Online | June, July | Learn More |
| Summer Discovery | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,600 - $9,500 | Varies by School Program | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Syracuse University: Summer College | 10, 11, 12 | $1,545 - $10,280 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July, August | Learn More |
| Temple University: Summer Academy | 11, 12 | $2,400 (does not include housing) | 1-Apr-23 | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| Tufts University: Pre-College Programs & Courses | 10, 11, 12 | $4,000 - $11,250 | 1-May-23 | Multiple Options | July, August | Learn More |
| Tulane University: Pre-College | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $695 - $4,495 | 10-Feb-23 | Multiple Options | June, July | Learn More |
| University of California- Los Angeles: Summer Sessions | 9, 10, 11 | $900-$4,200 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | Learn More | |
| University of California, Santa Barbara: Research Mentorship Program | 9, 10, 11 | $4,500 | Rolling Admissions | Hybrid | June, July, August | Learn More |
| University of California-Davis: Pre-College Discovery Program | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $1,595 - $6,695 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| University of Georgia: Summer Academy Camps | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $450 - $1,120 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst: Pre-College | 10, 11, 12 | $1,070-11,294 | Priority Deadline: June 1, 2023 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| University of Notre Dame: Summer Scholars | 11, 12 | $1,600 - $4,175 | 20-Feb-23 | Multiple Options | June, July | Learn More |
| University of Pennsylvania: Wharton Youth Global Program | 9, 10, 11 | $329 - $9,899 | Priority: January 25, 2023; Final: April 1, 2023 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| University of Southern California: Summer Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $7,160 - $10,020 | 5-May-23 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| University of St. Andrews: Summer Academic Experience | 10, 11, 12 | $5,855 | In Person | July | Learn More | |
| University of the Pacific: High School Institute | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $3,300 | 21-May-23 | In Person | June | Learn More |
| University of Utah: Pre College at the U | 9, 10, 11 | around $200 per course | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | Learn More | |
| University of Vermont: Summer Academy | 10, 11, 12 | $1,017 - $2,580 | 22-Jun-23 | Online | July | Learn More |
| University of Virginia: Advance | 11, 12 | $6,179 - $12,995 | Rolling Admission | In Person | July, August | Learn More |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison: Badger Precollege | K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $665 - $4,520 | 1-May-23 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Vanderbilt University: Summer Academy | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $1,475-$3,975 | Priority: January 13, 2023; Rolling between January 14-mid-March | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Vanderbilt: Career Connections at SAVY | 7, 8 | $575 per session | Priority: January 13, 2023; Rolling admissions after January 14 through March 15, 2023 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Vanderbilt: Summer Academy at Vanderbilt for the Young (SAVY) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | $575 per session | Priority Deadline: January 13, 2023; Rolling Admission through March 15, 2023, space permitting | In Person | June, July | >Learn More |
| Wagner College: Pre College Programs | 10, 11, 12 | Learn More | ||||
| Wake Forest University: Pre-College Programs | 9, 10, 11, 12 | $995 - $3,000 | Rolling Admission | Multiple Options | July, August, June | Learn More |
| Washington University: Arts and Science Pre-College Programs | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $785 - $7,595 | 3-Apr-23 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| Wellesley College: EXPLO Career Concentrations | 10, 11, 12 | $7,350 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Where There Be Dragons | 10, 11, 12, Post Grad (to age 22) | $7,550 - $9,950 | Rolling Admission | In Person | June, July, August | Learn More |
| William & Mary: Summer Academic Sessions | 10, 11, 12 | 15-May-23 | Multiple Options | May, June, July, August | Learn More | |
| Wonderworks Houston | 10, 11, 12 | TBD | 19-May-23 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |
| World Scholars Academy: Elite Summer Courses | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | $2,495 | 23-Jun | Online | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Yale: Summer Session | 12 | $1,200-$12,000 | 3-May-23 | Multiple Options | June, July, August | Learn More |
| Yale: Young Global Scholars | 11, 12 | $6,500 | 10-Jan-23 | In Person | June, July | Learn More |