Harvard University: Summer Programs for High School Students

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Each summer Harvard welcomes over 2,700 academically exceptional students who experience college life at Harvard. Students live in Harvard dorms, commute, or take online courses. In addition to Harvard courses, students engage in college prep activities, sports, dances, college visits and trips around Boston and New England.

Experience college academics and campus life at Harvard this summer. In Harvard's Summer High School Programs, you’ll gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills to help you prepare for college.

All courses are taught by scholars including Harvard faculty, Harvard affiliates, and visiting instructors. We offer more than 200 courses to choose from.

Two Options to Choose From

A seven-week college experience program for high school students

Experience Harvard College and a summer of challenge, discovery, connection, and growth. Here at Harvard, you’ll evolve. And this evolution will not only make you a stronger college applicant, it'll make you a more independent, confident individual. 

Earn college credit in our most flexible program, offering an on-campus residential living experience in Harvard dorms, where you’ll interact with peers who have similar interests enjoy activities outside the classroom and gain the confidence to do well in college.  You also have the option to commute or take courses online.

Housing for Secondary School Summer Program students: On-Campus students live in the freshman dorms located in historic Harvard Yard and  upperclassmen stay in houses just outside of The Yard. Resident staff advise and supervise students in the residences.

A two-week noncredit program for high school students

Immersive, collaborative, transformative—that’s the Harvard Pre-College Program. As current sophomores and juniors participating in our noncredit residential program, you spend two weeks living and learning at Harvard.

You attend class daily, exploring a topic in depth with Harvard faculty or visiting scholars. Outside of class, you participate in college prep activities, complete class assignments, and attend social events. We offer a selection of courses in three different two-week sessions. Subjects include law, computer science, writing, and philosophy.

This is an opportunity for you to thrive independently—as a thinker and an individual—while in a dynamic, supportive environment.

Housing for Pre-College Students: This is a residential program, and all students live at the Inn at Harvard, right in Harvard Square. Meals will be served at Harvard’s Annenberg Hall, a few minutes walk from the inn. Learn more about housing on our website.