Harvard Summer School offers immersive summer programs for high school students that build academic confidence, college readiness, and meaningful connections, with options for both credit and non-credit study.
Overview of our Summer College Programs for High School Students
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Challenge yourself in college-level academics.
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Meet new friends from around the world.
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Strengthen your college application.
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Build life skills to be successful in college and beyond.
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Choose between 2-, 4-, and 7-week options.
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Choose from rigorous non-credit or college-credit courses.
Harvard’s Summer College Programs for high school students are intensive programs designed to give students a glimpse of college and the opportunity to challenge themselves in college-level academics. You’ll meet new friends and build important life skills that can make your future college experience a success — all while strengthening your college application.
What’s the difference between the Secondary School Program and the Pre-College Program?
The Secondary School program offers over 200 for credit college courses in total between the 4- and 7-week programs.
- In this immersive experience you’ll learn alongside high school and college students from around the world.
- The format is flexible, so choose from on-campus, commuting, or online.
The Pre-College program is exclusively on campus and has three, 2-week sessions you can choose from over the summer.
- Learn alongside peers from a wide range of nations in these non-credit, but academically rigorous courses.
Student Experiences in the Pre-College & Secondary School Programs
Get an inside look at the Harvard Summer School experience as students from around the world share how the Secondary School and Pre-College Programs helped them grow academically, socially, and personally.
Hear From Harvard Summer School Students
Get an inside look at the Harvard Summer School experience as students from around the world share how the Secondary School and Pre-College Programs helped them grow academically, socially, and personally.
Why Choose Harvard Summer School
From rigorous coursework to trips to Cape Cod, spending your summer at Harvard will expand your horizons and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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2,800+
High School Students
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300+
Courses Offered
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31%
International Students
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69%
Students from the United States
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53
US States and Territories Represented
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71
Countries Represented
Secondary School Program
Experience what it’s like to be a college student for 4 or 7 transformative weeks.
The Secondary School Program provides high school students an opportunity to earn college credit, get a true feel for college life, and learn alongside high school students, college students, and adults from numerous countries.
- Envision how a topic of interest can translate into a college major or future career in small classes.
- Balance responsibility with independence and gain the confidence to do well in college.
- Connect with a diverse group of peers.
4-week Secondary School Program
- Three program formats to choose from: Residential, Commuting, or Online (limited space available).
- Choose one accelerated 4-credit course, with limited enrollment for increased interaction with faculty and peers.
7-week Secondary School program
- Three program formats to choose from: Residential, Online, or Commuting.
- U.S. and international SSP students can choose one or two courses from over 200 on-campus and online college courses.
The Secondary School Program is suitable for mature, academically motivated high school students ready to excel in college courses for college credit.
Residential Life in the Secondary School Program
See what it’s like to live and learn at Harvard as Secondary School Program students describe their courses, mentors, and on-campus experience.
Pre-College Program
An academically rigorous on-campus program for exceptional high school students.
The Pre-College Program is a non-credit two-week residential program designed to give high school students a glimpse of college life on the Harvard campus. Students take college-level courses alongside peers from around the world.
- Test your intellect without the pressure of letter grades.
- Live a balanced (college) life.
- Enjoy a range of co-curricular activities with academically-minded students.
This program is suitable for mature, academically motivated high school students interested in exploring a potential major or finding out what college is really like.
A Day in the Harvard Pre-College Program
Follow a Pre-College student through a typical day on campus from morning classes to evening activities to see what life in Harvard’s immersive two-week program is really like.
Discover the Transformative Summer Experience That’s Right for You
Which Harvard Summer Program is right for you?
Compare the opportunities presented by each high school program and select the one that best matches your goals. In your application, you’ll rank the programs you are interested in. Make sure you understand what each program offers — and choose which one is right for you — before you submit your application.
The good news is that whatever program you choose, your summer at Harvard will be truly memorable.
Benefits of taking a Secondary School or Pre-College Program
Harvard’s summer programs for high school students will help prepare you for success in college. Whether you participate in the Secondary School or Pre-College program, you will have the opportunity to build core life skills like time management, career planning, and living on your own.
Participating in either program will also help you expand your academic skills at the college level and to thrive outside your comfort zone.
Harvard’s Summer programs afford you the opportunity to learn from and be among top students from numerous countries — making connections and memories that will last a lifetime.
After only two weeks of classes, I feel much more knowledgeable and open to critical thinking. Through assigned readings, discussions, and projects, I got to taste what the college experience would look like.
Pre-College Program Student
I truly enjoyed having classes in a seminar style that encouraged asking questions to learn. I formed such a deep bond with those in my class through our shared passion for the topic as well as our learning journey that we shared.
Secondary School Program Student
Costs
Tuition, deposits, and fees for Harvard Summer School differ based on program and format.
The total cost of the Secondary School Program depends on the number of courses taken and in which format. Learn more about the cost of the Secondary School Program.
The total cost of the Pre-College program in 2027 is $6,250, plus a $75 application fee. Learn more about the cost of the Pre-College Program.
FAQs
What is Harvard Summer School?
Harvard Summer School is the oldest academic summer program in the United States, offering opportunities for high school, college, and adult students to study at Harvard during the summer.
Harvard Summer School’s programs for high school students include the Pre-College Program and the Secondary School Program. Both are designed for mature, academically motivated students who want to explore a topic of interest, meet like-minded classmates, and gain experience with college-level coursework.
Can anyone attend Harvard Summer School?
High school students will complete one application for all summer programs and will be able to rank the programs of interest. Learn more about eligibility requirements on our Program Admissions page.
Adult and college students may register for summer courses or explore Harvard Extension School degree program and graduate certificate options.
What age do you need to be to attend Harvard Summer School for high school students?
What age you need to be to attend Harvard Summer school as a high school student depends on the program you wish to attend. For 2027 enrollment:
Pre-College Eligibility
- Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2028 or 2029.
- Are at least 16 years old by June 20, 2027, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2027.
Secondary School Eligibility
- Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2027, 2028, or 2029.
- Are at least 16 years old by June 20, 2027, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2027.
What is the difference between Harvard’s Pre-College and Secondary School Program?
The differences between the Secondary School Program and Pre-College Program include program length, modality, cost, and credit-bearing status.
Pre-College Program
The Harvard Pre-College Program is designed for students who want a structured introduction to college academics. Students take one non-credit course over a two-week session, while receiving support through advising, co-curricular activities, and a guided daily schedule.
Secondary School Program
The Secondary School Program offers a more independent academic experience. You can choose from a wide range of Harvard Summer School for-credit courses and study alongside adult and college students.
Depending on the course, you may have the option to earn college credit while gaining firsthand experience with the expectations of university-level coursework.
Check out our guide to help you decide which Harvard Summer School Program is right for you.
Online vs. residential vs. commuting experiences at Harvard Summer School
High school, adult, and college students have three options while attending Harvard Summer School.
Online
Join the Harvard community from wherever you are. As an online student, you’ll have access to many of Harvard’s resources available online, like the libraries; however, you do not receive a student ID, so you cannot access campus buildings.
The online format allows you to take Harvard courses and connect with classmates across the globe through live and asynchronous learning.
Residential
Experience Harvard up close by living in the residence halls, dining in Harvard’s historic dining facilities, and taking classes right on campus.
You’ll live in Harvard College dorms or undergraduate Houses and have a meal plan for the dining hall. Students also have access to Harvard Athletics Facilities, Libraries, and other academic resources during their time on campus.
Proctors, who are nearly all Harvard College students, will get to know residential high school students by hosting various residential meetings and activities to promote community, can connect you to academic resources, and participate in on-call rotations in case of emergencies. Resident Deans support the proctors and oversee residential life on campus. Learn more about our resident staff.
Commuting
If you live within commuting distance of campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, you can experience Harvard’s campus life while living locally.
Commuting students attend classes in person or online, access campus resources, and join the same activities as residential students — all without the cost of on-campus housing.
Credit vs. noncredit courses for high school students at Harvard Summer School
Harvard’s summer programs for high school students offer both credit and noncredit courses, depending on your academic goals.
Credit
The Secondary School Program offers more than 200 college-credit courses, so students can choose from a wide-range of academic disciplines from molecular, cellular biology, and psychology, to entrepreneurship, law, and sociology — and everything in between.
Non-credit
With the Pre-College Program, you can test your intellect without the pressure of letter grades. Classes are non-credit, so you can take a college-level course for learning’s sake.
