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Pre-College Programs
What Is a Pre-College Summer Program?
A pre-college summer program offers high school students the opportunity to take classes at a college and experience college life during the summer. Most programs range from one to seven weeks long. You can take programs that focus on a number of diverse subjects, such as writing, leadership, entrepreneurship, and engineering. Many summer programs offer both residential and commuter options. Students can stay in dorms with their peers or commute from home if they live close to campus.
In addition, not only are students able to take classes from college professors or visiting scholars, but they're also able to listen to lectures from alumni and participate in social activities. From HBCU Pre-College Summer Programs to programs at selective private colleges, like Stanford, Harvard, Brown, and Columbia, there are also several STEM Summer Enrichment Programs, including this recommended list of 25 of the "BEST" PreCollege Summer STEM Programs for HS Students - many colleges across the country offer pre-college summer programs JUST for high school students! Besides this extensive list of 153 Pre-College Summer Programs for HS Students, there are even HBCU Summer Camps for Youth, it just takes a little extra research... or guidance from our experienced college coaches!
Some pre-college summer programs are open enrollment (anyone can attend), while others require admission through an application process. The selective programs typically require teacher recommendations, application essays, and standardized test scores. Check a specific program's website for its admission requirements. While these programs can be fun and educational, most of them are expensive.
There are some FREE programs and many programs that offer financial aid for qualified students, but summer programs often cost thousands of dollars.