Accepted into the Pre-College or Secondary School Program? This page will guide you through important deadlines and next steps. Please check back frequently for updates and reminders.
Before proceeding with any task on this page, you must accept your offer to the program.
Deadline to accept your offer:
- Early Admission: February 17, 2027
- Regular Admission: March 10, 2027
- Late Admission: Within two weeks of offer of admission
Stay Notified: Please add PreCollege@Summer.Harvard.edu or SSP@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 that you do not miss important information from our staff.
Dates and Deadlines for Summer 2026
Please see the full High School Programs Calendar for all important deadlines.
| Materials | Dates and Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Residential requirements and payment deadline Pre-College: 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. SSP: Residential students must be registered in an eligible course load (8-credits for 7-Week and 4-credits for 4-Week) and paid in full by this date. Payment includes the program fee, room & meal plan, and tuition. If you do not, you risk being dropped from the residential program. | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
| Commuting and Online payment deadline Commuting and Online students must be registered in course(s) by this date to make the full payment. Payment includes the program fee and tuition. If you do not, you risk being dropped from all courses and waitlists. If admitted after this date, full payment is due immediately upon registering for your course(s). Registration with immediate full payment remains open through June 15, or June 1 for on-campus courses. | Monday, May 11, 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 |
| Pre-College Only: 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 |
| Course changes deadline Pre-College: Course changes require staff approval after April 27 SSP: Course changes require staff approval after June 21 (7-Week) and July 12 (4-Week). | Pre-College: Session I: Thursday, June 11 Session II: Thursday, June 25 Session III: Thursday, July 9 7-Week: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 4-Week: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 |
Complete Next Steps for Admitted Students
Respond to your offer of admission before proceeding with enrollment and onboarding steps. Once you respond “yes” to your offer, an email will be sent to you telling you which of the steps below you need to complete.
1. Review upcoming dates and deadlines.
Review the deadlines above and on the High School Programs Calendar. Missing a deadline may result in you losing eligibility to attend the program.
2. Log in to MyDCE.
MyDCE is the student portal where you will complete all of your post-acceptance requirements. You can access MyDCE by logging in using your DCEKey or HarvardKey login credentials. You should be able to access MyDCE one hour after you’ve accepted your admissions offer and received your “Complete Your Harvard Pre-College/Secondary School Program Next Steps” email.
3. Start the visa process, if applicable.
If you are an international student, you may need to obtain a visa to attend an in-person program (residential or commuting). The process of obtaining a visa can be lengthy, so you should begin the process as soon as possible, making sure to adhere to important deadlines.
Visit the International Students Guidelines page for more information on visa requirements and deadlines.
4. Register for course(s).
You must complete pre-registration (available in February), which will confirm that your student and contact information are up-to-date prior to registering for your course(s). Visit Course Registration for detailed instructions on registration, including pre-registration and payment.
Confirming your registration: To confirm that your registration submitted successfully, log in to your MyDCE account and view the “My Courses” box on your dashboard. Any courses that you’ve successfully registered — or waitlisted — yourself for will appear here.
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 for On Campus courses must also meet the immunization requirements and pay in full for their course(s) by the payment deadlines.
For Pre-College Students
- The session you attend is based on your course registration.You can sort courses by session in the Course Search, or view the “Meeting Info” section of each course description to determine the session its being offered in.
- Pre-College students may only be registered or waitlisted in one course per session. You can register for and attend as many sessions as you choose to. The full cost of the program is due for each session.
- Make sure to check prerequisites before registering for a course. If you do not meet the prerequisite(s) listed under the course, you will not have the necessary background to succeed in the course. You can always send us an email at Precollege@Summer.Harvard.Edu if you’re unsure if you meet the prerequisites.
For Secondary School Program Students
- Credit requirements:
- 4-Week students (all modalities) must register in one 4-credit course.
- 7-Week Online and Commuting students may choose between registering for one 4-credit course, two 4-credit courses, or one 8-credit course.
- 7-Week Residential students must register in eight credits in total (two 4-credit courses or one 8-credit course).
- International students on an F-1 Student Visa must register for the full credit-load (four credits for 4-week and eight credits for 7-week) in the “On Campus” or “Online or On Campus” formats and attend all classes in person.
- You will be required to prove how you meet the prerequisites of a course if the course says “Open to admitted Secondary School Program students by petition” in the notes section of the Course Search. In order for your petition to be approved, you must have completed the college-level equivalent (i.e. AP, IB, Running Start, or college/high school dual enrollment) of the prerequisite.
- If your petition is approved, you will be automatically registered for the course. If your petition is denied, you will be notified via email and will be instructed to drop the course yourself and register for a new one.
- If you can not meet the prerequisites of your desired course, it is typically advised that you register for the prerequisite course itself. This would allow you to gain the necessary background to take your desired course in a future term.
5. Submit payment.
Log in to the Student Finance Portal in MyDCE and pay in full or enroll in a payment plan prior to the payment deadline. You must be enrolled in courses in order for your balance to populate.
You can designate an authorized user, who can access your financial account information online — to view your student account details and submit a payment directly to your account via credit card or electronic check (U.S. bank accounts only). If you would like more payment information, please visit the payment options page.
You must pay for all courses for which you have registered or placed yourself on the course waitlist or be enrolled in a payment plan prior to the payment deadline. Harvard Summer School reserves the right to remove you from your course(s) for nonpayment. Missing the payment deadline, not enrolling in a payment plan by the payment deadline, or missing a payment due on a payment plan will put you at risk of being removed from your courses.
If you intend to only attend one course, please drop yourself from all other courses and waitlists prior to the payment deadline.
For Residential Secondary School Program students, it will take 1-2 business days for charges for housing and meal plan to populate after registering for a course, so we recommend you register a few days in advance of the payment deadline.
6. Claim your HarvardKey.
You’ll receive your HUID number and instructions on how to claim your HarvardKey 48 hours after you register. You can then use your HarvardKey to complete the remaining steps on the checklist.
HarvardKey is your login and password for most University web applications, including the Patient Portal used by Harvard University Health Services to review required vaccination documentation. You will also use your HarvardKey to upload your ID card photo. Check your email regularly (including spam/junk folders) for communication on claiming your HarvardKey and setting up two-step verification with your HarvardKey account.
7. Comply with vaccination & medical requirements.
All Summer School 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 2027. Please refer to the HUHS Immunization Form for more information about this requirement.
8. Attend orientations.
Pre-College Sessions I, II, & III
Attend the Student and Family Orientation via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, from 7–8 p.m. ET.
An invite will be emailed to you closer to June 11. The orientation will be recorded and emailed about a week after the event takes place.
Secondary School Program Online
Attend the Student and Family Orientation via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET.
A Zoom invitation was sent to students in late-May. The orientation will be recorded and emailed about a week after the event takes place.
Secondary School Program Commuting
Attend the Student and Family Orientation via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. A Zoom invitation was sent to students in late-May. The orientation will be recorded and emailed about a week after the event takes place.
Attend the Commuter Student Orientation on campus on the Sunday of your check-in at 2 p.m. ET. More information, including the location of the orientation, will be emailed to you in late-May.
Secondary School Program Residential
Attend the Student and Family Orientation via Zoom on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
A Zoom invitation was sent to students in late-May. The orientation will be recorded and emailed about a week after the event takes place.
Attend the On-Campus Student Orientation in person on the Sunday the program begins after you check-in on campus. More information, including timing and location, will be emailed to you in late-May.
9. Make travel arrangements.
We are excited to welcome you to campus! Review the tips below and refer to the Arrival Guides for information about how to prepare and check-in.
- Approximately one week prior to your check-in, you will have access to your H-Ticket in MyDCE. The H-Ticket includes specific information about where and when to check in and any other requirements you need before your arrival. You have the option of displaying it on your mobile device (recommended) or printing it in advance. You must show your H-ticket and a government-issued photo ID to check in.
- If you are an international student, we recommend that you do not make travel arrangements until you have received your visa.
- We do not provide airport shuttles, but transportation information is available along with directions to campus. Travel to campus should be scheduled so that you can check in during regular check-in hours on Opening Weekend. Early arrival and check-in are not permitted. Check local advisories for potential delays and road closures.
- View the Campus Map to find Opening Weekend locations.
- Keep in mind, people not yet 21 years of age are prohibited by law from checking into a hotel unaccompanied by an adult.
- After you arrive, see the Accessibility Services Office if you have requested accommodations for a disability or have questions about services.
10. Plan your activities.
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.
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.
For Pre-College Program Students
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.
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.
For Secondary School Program Students
The Summer School and the Secondary School Program offer a rich array of free virtual and in-person activities and events for all students.
If you are a commuting student, please make sure to update your “physical address” to Cambridge, Massachusetts when you complete pre-registration to ensure that you are able to view on-campus activities.
Athletics. There are many ways to remain active around campus: Work out at Harvard gyms, participate in a basketball or soccer tournament, or join Weld Boathouse and row on the Charles River.
Music. Students may participate in a variety of musical opportunities, which in previous years has included the Harvard Summer Pops Band and the Harvard Summer Chorus.
Culture. Harvard museums and libraries are world famous and close at hand. Dance, music, and theater flourish in and around Cambridge, and the city of Boston itself has many world-class cultural, historic, and scientific institutions. Some highlights include:
- Harvard Art Museums
- Arnold Arboretum
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Museum of Science
- Peabody Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology
- Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East
Excursions. On weekends, the Summer School sponsors day-long outings, including boat tours and whale watches, trips to Cape Cod and area beaches, trail hikes with sweeping vistas of Boston, and visits to Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in western Massachusetts.
Additionally, the Secondary School Program organizes several of its own activities, and these have included:
- College Admissions Programming (a series of events to help prepare you to apply to college)
- Ask questions of current college students and experienced advisors
- Join a Virtual Admissions Panel to hear from representatives across a variety of colleges and universities
- Prepare to write your college application essay
- Gain an understanding of how to apply for financial aid
- Learn about the Harvard admissions process from a Harvard Admissions officer
- Dances
- Talent Show (try-out near the end of the summer)
11. Review additional resources and policies prior to your arrival.
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.
Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan (Pre-College & Residential SSP Students Only): 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.
Pre-College 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.
Residential SSP Housing: Students in the Secondary School Program have the option to live on campus in Cambridge. After you have registered for courses (8 credits for 7-week and 4 credits for 4-week), a housing application will be submitted on your behalf by the Secondary School Program. Charges will post to your account within two business days of when you registered for your course(s). This will only happen for residential students; online and commuter students will not have housing applications made on their behalf or receive housing charges. See the Housing Eligibility page for more information and next steps.
Meals (Pre-College & Residential SSP Students Only): All Pre-College and SSP residential students receive a meal plan and enjoy a comprehensive dining program. 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 Pre-College weekend off-campus trips. Please see our dining services page if you would like additional information.
Specific High School Programs 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 and Secondary School Programs have additional policies for all students. These include curfew, guests, and the “do the smart thing” alcohol and other drugs policy.
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.
