Exploring pre-college summer programs for international students is a good way to get a head start on college life while diving deep into a subject of interest. These programs, hosted by universities, offer high school students the opportunity to experience campus life, engage with expert faculty, and take part in college-level academics before officially starting their undergraduate journey.
Many pre-college summer programs for international students are designed to be immersive. They help students develop advanced skills in fields like STEM, humanities, business, or the arts. Beyond academics, these programs foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, all essential for future success.
For international students, they also serve as a unique cultural exchange, allowing them to connect with peers from around the world. If you’re looking to strengthen your college applications and refine your career interests, here is a list of 10 pre-college summer programs for international students!
1. Harvard University – Pre-College Summer School Program
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a rigorous two-week summer experience that offers high school students a glimpse into college life. You will live on campus and take a non-credit college-level course, engaging in in-depth discussions and research under Harvard-affiliated instructors.
With small class sizes of 12-18 students and nearly 30 courses to choose from, you can explore diverse academic fields without the pressure of letter grades. The program fosters critical thinking, debate, and analytical skills, preparing students for future academic challenges. At the end of the session, you will receive a Harvard transcript with an evaluation of your performance.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee. Limited need-based financial aid is available.
Program Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3
- Session II: July 6 – 18
- Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline:
- Regular application and financial aid deadline: February 12
- Late application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 21 are eligible to apply. International students should apply for the B-2 tourist visa,, which allows for brief stays and may include participation in a short recreational course of study.
2. NYU Summer Precollege
NYU Precollege provides high school students with the opportunity to experience university life while earning college credits toward a future degree. You will take undergraduate courses across a variety of disciplines, such as journalism, engineering, business, and foreign languages, guided by NYU’s faculty, allowing you to explore potential majors or discover new academic interests.
Beyond coursework, you will benefit from College 101, a series of workshops covering essential topics like the admissions process, study techniques, and financial aid. Academic advising, access to NYU’s extensive library resources, and involvement in university events further enrich the experience.
Location: Virtual or in-person at New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $11,496 – $15,328. See the full cost breakdown here. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: July 2 – August 13
Application Deadline:
- Deadline for International Students Coming to Campus: March 17
- Scholarship Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th—and 12th-grade high school students are eligible to apply. International students attending the program under an F-1 visa must register for 6-8 credits to meet visa requirements.
3. Carnegie Mellon University – Pre-College Summer Session
Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College Summer Session allows you to take summer courses for college credit while experiencing the academic rigor of a first-year college environment. You will select from approximately thirty courses across various disciplines, including science, humanities, social sciences, engineering, computer science, and technology in the arts. These college credits may be transferable to other institutions that recognize CMU coursework. Students living on campus must remain enrolled in two courses throughout the six-week program.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $11,246 – $13,792. Need-based scholarships are available.
Program Dates: June 21 – August 2
Application Deadline:
- Early Decision & International Applications Due: February 1
- Scholarship & Regular Decision Applications Due: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 years of age at the time of application submission are eligible to apply. For international students, please make note of the university’s I-20 Certificate of Eligibility and English proficiency requirements.
4. University of Pennsylvania – Pre-College Programs
The Pre-College Programs at the University of Pennsylvania are designed for academically motivated high school students seeking the challenge of Ivy League coursework. You will have the opportunity to enroll in credit-bearing undergraduate courses across various disciplines, taught by Penn faculty, staff, and visiting scholars, alongside Penn undergraduates. The program is offered in two formats. The Pre-College Residential Program allows you to live in campus residence halls while attending in-person classes alongside undergraduate students. Residential participants are not eligible for online courses. Alternatively, the Pre-College Online Program enables you to take courses remotely from home.
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Residential: Ranges from $14,097 to $21,897 depending on the course units | Online: Ranges from $8,248 to $13,448.
Program Dates: Residential: July 1 – August 9 | Online Session I: May 27 – July 2 | Online Session II: July 3 – August 8.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th grade high school students are eligible to apply. International students who need visa sponsorship to attend the Pre-College Residential Program on campus must enroll in a minimum of 1.5 course units. An F-1 student visa is required for residential Pre-College Programs.
5. Babson College – Summer Study
Babson Summer Study is an intensive three-week pre-college program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Through this program, you will engage with peers from around the world, developing the confidence and skills to tackle real-world challenges while deepening your understanding of the United Nations Global Goals.
Upon successful completion, you will earn four college credits from Babson. Offered in both online and in-person formats, Babson Summer Study immerses you in the Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology. This approach helps you develop practical problem-solving skills and a unique perspective on business challenges.
Location: Virtual or in-person at New England Innovation Academy, Marlborough, MA
Cost: $6,295 and $95 application fee. The in-person, co-curricular program cost is $6,500. Limited need-based financial aid is available via full- or partial-tuition scholarships for online-only students.
Program Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: Early Bird and Financial Aid Application Deadline: February 14 | Standard and Online Session Application Deadline: March 14.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older by the start of the program are eligible to apply. International students must request a Form I-20 from Babson to apply for an F-1 student visa or be already in F-1 student immigration status in the U.S.
6. University of Southern California – Summer Pre-College Program
The USC Summer Pre-College Program offers high school students the opportunity to experience college-level academics through an intensive four-week curriculum. As a “Summer Trojan,” you will immerse yourself in both academic and campus life while earning college credit and preparing for the transition to university studies. Courses are led by USC faculty and experienced professionals through lectures, hands-on workshops, labs, and guest speakers, and are designed to be interactive, intellectually stimulating, and academically rigorous.
You can explore diverse fields of study, including architecture, business, engineering, global studies, communication, journalism, performing arts, pre-health, science, pre-law, and writing. Each course incorporates collaborative projects, lab work, field trips, and real-world applications.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,949
Program Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 14. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade by June 15 are eligible to apply. International students must demonstrate English proficiency and enter the U.S. using an F-1 student visa.
7. George Washington University – Pre-College Summer Immersion Programs
The George Washington University Pre-College Program offers high school students the opportunity to explore fields such as global development, international relations, public policy, diplomacy, history, biomedical engineering, museum studies, and the arts during the summer. Led by distinguished faculty, you will engage in rigorous, non-credit courses that combine lectures, seminars, and hands-on learning with site visits to prominent institutions.
This two-week program provides a full-day academic experience, integrating classroom instruction with real-world applications.
Location: George Washington University, Washington, DC
Cost: $4,850
Program Dates: Session I: June 23 – July 3 | Session II: July 7 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply. International students must demonstrate English proficiency.
8. Yale University – Summer Session
Yale Summer Session is a pre-college program that offers academically rigorous and innovative undergraduate courses to high school students from around the world. Through this program, you have the opportunity to take Yale College courses in New Haven, immersing yourself in an Ivy League academic environment under the guidance of esteemed Yale faculty. With a diverse curriculum spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, the Summer Session provides a dynamic learning experience while earning Yale College credit.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $4,230
Program Dates: Session A: May 26 – June 27 | Session B: June 30 – August 1.
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are 16 years of age or older at the start of the program are eligible to apply. International students will need a F-1 student visa.
9. Columbia University – Pre-College Program
Columbia University offers a rigorous academic experience through both on-campus and online pre-college programs, combining coursework with co-curricular activities. You will engage in courses led by experienced instructors, fostering critical thinking and independent analysis. Depending on the program, you may earn college credit or receive a Columbia University Certification of Participation along with an evaluation letter. With over 70 courses across various disciplines, you will spend approximately four hours in class each weekday, developing analytical and creative skills.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Residential: $12,750 per session | Online: $3,960 per session
Program Dates:
- Residential Session A: June 30 – July 18
- Residential Session B: July 22 – August 8
- Online Session A: July 7 – July 18
- Online Session B: July 21 – August 1
- Online Session C: August 11 – August 15
Application Deadline: Early Registration Application Deadline: February 2 | Residential General Application Deadline: March 2 | Online General Application Deadline: April 2.
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12 are eligible to apply. International students must demonstrate English proficiency and secure a visa.
10. Stanford University – Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Stanford University offers the Pre-College Summer Institutes, a two-week virtual program designed for high school students worldwide. You will have the option to select one course from a diverse catalog of 60 subjects, including business, philosophy, creative writing, social sciences, and STEM disciplines. Live online classes, led by instructors, take place for two hours each day from Monday to Friday. In addition to interactive lectures, you will complete structured out-of-class assignments tailored to your chosen subject.
Beyond coursework, you can engage in various seminars, workshops, and activities during your free time. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a written evaluation along with a Certificate of Completion.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; Need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Session I: June 16 – June 27 | Session II: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–11 are eligible to apply.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Harvard University
