Harvard Programs to Rock Your Summer!

It’s hard to say how many lists Harvard might top… So it might surprise you to discover that as famous and selective as it is, Harvard opens its doors each summer to motivated teens thirsty for intellectual adventure and in the search of top-ranked summer programs…

Established in 1636, Harvard was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard. Harvard is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious University in the USA and one of the top institutions for higher education nationally and globally.

Harvard currently comes in second in the Times Higher Education rankings and was the lead University in the world rankings in 2022. It has connections to over 45 Nobel Laureates and 30 heads of state.

These incredible statistics make it one of the most competitive Universities to get into. So how can you have a Harvard-worthy college application?

One way great way to build a stand-out application and develop some of the skill sets Harvard and other top schools are looking for would be to take part in a summer program for high school students at Harvard!

Keep reading to find out how different some of these top programs are and to discover if you’re ready to spend part of your summer getting a real Ivy-league experience at a school that is truly world class in every aspect!

Harvard University Summer Language Program

If you have an interest in Divinity and Religious Studies and want to expand your foreign language skills, then this fascinating summer program at Harvard might pique your interest. Harvard’s Divinity School is one of the most influential schools of Christian theology in the US. Did you know that the famous and influential 19th-century American philosopher and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a lecture there in 1838?

Since 1960, Harvard’s Divinity School has also been home to a fascinating Summer Language Program, which is now conducted online, a format that started with the pandemic. The Summer Language Program is an intensive eight-week course which has a focus on translation and reading in the language chosen and in a religious and theological context.

The choices of language and topic in this comprehensive course range from Elementary New Testament Greek, to Spanish for reading and theological studies, and even include Classical Arabic. Costs for the program were $5700 for the Summer 2023 term, and this course can count towards credits should you enroll in Harvard’s Divinity School in the future! 

Pre-College Program

If you are a high achiever with your heart set on attending an Ivy League School then why not try and apply for the competitive pre-college program at Harvard? This intensive two-week program gives a great insight into what campus life could be like at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions.

This program offers some thirty courses to choose from and will immerse you in college-level learning from research leaders, in a class of up to 15 of your peers. From Law, to Business and Leadership, or a STEM subject, you will complete your course with a written evaluation and a Harvard transcript that will be a solid and brilliant addition to your college application.

When you are not engaging your brain with ground-breaking intellectual thought, you will be socializing with your peers by partaking in creative and social co-curricular events. You’re going to experience what it feels like to balance scholarly life with social fun at college!

Even if you aren’t sure of what you want to study, have a go at something you are interested in to see if it is the course for you. You can find out more about the courses on offer here.

Youth between 16 and 19 years, at time of attendance, are eligible to enroll. But you also need to be eligible to enter college either one or two years after attending the summer school (so for 2024 entry, you will be expected to be eligible for college in 2025 or 2026). 

You can choose from three sessions offered over the summer. Costs for the program were $5300 in 2023, which includes accommodation, tuition, meals and activities. There are also some financial aid options available. Check if you are eligible for aid here. Good luck with your application next summer!

Secondary School Program

Harvard's Secondary School Program (SSP) is no doubt one of the best summer programs out there for highly motivated high school students.

This flexible seven-week program is designed to give you a real taste of life at an elite college. It runs over the summer months, between June and August and ranges from $3600 to $13,750 depending on the learning option you choose (residential, online, or commuting) and number of course credits you sign up for.

You could go for the fully immersive choice of staying on campus, living and dining in Harvard’s beautiful campus and grounds with your peers and faculty members and explore the gorgeous Boston and Cambridge areas in the SSP Residential. 

Alternatively, you have the option of pursuing the extensive selection of courses online and joining the SSP Online from the comfort of your own home. There are up to 200 courses to choose from taught by acclaimed Harvard professors and scholars from around the world. You will also have the opportunity to network and interact with your peers in online extracurricular social activities if you choose this option. Explore the course catalog now!

Finally, you have the option to commute onto the Harvard campus if you live locally and attend the social gatherings and lectures then head home for dinner. If you choose the SSP Commuting option, you can study in Harvard’s prestigious library somedays, then at your own desk on other days.

Harvard says “Each of these classes is a real college course, taught by Harvard College professors and distinguished visiting faculty, and taken for college credit.” 

There are options for financial aid for any of the formats if you are a US citizen or permanent resident. You must be over 16 and under 19 for this program and graduate from high school in 2024, 2025 or 2026 (for next year’s applicants). If you get into this fantastic program, you can find out how to prepare for it here. 

Student Support and Advising, Academic Resources, Peer Networking...

So, there are three of the top programs for this amazing Ivy League University, but don’t just take our word for it, this is what your fellow peers had to say about the courses at Harvard:

 “It feels great to be a part of such an esteemed program that offers university-level study experience, knowledge, and fresh perspectives to look at things. I thank the Harvard Library for furnishing us with an ocean of books, articles, and book reviews and Andrea Mayrose, my assistant dean, for all the guidance” (Ansh, G, 2022).

“The thing I enjoyed the most about my classes was learning alongside motivated, interesting, and open-minded peers. I was able to learn a lot from my amazing professor and from my classmates. Sharing different perspectives and getting to know about realities different from mine was definitely a highlight from my class“ (Lia, L, 2022).

Students felt supported in their learning journeys at Harvard and had opportunities to expand their knowledge and alternative perspectives on topics of interest, with access to world-class library collections and fantastic resources. This can be your ticket to an immersive learning and self-discovery experience that can also help make you Harvard-ready in the future!

So, what are you waiting for? Apply for Summer 2024 at Harvard today! You can also check out other programs perfect for summer at SummerApply!.