Pre-College courses allow high school students to explore university-level subjects while developing advanced academic and professional skills in a supportive learning environment. Through hands-on projects, interactive seminars, and expert-led instruction, students engage with the core concepts, tools, and methodologies used in their chosen field ,  whether that involves conducting research, analyzing data, solving complex problems, creating portfolios, or collaborating on real-world challenges. 

Beyond subject-specific knowledge, you strengthen critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and independent learning skills that are essential for success in higher education and future careers. Pre-College programs can act as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of what university life is like at a top institution, in person.

What kind of pre-college courses are available for high school students?

High school students have a wide variety of pre-college course options designed to help them explore potential majors, earn early credit, or experience campus life. Many universities offer residential summer programs where you live on campus and take intensive, immersive classes in specific fields like engineering, business, or the arts. 

For those seeking flexibility and direct academic advancement, dual-enrollment and online college-credit courses allow you to take actual undergraduate classes concurrently with your high school schedule, often at a reduced tuition rate. Additionally, there are non-credit enrichment programs and specialized academic bootcamps that focus on hands-on experience, portfolio building, and career exploration without the pressure of a formal grade. 

Whether the goal is to tackle a rigorous STEM curriculum, dive into humanities research, or simply test-drive the college experience, these programs provide a valuable bridge between high school and higher education.

Key takeaways

• Harvard’s Secondary School Program costs between $4,180 and $15,735 plus a $75 application fee, letting students earn an official Harvard transcript through Harvard Summer School courses.
• Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme spans eight locations, including Boston, Cambridge, and Tokyo, with small classes of seven to 10 students open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
• The Pre-Baccalaureate Program at Brown University costs $8,973 for one course or $17,935 for two, restricted to students who will be at least 17 years old by mid-June.
• Pre-College at Eckerd costs between $1,900 and $2,250 depending on the course, with certain subjects like Marine Science strictly limited to rising 11th and 12th graders.
• The Emory Pre-College Program offers both noncredit sessions costing $3,925 to $11,020 and credit-bearing sessions costing $6,485 to $8,589, open to students worldwide aged 15 and up.
• Penn’s Pre-College Residential Program costs between $14,962 and $23,056 total and admits students as young as 13, provided they hold a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• Columbia’s College Edge Summer program charges $2,672 per point, with a typical three-point course costing roughly $8,016, requiring a minimum 3.3 GPA.
• Program costs for pre-college courses range from $1,595 for the University of Rochester’s online medicine courses to over $23,056 for Penn’s residential program.

15 Pre-College Courses for High School Students

1. Harvard Secondary School Program – Harvard Summer School

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (residential, commuting, and online options available)
Cost: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective enrolment; class sizes vary by course
Dates: July 12th – August 8th (residential) | June 20th – August 8th (residential/online/commuter)
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the programme and will graduate high school in the programme year or within the following two years; open to international students

Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows you to enroll in Harvard Summer School courses while still in high school and earn college credit for completed classes. You can choose from a broad range of subjects, including economics, psychology, computer science, history, literature, and STEM disciplines.

As a participant, you study alongside a diverse group of learners and experience a college-level academic structure that includes lectures, class discussions, coursework, laboratory sessions where applicable, and independent study. The program requires you to manage university-style reading, assignments, and deadlines, providing insight into the pace and expectations of higher education.

Why it stands out: You can earn Harvard college credit and receive an official transcript while still in high school.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarships are available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 who are currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more.

The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll get an early start at university life and academics because the program includes an independent project, discussion-based classes, and living at a college campus.

3. New York University – Pre-College

Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $700 – $16,016 for 0-8 credits; financial aid may be available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; class sizes vary by course
Dates: Spring: January 20th – May 13th; Summer: July 1st – August 12th; Fall: September 2nd – December 22nd
Application Deadline: Spring: January 5th; Summer: March 13th (international on-campus) or June 15th (US/online); Fall: August 14th
Eligibility: Rising 11th- or 12th-grade high school students in summer, or current 11th- or 12th-grade students in the fall or spring semesters, with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; open to international students

NYU’s Pre-College program allows you to take undergraduate-level courses before graduating from high school and earn university credit for completed classes. Depending on the summer’s course offerings, you can study subjects across fields such as business, journalism, psychology, engineering, computer science, and the humanities.

Classes are taught in a university format, requiring you to engage with course materials through readings, discussions, written assignments, projects, and independent study. The program provides experience with the academic workload and time-management skills expected in higher education, helping you become familiar with college-level learning environments.

Why it stands out: You can earn university credit while experiencing undergraduate coursework in an NYU academic setting.

4. Cornell University – Pre-College Studies

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,940 per credit + $75 application fee; financial aid is available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective enrolment; class sizes vary by course
Dates: Multiple summer sessions available; dates vary by selected course
Application Deadline: May 14th
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 who have completed their sophomore year of high school; open to international students

Cornell’s Pre-College Studies program allows you to enroll in university-level courses before graduating from high school and earn academic credit for eligible coursework. Course options vary by session and may include subjects across engineering, business, architecture, life sciences, veterinary medicine, social sciences, and the humanities. As a participant, you complete coursework that follows the same academic structure used in undergraduate classes.

This typically involves attending lectures, engaging in class discussions, completing assignments, and managing independent study outside scheduled class time. The program provides experience with the pace, expectations, and responsibilities associated with college-level academics.

Why it stands out: You can take Cornell undergraduate courses for credit before starting college.

5. Duke Pre-College Summer Programs

Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: $6,050 (residential); $3,950 (commuter); scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by specific course
Dates: Session 1: June 13-24; Session 2: June 28th – July 9th; Session 3: July 13-24
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old by the start date, have completed at least one year of middle school, and have a GPA of 3.0 or above; open to international students

Duke’s Pre-College Summer Programs provide an opportunity to examine a specific academic field through short-term courses designed for middle and high school students. Depending on the program you select, you may study topics related to healthcare, engineering, law, public policy, or other subject areas through a combination of instruction, discussion-based learning, and applied coursework.

Throughout the program, you participate in seminars, complete assignments, and work with peers on activities that encourage critical thinking and collaboration. Courses are structured to help you engage with subject matter at a level beyond standard school curricula while developing skills such as analysis, communication, and project planning.

Why it stands out: You can explore a specific academic subject through a short-term program conducted on Duke’s campus.

6. Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program

Location: Online
Cost: Enrichment Courses: $1,895; College Credit Courses: $3,995; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; cohort size varies by course
Dates: Year-round (1-12 weeks, depending on the course)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (one week before the course start date)
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and above; open to international students

Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program allows you to study university-level subjects remotely while still in high school. Depending on your academic goals, you can enroll in either non-credit enrichment courses or credit-bearing options that involve a more substantial workload and may count toward future college studies if completed successfully.

The program offers courses across a variety of disciplines, including psychology, biology, cybersecurity, international relations, business, law, marketing, medicine, and creative writing. Throughout your coursework, you engage with academic content through readings, assignments, discussions, and other online learning activities designed around a structured university format.

Why it stands out: You can choose between enrichment and credit-bearing online courses across multiple academic fields.

7. Pre-Baccalaureate Program – Brown University Pre-College Programs

Location: Brown University, Providence, RI (residential, commuter, and online options available depending on the course)
Cost: One course: $8,973; two courses: $17,935; additional housing and meal plan costs apply for residential students; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies by course
Dates: June 15th – July 31st
Application Deadline: May 8th
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors who will be at least 17 years old by June 14th; open to international students

Brown’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program allows you to enroll in university courses before beginning college and earn academic credit for eligible coursework. Course offerings span a variety of disciplines, including STEM subjects, writing, humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields.

As a participant, you engage with course material through seminars, assigned readings, written work, projects, and other forms of university-level assessment. The program emphasizes active participation, encouraging you to examine ideas, contribute to discussions, and develop your own perspectives through independent academic work.

Why it stands out: You can earn university credit through courses that emphasize discussion, analysis, and independent learning.

8. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pre-College Program

Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost: Residential: $12,495; commuter: $9,595 + non-refundable $60 application fee; additional costs apply; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: On-campus: June 27th – August 1st; Online: June 22nd – July 30th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: On-campus: rising high school juniors and seniors who will be 16 years old by October 1st of the programme year; Online: students aged 14-18 who will turn 14 by September 1st of the programme year; open to international students

RISD’s Pre-College Program allows you to experience an intensive studio-based learning environment before beginning university studies. Over the course of the program, you spend much of your time in creative studio classes, where you develop projects, experiment with materials and techniques, and build skills related to art, design, and architecture.

Your coursework typically includes a primary studio concentration alongside classes in drawing and design, providing exposure to different aspects of visual and creative practice. Through assignments, workshops, and project development, you learn how to translate ideas into finished work while refining your approach to research, observation, and creative problem-solving.

Why it stands out: You follow a structured studio curriculum that reflects the format of undergraduate art and design education.

9. University of Rochester Pre-College Online Medicine Courses

Location: Online
Cost: $1,595 per course; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and older; open to international students

The University of Rochester’s Pre-College Online Medicine Courses allow you to examine healthcare and medical science topics through guided online study while you are still in high school. Course options vary, but may cover areas such as genetics, biomedical engineering, orthopedic medicine, and other subjects related to clinical and scientific practice.

Throughout the program, you work through course materials using a structured schedule that includes readings, assignments, discussions, and topic-specific learning activities. The coursework is designed to help you understand fundamental concepts, evaluate scientific information, and explore how medical knowledge is applied in different areas of healthcare.

Why it stands out: You explore healthcare topics online with mentor guidance and complete a culminating project.

10. Pre-College at Eckerd

Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost: $1,900 – $2,250; varies by course; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: June; exact dates vary by course
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programmes reach capacity
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders; Marine Science and Sharks & Rays are limited to rising 11th and 12th graders; open to international students

This is a one-week residential program that introduces you to a college learning environment while you stay on campus. During the program, you follow a structured schedule that includes short academic courses alongside activities such as projects, workshops, field experiences, and guest lectures. You can choose from a range of subjects, including artificial intelligence, ethics and technology, animal studies, marine science, coastal and wildlife ecology, and sharks and rays.

Each course is designed to introduce key concepts in the subject area through both classroom instruction and applied learning activities. Throughout the week, you interact with other students from different parts of the United States, with participants coming from many states.

Why it stands out: You explore different academic subjects in a short residential program on a coastal college campus.

11. University of Southern California Summer Programs

Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,570 for residential participants; $8,130 for commuting participants; $12,208 for international participants; additional fees apply, plus an $85 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies by course
Dates: On-campus: June 22nd – July 17th; Online: multiple 4-week sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: March 13th for international applicants and May 8th for domestic applicants
Eligibility: Students worldwide who have completed 9th grade and are pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum; open to international students

The University of Southern California offers high school students the option to enroll in college-level courses in a selected subject area. Depending on availability, you can choose from fields such as pre-law, business, engineering, communication and journalism, pre-health sciences, and other disciplines. During the program, you focus on one course over a set period and complete assignments and coursework designed at the university level.

Instruction is delivered by USC faculty, and you are expected to follow the syllabus, meet academic deadlines, and participate in course activities as required. Some courses may include specific prerequisites or additional requirements, which are outlined on individual course pages. Upon completion of the course, you receive a USC transcript.

Why it stands out: You can take a focused college-level course at USC and receive a university transcript upon completion.

12. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Location: Online
Cost: $3,200; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 16 students per class
Dates: Session One: June 15th – June 26th; Session Two: July 6-17
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-11, aged 13-19; open to international students

This pre-college program associated with Stanford offers online courses that introduce you to academic topics beyond the typical high school curriculum. You can choose from 75 subjects ,  including areas such as artificial intelligence, creative writing, engineering, mathematics, and philosophy. Classes are held live and follow a scheduled format, allowing you to participate in discussions and interact with other high school students from different regions.

Instruction is delivered in a structured online environment focused on subject exploration and guided learning. The program does not provide grades or academic credit upon completion, but it is designed to help you engage with university-style coursework in a specific discipline.

Why it stands out: You can study a focused subject through live online classes without receiving academic credit.

13. Emory Pre-College Program

Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Noncredit: $3,925 – $11,020, depending on length and housing; Credit: $6,485 – $8,589; plus a $70 application fee and $350 deposit; need-based aid and partial scholarships are available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Noncredit: Session A (June 14-27), Session B (June 28th – July 11th), Session C (July 12-25), and Pre-Med Institute (June 28th – July 18th); Credit: Session 1 (May 15th – June 26th) and Session 2 (June 29th – August 7th)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until classes fill; April priority deadline, May regular deadline, and June 5th for Credit Session 2
Eligibility: 10th- and 11th-grade students worldwide who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0; open to international students

As a high school student in the Emory Pre-College Program, you will experience university academics by choosing between two-week noncredit classes or six-week credit-bearing courses. You will explore diverse subjects spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, STEM, and health sciences.

During the program, you will attend lectures by Emory professors, participate in college-readiness workshops, work with real datasets, and explore Atlanta landmarks. A unique feature of this program is the opportunity to learn alongside actual undergraduates or join intensive tracks like the Pre-Med Institute. Through these experiences, you will develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and independent study skills.

Why it stands out: It offers the rare opportunity to earn transferable college credit by taking classes alongside actual university undergraduates while gaining hands-on exposure to specialized fields like public health and medicine.

14. Penn Pre-College Residential Program

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,100, plus a $466 general fee and tuition based on course credit; total cost ranges from $14,962 to $23,056, plus a $100 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 30th – August 8th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until the programme is full
Eligibility: 10th- and 11th-grade students worldwide with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who are at least 13 years old; open to international students

The University of Pennsylvania’s pre-college program allows you to take undergraduate-level courses while you are still in high school. Courses are taught by university faculty and visiting instructors, and you attend classes alongside other high school students and, in some cases, undergraduate students. You can choose from a range of subjects such as Introduction to Biology A, Introduction to Media Studies, Law and Society, and other introductory-level courses depending on availability.

Most credit-bearing courses meet several times a week and follow a structured academic schedule that includes lectures, assignments, independent study, and examinations. You are expected to complete coursework that reflects standard university expectations, including reading assignments and written or research-based tasks.

Why it stands out: You take credit-bearing undergraduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania with a structured academic schedule and evaluation system.

15. Columbia University College Edge: Summer

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,672 per point; one course is typically 3 points
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Session A: May 25th – July 3rd; Session B: July 6th – August 14th
Application Deadline: April 2nd
Eligibility: Domestic and international students in 11th or 12th grade with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3; open to international students

Columbia University’s College Edge program allows you to take college-level courses alongside university students and other high school juniors and seniors while earning academic credit for completed work. Course options may include subjects such as mathematics, physics, history, statistics, psychology, and Germanic languages, depending on availability. You attend classes taught by Columbia faculty and follow a syllabus designed at the undergraduate level.

Because of the academic expectations, you are expected to spend significant time outside of class reviewing material, completing assignments, and preparing for assessments. The program provides academic advising to help you select courses that match your interests and readiness.

Why it stands out: You can earn Columbia University credit while studying in undergraduate classes with structured academic expectations.

Frequently asked questions: Pre-college courses for high school students

Are pre-college courses for high school students open to international students?

Yes, nearly every program in this list explicitly welcomes international students, including Harvard’s Secondary School Program, NYU’s Pre-College program, and Columbia’s College Edge Summer. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is also open globally to students aged 13 to 18. Since these are primarily US university-hosted programs, English proficiency requirements typically apply for non-native speakers.

How much do pre-college courses cost?

Costs vary enormously by institution and credit load. Lower-cost options include the University of Rochester’s Online Medicine Courses at $1,595 and Pre-College at Eckerd starting around $1,900, while premium residential programs like Penn’s Pre-College Residential Program can exceed $23,000 total. Need-based financial aid is available for most of these programs, so cost alone shouldn’t rule out an otherwise strong fit.

What is the difference between a credit-bearing and a non-credit pre-college course?

Credit-bearing courses, like Cornell’s Pre-College Studies or Brown’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program, have you complete the same coursework and assessments as matriculated undergraduates, earning a transcript that may transfer toward a future degree. Non-credit or enrichment courses, like Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, instead focus on subject exploration without a formal grade or transferable credit. If earning real credit matters to you, confirm which track a specific course belongs to before applying.

How selective are pre-college courses for high school students?

Selectivity varies considerably. Brown’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program and Penn’s Pre-College Residential Program are both described as highly selective, while RISD’s Pre-College Program describes itself as non-competitive. Regardless of selectivity, meeting minimum GPA requirements, which range from 3.0 at Cornell to 3.5 at Penn, matters as much as the overall strength of your application.

Do pre-college courses require you to live on campus?

Not always. Programs like Georgetown’s Pre-College Online Program and the University of Rochester’s Online Medicine Courses are fully remote, letting you study from home. Others, like Duke’s Pre-College Summer Programs and RISD’s Pre-College Program, offer both residential and commuter options depending on the specific course and your preferences. If travel or housing costs are a concern, several strong online alternatives exist among the options listed here.

Is Immerse Education a good option for exploring pre-college coursework?

Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is a strong choice if you want flexibility in both subject and location, spanning eight cities including Boston, Cambridge, and Singapore. The two week program places you in small groups of seven to 10 students, working on hands-on projects like conducting dissections in medicine or building a business case study. You’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion, offering a well-rounded alternative to the longer, more expensive US-based residential options.

From Pre-College Study to University Success

Exploring university-level subjects early can help you clarify your interests, strengthen independent learning, and approach future academic decisions with greater confidence.

The 15 pre-college courses for high school students mentioned here offer varied ways to build academic skills, test potential majors, and understand university expectations.

Compare subject choices, credit options, teaching formats, costs, and campus experiences carefully so your selected programme supports both curiosity and long-term academic goals.

Ready to prepare for university with greater direction? Explore our University Preparation blogs for practical advice on applications, study habits, planning, and academic confidence.