For many, summer break can be a time to relax, reset, and step back from academic responsibilities. However, pre-college programs in Massachusetts for high school students offer a way to turn the summer into an experience that broadens perspective and creates lasting academic momentum.

Imagine sitting in Harvard’s lecture halls in the morning, discussing global social issues, or analysing data in MIT’s labs before exploring Cambridge or Boston’s historic streets. In Massachusetts, summer learning becomes a preview of university life in one of the nation’s most culturally rich academic hubs.

If you already live in Massachusetts, these programmes also allow you to see your state from a new point of view, shaped by independence, exploration, and the energy of campus life.

What are pre-college programs in Massachusetts for high school students?

We know that finding the right pre-college program can be difficult. You want something that challenges you academically but also has the perfect opportunities for cultural immersion. This is where the right information becomes essential for finding pre-college programs that are truly rewarding.

Various renowned universities offer a range of rigorous pre-college programs in STEM, business, medicine, humanities, and the arts. You can opt for something that adds to a long-held passion, or dabble in a new field of interest. 

You’ll learn from experienced faculty, engage in hands-on research, join challenging classes, and connect with peers from around the world. During the program, you will develop critical thinking and analytical skills, get a taste of university life, and build networks that could influence your academic journey.

To get the most from the program, you will have to work hard, but I’ve saved you some effort. To make your decision easier, we’ve drawn up a list of 15 Pre-college Programs in Massachusetts for High School Students. They’ve been picked for their academic strengths, diverse student cohorts, and mentorship opportunities.

15 Pre-College Programs in Massachusetts for High School Students 

1. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students

Location: Harvard Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: $6,175 (including application fee)
Dates: Session I: June 21st – July 2nd; Session 2: July 5th – July 17th; Session 3:  July 19th  – July 31st
Application Deadline: February 11th
Eligibility: Domestic and international students at least 16 years old by June 20, 2026, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2026.

As one of the most competitive pre-college programs in Massachusetts for high school students, the Harvard Pre-College Program immerses you in challenging college-level courses. You have nearly 30 courses to choose from, including options like Creative Writing, Computer Science, and International Relations. You’ll have full access to Harvard’s libraries, museums, and athletic facilities throughout your stay.

You will experience life at a college campus and receive a written evaluation from your instructor. The program also offers valuable networking opportunities with students worldwide, helping you build a diverse and global peer community.

Why it stands out: You’ll be staying on Harvard’s campus and interacting with undergraduates and faculty, so you’ll have opportunities to build important connections and learn about college life at a leading university.

2. Immerse Education’s Boston Summer School

Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme.
Dates: 28th Jun – 11th Jul, and 12th Jul – 25th Jul
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 15-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Boston Summer School offers a wide range of courses, including law, economics, psychology, engineering, medicine, and more. Aimed at students with a strong interest in academics, each subject comes with an intensive curriculum. This consists of in-depth academic sessions, one-on-one tutoring sessions, individual research projects, and more.

Staying in Boston, you will also visit some renowned places like the Harvard Art Museums, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Cambridge Common, and more. Once you complete the two-week course, you can receive a certificate of completion and written feedback from your tutor. 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. Boston University Summer Term – High School Honors

Location: Boston University Campus, Boston, Massachusetts, or Online
Cost/Stipend: 2026 fees are still pending, but past years’ costs up tp $10,065 (residential)
Dates: June 28th – August 7th; (Online courses may differ, check here)
Application Deadline: Domestic deadline: May 22, 2026; International deadline: March 14, 2026; Financial aid deadline: February 4, 2026.
Eligibility: Admission decisions consider high school grades, course rigor, standardized test scores where applicable, a personal statement, and recommendation letters for both domestic and international students.

The High School Honors Pre-College Program immerses you in challenging 80+ courses, diverse fields like Psychology, Biology, Economics, and Graphic Design, and opportunities to earn college credits. Whether attending on campus or commuting, you’ll connect with students nationwide and globally while experiencing early college life.

If you prefer learning online, the High School Honors Online program lets you take courses taught by BU instructors. You’ll engage in challenging coursework and join discussions with peers globally. These online classes are perfect if you’re an independent learner eager to explore college-level subjects and earn academic credit.

Why it stands out: It has strong programs in psychology, biomedical sciences, communications, and international relations, helping you strengthen applications in these fields.

4. MITES Semester

Location: Online 
Cost/Stipend: Free (only pay for transportation to and from MIT)
Dates: June 16th – December 8th
Application Deadline: February 1st
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

MITES Semester offers you two STEM courses: one project-based and one core course in Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, or Science Writing. The project courses cover advanced topics like Machine Learning, Thermodynamics, Astrophysics, and Neuroscience, enabling you to apply STEM knowledge to global problems. Through live evening classes and collaborative projects, you’ll develop technical expertise and problem-solving skills.

In addition to this, you will also attend college-prep workshops, obtain essay reviews, and participate in mock interviews to prepare you for college applications. The program will enhance your STEM understanding, critical thinking, and prepare you for college. This structured curriculum reflects the academic depth found across leading pre-college programs in Massachusetts for high school students, particularly in competitive STEM fields.

Why it stands out: It has a strong alumni network (90% in selective universities), so you’ll be joining an alumni community with strong networks and a good reputation.

5. Women’s Technology Program

Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Free with family income less than $120,000 
Dates: June 27 – July 25, 2026
Application Deadline: December 15th
Eligibility: You must be in the 11th grade and must live in the U.S. year-round

The MIT Women’s Technology Program Mechanical Engineering track offers an intensive four-week curriculum focused on core principles and hands-on projects. The programme explores concepts such as energy and momentum, relationships between mass and velocity, and the design of object systems. Rotational motion is examined through polar coordinates, frequency, and the role of moments in design dynamics.

Alongside theoretical study, the curriculum builds practical skills in drawing, computer-aided design, circuit construction, electronics, heat transfer, manufacturing processes, and programming for real-world systems. Also, lab tours and visits to local engineering firms further broaden industry insight. By the end of the programme, participants gain a strong engineering foundation, advanced problem-solving skills, and practical experience for careers.

Why it stands out: Early access to engineering at a reputed university like MIT could strengthen future STEM applications (75 WTP alumni have been admitted to MIT)

6. Tufts University Pre-College Program – Art & Business Intensives

Location: Tufts University Medford / Somerville Campus,  Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple (specific dates depend on the course)
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Students around the world entering grades 10 – 12

The Tufts Art & Business Intensives offer six targeted courses: Marketing Essentials, International Relations, SMFA Studio Art, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp, Finance Essentials, and Business Essentials. Each course provides practical skills and foundational knowledge, including marketing strategies, studio art techniques, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business concepts.

As with many pre-college programs in Massachusetts, you’ll live on a college campus while learning directly from experienced faculty. You will also build a professional network by connecting with peers and leaders in the Boston innovation ecosystem. 

Why it stands out: Its interdisciplinary approach will help you develop into a well-rounded thinker and can be especially valuable for public policy, global affairs, and interdisciplinary STEM applications.

7. Brown Pre-College Online

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $3,364 – $6,520
Dates: June 15th – July 24th (Find more details here)
Application Deadline: May 8th (All application dates available here)
Eligibility: Students worldwide currently in grades 9 – 12 and between the ages of 14 and 18

Summer@Brown offers over 230 non-credit courses inspired by Brown’s Open Curriculum, allowing study of college-level subjects aligned with your interests.

The courses will span multiple streams such as Biological and Natural Sciences, Business, Economics, and Legal Studies, Engineering and Technology, and more. You will attend several asynchronous learning sessions and have the opportunity to meet in office hours with Brown faculty. At the end, you will earn a digital certificate upon completion. If your course lasts two weeks or more, you’ll also receive a detailed performance report.

Why it stands out: By interacting with Brown faculty, you’ll get a deeper understanding of your subject interests and an idea of what studying it at university-level might look like.

8. UMass Pre-College Academic Residential (Amherst)

Location: UMass Amherst Campus, Amherst, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; scholarships available
Dates: Varies depending on program
Application Deadline: Varies, depending on the program date
Eligibility: A rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school from around the world with at least a B grade in math and science courses.

UMass Amherst’s Summer Pre-College programs offer 25+ hands-on courses across a broad range of practical subjects such as Animation and Hollywood VFX, Antibiotic Resistance research, Construction Technology, Python Programming, and more. You will develop real-world skills, including industry software use, scientific research, structural design, coding, and creating art portfolios.

The program provides direct feedback on academic and project work, while campus living builds independence, time management, and peer connections. These intensive courses bridge academic theory with practical application, helping you identify and pursue your career path effectively.

Why it stands out: Its focus on lab work and hands-on engineering projects makes it a valuable addition to STEM-focused applications.

9. UMass Chan Medical School – High School Health Careers Program

Location: UMass Chan Medical School Campus, Worcester, Massachusetts 
Cost/Stipend: Free, and a $600 stipend, paid on the last day of the Program
Dates: June 28th – July 24th
Application Deadline: March 2nd
Eligibility: Massachusetts residents who attend a Massachusetts high school and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and are at least 16 years old

The High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) is a four-week, residential program for Massachusetts high school sophomores and juniors. It offers an integrated curriculum in Biology, Mathematics, English, IT, and Communication. You will also participate in internships where you interact with healthcare professionals.

You will complete a research project on health disparities in Massachusetts and join seminars addressing contemporary health issues. Upon completion, you’ll earn a Certificate of Achievement and a stipend. Also, you’ll receive professional guidance and help with college enrollment and career placement in health-related fields.

Why it stands out: It’s globally recognized for its medical programs and will help give you a glimpse of what studying medicine at a university level involves.

10. Massachusetts College of Art and Design – Pre-College Summer Studios

Location: MCAD Campus, Boston, Massachusetts, or Online
Cost/Stipend: $3,905 (On-Campus); $3,550 (Virtual)
Dates: July 21st – August 15th (tentative based on previous year dates)
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: Students around the world entering grade 11th or 12th grade

MassArt’s four-week Pre-College Summer Studios is an intensive program for students entering grades eleven and twelve in the visual arts. You’ll build foundational skills through three core classes (2D Fundamentals, 3D Fundamentals, and Issues & Images) and explore an elective in the third week. The curriculum balances hands-on studio practice with critical thinking, encouraging portfolio development and preparing you for art college.

Electives, available on campus and virtually, range from animation and illustration to mixed media and printmaking, offering creative expression. In this program, you’ll experience life at a dedicated art school that builds technical skills and supports a creative community.

Why it stands out: Its faculty involves practising artists and designers, giving you a view of both life as a practicing artist and living at art university campuses.

11. NU Accelerate Pre-College – Biotechnology & The Future of Medicine

Location: NU Boston Campus, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $7,095; financial aid available
Dates: July 12-24, 2026
Application Deadline: Priority Jan 15; Regular Feb 27; Late Mar 15
Eligibility: Students from around the world entering the junior or senior year of high school

The NU Accelerate Biotechnology and Future of Medicine program introduces students to biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceutical research. You will learn how researchers identify drug targets, design molecules, and use advanced technology to speed up new medicine discovery. You’ll learn practical skills of biomedical and pharmaceutical research tools and understand how scientific discoveries develop into effective therapies.

Through labs, expert-led workshops, and real-world case studies, you’ll see how innovations move from lab to real treatments. Also, you will receive guidance on career paths in biotechnology, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical sciences, preparing you for future opportunities.

Why it stands out: This program integrates industry and research, giving you a preview of what STEM work in the world looks like.

12. NU Accelerate Pre-College – The Story Lab

Location: NU Boston Campus, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $7,095; financial aid available
Dates: July 26-August 7, 2026
Application Deadline: Priority Jan 15; Regular Feb 27; Late Mar 15
Eligibility: Students from around the world entering the junior or senior year of high school

This journalism pre-college program places you in a real newsroom, where you learn and practise storytelling across multiple media platforms. As a result, you’ll develop skills in writing, video production, photography, podcasting, and data visualization, guided by experienced instructors including a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and an award-winning filmmaker.

You’ll tour newsrooms like the Boston Globe and TV station WCVB, gaining firsthand experience and insights into professional news-making. Through interviewing, filming, editing, and collaborative projects, you’ll create an online magazine showcasing your work.

Why it stands out: You’ll be able to get an understanding of how journalism operates in academia and the way it works in actual newsrooms, putting you in a better position to make career decisions.

13. Harvard Computer Society AI Bootcamp

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $795 – $995
Dates: Cohort I: December 15th – December 19th; Cohort II: January 5th – January 9th
Application Deadline: December 23rd
Eligibility: For high school students from around the world with programming skills in Python. 

The AI Bootcamp is an intensive five-day programme for high school students, taught by Harvard graduate researchers and undergraduates. The program draws on over 20 years of AI research expertise at Harvard, covering topics in AI and machine learning. You’ll focus on generative AI and develop your own mini-research projects to prepare for college and future AI research.

The Winter Bootcamp offers two tracks: Intro for Python and advanced maths, and Advanced for those familiar with AI/ML or PyTorch. If you complete the programme successfully, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, and distinguished participants may earn special honours certificates.

Why it stands out: You’ll get access to an alumni community working in major tech companies, AI labs, and startups.

14. Smith College Women, Gender, & Representation

Location: Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $4,985; Deposit: $1,246; Application fee: $50 ($75 for international applicants).
Dates: July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: Domestic students: May 1st; International students: March 1st
Eligibility: Open to students from around the world entering grades 9–12 in the fall

The Women, Gender, and Representation programme offers high school students a college-level experience focused on gender studies and social issues. You’ll explore a diverse spectrum of topics such as women’s and queer histories, reproductive justice, gender in sports, politics, education, and the arts.

Alongside, you’ll learn critical knowledge and build connections with peers and mentors. The program will help prepare you for college and careers dedicated to gender equity. Also, you will have the opportunity to receive letters of recommendation for college applications.

Why it stands out: You’ll get access to the Sophia Smith Collection, a rare and important archive on women’s history and activism, helping you develop your interest in the field and build future university applications.

15. Smith College Summer Science & Engineering Program

Location: Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $4,985 per session (2 weeks) or $9,970 both sessions (4 weeks). Deposit: $1,246 per session or $2,493 both sessions.
Dates: Session 1: July 4th – July 17th; Session 2: July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: Domestic students: May 1st, International students: March 1st
Eligibility: Students worldwide in grades 9 – 12

In the SSEP, you’ll engage in two-week courses centered around discussion-based classes and hands-on activities rather than just listening. You’ll work in small groups of up to 17 students with Smith faculty and undergraduate interns through lectures and labs.

The program emphasises teamwork while supporting individual contributions, helping develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical experience with scientific instruments. This immersive environment prepares you to think and work like a scientist or engineer, building foundational skills for STEM careers.

Why it stands out: You’ll work closely with Smith faculty and participate in directed experiments, giving you a glimpse of what studying STEM at the university entails.

Preparing for Ivy League Study?

Home to Harvard University and MIT, Massachusetts is one of the strongest places globally to experience academic ambition. Its campuses are built around inquiry and original thinking.

The pre-college programs for high school students in Massachusetts featured in this article reflect that culture. They introduce university-level expectations, discussion-led learning, and meaningful academic challenge.

Through these experiences, you develop confidence, independence, and clarity about your interests. You also gain insight into what selective universities value beyond grades.

If you want to learn more about what it takes to enter an Ivy League university, our Ivy League Guide offers clear, supportive insight to help you plan your path with confidence.