Applications for Summer 2025 open on December 2.
| Summer 2025 Session I | Summer 2025 Session II | Summer 2025 Session III |
| June 22–July 3, 2025 | July 6–July 18, 2025 | July 20–August 1, 2025 |
Eligibility For 2025
The admissions committee is looking for mature, academically motivated students who meet both of the following criteria:
- Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2026 or 2027.
- Are at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2025.
The account must be created, and the application must be completed, by the prospective student and not by parents/guardians, agents, counselors, or anyone else.
Certain email domains have historically been difficult for our automated processes to reach (ex., @qq.com, @163.com). If you primarily use one of these email addresses, we request that you use an alternative email address to complete your application and in your correspondence with Harvard Summer School.
How to Apply
Do not complete the application on your smartphone. Please use a laptop or PC. Keep in mind that you may only apply for one program each summer, either the Pre-College Program or the Secondary School Program.
Complete an online application and provide supplemental materials, including:
- The $75 nonrefundable application fee
- Counselor report: You can request a link be sent to your counselor in the application
- Transcripts from 9th grade to fall 2024 grades: This can include progress reports, report cards, and educational summaries from your high school
- Rules and Media Release online form: You can request a link be sent to your parent or legal guardian in the application
- If English is not your native language, submit scores from the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo language proficiency exam along with your application
Important 2025 Application Deadlines
All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time unless otherwise specified.
| Application and Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines: | Application and Materials Deadline | Decision Released | Applicant Response Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online program and financial aid application available | Monday, December 2, 2024 | ||
| Early application and priority financial aid deadline* Complete your application by this date to receive a decision before course registration begins. If you would like to apply for a need-based scholarship, please fill out the financial aid section of the program application. | Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | Tuesday, February 4, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET | Tuesday, February 18, 2025 |
| Regular application and financial aid deadline* Complete your application by this date to receive a decision before the payment deadline. If you would like to apply for a need-based scholarship, please fill out the financial aid section of the program application. Need-based scholarships will be awarded subject to availability of funds. | Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | Tuesday, March 11, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 |
| Late application deadline* Full payment is due upon registration for all accepted students. Financial aid is not available to late applicants. | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (or earlier if all course waitlists are full) | On a rolling basis within 3 weeks of completed application following the regular decision release on March 11 | Within 2 weeks of offer of admission |
*All materials (application including essays, counselor report, transcripts, current grades, online rules and media releasefrom parent/guardian, TOEFL ibt/IELTS/DuoLingo scores if English is not your native language, and application fee) must be submitted in order for an application be considered complete.
See the Pre-College Calendar for all important dates and deadlines.
Application Tips
- No fee is required to start your application. You will be asked to pay the nonrefundable application fee only upon submitting the application.
- Review expectations for TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo Academic tests (non-native English speakers only). The scores of successful students typically score above 103 on the TOEFL with a 25 or above on the writing section, 7.5 or above on the IELTS with a 7.0 or above on the writing section, and 135 or above on Duolingo. We do not accept Cambridge English Exam or TOEFL iTP test scores. Be sure to schedule your test appointment as early as possible, so that the test does not delay your application. You can also submit an interview and writing sample from InitialView to supplement your application, but these cannot replace the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores.
- When you apply, choose your program thoughtfully. You may apply to only one of Harvard Summer School’s college programs for high school students per year.
- Use a desktop or laptop when completing your application. You will be asked to write short essays as part of your application. This may be challenging to do on a mobile phone. Therefore, we advise using a desktop or laptop computer to complete your application.
- Walk through the application – in this video, we go through the application and provide guidance on how to fill it out.
- Watch your inbox — you’ll receive an email prompting you to log in to check your application status after you’ve completed your application.
Admissions decisions are only valid for the summer term in which you apply. You may not defer admission to the program to a subsequent summer term.
Selection Process
We will evaluate all information submitted — including transcripts, current grades, counselor reports, and your short essays — when considering your application.
Harvard Summer School does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.
International Students
According to U.S. State Department guidelines, international students participating in the Pre-College Program do not qualify for F-1 student visas as this is a non-degree program that requires less than 18 hours per week in the classroom.
Participants should apply for the B-2 tourist visa (citizens of some countries may not need visa stamps but will need pre-approval through the ESTA system) which allows for brief stays—usually less than six months—that may include participation in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree.
Consult the US embassy or consulate in your country if you have any questions about visas, country-specific policies, or the necessary documentation for your visit.
Please visit the US Embassy website to locate the embassy in your country.
