If you’re a high school student interested in exploring academic subjects in depth and developing new skills, a pre-college program can be an accessible, structured opportunity. Pre-college programs, offered by colleges and universities throughout the year, allow you to take introductory college-level courses in various fields, including the sciences and engineering, the humanities and arts, and more.
Participants often engage in coursework, group discussions, and hands-on projects under the guidance of university faculty and instructors. Pre-college programs can serve as a useful foundation if you’re considering future research or internship opportunities in a particular area. If you’re thinking about joining a program, here’s a curated list of 15 well-regarded pre-college programs for high school students offered at institutions across the country.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Winter cohort deadline is November 16
Dates: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to study finance through a research-based approach, working one-on-one with a PhD mentor. You’ll select a topic of interest, develop research questions, and write a paper with guidance and feedback throughout the process. As part of the program, you’ll present your research at the Lumiere Research Symposium, giving you the chance to practice communicating your ideas. The program also offers virtual sessions with finance professionals and opportunities to connect with other students, providing a structured environment to build both subject knowledge and research experience. You can also earn UCSD credit upon successful completion!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; Winter cohort application deadline is October 19
Dates: Varies, depending on the cohort (multiple cohorts in a year)
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI offers academic programs designed for high school students who want to explore artificial intelligence and related subjects. If you’re just beginning to learn about areas like AI, robotics, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars program introduces key concepts through a structured curriculum. If you’re ready to explore a specific topic in depth, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program provides the opportunity to carry out independent research with support from mentors. You can focus your project on an area such as robotics and learn how AI methods can be applied to practical challenges. The program also includes guidance on writing and presenting your work, with the option to submit your research to student journals.
3. Columbia University’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) Pre-College Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (does not include housing and transportation). Need-based scholarships available
Application Deadline: March 3 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Dates: July 7 – July 25 | July 28 – August 15 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
SHAPE provides access to STEM courses taught by faculty from Columbia University. This pre-college program combines theoretical learning with project-based work, allowing you to explore topics through both instruction and hands-on activities.
Subjects include areas such as robotics, programming, biomedical and chemical engineering, sustainable engineering, civil engineering, mathematics, probability, and data science. In addition to academic coursework, the program includes elective options, college preparation sessions, and support from current Columbia students, offering a well-rounded academic experience.
4. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; Commuter and virtual models also available
Cost: Varies according to the number of units and housing. Details here
Application Deadline: March 10
Dates: Summer Residential Track: June 23 – August 15 | July 7 – August 15 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students in good academic standing
UC Berkeley offers several pre-college program formats, including virtual, residential, commuter, and non-credit options. Through these programs, you can take courses taught by university faculty and access campus resources and events.
Available subjects include digital media, American studies, race and Asian American communities, astronomy, reading and composition, African American music, and popular culture, among others. These programs offer you an opportunity to engage with college-level material in a structured academic setting.
5. Brown University’s Summer@Brown Pre-College Program
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI / Virtual
Cost: Varies according to length, housing, and format. Scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Applications generally close in May
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14– 18
Summer@Brown offers a wide range of non-credit courses spanning over 230 subjects. You can choose from a variety of topics, including biology, environmental science, business, economics, legal studies, literature, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, health-related fields, political science, psychology, and social sciences.
During the program, you’ll participate in academic projects — both individual and group-based — as well as workshops and campus tours. At the end of the session, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion recognizing your participation.
6. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online / Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,080. Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: July 7 – 18 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 11
Stanford provides pre-collegiate courses in both online and hybrid formats, with some requiring limited in-person participation. You can choose from a selection of about 60 courses in various areas, including entrepreneurship, game design, philosophy, discrete mathematics, environmental studies, artificial intelligence, social justice, psychology, health equity, product design, data science, engineering, and marketing.
The courses offer opportunities for project work and presentations. Class sizes are small, typically enrolling around 15 to 16 students, allowing for focused instruction and interaction.
7. NYU Precollege Program
Location: New York University campus, New York, NY (in-person and some online options)
Cost: Tuition is typically charged per credit. $250 non-refundable deposit upon admission. Details here
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary annually, with applications often due in March for summer sessions
Dates: Usually held mid-July to mid-August (6-week summer program)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school, typically ages 16–18
NYU Precollege is a six-week program designed for high school juniors and seniors who want to take undergraduate courses for credit. You’ll study alongside NYU students, attend college-level classes, and have access to campus facilities and academic support.
The program also includes workshops focused on the college application process and organized events to help you connect with peers. After completing the program, you’ll receive an official NYU transcript with your grades and credits, which may be transferable depending on future college plans.
8. MITES Summer Program at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA; residential, on-campus
Cost: Free (all program-related costs, including room and board, are covered; students pay only for transportation to/from MIT)
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall of junior year; deadlines are typically in February
Dates: 6 weeks in summer, late June to early August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are current high school juniors
MITES Summer is a rigorous, six-week residential STEM enrichment program designed for high-achieving high school juniors. The curriculum compresses a college semester into the summer experience, requiring you to engage in high-level math, physics, life sciences, and humanities, as well as project-based electives such as architecture, machine learning, genomics, and engineering design.
The experience is academically intensive —you should expect to spend several hours daily on homework outside of class and participate in midterms, finals, and project presentations. The program places special emphasis on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds and underserved communities in STEM fields.
9. Yale Summer Session for Pre-College Students
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (in-person residential program)
Cost: Tuition and fees vary by session and number of courses; financial aid is available for eligible students
Application Deadline: Varies by session; typically spring deadlines for summer enrollment
Program Dates: May 26 – June 27 | June 30 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) and seniors, 16 years or older by session start
The Yale Summer Session for pre-college students offers academically strong high school students the opportunity to enroll in Yale undergraduate courses for credit alongside college students. Pre-college students must take two courses per session if living on campus, and at least one of these courses must be in-person. You will participate fully in campus life, living in residence halls under supervision and following specific policies for minors.
The program provides an immersive college experience, including college-level coursework, residential life, and access to Yale’s resources. Admission is holistic and test-flexible, and international students are welcome with additional requirements. Successful completion is recorded on an official Yale transcript and may benefit future college applications.
10. Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program (SSP)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (on-campus residential, commuting); also available online
Cost: $4,050 (7-week online/commuting, 4 credits); $14,950 (7-week residential, 8 credits); application fee $75 non-refundable
Application Deadline: Application opens December 1; early priority aid by January 7; regular deadline February 11; late deadline April 1
Dates: 4-week and 7-week summer sessions, mid-June to early August
Eligibility: Motivated high school students, ages 16–18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) allows high school students to take one or two college-level courses for credit, with options to attend online, on campus, or as a commuter. Taught by Harvard instructors, courses cover over 50 subjects, including humanities, STEM, business, and economics.
You’ll receive academic support through tutoring and advising, along with college admissions preparation. Business-related offerings typically include introductory courses in finance, accounting, and economics, giving you a way to explore these areas before college.
11. Cornell Precollege Studies (Online & On-Campus)
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY & Online
Cost: Varies ($1,940 per credit, three-credit course $5,820). More details here
Application Deadlines: Typically in early May for summer
Dates: Most courses start in early June and run 3–6 weeks; winter courses are also available
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, ages 15–19
Cornell’s pre-college program allows students to enroll in credit-bearing undergraduate courses, either online or on campus. You will experience a real college curriculum and earn a Cornell transcript. The faculty comprises leading researchers and scholars, and the environment encourages participants to build college-level skills and engage with a global peer group. Grades earned can often be transferred to future college programs.
12. Boston University High School Honors Program
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA (on-campus or online)
Cost: $6,520 (tuition for 8 credits)
Application Deadline: May 23 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Dates: June 29 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least their sophomore year by the program start; open to rising juniors and seniors
The High School Honors Program allows motivated high school students to choose from more than 80 college-level courses at Boston University, earning actual college credit.
You will study alongside BU undergraduates either virtually or on campus, developing academic skills in a rigorous and supportive environment. The curriculum is broad, spanning disciplines such as sciences, humanities, business, and the arts.
13. Johns Hopkins Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD & Online
Cost: Unspecified. More info here
Application Deadlines: Rolling until classes reach capacity
Dates: 2-week sessions in June and July
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); age varies by course
Participants select from a range of topics, including STEM and medicine, as well as humanities and social sciences, with courses taught by Hopkins faculty. Online and on-campus formats are available. The experience includes academic, extracurricular, and college prep components. You can build your college application portfolios with credit and non-credit options.
14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: Currently closed. More info here
Dates: 6 weeks from June to August
Eligibility: High school juniors. Each participating country also has its own selection procedure and selection schedule
MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week program for high school students interested in STEM research. During the first week, you’ll take advanced courses in subjects like biology, mathematics, and other related fields. The remaining five weeks are dedicated to a mentored research project.
You’ll engage in tasks such as reviewing scientific literature, designing experiments or models, collecting data, and presenting your findings through written reports and oral presentations. The program is held at MIT, providing access to university labs and guest lectures from researchers. RSI is fully funded and highly selective, bringing together students from around the world.
15. Rockefeller University — Summer Science Research Program
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: January 3 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Dates: June 23 – August 7 (tentative, based on previous year’s schedule)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program
This seven-week residential program in New York City offers high school students the chance to work on research projects alongside scientists from institutions such as Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering. You’ll begin by learning lab techniques, then collaborate with a research team to develop a question, conduct experiments, and present your results at a final symposium.
The program also includes elective seminars, workshops focused on research and academic skills, as well as guest lectures that introduce various STEM-related careers. With only 32 students admitted, the program offers a focused and intensive research experience.
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 – Rockefeller University