12 Biology Pre-College Programs You Should Check Out
- Jessica Zhou
- Jan 12, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Pre-college programs in biology are great opportunities for you to explore the biological sciences. These programs provide a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of biology, from cellular processes and genetics to ecology and environmental science. Participating in such a program shows college admissions committees that you have a proactive approach to your education and a strong commitment to the field of biology. These programs often include laboratory work, field research, and interactions with professionals in the field.
Engaging in a pre-college program in biology allows you to develop critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and effective communication skills. The experience gained from working on projects, whether in a lab or the field, can form the basis of a compelling narrative in your college application essays. You can share your experiences and insights and how they have shaped your interest in biology and your academic goals. This can set you apart from other applicants, showcasing your readiness for college-level coursework.
For more biology programs, check out our blogs on programs in biology and research opportunities in biology!
Here are 12 great pre-college programs in biology for high schoolers! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,250
Program Dates: January 2 - 19
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: Rising Juniors and Seniors
If you are interested in biology and a career in medicine, law, or related health and legal fields, Cornell Online Pre College's course in Biomedical Terminology is a great opportunity for you. This course studies the Greek and Latin word elements that form the backbone of specialized terms in these disciplines. By learning the meanings of these elements and the rules of word formation, you'll acquire the ability to understand complex terms that you'll encounter in your future studies. The skills you develop in this course go beyond rote memorization; they involve a deeper comprehension of how language in scientific and legal fields is structured and evolves.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students.
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050
Program Dates: June 17 - June 28 or July 8 - July 18
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: 9-12th grade students
Stanford Online Pre-College Topics in Bioscience is a great course for you if you are interested in biology and its related fields. This course is structured to provide you with a strong foundation in these areas, which is critical for pursuing a successful career in fields such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, and epidemiology. You will explore biological processes such as gas exchange in the lungs, the cardiovascular system's response to varying levels of oxygen, and the transformation of genetic material into proteins. Your engagement with the course material will involve live lectures, asynchronous assignments, small group learning activities, and a collaborative group project.
Location: Johns Hopkins University
Cost: $1,950
Program Dates: June 24 - July 4, July 8 - July 18, or July 22 - August 1
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
The Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology course at Johns Hopkins University is a great opportunity if you are interested in biology and scientific research. This course addresses the fundamental question of what it means to "design" an experiment. You'll learn how scientists plan experimental approaches to test specific hypotheses and provide informative results. Moreover, the course offers experience with various techniques used in molecular biology labs. You'll learn and apply standard techniques such as gel electrophoresis, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), and gene expression analysis. By participating in this course, you'll gain a deeper understanding of experimental design and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
Location: Yale Campus
Cost: $6500
Application Deadline: January 10
Program Dates: June 23 - July 5, July 7 - 19, and July 21 - August 2
Eligibility: At least 16 years old, a current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant
As a participant, you will explore physics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, astronomy, engineering, neuroscience, immunology, psychology, and earth science. This program is about understanding the interdisciplinary applications of these fields, ranging from the nanoscopic to the astronomical scale. You will gain exposure to a wide array of topics across biological, physical, and applied sciences, encouraging you to build a comprehensive understanding of these areas. This approach underscores the importance of working collaboratively in the scientific community. Among the sample seminar offerings are 'Design Thinking for Innovation: Creating Solutions That Make a Difference' and 'Quantum Mechanics: What on Earth Does it Actually Mean?'. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Online
Cost: Up to $1,795
Program Dates: 1, 2, and 4 Week Sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
The Georgetown Pre College Online Program in Biology introduces you to the multicellular frameworks that form the basis of life. You will uncover the sources of cellular information and explore the process of scientific discovery, learning how knowledge about cells is gathered, analyzed, and shared. The program covers the basics of cells and their structures, allowing you to recognize the diversity of cell functions and structures. You will apply basic principles of chemistry and physics to explain the limitations on the size and shape of cells. You will learn about different types of microscopes commonly used by biologists, their functions, and how to choose the appropriate microscope for various scientific inquiries.
Location: Brown University
Cost: $7038
Program Dates: June 26 - July 14
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: All high school students
In Brown University’s pre-college course on Genetics, Epigenetics, and Human Behavior, you will have the opportunity to explore the rapidly evolving field of behavioral genetics. This course offers an overview that encompasses a range of topics such as personality, substance abuse, mental health, and sexuality. You will be introduced to the latest research findings in these areas, particularly those emerging from the Departments of Psychiatry and Public Health at Brown University. This course provides a platform to explore how genetic and environmental factors interplay to shape human behavior, offering insights into some of the most debated questions in psychology and genetics. It includes discussions, laboratory work, teamwork, and individual research projects.
Location: Tufts Medford Campus
Cost: Commuter: $5,000, Residential: $6,500, Materials Fee: $100
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: July 7 – July 19
Eligibility: Entering grades 11-12 or a Spring high school graduate
The Tufts Mini Med School: Careers in Medicine program is a great opportunity to study alongside faculty and experts from one of the nation's leading medical schools. Through lectures, medical case studies, and hands-on training, you will experience what it's like to study and work in medicine. One of the program's highlights is field trips to the Tufts Medical campus, where you will visit the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center and engage in activities in the anatomy lab. Mini Med School goes beyond the classroom by facilitating question-and-answer sessions with admissions staff, medical doctors, professionals from various health-related fields, and current medical students.
Location: Online
Cost: $3050
Eligibility: Grades 10-11 at the time of application
Application Deadline: March
Course Dates: 2 weeks in either June or July
Enrolling in the Stanford Pre College Investigations in Genetics program is an exciting opportunity to explore genetics. This program is designed to offer high school students an introduction to the fundamental principles and new developments in genetics. Guided by faculty and researchers, you will explore the intricacies of genes, heredity, and genetic variations. Through lectures, laboratory experiments, and discussions, you will acquire a deep understanding of genetic processes, DNA structure, and the role of genetics in various aspects of life, from health to evolution. You will be able to approach questions such as: What role does genetic mutation and regulation play in disease manifestation? How can we understand the composition of the microbiome, and what insight it can provide regarding disease states?
Location: Tufts Medford Campus
Cost: Commuter: $4,000, Residential: $5,500, Materials Fee $200
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: July 7 – July 19
Eligibility: Entering grades 10-12 or a Spring high school graduate
The Tufts Lab Science Investigations: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) program allows you to explore the complex issue of AMR and antibiotic stewardship. The program's focus on AMR is particularly relevant, given the severity of this global health challenge. As a student in this program, you will explore AMR research, working towards a deeper understanding of the problem and its implications. You will engage with experts from a range of fields, gaining insights from engineers, social scientists, biomedical scientists, veterinarians, physicians, drug developers, epidemiologists, healthcare policy experts, and environmental scientists. You will gain a comprehensive view of the social, environmental, and policy dimensions that contribute to this issue.
Location: Harvard University Campus
Cost: $5,300
Program Dates: 2 weeks in June or July
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High School Students
In Harvard's Pre-College Molecular Oncology course, you will explore the molecular pathways and biomolecular techniques used in cancer research labs. This course is tailored for students with a background in cancer biology who are looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of laboratory experiments. Starting with a brief review of cancer as a disease, the course covers the molecular pathways prevalent in oncology and specific molecular techniques used in research. You'll study the biomolecular techniques developed to monitor cell cycle progression, DNA replication, and gene and protein expression. The course concludes with a problem-based learning case, which is designed to help you understand how biomolecular techniques influence cancer medicine.
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
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