Admitted Pre-College Program Students

Stay Notified: Please add PreCollege@Summer.Harvard.edu to your email contact list to ensure that you receive important updates. Be sure to check your spam and junk folders so you do not miss important information from our staff.

Pre-College Overview & Expectations

• Pre-College courses meet in person for three hours each weekday and you can expect two to four hours of homework each day.
• Courses cover nearly a semester of material in 2-weeks and focus on learning for learning’s sake.
• You must attend and participate in every class in its entirety, submit all assignments on time, and perform at a satisfactory level to receive a passing grade of “Met all requirements” (AR). We do not make any exceptions to this policy.
• Learning happens inside and outside of the classroom through our Pre-College Passport Program. You have the opportunity to select from dozens of co-curricular activities to ensure you have a well-rounded experience.
• To stay focused in this academic residential program, please refrain from participating in any outside activities or responsibilities.

Review Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Please see the full Pre-College Program Calendar for all important deadlines.

Materials	Dates and Deadlines
Full payment deadline Pay your balance in full by this date. If you do not, you risk being dropped from all courses and waitlists. Registration with immediate full payment remains open through the course registration deadline.	Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Submit immunization documents You may be dropped from courses, even after classes begin, if you do not upload your documentation.	Submit proof to HUHS within 3 weeks of registering
Submit medical history and consent form	Submit proof to HUHS within 3 weeks of registering
Course registration deadline Last day to register for courses and pay your balance in full. Late registration is not permitted after this date.	Monday, June 1, 2026
Student and Family Orientation This virtual orientation is for all Pre-College sessions and will be recorded. Students are required to attend or view the recording afterwards. Zoom link sent to students in early June.	Thursday, June 11, 7–8 p.m. ET
Course changes deadline Course changes require Pre-College staff approval after April 27.	Session I: Thursday, June 11 Session II: Thursday, June 25 Session III: Thursday, July 9

Before Your Arrival

Comply with Vaccination & Medical Requirements

All Pre-College Program students are required to provide documentation to Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) that they are fully vaccinated against certain communicable diseases. Students who are unable to provide this proof risk being unable to participate in on-campus activities/courses for Summer 2026. Please refer to the HUHS Immunization Form for more information about this requirement.

What To Bring

You will participate in a variety of events both on and off campus. Here is some advice to consider when packing. Visit the Your Room page for more information.

• You may dress casually for class. You are sometimes required to give presentations, so you may prefer to bring a business casual outfit for these occasions. You may want to bring a semi-formal outfit for the Pre-College Prom.
• Some classes include a lab visit, so please bring long pants and closed-toe shoes, which are often required to enter labs.
• Bring a laptop with a camera and headphones to campus with you. In some cases, courses and Pre-College Passport activities may be held online, and guest speakers may require the use of a computer.
• For some courses, a laptop is required to participate in person as well, so check specific course prerequisites. Please refer to the technology requirements for courses for computer specifications.
• During each session, we typically plan a trip to the beach or amusement park, so be sure to pack sunscreen, a bathing suit, and a towel.
• You will need Twin XL linens. We suggest a flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillow, and blanket for your comfort.
• You may not receive mail or packages at your on-campus residence. If you need to receive items in an emergency, contact the Pre-College Program Office at PreCollege@Summer.Harvard.Edu.

Orientation, Travel, and Check In/Out

Pre-College Student and Family Orientation for all sessions will be held on Zoom and recorded on Thursday, June 11, from 7–8 p.m. ET. You can join live or watch the recording later if you’re unable to join live. The Zoom link for this session was emailed to students in June.

Make travel arrangements only after you have registered for your course(s). If you are an international student, we recommend that you do not make travel arrangements until after you have received your tourist visa (B1/B2) or ESTA visa waiver.

Pre-College Check-in is between 1:30 and 3 p.m. ET at McKinlock Hall (Leverett House) on the Sunday your session begins:

• Session I: June 21
• Session II: July 5
• Session III: July 19

Your residence hall will be listed on your H-Ticket (available in MyDCE a few days before your session begins), which you must print and present at check-in along with your government-issued photo ID. If you are living in Lowell House, you can leave your luggage with staff before checking in at McKinlock Hall Leverett House.

In an effort to keep all our students healthy and safe, only students will have access to campus buildings. We encourage you to pack lightly, as you will need to move your own belongings into the Houses. On-campus student orientation events, including campus tours, proctor-led activities, and first floor meetings, will begin immediately following check-in.

Pre-College Check-out is no later than 8 p.m. ET on the final day of your session.

• Session I: Thursday, July 2
• Session II: Friday, July 17
• Session III: Friday, July 31

As noted above, you must attend and participate in every class in its entirety, including the last one. Please plan travel accordingly, as construction may delay your arrival at Logan Airport.

We do not provide airport shuttles, but transportation information is available along with directions to campus.

Prepare for Your Course

Pre-College Program courses are an extraordinary opportunity for you to stretch yourself academically and intellectually.

Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth start to your Pre-College experience:

• Find your classroom by viewing My Courses in MyDCE or on your syllabus. Check for classroom changes right before classes begin.
• Log into Canvas to review your course syllabus. 
• Make plans to visit the Harvard COOP when you arrive to purchase any required textbooks or other course materials. 
• Note the deadlines for course changes, drops, and withdrawals. To make any changes now, upload the Pre-College Course Registration Changes Form to MyDCE for Pre-College Program Office approval. 

Course Waitlists

To ensure you will be able to join us this summer, we strongly encourage you to register for courses with open spaces, as there is no guarantee a space will open up.

Students on waitlists must also meet the immunization requirements and pay in full for their course(s) by the payment deadlines.

Activities Beyond the Classroom

The Pre-College Passport: The Guide to Life Outside the Classroom helps you make the most out of your two weeks on campus. You will have opportunities to engage with faculty, develop critical college skills, and explore sights around New England.

These events will be offered in-person and virtually for Summer 2026.

Co-Curricular Activities Registration Information:

Two weeks prior to your arrival you will receive an email to go into MyDCE and complete an assigned task to register for activities. We encourage you to review available activities in MyDCE before registering to ensure there are no course conflicts. Please note, you will register for weekend trips during your Pre-College session.

Passport Co-curricular Activities Sign-Up Periods:

• Session I: Wednesday, June 10 – Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Session II: Wednesday, June 24 – Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Session III: Wednesday, July 8 – Wednesday, July 15, 2026

It is your responsibility to successfully sign up, attend, engage, and get your “passport” stamped at two Academic Exploration events and one event in each of the following categories: College Readiness, Social, and Trips and Recreation.

• Academic Exploration: Lectures and discussions with Harvard scholars to give you a taste of the questions that drive various academic disciplines.
• College Readiness: Workshops to help you develop and practice critical academic skills to support transition and success in college.
• Social: Events hosted on campus to create a sense of belonging for you and other participants in the program. Past events include trivia, campus scavenger hunt, and Pre-College Prom.
• Trips and Recreation: Outings on and off campus to give you an opportunity to explore Cambridge, Boston, and Southern New England.
• Virtual Admissions Sessions: We are pleased to offer a variety of online panel presentations, some by Harvard staff and others in cooperation with a number of selective universities. Please note that admissions events are optional.

You have the freedom to choose the events you attend, but also the responsibility to challenge yourself by learning new skills and engaging with new ideas. We hope that each opportunity is a rich and rewarding one for you.

What To Do if Your Travel is Delayed

Your travel to campus should be scheduled so that you can check-in the first Sunday of your session (June 21, July 5, or July 19) between 1:30 and 3 p.m. ET. We understand, however, that delays en route may be unavoidable. In Massachusetts, people not yet 18 years of age are prohibited by law from checking into a hotel unaccompanied by an adult. Therefore, if you arrive after check-in closes, you should still proceed to your House where staff will be able to assist you.

If you miss orientation on check-in day, please contact your proctor. You will be required to attend a make-up session hosted by a Resident Director on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Lowell Screening Room.

Additional Resources

Housing: All Pre-College students are residential, therefore you do not need to take any action to request housing. Resident Directors and Proctors (Proctors are similar to Resident Advisors) live in the Pre-College Houses all summer. Our staff are on-call 24/7 and walk around the buildings multiple times each evening. Pre-College students have to check in with their assigned proctor on their floor by 10:59 p.m. every night and remain on their floor until the next morning. For more information about your room on campus and what to bring, read about your room.

Meals: All Pre-College students receive a meal plan and enjoy a comprehensive dining program during your session(s). Your meal plan allows you to eat with peers in your designated dining hall and enjoy menus that reflect the international character of the Summer School. Grab-and-go options are available for quick and convenient access to meals or snacks. Harvard Dining Services will prepare a special bagged meal for weekend off-campus trips. Please see our dining services page if you would like additional information.

Accessibility Services: If you have a need for academic, residential, or dietary accommodation due to a disabling condition, please be sure to complete the registration process with the Accessibility Services Office by Tuesday, April 7 (for housing and meal plan accommodations) and/or Monday, May 11 (for academic accommodations).

This video provides information on the Accessibility Services request process.

Student Policies and Regulations: The Harvard Summer School Policies and Regulations web pages include academic policies and rules of conduct that apply to resident and nonresident Summer School students. It also describes resources available at Harvard and opportunities available in the Greater Boston area that will help make your summer a rewarding one. Please read our policies carefully and refer to them throughout the summer.

Specific Pre-College Information: In order to promote the well-being of students and to provide a safe and peaceful environment for learning, social activities, and personal growth, Harvard Pre-College Program has additional policies for all students. These include curfew, guests, and the “do the smart thing” alcohol and other drugs policy.

Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan: A Harvard Summer School accident and sickness insurance plan is included in your program fee as secondary coverage to your own health insurance plan. Read how and when you can use this coverage.