For high school students dreaming of attending an Ivy League university, summer pre-college programs offer a valuable opportunity to get a head start. Each summer, all eight Ivy League schools open their campuses to high schoolers through Pre-College Programs—carefully designed courses that allow students to experience college life, explore potential majors, and even earn college credit. These programs are more than just academic enrichment; they help students determine their interests, showcase their initiative, and build compelling content for future college applications.

 

It’s important to note, however, that attending a university’s summer program does not automatically give an applicant an advantage when applying to that same school. Instead, the benefit comes from the student’s ability to deeply understand the campus environment and reflect on that experience in “Why School” essays. If students perform well in for-credit programs, they can also demonstrate readiness for rigorous college-level coursework. On the flip side, poor academic performance in such courses may actually work against them, especially if those credits are factored into a future college GPA.

 

Harvard

Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, runs one of the most well-established summer programs through its Harvard Summer School. There are two primary options for high school students. The Pre-College Program, designed for students aged 15–18 entering 11th or 12th grade, runs for two weeks per session from late June through early August. Over 100 non-credit courses are offered. Tuition is approximately $5,300 including room and board. The Secondary School Program lasts seven weeks and allows students to enroll in college-level, credit-bearing courses. Costs for this program vary depending on course load and housing, ranging between $3,600 to $11,000.

 

Yale

At Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, several options are available. The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is one of the most competitive two-week programs worldwide, focusing on global affairs, innovation, and leadership. Tuition for YYGS is $6,500 including room and board. Yale also offers a five-week Summer Session, where students can take credit-bearing courses across more than 150 subjects. The cost varies based on enrollment and housing. Additionally, Yale partners with the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) to offer a three-week non-credit program for students aged 13–17, with tuition around $5,800.

 

Penn

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia offers a wide range of pre-college options. The Penn Summer Prep Program is a two-week modular course structure in subjects like science, math, communication, and the arts, designed for students aged 14 and up. Other offerings include the Pre-College Program, where students earn college credit, and the Wharton Global Youth Program, focused on business and innovation. Tuition across these programs generally ranges from $5,500 to $7,500 depending on the length and format.

 

Columbia

Columbia University, located in the heart of Manhattan, hosts the Summer Immersion: New York City program. This three-week experience runs in multiple sessions from late June through early August and is open to students entering grades 9 through 12. With over 70 course options in 12 academic areas—including architecture, journalism, law, philosophy, and psychology—the program offers both academic rigor and an immersive urban setting. Tuition is approximately $6,400 with room and board included.

 

Brown

At Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, the Summer@Brown program offers great flexibility. High school students between ages 15–18 can select from over 200 courses ranging from one to four weeks in length, running from mid-June through early August. Tuition depends on course length, with one week priced around $2,900, two weeks at $4,200, and four weeks reaching about $6,500, all including housing and meals. Brown also offers themed programs such as the Leadership Institute and Environmental Labs.

 

Cornell

Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, provides Pre-College Studies in both three-week and six-week formats. Open to rising 10th through 12th graders under 18, the program offers for-credit classes in fields like science, business, and social sciences. Students can receive official Cornell transcripts. Tuition ranges from about $5,000 for three weeks to $12,000 for six weeks, with housing and meals included.

 

Princeton

Princeton University in New Jersey collaborates with SIG to offer a three-week summer program for students aged 13–17. The curriculum includes interdisciplinary studies in humanities, STEM, and the arts. The program costs around $5,800including room and board. Princeton also offers a Summer Journalism Program for students from low-income backgrounds, which is completely free and includes housing, transportation, and meals. Admission is extremely competitive.

 

Dartmouth

Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, does not offer a traditional pre-college academic program. However, it does host summer camps in athletics and other niche areas—most of which are run by external organizations using Dartmouth’s facilities. One notable exception is Dartmouth Bound, a three-day free campus visit program for rising seniors from underrepresented or first-generation college backgrounds.

 

In summary, Ivy League summer programs can be an enriching and formative part of a high school student’s journey—but they should be chosen thoughtfully. These programs allow students to explore their passions, experience college-level instruction, and gain deeper insights into the campus culture of their dream schools. When used strategically, the experience can strengthen a student’s college application—particularly when discussed in essays or demonstrated through strong academic performance. However, with program costs ranging between $4,000 and $13,000, families should carefully consider their budget and personal goals.

 

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