Top 10 Ivy League Summer Programs for High School Students in 2025–2026

Ever wonder what it feels like to take elite college-level classes before you even graduate high school? Ivy League summer programs let you explore subjects in STEM and humanities while living on campus or online and learning from world-class instructors.

This blog walks you through ten of the best Ivy League summer programs for high school students, including program dates, locations, costs, and what you can expect day to day. You’ll see which programs offer hands-on projects, mentorship, and fully funded options so you can figure out which one fits your interests and goals.

• What Are the Best Ivy League Summer Programs for High School Students?
• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
• Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (PLLP)
• Harvard Pre-College Program
• Columbia Summer Immersion Program
• University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Pre-College Programs
• Cornell Precollege Studies
• Brown Summer@Brown
• Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
• Dartmouth Bound
• Yale Young Writers’ Workshop
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Ivy League Summer Programs for High School Students?

Below is an overview of ten of the best Ivy League summer programs for high school students:

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

• Dates: Session I: June 21–July 3, 2026; Session II: July 5–17, 2026; Session III: July 19–31, 2026
• Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
• Cost: $7,000 per 2-week session

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) gives you a chance to experience college-level learning at Yale and work alongside students from over 150 countries. The program is entirely in-person for two weeks, and you pick one session based on your interests:

• Innovations in Science and Technology (IST). You’ll explore physics, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and engineering through hands-on projects. Workshops such as biohacking, AI ethics, and solution design train you to think like a scientist.
• Politics of Law and Economics (PLE). You’ll learn how governments, legal systems, and economies work while debating policies, applying game theory, and analyzing human rights and market regulations.
• Solving Global Challenges (SGC). You’ll tackle issues like climate change, poverty, and health, using STEM, social sciences, and humanities tools to develop actionable solutions for real-world problems.

Applicants must be 16–18, fluent in English, and first-time participants. Need-based financial aid can cover full tuition, though travel is extra.

If you want a full guide to Yale Young Global Scholars and how to pick the right session for you, check out our detailed blog on YYGS.

2. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (PLLP)

• Dates: Customized per project, typically 5–6 weeks during the summer of 2026
• Location: Princeton University, New Jersey
• Cost: Free

Princeton Laboratory Learning Program (PLLP) lets you work on fundamental research in science or engineering under Princeton faculty and lab staff. You handle experiments, analyze data, and learn lab techniques while contributing to active projects in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering.

The program is entirely in-person for New Jersey high school students. You spend 5–6 weeks during regular daytime hours in a lab, following the schedule set by your faculty mentor. You must be 16 or older by June 15, 2026, enrolled in a U.S. high school, and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Transportation and housing are your responsibility. More than 3,000 students apply each year, and only a select few are accepted. The program is fully funded with no tuition.

3. Harvard Pre-College Program

• Dates: Session I: June 21–July 2, 2026; Session II: July 5–17, 2026; Session III: July 19–31, 2026
• Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cost: $6,100 per session plus $75 application fee

Harvard Pre-College Program is one of the top Ivy League summer programs that offers you the opportunity to take a college-level course in subjects such as STEM, law, the social sciences, or the creative arts while living on campus. Classes are small, around 15 students, and combine lectures, discussions, and projects.

You spend two weeks in-person with three hours of class daily and two to four hours of homework. You learn research and writing and gain experience managing academics and campus life.

You must be at least 16, a rising junior or senior, and graduating in 2027 or 2028. The program includes room, meals, and activities. Scholarships are available, and you receive a Harvard transcript noting “requirements met” that can support your college applications.

For a complete guide on the Harvard Pre-College Program, check out our in-depth blog.

4. Columbia Summer Immersion Program

• Dates: NYC Residential Summer A: June 29–July 17, 2026; NYC Residential Summer B: July 21–August 7, 2026
• Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York City
• Cost: NYC Residential Summer: $12,764 per session; NYC Commuter Summer: $6,310 per 3-week session; Online Summer: $3,965 per 2-week session; $80 application fee not included

The Columbia Summer Immersion Program is one of the top Ivy League summer programs for high school students in grades 9–12 who want to explore college-level courses while living on campus, commuting, or online. You can choose from courses in STEM, arts, humanities, writing, and journalism, and engage in co-curricular activities and workshops.

Residential and commuter sessions last 3 weeks, while online sessions last 1–2 weeks. You spend most days in class with hands-on projects, collaborative exercises, and mentorship from Columbia instructors.

You must be at least 15 for the residential program and meet grade eligibility requirements. Financial aid is available for eligible students in the NYC Commuter and Online programs.

5. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Pre-College Programs

• Dates: Residential Program: June 30–August 8, 2026; Online Program Session I: May 26–July 1, 2026; Online Program Session II: July 2–August 7, 2026
• Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Online
• Cost: Residential: $7,500–$12,000 per session, depending on course load; Online: $3,965 per 2-week course; $80 application fee not included

The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Pre-College Programs are designed for high school students in grades 10–11 who want to earn credit for undergraduate courses and experience Ivy League academics. You can choose courses in STEM, social sciences, humanities, and arts, and learn alongside Penn undergraduates in either on-campus or online formats.

Residential students live in campus housing and attend classes Monday through Friday. Online students participate in synchronous classes at Eastern Time, engaging in group discussions, research, and collaborative assignments while earning Penn credit.

You must meet grade-eligibility and academic-readiness standards, and international students can apply with or without a visa, depending on the format. Need-based scholarships are available for online and commuter programs.

If you want the full rundown for high school students, check out our in-depth blog on the UPenn Pre-College Programs.

6. Cornell Precollege Studies

• Dates: Summer Residential Program: June 22–August 2, 2026; Summer/Winter Online Program: Summer Session 1: June 2–20, 2026, Session 2: June 23–July 11, 2026, Session 3: July 14–August 1, 2026; Six-Week Summer Session: June 23–August 1, 2026
• Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Online
• Cost: Residential Program: $8,399–$20,434 depending on course load and session; Commuter Program: $5,820–$11,640; Online Program: $5,820 per three-credit course

Cornell Precollege lets you explore your future major or career by taking real Cornell undergraduate courses while still in high school. You can earn college credit, study with Ivy League instructors, and experience Cornell academics firsthand.

The program format depends on how you want to experience Cornell this summer or winter:

• Summer Residential Program. Three- and six-week in-person sessions where you live in campus residence halls, take credit-bearing undergraduate courses, attend academic workshops, and join supervised social and cultural activities.
• Summer Commuter Program. Attend on-campus classes while living nearby or with family. You earn Cornell credits but do not have access to campus housing or residential activities.
• Summer/Winter Online Program. Participate in live or asynchronous classes through Canvas, earn college credits, complete assignments, and interact with Cornell instructors and a global student community.

You must be a rising junior or senior who has completed at least your sophomore year, and international students are welcome. Age requirements vary by program: 16–18 for residential, 16–19 for commuter, and 15–19 for online courses. The program is not free or fully funded, so students should plan for tuition, housing, and other fees.

If you want the full rundown for high school students, check out our in-depth blog on Cornell Precollege Studies.

7. Brown Summer@Brown

• Dates: On-Campus Programs: 1–3 weeks, June 21–July 24, 2026; Hybrid Program: 5 weeks, June 22–July 24, 2026; Online Programs: 2–6 weeks, June 15–July 24, 2026
• Location: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Online
• Cost: On-Campus Residential: $3,748–$8,372; Hybrid: $10,858; Online: $3,364–$6,520

Summer@Brown offers college-level courses in subjects from science and engineering to arts and social sciences, with opportunities to earn a Digital Certificate of Completion or a Course Performance Report.

You can choose how to participate:

• On-Campus Programs. 1-, 2-, or 3-week in-person sessions.
• Hybrid Program. Five-week courses with two weeks online and three weeks on campus. 
• Online Programs. Two- to six-week fully online courses. 

Eligibility requires you to be a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior, ages 14–18 by the program start date. Students from any high school worldwide can apply. The program is not free or fully funded; tuition, housing, and other fees apply.

For a complete guide for high school students, read our in-depth blog on Brown Summer@Brown.

8. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

• Dates: July 2025 (Hybrid: online workshops then 10-day residential program)
• Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey; Online
• Cost: Free

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is for U.S. high school juniors from low-income families who want to learn the craft of journalism. You practice reporting, feature writing, and multimedia journalism with guidance from professional journalists and Princeton professors.

The program combines online workshops with a 10-day residential experience on Princeton’s campus. You attend lectures, complete reporting assignments, and contribute to the Princeton Summer Journal while receiving mentorship on college applications.

Eligibility requires a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5, U.S. residency, and at least one socioeconomic requirement, such as family income below $65,000, free/reduced lunch eligibility, or an SAT/ACT fee waiver. PSJP is fully funded, covering tuition, housing, and program costs.

For a complete guide on this journalism program for high school students, check out our in-depth blog on the Princeton Summer Journalism Program.

9. Dartmouth Bound

• Dates: July 2026
• Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
• Cost: Free, including travel, housing, and meals

Dartmouth Bound is one of the standout Ivy League summer programs designed for rising high school seniors in the U.S., especially students from underserved communities or first-generation college families. You experience college life, learn about admissions and financial aid, and meet other students from across the country.

The program is entirely in-person for one week. You attend workshops on college applications and financial aid, meet faculty, tour campus with current students, and participate in mentoring sessions focused on academics, leadership, and social engagement.

Eligibility requires you to be a rising senior currently enrolled in a U.S. high school. Dartmouth Bound is fully funded, covering all travel, housing, and meals for selected participants.

10. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop

• Dates: June 21–26, 2026
• Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Online
• Cost: On Campus (with housing): $3085; On Campus (without housing): $2660; Online: $1380

Yale Young Writers’ Workshop is for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to improve their writing in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. The program runs for one week, either in person on Yale’s campus or online, with daily workshops, guest author talks, museum-based writing activities, and readings. You will practice writing techniques, revision strategies, and critical feedback, and produce short manuscripts to refine your skills and confidence as a writer.

Eligibility applies to students ages 16 to 18 who are enrolled in high school, and the application requires a 500-word writing sample, a high school transcript, and two recommendation letters.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best Ivy League summer programs for high school students in 2025?

Programs like Yale Young Global Scholars, Harvard Pre-College, and Princeton Laboratory Learning Program are highly regarded. The best programs give you a chance to explore college-level academics and hands-on learning in your favorite subjects.

2. Are there free Ivy League summer programs for high school students?

Yes, some programs are fully funded for eligible students, covering tuition, housing, and sometimes even travel. Princeton Laboratory Learning Program, Princeton Summer Journalism Program, and Dartmouth Bound are examples.

3. What subjects do Ivy League summer programs typically cover?

These programs cover a wide range of topics, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, arts, writing, and law. Some programs focus on research, such as the Princeton Laboratory Learning Program, while others, such as Yale Young Global Scholars, let you explore global challenges and interdisciplinary topics.

4. How can Ivy League summer programs help with college admissions?

Attending one of these programs shows colleges that you are motivated, curious, and willing to challenge yourself academically. You’ll gain experience in real college courses, work on projects, and earn transcripts or certificates that strengthen your applications. You also develop skills like critical thinking, research, teamwork, and presentation, which colleges look for in prospective students.

5. When should I apply for Ivy League summer programs?

Applications usually open in January or February and close between March and May, depending on the program. Some programs use rolling admissions, so applying early can improve your chances. You should gather your writing samples, transcripts, and recommendation letters well in advance to submit a strong application on time.

Takeaways

• You can explore college-level courses in STEM, the arts, writing, and the social sciences at top programs such as Yale Young Global Scholars, Harvard Pre-College, and Columbia Summer Immersion.
• Fully funded programs like Princeton Laboratory Learning Program, Princeton Summer Journalism Program, and Dartmouth Bound let you attend without paying tuition, housing, or travel costs if you meet eligibility requirements.
• Ivy League summer programs give you hands-on experience, mentorship from top professors, and opportunities to work on real projects, which can strengthen your skills and college applications.
• You can choose from on-campus, hybrid, or online formats, so you can find a program that fits your schedule, interests, and comfort level while still getting an authentic Ivy League experience.
• Exploring these Ivy League summer programs with guidance from a college admissions expert can help you pick the right fit, giving you a head start on building skills and experiences that impress colleges.