If you’re a high school student interested in exploring college life at an Ivy League university, there are many ways to take part in programs that go beyond your regular school classes. If you’re considering applying to Columbia, specifically, check out a pre-college program first!
Participating in a structured program at Columbia (as well as other Ivy league universities) allows you to study college-level subjects in areas like engineering, journalism, climate science, and writing at an advanced level. You’ll work on real projects, attend classes led by Columbia faculty, and learn alongside motivated students from different places.
These programs are also a smart choice if you’re thinking about applying to a selective university in the future. Spending time on Columbia’s campus or learning online from its faculty can give you a clear idea of the academic environment, teaching style, and expectations at a top-tier university. It also helps you decide whether a school like Columbia should be on your college list.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 Columbia University pre-college programs for high school students!
15 Columbia University Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. NYC Residential Summer
Location: Columbia University
Cost: $12,764 per session + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: The general application deadline has passed, however, the application will remain open while space is available.
Dates: Session A: June 30–July 18; Session B: July 22–August 8
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12; 15 years of age or older, and must turn 16 by December 31
Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer Program lets you live and study on the Morningside Campus while exploring subjects like neuroscience, architecture, business, and more. You’ll choose from over 70 college-level courses taught by Columbia faculty, with classes held twice a day and a break in between for workshops, campus activities, and wellness sessions.
The program includes housing, meals, and access to Columbia’s libraries and facilities. You will also receive a Columbia certification and a detailed performance evaluation at the end of the session.
2. NYC Commuter Summer
Location: Columbia University
Cost: 1-week: $2,830 per session; 3-weeks: $6,310 per session, and an $80 application fee
Application Deadline: The general application deadline has passed, however, the application will remain open while space is available.
Dates: Session A: June 30–July 18; Session B: July 22–August 8; Session C: August 11–August 15
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12
The NYC Commuter Summer Program at Columbia University is for high school students who want to take college-level courses in person while living off-campus. You can choose from over 70 courses in subjects like neuroscience, law, business, or art.
Classes meet twice a day with a midday break, and you’ll have access to Columbia’s academic buildings, lounges, and afternoon campus events. The program ends before 6:30 p.m. each day and includes a Columbia certification and performance evaluation.
3. College Edge: Summer
Location: Columbia University
Cost: $2,574 per point + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: June 1
Dates: Summer Session A: May 26–July 3; Summer Session B: July 7–August 15
Eligibility: Students entering, or currently enrolled in grades 11 or 12.
College Edge: Summer at Columbia University lets you earn college credit by enrolling in real undergraduate courses on the Morningside Campus. Open to students entering grades 11 and 12, the program includes access to academic advising, leadership workshops, and campus resources.
You’ll work independently, attend classes alongside college students, and take part in sessions that help you build confidence, focus, and communication skills, key tools for preparing for college and beyond.
4. Online Summer – Columbia University Pre-College Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: 1-Week Cost: $ 2,815 per session; 2-Week Cost: $3,965 per session
Application Deadline: The general application deadline has passed, however, the application will remain open while space is available.
Dates: Session A: July 7–July 18; Session B: July 21–August 1; Session C: August 11–August 15
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3
Columbia’s Online Summer Program gives you access to Ivy League courses from home. You’ll join live virtual classes with students from around the world, working on group projects, simulations, and interactive discussions. With more than 40 courses across subjects like law, engineering, writing, and economics, you can focus on what interests you most.
Choose between 1-week or 2-week sessions, or do both. The 2-week session also includes an option to join the Columbia Writers Academy to work on college essays. You’ll finish with a Columbia Certification and a detailed performance evaluation.
5. Columbia Writing Academy: Summer
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,960 per session
Application Deadline: The general application deadline has passed, however, the application will remain open while space is available.
Dates: July 21- July 31
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3
Columbia Writing Academy is a two-week online program focused on helping you write a strong college essay. Designed by Dr. Nancy Sommers, the course takes you through each step of the writing process—from brainstorming to final revision. You’ll get detailed feedback in small-group workshops and one-on-one sessions.
The schedule includes three evening Zoom classes per week, along with extra college prep workshops. By the end, you’ll complete a polished personal statement that reflects your voice and strengthens your application.
6. CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop
Location: Virtual/ In-person
Cost: Residential: $2,199 (includes housing and meal plan); Commuter: $1,399; Virtual: $999
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: In-person: June 22- June 27; Virtual: July 7- July 11; July 14- July 18; July 21- July 28
Eligibility: Secondary school students
CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop offers you a chance to build journalism skills through focused tracks like reporting, editorial leadership, design, and digital media. Hosted by Columbia University and run by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the program is available both in person in June and online in July. You’ll join students and advisers from across the U.S. and beyond, learning through hands-on sessions and expert guidance. Qualified participants can apply for Greenman Leadership Grants to help cover costs.
7. Academic Year Weekend
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,810 per session + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: August 27
Dates: Spring: January 18–March 23; Fall: September 19–December 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 while the program is running
The Columbia Academic Year Weekend Program lets you take up to four online courses over ten weekends without affecting your weekday routine. Classes run on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, with options across 20+ subjects taught in small groups by expert faculty.
Outside class, you can join virtual clubs, college prep sessions, and a Digital Community Group for peer interaction and mentoring. Completion earns you a Columbia certificate and a personalized evaluation.
8. College Edge: Academic Year
Location: Columbia University
Cost: $2,574 per point + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: June 30
Dates: Fall: September 2—December 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 while the program is running
Columbia College Edge: Academic Year is for high school juniors and seniors ready to earn college credit by taking real undergraduate courses on campus. You’ll study alongside Columbia students while building skills in leadership, self-reflection, and academic independence.
The program includes college prep workshops, mentorship, and guided seminars focused on communicating your strengths and preparing for future challenges.
9. CSPA Spring Convention
Location: Columbia University
Cost: $189 – $199
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: March 19 – March 21
Eligibility: High school students
The CSPA Spring Convention gathers student journalists and advisers for three days focused on media education and recognition. You can choose from over 250 sessions across seven tracks: newspaper, online media, yearbook, magazine, video/broadcasting, law and ethics, and adviser development. Sessions run simultaneously to fit all interests.
Attendees can view top publications from CSPA competitions, attend Centennial keynote panels, Crown Awards presentations, and a luncheon for Centennial Award honorees. The Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association holds its session during the event.
10. Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains
Location: Columbia Climate School
Cost: $6,890 + travel fees
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 and rising 9th-grade students
The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains is a two-week, campus-based program in Vermont for high school students interested in climate action. Led by Columbia Climate School experts, you’ll participate in seminars, field trips, and group projects focused on sustainability and innovation.
The program develops critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills. You’ll connect with peers committed to environmental change and work on practical strategies for impact. Guest speakers, including alumni, share their experiences to guide your growth.
11. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia Engineering
Cost: Commuter: $5,875; Residential: $10,705
Application Deadline: March 3
Dates: July 7 – July 25; July 28 – August 15
Eligibility: Current high school students (freshmen to seniors) are eligible for the commuter option. Students who are 16 and above are eligible for the residential option.
SHAPE is a three-week summer program at Columbia Engineering for high school students interested in college-level engineering. You’ll select one course from areas like robotics, biomedical engineering, data science, or sustainable design and focus on it throughout the program.
Along with faculty-led classes, you’ll join electives and hands-on workshops that develop professional and leadership skills. Workshops cover topics such as public speaking and online presence, led by Columbia’s Office of Professional Development.
12. ColumbiaX: Essential Math for AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $75 for a verified certificate
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students; Python experience; Java, C, or C++ experience (highly recommended, but not required); Academic performance in the advanced math areas of linear algebra, multivariable calculus, and statistics
ColumbiaX: Essential Math for AI is a self-paced online course that covers core mathematical concepts used in artificial intelligence. You’ll study linear algebra, probability, statistics, and multivariable calculus, which are key to understanding AI models and algorithms.
The course also includes lessons on recursion, lambda expressions, and higher-order functions important for AI workflows. It features technical instruction and self-assessments to check your progress.
13. ColumbiaX: Free Cash Flow Analysis
Location: Virtual
Cost: $225
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students familiar with basic concepts of Accounting; basic skills in Microsoft Excel (or equivalent); should have completed Introduction to Corporate Finance.
ColumbiaX: Free Cash Flow Analysis is a practical, hands-on course that introduces you to key valuation techniques used in corporate finance. This course focuses on the enterprise discounted cash flow (DCF) method and valuation using multiples. You’ll learn how to project free cash flows, calculate residual value, and apply these methods in real-world scenarios.
Through Excel-based modeling exercises, you’ll build the skills needed to analyze firm value independently. This course builds on concepts from Introduction to Corporate Finance. It’s ideal for learners ready to deepen their understanding of valuation fundamentals.
14. ColumbiaX: Public Health Advocacy Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without a certificate
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students
ColumbiaX: Public Health Advocacy Academy equips students with the real-world tools to turn evidence into policy change. Through lectures from 17 expert speakers and over 20 case studies, the course covers every major public health advocacy strategy, from lobbying and coalition-building to impact litigation and direct action.
You’ll learn how to map power, lead election campaigns, organize boycotts, and petition effectively. Guest experts include activists, lawyers, physicians, and lobbyists who’ve shaped real policy outcomes..
15. ColumbiaX: Introduction to Corporate Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost: $225 for a verified certificate
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students familiar with basic concepts of Accounting and possessing basic skills in Microsoft Excel (or equivalent)
ColumbiaX: Introduction to Corporate Finance offers practical training in key financial concepts drawn from Columbia Business School’s MBA curriculum. You’ll learn about the time value of money, cost of capital, and capital budgeting.
Using Excel, you’ll practice valuing bonds and stocks, calculating net present value (NPV), and determining internal rate of return (IRR). The course focuses on evaluating projects and understanding the value they create.
Bonus-
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring cohort from March to June
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is June 23
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA; no prior experience in the field required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective online research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university. You choose a topic that interests you—this can be in fields like economics, computer science, biology, psychology, or engineering—and then design and complete a research project over a few months.
Your mentor will help you build your research question, guide your methodology, and support you through writing a full-length academic paper. By the end, you’ll have a polished research project you can submit to journals or use for college applications.
The program also includes feedback and a recommendation letter based on your work. Apply here.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts. The summer II cohort application deadline is June 22.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon Academic is a trimester-long online research program for high school students. You get to choose a subject like data science, machine learning, political theory, neuroscience, or psychology, and pick either a qualitative or quantitative research focus.
Once enrolled, you’ll be matched with a professor or PhD mentor who will guide you through the full research process. You’ll work on a 20-page research paper, receive detailed feedback, and get a letter of recommendation. Many students submit their final papers to academic journals or use them in college applications.
Image source – Columbia University
