TL;DR
Physics pre-college programs can help you experience university-level physics before college through advanced coursework, laboratory work, research projects, and campus-based learning. The 13 programs below include focused physics courses as well as broader STEM programs where you can explore physics alongside related subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. Some offer college credit, while others focus on academic enrichment, research exposure, or hands-on learning. Before applying, compare the course level, prerequisites, format, cost, financial aid, and application timeline to find a program that matches your goals. If you want to go beyond a traditional pre-college course and explore research, you can also learn more about the Horizon Academy Research Program.
If you are a high school student interested in physics, a pre-college program can give you a chance to study the subject beyond your regular classes. You might explore mechanics, relativity, quantum physics, astrophysics, or another area while getting a better idea of what studying physics at university is like.
The right program depends on what you want from the experience. Some focus on college-level coursework, while others include laboratory work, research, projects, or broader STEM exploration. This guide covers 13 physics pre-college programs for high school students and explains what each one offers, who it may suit, and what you should check before applying. If you are still looking for a topic to explore, see 20 Physics Research Topics for High School Students.
What should you look for in a physics pre-college program?
The most useful comparison is usually the academic format, level of physics, research or lab component, location, cost, and eligibility requirements.
| Program feature | What to check | Why it matters |
| Academic level | Introductory, advanced, or college-level | Helps you avoid choosing a course that is either too basic or too advanced |
| Physics focus | Mechanics, relativity, quantum physics, astrophysics, or broader STEM | Lets you match the program to your interests |
| Learning format | Lectures, seminars, labs, projects, or independent work | Shows how you will actually spend your time |
| College credit | Credit-bearing or non-credit | Important if you specifically want transferable or transcripted coursework |
| Campus experience | Residential, commuter, or virtual | Helps you plan around travel, housing, and your preferred learning environment |
| Financial support | Scholarships, need-based aid, or no aid listed | Can significantly change the total cost of attendance |
For more options, you can also compare 15 Pre-College Programs for High School Students and 16 STEM Programs for High School Students.
13 Physics Pre-College Programs for High School Students
1. Harvard University’s Secondary School Program—Principles of Physics: Mechanics
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: 4,180 (4 credits) or $8,160 (8 credits) for Commuting/Online, and $15,735 (8 credits) for Residential + $75 application fee.
Dates: June 20–August 8
Deadline: Jan 7 (early), Feb 11 (regular), Apr 1 (late)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program is a college-level summer program where you can take Harvard Summer School courses for college credit. Physics options can include foundational subjects such as mechanics, giving you the opportunity to study material at a higher level than a typical high school course. The program also gives you a chance to experience the academic pace and independence of college.
Who is it right for? You may want this option if you want rigorous physics coursework and the possibility of earning college credit.
2. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Frontiers in Physics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200 + up to $100 for course materials; financial aid available
Dates: June 15–26 or July 6–17
Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–11
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer intensive academic courses for high school students. The Frontiers in Physics course focuses on modern physics and can cover areas such as quantum mechanics, particle physics, and Einstein’s theories of relativity. Coursework can involve problem-solving, scientific writing, experiments, and discussions of major ideas in modern physics.
Who is it right for? This is a strong fit if you want focused exposure to modern physics without needing to travel to a university campus.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) – Innovations in Science & Technology
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,500 + 85–100 application fee; financial aid available
Dates: June 20–July 2; July 4–16; July 18–30
Deadline: Oct 15 (Early Action); Jan 6 (Regular)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who will be 16–18 by July 18 and meet YYGS’s graduation requirements.
Yale Young Global Scholars is broader than a dedicated physics program, but its Innovations in Science & Technology track includes physics alongside fields such as astronomy, engineering, chemistry, neuroscience, and earth science. You will work across STEM disciplines while developing scientific reasoning, collaboration, and analytical skills.
Who is it right for? Choose this if you want to explore physics while keeping your academic focus broad across STEM.
4. Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students – Introduction to Relativity: From Cosmic Rays to Black Holes
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; limited need-based aid available
Dates: June 21–July 2; July 5–17; July 19–31
Deadline: Jan 7 (early/priority aid); Feb 11 (regular/aid); Apr 1 (late)
Eligibility: High school students graduating in next two years; ages 16–18
Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers non-credit courses designed to give you an early experience of college academics. Physics offerings have included courses on relativity, covering concepts such as Lorentz transformations, time dilation, spacetime, gravitational waves, and black holes. Outside the classroom, the program also includes activities and college-readiness programming.
Who is it right for? This is suited to you if you want a short residential experience built around a specific physics topic rather than a full credit-bearing course.
5. Summer@Brown – May The Force Be With You: Physics for the Ages
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,786 residential | $4,482 commuter; scholarships available
Dates: June 29–July 10
Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12; ages 14–18
Summer@Brown offers non-credit pre-college courses across a wide range of subjects. The physics course “May The Force Be With You: Physics for the Ages” uses forces and physical models to introduce concepts including kinematics, gravitation, springs, sound, electrostatics, and atomic vibrations. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding and modeling rather than relying primarily on mathematical calculations.
Who is it right for? It can work well if you want to strengthen your conceptual physics foundation before taking more mathematical courses.
6. UPenn Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050 residential; Penn Summer Scholarship available
Dates: July 11–August 1
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–11
Penn’s Experimental Physics Research Academy combines physics coursework with hands-on activities and project-based learning. The curriculum covers areas such as quantum dynamics, astrophysics, mechanics, and electromagnetism, while also introducing experimental design and the research process. You can also learn about current physics research and different academic pathways in the field.
Who is it right for? Consider this if you want physics coursework combined with experiments, projects, and exposure to research.
7. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program—Introductory Physics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $635/unit + $25 application + $585 registration + $73 document fee; $500 international fee
Dates: June 22–August 14 or July 6–August 14
Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing who are under 18 before summer classes begin; course prerequisites apply.
UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars Program allows high school students to take university-level courses and explore different academic disciplines. Physics courses can introduce topics such as forces, equilibrium, fluids, waves, heat, and other fundamental physical concepts. Some course formats also include laboratory work that can be completed using materials outside a traditional university laboratory.
Who is it right for? This may suit you if you want university-level coursework with flexible format options.
8. Northeastern University Accelerate Pre-College Program – Exploring Modern Physics Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,095; includes housing, meals, materials, and activities; financial aid available
Dates: July 26–August 7
Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors; basic physics and trigonometry required
Northeastern’s Exploring Modern Physics program focuses on topics that may go beyond a standard high school physics curriculum. You can study special relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, cosmology, radioactivity, and Big Bang nucleosynthesis. The program also includes laboratory work, including activities involving cosmic rays, giving you a chance to connect theoretical concepts with physical measurements.
Who is it right for? This is a good match if modern physics interests you and you already have a basic foundation in physics and trigonometry.
9. University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Program – Life in the Universe & The Laws of Physics
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $9,300 residential | $6,100 commuter; financial aid available
Dates: June 15–July 2 or July 7–23
Deadline: Feb 11 (priority); Mar 12 (regular)
Eligibility: High school freshmen–juniors; ages 14+
The University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Program offers courses designed around university-level academic exploration. “Life in the Universe & The Laws of Physics” connects physics with questions about how the universe developed and how physical laws shape the conditions for life. Topics can include fundamental interactions, stars and galaxies, nuclear and molecular structure, thermodynamics, and the origin of chemical elements.
Who is it right for? Choose this if you are interested in physics but especially enjoy questions connecting physics, astronomy, and the origins of life.
10. Boston University’s High School Honors Program – Elementary Physics 1 & 2
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,760 (8 credits) + $485 service fee; housing/meals extra; $75 application fee
Dates: June 29–August 7
Deadline: Rolling; may close when courses fill
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors/seniors; juniors need Honors/AP coursework
Boston University’s High School Honors Program lets high school students take undergraduate courses while experiencing college life. Physics coursework can cover mechanics, forces, motion, energy, momentum, rotation, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, circuits, waves, optics, and modern physics. Depending on enrollment, you can take one or two courses and potentially earn college credit.
Who is it right for? This works well if you want a structured introduction to undergraduate physics and the experience of taking university courses.
11. Columbia University Pre-College Programs – Mathematical Methods for Physics
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies by program and format
Dates: Summer dates vary by year
Deadline: Varies by application cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school students who meet the course-specific prerequisites
Columbia’s Pre-College Programs offer high school students the opportunity to take courses in a university setting. Mathematical Methods for Physics is designed around the mathematical tools used to study physics and can help you prepare for further work in physics, engineering, or mathematics. Course prerequisites and academic expectations should be checked carefully before applying.
Who is it right for? This is particularly relevant if you enjoy the mathematical side of physics and want to build stronger quantitative foundations.
12. Michigan Math and Science Scholars
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Varies by session and housing option
Dates: Multiple two-week summer sessions
Deadline: Rolling until courses fill
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Michigan Math and Science Scholars is a university-level summer enrichment program covering areas including physics, mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and computer science. You take one focused course during each two-week session and learn through classes taught by faculty and other instructors. Physics is one of the academic disciplines represented in the program.
Who is it right for? Consider MMSS if you want to explore physics alongside other advanced math and science subjects rather than committing to physics alone.
13. Johns Hopkins University Summer STEM Programs
Location: Johns Hopkins University
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Varies by program
Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Depends on the specific STEM course or program
Johns Hopkins University offers a range of summer STEM opportunities for high school students across areas such as physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and chemistry. Because the university offers multiple programs rather than one single physics pre-college course, requirements, dates, costs, and formats can differ significantly. Check the individual program page before applying.
Who is it right for? This is worth exploring if you want to compare several STEM pathways rather than limiting yourself to one physics course.
(Program dates, costs, deadlines, course availability, and eligibility can change between application cycles. Always confirm the latest details on the official program website before applying)
How do physics pre-college programs differ from physics research programs?
A pre-college program usually emphasizes structured learning. You may take a course, attend lectures, complete assignments, conduct laboratory exercises, or work on a group project.
A research program is usually more focused on investigation. You may work with a mentor, analyze data, develop a research question, or produce a research paper or presentation. If research is your main goal, compare these programs with 15 Physics Summer Research Programs for High School Students and 10 Paid Physics Programs for High School Students.
| Program type | Main experience | Typical output | Best question to ask |
| Pre-college course | Structured academic learning | Coursework, assignments, projects, or certificate | Do I want to learn physics at a higher level? |
| Research program | Investigation with a mentor or research team | Research paper, presentation, dataset, or project | Do I want to investigate a question of my own? |
| College-credit program | University coursework for credit | College transcript or academic credit | Do I specifically want credit-bearing coursework? |
| STEM enrichment | Broader exploration across science and technology | Projects, presentations, or coursework | Do I want to keep several STEM fields open? |
How can you choose the right physics pre-college program?
Start with the type of physics you actually want to study. A student interested in relativity may get more from a modern physics course than a general STEM program, while someone still deciding between physics, engineering, and mathematics may benefit from a broader program.
Then look at the practical details. Check the prerequisites, total cost, financial aid, program length, housing, travel requirements, course workload, and whether the program is credit-bearing. You should also check whether the program is primarily coursework or gives you meaningful research or laboratory experience.
If you are comparing options across different subjects, 8 University Programs for High School Students and 14 Online Pre-College Programs for High School Students can help you broaden your search.
What should you do after a physics pre-college program?
A pre-college program is more useful when you build on it. You could continue studying a topic independently, start a physics research project, enter a science competition, find a mentor, or look for a longer research opportunity.
If you already know the area of physics you want to explore, developing a research question can be the next step. Horizon’s 20 Physics Research Topics for High School Students can help you move from general interest to a specific research idea.
| Your goal | What to look for next |
| Learn advanced physics | College-level courses, advanced textbooks, or structured academic programs |
| Try research | Research mentorship, independent projects, or university research programs |
| Build a research profile | A focused project, paper, presentation, or competition entry |
| Explore college options | University-led programs and subject-specific summer schools |
| Keep costs manageable | Programs with financial aid, scholarships, or free participation |
| Explore before committing | Broad STEM or pre-college programs with multiple subject options |
FAQs
A physics pre-college program lets you study physics beyond your regular high school classes before you start college. You may take college-level courses, attend lectures, complete experiments, or work on projects. If you want to see how different types of programs compare, explore university-led physics programs for high school students.
You can study topics such as mechanics, relativity, quantum physics, electromagnetism, astrophysics, particle physics, or thermodynamics. The topics depend on the program and your level of preparation. If astrophysics interests you, you can also explore astrophysics programs for high school students for more specialized options.
Start by deciding what you want from the experience. If you want college-level coursework, look for a pre-college academic program. If you want to conduct research, look for mentorship and research opportunities. You should also compare the prerequisites, cost, financial aid, program length, format, and location before applying.
Yes. Some programs run throughout the academic year instead of lasting only a few weeks. A longer program can give you more time to work through difficult physics concepts and build stronger technical skills. You can compare options in year-long physics programs for high school students.
Yes. Research programs usually focus more on investigating a question than following a traditional course curriculum. You may work with a mentor, analyze data, conduct experiments, or write a research paper. If that is what you are looking for, see physics research programs for high school students and physics research opportunities for high school students.
Yes. You do not have to wait until summer. Some programs run during the fall, spring, or across the academic year, allowing you to continue studying physics alongside school. You can find more options in Horizon’s guide to fall physics programs for high school students.
They can give you a clearer idea of what studying physics at university may involve. Depending on the program, you may experience college-level coursework, laboratory work, research methods, or university-style problem solving. The experience can also help you decide whether you want to pursue physics, engineering, astronomy, or another STEM field.
Look for programs that offer financial aid, scholarships, fee waivers, or no-cost participation. You can also compare programs based on whether they charge tuition, provide stipends, or have other funding options. Horizon also maintains a list of paid physics programs for high school students, which can be useful if you are specifically looking for programs that provide financial support.
Think about what you want to do. A summer course is usually better if you want structured teaching and a concentrated introduction to physics. A research program may be more suitable if you want to investigate a specific question and work toward a research project or paper.
Yes. You do not need to have your entire college plan figured out before exploring physics. A pre-college program can help you understand whether you enjoy the subject and whether you might prefer a related field such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, or astronomy.
Want to explore physics beyond the classroom?
A pre-college program can give you a structured introduction to university-level physics, but it does not have to be the end of your exploration. You can continue with a research project, find a mentor, or look for a longer-term academic opportunity. If you want to explore research specifically, the Horizon Academy Research Program is one option to investigate alongside other university-led physics programs and year-long physics programs.
Image source: Yale University