15 Residential Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 23
- 10 min read
Residential pre-college programs provide high school students with the opportunity to experience college life while engaging in advanced academics. These programs hosted on college campuses allow you to live in dorms, engage with faculty, and challenge yourself through coursework. Beyond academics, they offer independence, helping you build confidence and prepare for the transition to college.
Attending a residential pre-college program can be useful if you want to explore a particular field, whether it's STEM, the humanities, or business. These programs connect you with like-minded peers, offer learning experiences, and open doors to valuable mentorship and networking opportunities. Attending a competitive residential pre-college summer program can also help you stand out in college applications. But with so many options available, how do you find the best fit?
To help, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 residential pre-college summer programs for high schoolers based on key factors: academic rigor, networking potential, prestige, exclusivity (low acceptance rates), and whether the program is fully funded. If you’re aiming for a meaningful summer experience, these programs are worth exploring.
Location: This program offers online, commuter, and residential options. The in-person program takes place at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Eligibility: High school students who are sophomores or above, at least 16 years old by June 22, and who will not turn 19 before July 31 are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: February 12, April 9
Program Dates: 4-week option: July 13 – August 9 (residential only) | 7-week option: June 21 – August 9 (residential, commuter, or online)
Fee: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee. Limited financial aid is available.
This rigorous pre-college program enables you to earn college credit while delving into a subject of your choice. With over 200 courses available, you can explore a variety of disciplines, including STEM, the humanities, political science, and law. You will take courses alongside Harvard undergraduates, gaining an authentic college experience and valuable insight into life at Harvard. This academically demanding program can provide a strong advantage, especially for those who select courses related to their intended major. This can help you gain a head start in your college journey. For more details, explore the full course catalog here. If you're interested in a less intensive pre-college experience at Harvard, check out this alternative program.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Eligibility: Students must be between 16 and 18 years old as of July 21, graduating in May or June (Northern Hemisphere) or November or December (Southern Hemisphere), a first-time YYGS participant, and fluent in English
Application Deadline: Typically January 10
Program Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 4 | Session 2: July 6 – July 18 | Session 3: July 20 – August 1
Fees: $6,500. Need-based financial aid is available.
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a selective academic enrichment program that allows students to explore their academic interests in a collaborative environment. With participants from over 150 countries, the program includes small seminars, lectures, and a capstone project. YYGS offers four specialized tracks: Innovation in Science & Technology, Literature, Philosophy & Culture, Politics, Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges. Each track emphasizes discussion-based learning and interdisciplinary exploration. Because YYGS has a selective admissions process, participating can be a strong addition to your college applications. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; students receive a $750 stipend at the program's conclusion
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 17 years old when the program begins
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: June 22 - August 7
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program offers high-achieving high school juniors and seniors a chance to engage in summer research at Texas Tech University. This residential program provides an opportunity to explore various fields, from STEM areas like neurobiology and engineering to humanities disciplines such as history. As a participant, you’ll collaborate with university faculty, contributing to research projects and enhancing your skills in data analysis and problem-solving. You’ll attend weekly seminars and site visits, gaining insights from professionals. The program culminates in a formal research presentation. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: University of Maryland, Cornell University, and the University of Michigan
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors. TASS encourages applications from students of color and underrepresented ethnic groups.
Application Deadline: Typically by December
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Fees: Free
If you're interested in the humanities and looking for an academically enriching summer experience, the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is an excellent choice. This program selects a highly competitive cohort of 40-70 students from around the world. TASS is one of the most selective summer programs in the country, offering an intensive six-week experience designed to challenge your thinking. You'll participate in daily college-level seminars, discussion sessions, and collaborative projects guided by faculty and teaching assistants. Expect to dedicate about three hours a day to coursework while engaging in team-building activities and community-driven initiatives. There are currently two seminar tracks available: Program in Critical Black Studies and Program in Anti-Oppressive Studies. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI. Virtual and commuter options are also available.
Eligibility: Open to students completing grades 9-12, aged 14-18 by June.
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: June 16 – July 25 (Duration varies depending on the course selected.)
Fee: Determined by the number and duration of courses chosen. Some scholarships are available.
Brown’s pre-college programs are uniquely flexible—you can study on campus, online, or even at different domestic and international locations. The Summer@Brown program is designed to give you a college experience without the pressure of grades, allowing you to explore subjects out of intellectual curiosity. With over 300 non-credit courses available, the program is suitable for a range of interests. Whether you want to explore Biological and Natural Sciences, Business, Economics, Legal Studies, or Literature and Writing, you can find a course that aligns with your interests. The program encourages independent learning and critical thinking. If you're interested in earning college credit at Brown, consider applying to the university’s competitive Pre-Baccalaureate program. To learn more about Brown’s summer programs, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 21 – August 2
Fees: Free
Carnegie Mellon University’s SAMS is a highly competitive six-week pre-college program for high school students interested in STEM and research. Before arriving on campus, you’ll complete virtual preparatory coursework to build essential skills for STEM research. Once on campus, you’ll participate in seminars, lab sessions, discussion groups, and research projects, culminating in a final symposium in August. With an acceptance rate of less than 1% (110 students selected from over 16,000 applicants), SAMS is one of the most prestigious STEM programs for high school students. If you're seeking a rigorous, research-focused experience, this program provides an opportunity to learn from faculty and collaborate with peers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old.
Application Deadline: April 9
Program Dates: June 14 – July 4
Fees: $8,900. Need-based financial assistance is available.
The University of Chicago’s Summer Immersion Programs offer three-week courses across a range of disciplines, allowing you to explore your academic interests in a challenging yet supportive environment. With options spanning biotechnology, philosophy, political science, STEM, and more, you can find a course that aligns with your interests while experiencing life on campus. Beyond the classroom, you’ll have access to Chicago’s cultural and academic resources through field trips, campus events, and projects. You will receive guidance from faculty, professors, and mentors through workshops, research projects, and lectures. Each course is designed to provide an intensive learning experience, helping you build critical thinking skills.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have a 4.0 weighted GPA or above, are enrolled in Algebra II, Trigonometry, or a higher-level math course, demonstrate financial need, have taken Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, if offered, and are actively enrolled in a high school curriculum within the U.S. or U.S. territories
Application Deadline: January 17
Program Dates: July 15 – August 2
Fees: Free
The USC Bovard Scholars program is designed for high-achieving students who want to strengthen their critical thinking skills, enhance their research abilities, and refine their career goals. This three-week residential program offers support for college application prep and career development. With a 3:1 student-to-staff ratio, you’ll receive personalized guidance from a coach who will help you with university application processes, competitive exam prep, and career advice. The program includes events with industry leaders, group activities, access to scholarship databases, and goal-setting exercises, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking to excel academically. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: This program is held across five UC campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 attending a California high school.
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Fee: $44 application fee + $5,256. Need-based financial aid is available.
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a prestigious four-week residential program for high school students interested in STEM. Established by the California Legislature in 1998, COSMOS provides an exceptional opportunity to work alongside researchers and scientists to explore advanced STEM topics beyond the high school curriculum. Each UC campus offers specialized subject clusters, allowing you to choose an area of focus that aligns with your interests, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in coursework, research projects, and collaborative activities, ultimately developing a research project in your area of study. You'll also have access to university resources, including teaching laboratories and libraries. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Columbia University, New York
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in April
Program Dates: September 19—December 7
Fees: $7,722
In the College Edge program, students in grades 11–12 earn college credit while learning alongside Columbia’s undergraduate students on the Morningside campus. You’ll enroll in actual college courses, where you’ll receive personalized academic advising and professional development opportunities. These courses differ from other pre-college offerings because you’ll be registering for university-level classes. You can expect to spend two to three hours studying outside of class for each hour spent in class. The program’s Student Life team will lead workshops on these themes to help you develop leadership skills, prepare for your future career, and make connections with peers from around the world.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-11.
Application Deadline: April 27
Program Dates: July 5 – July 26
Fees: $9,949. Some scholarships are available.
The UPenn Summer Academies offer a three-week experience where you can explore specialized subjects. Academies include the Biomedical Research Academy, Chemistry Research Academy, Economics Academy, Experimental Physics Research Academy, Global Culture and Media Academy, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Academy, Neuroscience Research Academy, and the Social Justice Research Academy. These programs combine theoretical knowledge with application through laboratory experiments, group investigations, and faculty-led lectures. By participating, you’ll gain insights into your field of interest while developing critical thinking and research skills that will prepare you for future academic opportunities.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: Late June through early August (6 weeks)
Fees: Free
The MITES Summer program is a highly competitive opportunity for students interested in STEM. During this 6-week program, you will take a combination of courses, including math, life sciences, physics, and a humanities course, along with an elective course of your choice. Previous electives have included Engineering Design, Architecture, Machine Learning, Genomics, and Electronics. In addition to coursework, the program offers social activities, lab tours, and admissions counseling to give you a comprehensive view of STEM careers and the college application process. With only 80-100 students accepted annually, MITES provides a close-knit environment to learn from experts and MITES alumni. At the end of the program, you will receive a written evaluation of your performance. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Columbia University, New York
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Application Deadline: February 1
Program Dates: Session A - June 30–July 18 | Session B - July 22–August 8 | Session AB - June 30–August 8
Fees: $12,764
The NYC residential summer program offers students aged 15 and older the chance to experience college life on Columbia’s Morningside Campus. You can choose from over 70 courses across a variety of subjects, spending around four hours each weekday in class. Taught by expert instructors, the courses encourage you to think independently, critically, and creatively. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Columbia University Certificate of Participation and an evaluation letter reflecting your performance, which can help you stand out in the college application process.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C
Eligibility: 8-12th graders
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: Summer College 1: June 1–July 3 | Summer College 2: July 6–August 8
Fees: $2,207
Georgetown University’s Hoya Summer College prepares high school students for the transition to college through lectures, class discussions, and guest speaker sessions. You’ll take courses alongside current undergraduate students, learn from Georgetown faculty, and engage with challenging coursework that will prepare you for success in college. You can choose from five-week on-campus courses, eight-week online courses, or a combination of both. Upon completion, you’ll receive an official transcript from Georgetown University.
Location: Duke University
Eligibility: Students in 9-11 grades
Application Deadline: Currently not available. Write to learnmore@duke.edu for more info.
Program Dates: One-week program: July 20-25; Two-week program: June 22- July 4; July 6- July 18
Fees: One-week program: $2,580; Two-week program: $5,640
Duke University offers residential programs for high school students in grades 9–11. The program includes housing, meals, and airport transportation, as well as full-day classes led by instructors and teaching associates. All books, supplies, guest speaker sessions, and entrance fees for tours are covered. You will participate in College Connections seminars, club activities, social events, and visits to Duke’s main campus and athletic facilities. Course options span bioethics, academic writing, STEM, and the humanities.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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