Top 10 Pre-College Summer Programs for High School
Apr 23, 2024
John Doe
Pre-college programs for high school students can offer valuable experiences, and gain experience.
This blog contains the top 10 pre-college programs in 202
4. Summer is a great time for high schoolers to explore what they love, learn new things, and see what college life is like.
Pre-college summer programs offer lots of different chances to do this, from learning more in subjects you like to trying out new creative projects.
Just make sure to pick a program that matches what you're into and what you want to achieve.
Going to one of these programs can really change things for you, setting you up for a successful and happy future.
1. Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Studies Description: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies offers a range of programs that provide intellectually curious students with the opportunity to explore advanced subjects rarely taught in high school.
The programs leverage Stanford University’s resources to help students grow as scholars and individuals.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 at the time of application submission are eligible.
Acceptance Rate: Admission to Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is selective, with a holistic review process for applications.
2. Cornell University Pre-College Program Description: Cornell’s Precollege Program offers high school students the chance to take fascinating online undergraduate courses taught by esteemed Cornell faculty.
Students can earn college credits and a Cornell transcript, and prepare for college admissions by experiencing the challenge of college study.
Eligibility: The program is open to rising juniors and seniors from any high school in the world.
Applicants should be intellectually curious, academically motivated, and mature enough to handle college-level work.
Acceptance Rate: While the specific acceptance rate for the Precollege Program is not publicly available, Cornell University’s overall acceptance rate has hovered around 10-12% in recent years, reflecting the institution’s high selectivity.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars Description: Yale Young Global Scholars is an academic enrichment program that brings together outstanding high school students from around the world to Yale University’s campus.
The program offers interdisciplinary sessions and allows students to explore global challenges through various lenses.
Eligibility: Applicants must be between the ages of 16-18, fluent in English, and currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school (or international equivalent).
It’s important to note that YYGS is for first-time participants only.
Acceptance Rate: While the exact acceptance rate is not specified, it is known to be highly competitive.
An estimate suggests that the acceptance rate is at least 34%, based on the number of applications received and the number of attendees.
Cost of Program: The cost for the YYGS program is approximately $6,50
0. Financial aid is available, and over $3 million USD in need-based financial aid and scholarships are offered, covering up to 100% of tuition costs for those who qualify. https://youtu. be/5oU8WGmc4_0?si=Z4w20W3z-1kbg18O How Rishab Jain Scored Ivy League Summer Program Opportunities (STEM Research Camps)
4. NYU Pre-College Programs Description: NYU Pre-College offers high school students the chance to experience life as an NYU student, earn college credits, and immerse themselves in the vibrant NYU community.
Students can take undergraduate courses in a wide range of academic subjects taught by NYU’s world-class faculty.
Eligibility: The program is open to rising 11th and 12th graders.
Applicants must have strong academic records, with a minimum
3. 0 GPA on a
4. 0 scale.
International students are required to provide proof of English language proficiency.
Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate for NYU’s Pre-College program isn’t widely published.
However, it is known to be less competitive than some other selective summer programs, focusing on giving students a taste of the college experience.
5. MIT LaunchX Description: MIT LaunchX is a prestigious summer program that empowers high school students to become entrepreneurs.
Participants work in teams to develop real startup companies, learning from industry experts and leveraging MIT’s resources.
Eligibility: The program is designed for high school students who are passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation.
Acceptance Rate: LaunchX is selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 30%.
This competitive rate reflects the program’s commitment to fostering a community of dedicated and capable young entrepreneurs.
Cost of Program: The cost varies depending on the chosen program format: Online Innovation Summer Program: $4,750 Online Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $6,500 Ann Arbor Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $9,970 Bay Area Entrepreneurship Summer Program: $9,970 An additional international fee of $150 is charged for non-US participants.
Financial aid is available for families with an income below $100,000, and the program works hard to provide financial awards to all qualified applicants who qualify for aid.
6. California College of the Arts Pre-College Program Description: The Pre-College Program at CCA offers high school students the opportunity to earn three college credits while exploring art and design in a supportive and inspiring community.
The program is designed to help young creatives develop their skills and experience what it’s like to attend college in an art and design school environment.
Eligibility: Current high school students who will complete their sophomore, junior, or senior year by summer are eligible to apply.
Both international and domestic students can register for in-person and online courses.
Acceptance Rate: The overall acceptance rate for California College of the Arts is approximately 6
9. 7% to 7
5. 69%.
However, the specific acceptance rate for the Pre-College Program is not provided.
Cost of Program: On-Campus Residential student: Approximately $6,975 (includes tuition, fees, meal plan, and housing) On-Campus Commuter student: Approximately $4,595 (includes tuition, fees, and lunch meal plan) Online: Approximately $3,995 (includes tuition and fees).
Tuition scholarships are available for the program.
FREE STEM Guide with a list of 50+ opportunities, competitions, internships and more! 10 Summer Engineering Programs for High School Students.
7. Emory University Pre-College Program Description: The Emory Pre-College Program is a summer academic program for high school students that offers a glimpse of academic and residential life at a top-ranked national university.
The program includes a wide range of courses taught by Emory faculty.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 15 years old by the session start date and currently in the 10th or 11th grade.
A minimum GPA of
3. 0 is required for admission.
International applicants must demonstrate proficient English language skills and may need to provide test scores or participate in a Zoom interview.
Acceptance Rate: While there is no official data on the acceptance rate, it is suggested that the program is inclusive rather than highly exclusive.
Cost of Program: The cost varies depending on the session and whether the student is a residential, commuter, or online participant: Residential (Sessions A, B, & C): $4,667 Commuter: $3,292 Online: $2,992 Additionally, there is a $70 non-refundable application fee and a $350 non-refundable enrollment deposit.
8. Harvard Pre College Program Description: Harvard’s Pre-College Program is an intensive two-week summer program designed to give high school students a glimpse of college life.
Participants live on the Harvard campus, take a college-level course without the pressure of letter grades, and engage in a variety of co-curricular activities.
Eligibility: The program is open to rising juniors and seniors in high school.
Acceptance Rate: The program is selective.
Cost of Program: The total fee for a session in the Harvard Pre-College Program is $5,550, which includes tuition, housing, and required activity costs for the full two weeks.
There is also a $75 non-refundable application fee. https://youtu. be/32Uq1qNSDz4?si=pu6PXMabStXJfpnB STEM Summer Programs for High Schoolers (Research, Camps, Internships)
9. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs Description: Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs mirror the undergraduate experience, offering rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore their interests and passions.
Students receive instruction from acclaimed faculty and staff, and engage in academic and extracurricular opportunities that prepare them for college.
Eligibility: The programs are designed for high school students who are ready to challenge themselves academically.
Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate for Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs is not explicitly stated.
However, given the university’s overall selectiveness with an undergraduate acceptance rate fluctuating between 11-17%, the pre-college programs are likely to be competitive. 1
0. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Programs Description: The University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Programs offer high school students the chance to experience Ivy League academics in a summer program.
Students can enroll in undergraduate courses across a wide array of disciplines taught by Penn faculty, staff, and visiting scholars.
The program is available in both residential and online formats.
Eligibility: Current 10th to 11th-grade students are eligible to apply.
The program is open to both domestic and international students.
Acceptance Rate: The selection process is selective.
More opportunities Rishab Jain, who won ISEF, has achieved success in numerous research competitions and undertaken several research projects during his high school years.
For those eager to start working towards research/STEM competitions/programs, Rishab offers science fair coaching and a FREE STEM Student Guide!
It will provide you an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of research and win at Science Fairs.
Rishab shares his winning strategies.