Are summer programmes worth the money? 7 pre-college summer programmes that we recommend

Pre-college summer programmes are a great way to get a first taste of what it’ll be like to study at a US university for a few weeks, and can give you some very valuable insight into the pros and cons of learning under a different education system and living in a country that’s not your own. Given the often very high tuition fees and living costs of US university life, summer programmes are becoming increasingly popular with students curious about taking an eventual leap into US higher education.

The big question, like with a university education, is still: ‘Is it worth it?’ The answer depends on many factors, including how sure you are of where and what you want to study, as well as whether you wish to have a foretaste of what you’re signing up to before applying to a US university. That said, potential US university students are, on the whole, overwhelmingly positive about their experiences on pre-college courses for what they offer in terms of knowledge, skills, and preparation before making a university application.

Understanding pre-college summer programmes

Pre-college programmes are a great way to discover new passions and interests, while also finding out more about what you want to study at university and how life might look when there. Their purpose is to expose you to teaching styles and methods you’ll encounter when at university, as well as some of the content of your chosen course and new areas of discovery you haven’t previously come across.

There are so many types of pre-college programme available to choose from, and you’ll undoubtedly benefit from whichever you decide to pursue, but they all offer something different. That’s why it pays to do your research before embarking on one, so you know what you’re signing up for. The main types of programme are Academic, Research-based, and Enrichment programmes.

Academic programmes aim to give you a glimpse of what studying one or more academic subjects at university will be like. These can be very specific, e.g. law, or more general, such as the sciences. They will enable you to experience different teaching formats, such as lectures and seminars, and to converse with subject experts and meet fellow enthusiasts for the subject. Don’t worry, though, there will also be opportunities to undertake non-academic activities during the course too.

Research-based programmes are designed to guide you through the completion of a significant research project under the supervision of subject-matter experts. They require you to be focused and self-motivated, and you will learn many useful skills for later study, such as how to review pre-existing research, structuring and writing your work, using and assessing sources, conducting experiments, and presenting your findings. You may even find your project helps you with an essay or two at university!

Enrichment programmes are many and varied, and can encompass subjects as diverse as admissions test preparation and interview technique to sports science and art history. The idea is that they ‘enrich’ you by introducing you to subjects and topics you’ve not previously encountered. They often involve trips to places of interest, have notable speakers, and allow you to discover new places and meet different people. All of these opportunities go some way to enriching your experiences and outlook, which many say help them at university and beyond.

Benefits of summer programmes

Pre-college programmes allow you to get a taste of more advanced academic work, such as you’ll encounter at university, which helps to bridge the gap between secondary and tertiary education. This means you’ll less likely be shocked by the difference when you start your degree.

One great thing about pre-college courses is that you find out what studying a subject at university is like without having to commit yourself to three or four years first. This means you get a good idea of whether you’ll enjoy a subject and whether your chosen academic or career path is right for you; you may even discover something that changes your mind completely and sets you off on a new and exciting journey. 

People often forget the soft skills that come with undertaking a pre-college course, but these are some of the most valuable to be gained. Skills like communication (presenting, talking to others, getting your point across), adaptability (living and working somewhere new with strangers for an extended period), and time management (ensuring you allocate enough time to work and leisure without compromising either) are transferable and invaluable to work and life beyond the classroom.

A huge advantage of pre-college courses is that they gather together an assortment of people from different countries and backgrounds who are united by their interest in the proposed course, meaning you already have something in common. This leads to your meeting with peers, academics, and professionals who will all have something of interest to contribute, and these strong connections and networks you can form may last a lifetime.

Do they actually help you get into universities?

Attending a pre-university course naturally doesn’t guarantee you a place at a university, nor does it necessarily count towards your chances of gaining admission from the university’s point of view. That said, many feel they help when it comes to making their applications as they can provide evidence of your motivation and achievement, where relevant, and can help you to refine your intentions regarding your next steps. The most important consideration is that you’re doing it for yourself and your own development and long-term enrichment, as opposed to expecting it to increase your chances of gaining admission to university.

The only summer program that gives you any official advantage in admissions is the University of Chicago’s Summer Session. UChicago launched last year an early notification system for alumni of their Summer Programme, meaning these students will be notified of their application outcomes before anyone else as a way of rewarding their sustained interest in and commitment to the university.

Pre-college programmes don’t come cheap, and we detail the costs for our seven highlighted courses below, but there is occasionally financial aid available that can help with the fees, accommodation, and sometimes even travel to and from the location. These are usually grants, meaning they don’t need to be paid back, but they often cover only part of the costs to be incurred. Take a look at what’s available and offered by your list of course providers before applying.

Top 7 pre-college summer programmes at US universities

The seven programmes below are just a few of the most highly regarded pre-college programmes across the sciences and humanities, and offer a diverse range of modules, living arrangements, and financial packages. It’s important to look at each programme’s website for all the necessary details, however, as costs vary considerably and available options will differ year-on-year.

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
This intensive programme can be taken either residentially (four weeks costing $8,575) or online (three weeks costing $3,580), and focuses on core mathematical topics such as number theory and topology. On the residential option, you have the opportunity to undertake a research project, go on field trips, live on campus, and engage with Stanford academics. The online option is a narrower version but still includes research, instruction, and engagement with others.

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
Lasting just under three weeks and allowing you to choose four modules from options as varied as Ancient Rome or the Enlightenment, this well-respected humanities programme enables you to get a true insight into workloads and student life typical of a high-ranking college. The cost of $8,575 includes housing in Stanford residence halls, all meals, daily activities, and field trips. There is financial aid available, which is to be applied for separately. 

Garcia Research Program at Stony Brook University
This is a seven-week programme, costing around $7,337 (including accommodation and board), during which you’ll work alongside faculty and students, including in research teams, to contribute original research of interest to the scientific community. It is a highly selective programme, necessitating an AT/ACT and/or Regents of 60% or above and an unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0), as well as at least two sciences or maths at school.

Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
The five-week RSI Programme is highly competitive (80 places for around 3,000 applicants), not least because it is held in conjunction with MIT and tuition, accommodation, and board are free. Expect, therefore, to be asked for exceptional grades and glowing testimonials as part of the application. You will attend lectures, seminars, and talks by guest speakers, and work alongside your research mentor on your assignments, the topics of which could encompass biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, or humanities.

Summer Science Program (SSP)
If cutting-edge science is your thing, then this five-week programme might be for you. You could end up looking at anything from astrophysics to cell biology with globally recognised scientists on a university campus with state-of-the-art labs and research facilities. Several universities participate, including Albion College and North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There is considerable needs-based funding available for the $9,800 fee (including accommodation and board), and cultural excursions to places like the zoo and even a baseball game are included.

RISE Internship/Practicum at Boston University
There are two tracks to this six-week programme. The Internship will entail spending 40 hours per week working alongside researchers on scientific projects that could range from engineering to psychology to astronomy, while also spending one day per week in workshops to build your academic skills. The Practicum involves group research within a given area, guided by a mentor, in addition to workshops to improve your academic skills. There are various room and board options, and incidental fees to be added, but the tuition fees alone will cost $5,700, though limited needs-based financial packages are also available.

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
The YYGS welcomes students from over 150 countries for its two-week programme that allows you to pursue your interests in STEM, humanities, social sciences, or interdisciplinary subjects through a series of lectures, seminars, and group-work. The $6,500 fee covers tuition, meals, and materials, and financial assistance is available for both domestic and international students.

Making the right choice

When selecting the right programme for yourself, consider its length, where it is, how you’ll get there, what day-to-day living will be like, the total cost (including incidental costs and travel), and what you’ll be learning and doing. Think also about what you want to achieve and how this will tie in with your current interests and ultimate goals. Remember – you should doing it for your personal development, and not because you think it might help you gain admission to university.

Questions to consider before applying:

• Do I know exactly what subject matter the course will cover and in what format?
  

• What are the logistics of attending (including cost, travel, and time away)?
  

• What will be expected of me as an attendee and am I happy with that?
  

• If I don’t like it, are refunds available and how easy will it be to return home?
  

• In what ways will I benefit from attending the course and what can I contribute?

Pre-university programmes can be life-changing and inspiring; they can lead you to new interests, down alternative paths never considered, and to meet new people you’d never have known otherwise. They won’t, however, guarantee you a place at university, but that’s not why you should be undertaking one anyway. That said, they will enrich you personally, which itself can shine through in any application you make.

Remember not to pick a course because your friends are considering it, or that it’s close to home, or that it has a famous name attached to it. It costs a lot of time and money to attend, so you need to be sure you are going to benefit from the course and, most importantly, enjoy it while you're there. Choose one that fits with your plans and interests more than others, but consider also what it can offer you that’s beyond your knowledge base already.

If you would like a bit more tailored guidance about pre-college programmes, including helping you pick the right one, or highlight it in your university appication, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced advisors at A-List who can offer you personalised guidance on selecting and applying to these and more. Just schedule a Discovery Session or book a Private Consultation.