Summer Courses for High School Students at Top Colleges and Universities
When it comes to college admissions, it doesn’t get more important than high school summers. While other students might be relaxing by the pool or going to the movies, this is your time to get ahead, to make valuable additions to your candidacy, and to get yourself one step closer to the college of your dreams. One of the best ways to do so is by taking one of the many available summer courses for high school students.
During the beginning of your second semester or third quarter at your high school, you should start making a concrete plan for your upcoming summer. While there is a multitude of options—from internships to summer jobs to debate camps—spending your time doing something that you are passionate about, that will be relevant to your likely course of study, and that will eventually support your application persona (or theme to your application) is of the utmost importance.
If you are a student with a serious academic interest or a clear idea of what your dream school is, taking a summer course at a university is a great idea. Nothing says “this student is interested in poetry” like taking a course on poetry at a college over the summer (in addition to writing and publishing your own poems, of course). Nothing says “I want to go to Yale” like taking summer courses at Yale and working to build relationships with Yale professors.
If this sounds like you, below is a list of summer courses for high school students at top colleges in the US:
1. Harvard University
Harvard Pre-College Summer Program Courses
Session 1: June 29-July 10
Session 2: July 12-24
Session 3: July 27–August 7
Application Deadline: April 14
Tuition: $4,200
2. Yale University
Yale Pre College Summer Program Courses
Session 1: June 1-July 3
- Application Deadline, International Students: April 27
- Application Deadline, U.S. Students: May 11
Session 2: July 6-August 7
- Application Deadline, International Students: May 18
- Application Deadline, U.S. Students: June 15
Tuition for one course: $3,600
Residential Program Fee: $2,975
3. Columbia University
Columbia Pre-College Summer Program Courses
Session 1: June 28-July 18
Session 2: July 20 – August 8
Priority Application Deadline: February 4
Application Deadline: April 1
Tuition: $8,317.00
4. Stanford University
Stanford Pre-College Summer Program Courses
Session 1: June 21 – July 10
Session 2: July 13 – August 1
Session 2E: July 13 – August 8
Early Application Deadline: January 21
Regular Application Deadline: March 4
Extended Application Deadline: April 1
Tuition:
- Session 1 & 2: $5990
- Session 2E: $7,650
5. University of Chicago
University of Chicago Pre-College Summer Program Courses
Session 1: June 20-July 10
Session 2: July 11-31
Application Deadlines:
International Students: April 15U.S. students: May 1
Tuition: $3,620 per course
As summer courses for high school students at top colleges are competitive, contact one of our college admissions experts to guide you through the application process!
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT Summer Courses: MIT doesn’t offer traditional summer school programs for high school students, but it does offer programs through partner organizations. Be sure to check out the list!
7. Duke University
Duke Pre-College Summer Program Courses:
Summer College Session: July 5-July 31
Summer Academy Session: July 11-July 31
Tuition:
- Summer College: $7,950
- Summer Academy: $5,650
8. University of Pennsylvania
Session 1: June 30-August 8
Session 2: July 2-August 7
Application Deadline: June 1
Tuition: $10,599 (1 College Course + 1 Non-Credit Enrichment Course)
9. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins Summer Program Courses
Summer University Sessions:
- Term I: May 26 – June 26 (commuters)
- Term II: June 29 – July 31 (commuters)
- Term II: June 28 – August 1 (residential)
Mini-Term Sessions:
- MT I: June 21-July 3 (residential)
- MT II: July 5-18 (residential)
- MT III: July 19-August 1 (residential)
Discover Hopkins Sessions:
- Session I: June 21-July 3 (residential)
- Session II: July 5-18 (residential)
- Session III: July 19-August 1 (residential)
Application Deadlines:
- International Applicants: February 15
- Financial Aid Applicants: March 15
- Residential Students: April 1
- Commuter Students:
- May 18 for Term I;
- June 22 for Term II
- Discover Hopkins I & II:
- Residential: June 1
- Commuter: June 15
Tuition:
- Summer University: $8,890
- Summer University Mini-Term: $3,325
- Discover Hopkins: $2,550
10. Northwestern University
Northwestern Summer Program Courses:
Session Dates:
- 3-week session: June 21-July 11
- 4-week session: June 21-July 18
- 6-week session: June 21-August 1
- 8-week session: June 21-August 15
- Three 3-week intensive sessions: June 21-August 22
Application Deadlines:
- Early, international, and tuition scholarship applicants: March 6
- U.S. applicants: April 10
Tuition:
- College Credit Course: $3,903
- Seminar: $2,000
11. Washington University – St. Louis
Washington University Summer Program Courses
Session A: June 7-July 11
Session B: July 12-August 14
Session A Application Deadline
International applicant: March 20U.S. applicant: May 1
Session B Application Deadline
International applicant: March 20U.S. applicant: June 5
Tuition: $7475
12. Cornell University
Cornell Summer Program Courses
Session 1 (3 week): June 20-July 11
Session 2 (3 week): July 12-August 1
6-week program: June 20-August 4
Application Deadline: March 13
Tuition:
- 3 week: $6,020
- 6 week: $12,100
- Additional charge for non-U.S. citizens: $135.69 for 3 weeks, $271.38 for 6 weeks
13. Brown University
Brown Pre College Summer Courses
Tuition: Depends on the program
14. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Pre-College Summer Courses:
Summer ScholarsLeadership Seminars
Summer Scholars Session: June 27-July 11
Leadership Seminars Session: July 18-July 29
Application Deadline, Summer Scholar: January 30
Application Deadline, Leadership Seminar: January 23
Tuition: $3,100
Summer courses for high school students at top colleges are an effective way of validating and exploring your passions, learning more about colleges, and expressing your interest in particular schools. For help determining which summer sessions are a good fit for you, contact one of our college admissions experts!
