In addition to the Pre-College Program, Harvard provides another summer program for high school students, known as the Secondary School Program. In this article, we’ll focus on the Pre-College Summer School Program.
What is Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program?
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week summer program designed to give high school students a taste of college life. Selected students will live on Harvard’s campus during their session and participate in college-level, non-credit courses. According to Harvard’s official website, students take these courses purely for learning and personal enrichment. Each class, taught by Ivy League scholars, will have an average size of 15 students, fostering an interactive and engaging environment.
For 2025, the Pre-College Program will run across three sessions:
- Session 1: June 22 to July 3, 2025
- Session 2: July 6 to July 18, 2025
- Session 3: July 20 to August 1, 2025
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program: Eligibility criteria
The Pre-College Program is tailored for academically motivated junior and senior high school students who are eager to explore potential majors or get a firsthand experience of college life. To apply, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Graduate from high school and begin college in 2026 or 2027.
- Be at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2025.
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program: Important dates
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program: Course Details
The Pre-College Program offers approximately 30 diverse courses. At the program’s conclusion, students receive:
- A written evaluation from their instructor.
- A Harvard transcript with a grade of AR (Requirements Met) or NM (Requirements Not Met).
Courses are categorized into the following areas:
- Speech, Writing, and Literature
- Psychology, Medicine, and Public Health
- Law, Politics, Philosophy, and History
- Business and Leadership
- Race, Gender, and Ethics
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
Harvard’s Pre-College Program: Cost of attendance
The total cost for a 2025 session is $5,800, covering tuition, room and meal plan, activity costs, and accident/sickness insurance. Additionally, there is a non-refundable application fee of $75.
Harvard offers a limited number of scholarships for students demonstrating financial need. Scholarship awards vary but typically cover a portion of tuition. To qualify, students must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
For more information, students are advised to visit the official website of Harvard University or click on this link.