Prepare For Your Future!
You’ll get a true taste of college as you engage with fellow high school and college students and thrive in an academically rigorous environment.
Career Pathways & Focused Areas of Study
Explore how learning might apply to a career. Discover a potential major. Delve into a passion or subject not offered at your high school.
Activities
Enjoy the perspective that comes from connecting with a diverse group of peers as you engage in intellectual debate and explore new activities together.
Gain the confidence to do well in college that comes from successfully navigating a healthy balance between coursework, extracurricular activities, and new friends.
Choose From Three Flexible Formats
| SSP Residential | SSP Online | SSP Commuting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Format | On-Campus and/or Online* |
Online | On-Campus and/or Online |
| Number of Credit Hours | 8 credit hours | 4 or 8 credit hours | 4 or 8 credit hours |
| Have the option to drop their 2nd class | No (Can switch to another class) |
Yes | Yes (Unless restricted by visa) |
| Live in Harvard Housing | Yes | No | No |
| Participate in Activities | Yes | Some | Yes |
| Harvard ID, access to campus buildings | Yes | No | Yes (Except dorms) |
| College credit from Harvard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Financial aid eligible (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tutoring and Writing Center access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*International SSP Residential students cannot take online classes.
As a summer student at one of the top-ranked universities in the world, you'll experience a challenging learning environment.
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38
Languages Spoken
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48
U.S. State and Territories
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61
Countries Represented
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18 Years
Offering an Online Version of the Program
How to Apply
The admissions committee is looking for mature, academically motivated students who meet both the following criteria:
- Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2023, 2024, or 2025
- Are at least 16 years old by June 17, 2023, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2023
- Students are required to apply for the program
For the most current information related to COVID-19, check the Harvard University COVID-19 information website as well as the Harvard Summer School updates page for any updates on policies and procedures regarding how COVID-19 will impact our programs. Once students are admitted, they will receive any important communications to the email address provided in their application.
The application for Summer 2023 opens December 1, 2022.
Cost & Aid (2022)
The total cost of the Secondary School Program depends on the number of courses taken and which format:
- Non-refundable $75 application fee
- $200 health insurance
- SSP Residential $13,200. Cost includes tuition + Room and Board
- SSP Commuting and SSP Online $3,500 (4-credits) – $7,000 (8-credits). Cost is for tuition only and depends upon the number of credits taken.
Costs for Summer 2023 will be available in October.
A Day in the Life of a Harvard Summer School Student
Join us for a virtual conversation with Harvard Summer School students and proctors to learn more about what it’s like to spend your summer at Harvard.
October 18, 2022 from 7:00-7:45pm.
