Dartmouth Precollege Programs You Should Know About

April 6, 2025

Dreaming about being a Dartmouth student? Dartmouth’s precollege programs let you experience the Ivy League world while still in high school. You can take part in summer classes, try online courses, or spend time on campus to get a feel for student life. It’s a great way to learn new things, meet other curious students, and figure out what you’re passionate about, all before senior year ends.

In this blog, you’ll get a full rundown of Dartmouth’s precollege programs: what they offer, who can join, how much they cost, and what makes each one unique. You’ll also find helpful info on how to apply, important deadlines, and answers to common questions.

What are the Precollege Programs at Dartmouth?
Precollege Summer Scholars
Leadership Institute
Precollege Online Program
Dartmouth Bound
Strengthening Educational Access with Dartmouth
Frequently Asked Questions
Takeaways

What are the Precollege Programs at Dartmouth?

Dartmouth Precollege gives you the chance to get a jumpstart on college while you’re still in high school. You’ll explore exciting subjects, connect with students from all over the country (and even the world), and take part in fun, challenging classes led by real Dartmouth professors and staff.

Here are the precollege programs available for you at Dartmouth:

Precollege Summer Scholars
Leadership Institute
Precollege Online Program
Dartmouth Bound
Strengthening Educational Access with Dartmouth (SEAD)

Let’s explore these pre-college programs one by one.

Precollege Summer Scholars

Duration: 11 days (multiple sessions)
Application deadline: December 16, 2024 (Early/Priority); January 28, 2025 (Regular); March 25, 2025 (Extended)
Location: online and in-campus
Cost of attendance: $8,299 (residential); $6,999 (hybrid)
Eligibility: Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade by spring 2025 (ages 14–18), from both the U.S. and abroad, are eligible to apply.

To join Dartmouth’s Precollege Summer Scholars, you’ll go through a competitive application process. If you’re selected, you’ll be placed in a course that matches your interests and academic level. If you’re joining as a residential student, you’ll stay in a campus dorm and take just one course created specifically for high school students by Dartmouth instructors.

Outside of class, you can also take part in fun workshops and co-curricular activities to make the most of your time on campus.

Some of the exciting on-campus course options include:

AI in Healthcare: Ethics and Applications
Applied Microbiology: Microbes in the Real World
Basic Criminal Law: Elements and Process
Brain Health: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Business Foundations
Creative Writing
Data Science
Neuroscience of Animal Behavior
Problem Solving with AI

There’s a little something for everyone, no matter what you’re curious about.

The following dates are the scheduled sessions for Summer 2025:

Session 1: (On-campus) June 30 – July 10
Session 2: (On-campus) July 7 – July 17
Hybrid: (Online) July 7-11; (On-campus) July 13-20

Leadership Institute

Duration: 13 days (multiple sessions)
Application deadline: December 16, 2024 (Early/Priority); January 28, 2025 (Regular); March 25, 2025 (Extended)
Location: On-campus
Cost of attendance: $9,299
Eligibility: Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade by spring 2025 (ages 14–18), from both the U.S. and abroad, are eligible to apply.

At the Leadership Institute, you’ll explore leaders’ real-life challenges when trying to create change and shape policy. You’ll look at different ideas about what makes someone a good leader and how things like identity and institutions can affect the choices they have. Using case studies, you’ll explore how leaders influence areas like government, education, science, and social policy on a global scale.

As a bonus, the course includes a two-day outdoor leadership experience at a lodge in the beautiful White Mountains, giving you the chance to build teamwork skills and try out what you’ve learned in a whole new setting.

The following dates are the scheduled sessions for Summer 2025:

Session 1: July 13 – July 25, 2025
Session 2: July 27 – August 8, 2025

Application process

You’ll need to complete the online application to apply for the Dartmouth Precollege Summer Scholars program and Leadership Institute. This includes sharing your personal info, picking the course(s) you’re interested in, answering a few short questions about your interests, and uploading your latest grade report or transcript.

If you’re an international student, you’ll also need to show that you’re confident in English. You can do this by submitting a standardized test score, sharing a transcript from a school where classes are taught in English, or requesting a short video interview.

There’s a $100 non-refundable application fee due when you submit your form. If that’s a concern, you can ask about a fee waiver by emailing [email protected].

Precollege Online Program

- Duration: varies (available throughout the year)
- Application deadline: rolling admissions
- Location: Online
- Cost of attendance: $1,795 (individual course)
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up

The Dartmouth Precollege Online Program lets you dive into college-level courses from home, no need to pack a bag or leave your room. It’s designed for motivated students ages 13 and up who are ready to explore big ideas through Dartmouth’s liberal arts lens. You’ll earn a Certificate of Completion for each course you finish, which is a solid boost for your college apps.

What makes the Dartmouth Precollege Online Program really stand out is the way it’s built around your learning style and interests. Each course wraps up with a final capstone project where you get to show what you’ve learned and receive helpful feedback from your mentor. Speaking of mentors, you’ll have one throughout the course who knows the subject well and is there to answer your questions and guide you along the way.

The program is also super flexible. Everything is 100% online, so you can watch the lessons whenever it fits your schedule. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of engaging content like videos, simulations, and assignments, all with extra support from your mentor to help you stay on track. You can even take more than one course if you’re up for it!

Here are the online courses available currently:

Application process

It’s super simple to apply. No transcripts or recommendation letters are needed. Just fill out some basic info and share a little about why you want to join the program.

If you can’t finish the application in one go, no worries. Your progress will be saved so you can come back to it anytime. You need to be at least 13 years old to apply, and the application has to be completed in English.

Dartmouth Bound

Duration: Dates for 2025 are still to be announced. In 2024, two sessions were held: Session 1: July 14–17, 2024; Session 2: July 28–30, 2024.
Application deadline: Spring 2025 (no specified date yet)
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost of attendance: Free (travel, lodging, and food are covered by Dartmouth)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (rising seniors) who live and go to school in the U.S. can apply, regardless of their citizenship status.

Dartmouth Bound is a fun and eye-opening residential program that gives you a real feel for college life while helping you get ready for the college application journey. You’ll get tips on how to write your application, join a mock admissions committee to see how decisions are made, and learn what top colleges look for in a student. You’ll also explore Dartmouth’s academics, how financial aid works, and ways to build your network.

Worried about financial aid lingo? Don’t stress. The admissions and aid team will walk you through terms like “need-based aid,” “cost of attendance,” and “work-study,” so you can make smarter choices when it’s time to pick a college.

During the program, you’ll hang out with current Dartmouth students and hear what life on campus is really like. You’ll even go on a student-led tour around campus, giving you a chance to check out the space, soak in the natural beauty, and hear personal stories along the way.

Strengthening Educational Access with Dartmouth

Duration: multi-year (Students start the program the summer before 11th grade and finish it after completing their first two years of college.)
Application deadline: September 2025
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost of attendance: Free
Eligibility: Sophomore from one of the three partner high schools (listed below)

SEAD is a 4-year program that supports first-generation and/or low-income students starting from their sophomore year of high school through their sophomore year of college. The goal is to help you grow both academically and personally through hands-on learning, year-round mentoring, and courses designed just for you.

The program kicks off with a week-long summer session at Dartmouth, where you’ll live on campus, take exciting classes, build community, and connect with mentors. During your junior and senior years, you’ll continue with weekly mentoring, academic support, and skills-building activities led by trained Dartmouth undergrads. This happens through after-school sessions, college visits, and day-long retreats.

Once you’re in college, SEAD sticks with you by offering coaching, leadership opportunities, and help connecting with the resources at your school.

To join the program, you need to be a sophomore at one of these three local high schools:

Oxbow High School in Bradford, VT
Lebanon High School in Lebanon, NH
Stevens High School in Claremont, NH

You should be doing well in school, passing all your classes, showing up regularly, and staying engaged. It’s also important that you’re able to take part in both the school year and summer parts of the program.

This program is meant for students who will be the first in their family to go to a four-year college and/or may qualify as low-income.

Application process

The SEAD application is typically shared through your school counselor or a SEAD contact at your high school. Ask your school counselor for the application form and details. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Dartmouth’s precollege programs prestigious?

Dartmouth’s precollege programs definitely carry a strong reputation, especially because they’re connected to an Ivy League school known for academic rigor, close student-faculty relationships, and a tight-knit community. While the programs themselves might not be labeled “prestigious” in the same way as getting accepted to Dartmouth as an undergrad, they’re still highly respected and competitive.

2. What are Dartmouth’s precollege programs’ acceptance rates?

Dartmouth doesn’t give out exact acceptance rates for its pre-college programs like Pre-College Summer Scholars or Dartmouth Bound, but it’s clear they’re selective. These programs are looking for students who are motivated, curious, and ready to take on college-level learning. The application process is competitive, especially for programs like Summer Scholars, where your academic background and interests really matter.

3. Does participating in any of Dartmouth’s precollege programs help with college admissions?

Participating in one of Dartmouth’s precollege programs won’t guarantee admission, but it can definitely give you a boost in the application process. It shows that you’re motivated, curious, and willing to take on academic challenges—qualities colleges look for.

4. Do I get college credit for attending these precollege programs?

Most Dartmouth pre-college programs are non-credit, but you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion, which is still a nice addition to your résumé or college apps.

5. Are these programs free?

Some programs (like Dartmouth Bound or SEAD) are fully funded and free for selected students. Others (like the Pre-College Summer Scholars or online programs) may have a tuition fee but often include housing, meals, and materials. Many programs offer full or partial financial aid based on need. Be sure to check the specific program page for how to request aid or fee waivers.

Takeaways

Dartmouth’s precollege programs reveal just how many opportunities there are for high school students to experience college life early. These programs facilitate growth, mentorship, and discovering what excites you.

You don’t have to wait for college to start learning like a college student. Dartmouth gives high schoolers the chance to take real, engaging courses designed by their faculty.
Whether you want a residential experience, a flexible online course, or a longer mentorship journey, there’s a program that fits your pace and goals.
You’ll need to apply and show you’re ready, but if you’re accepted, you’ll be placed in a course that actually matches your interests and strengths.
Some programs are completely free. Programs like Dartmouth Bound and SEAD are fully funded and cover things like housing, food, and travel for accepted students.
Work with an expert in the college admissions process to help you identify the Dartmouth precollege program that will help you get closer to joining the school of your dreams.