What ages does Harvard Pre-College Program accept?

Harvard Pre-College Program is open to children ages 16–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Harvard Pre-College Program cost?

Harvard Pre-College Program publishes $3,050/week for the standard session. That sits close to the $3,050 median for academic camps in Cambridge. $6,100 + $75 application fee Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Harvard Pre-College Program's hours?

Harvard Pre-College Program runs Two-week residential program. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Who runs Harvard Pre-College Program?

Harvard Pre-College Program is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Harvard Pre-College Program provide lunch?

Yes — Harvard Pre-College Program includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

How does Harvard Pre-College Program compare to other academic camps in Cambridge?

Harvard Pre-College Program is one of 9 academic camps in Cambridge that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Academic · Ages 16–18

Harvard Pre-College Program

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA · $3,050/week

A 2-week residential program for high school students to experience college life and academics at Harvard.

▌ Editor's read The Harvard Pre-College Program is a two-week, noncredit residential program for high school students, offering over 100 courses taught by Harvard faculty and affiliates. The program is owned and operated by Harvard University, a prestigious academic institution. The website mentions that all Harvard Summer School staff who work with minors undergo background checks. While not ACA accredited, which is typical for university-run pre-college programs, the program emphasizes a structured academic and residential experience. Google reviews for 'Harvard Summer School' (which encompasses the Pre-College Program) show an average rating of 4.3 stars from over 1,000 reviews, with many praising the academic rigor and campus experience. The program includes extracurricular activities, college preparation workshops, and social events, aiming to provide a comprehensive college preview.

⌬

University programRun by an academic institution

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–18

Harvard Pre-College Program serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in academic, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Not verified
Established: Not listed
Operator: University program
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Academic
Ages: 16–18
Hours: Two-week residential program
Address: Harvard University, 51 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Phone: 617-495-4024
Email: [email protected]
Cost notes: $6,100 + $75 application fee

Logistics

Lunch provided: Yes
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Harvard Pre-College Program

What ages does Harvard Pre-College Program accept?: Harvard Pre-College Program is open to children ages 16–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Harvard Pre-College Program cost?: Harvard Pre-College Program publishes $3,050/week for the standard session. That sits close to the $3,050 median for academic camps in Cambridge. $6,100 + $75 application fee Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Harvard Pre-College Program's hours?: Harvard Pre-College Program runs Two-week residential program. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Harvard Pre-College Program?: Harvard Pre-College Program is operated by a university program. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Harvard Pre-College Program provide lunch?: Yes — Harvard Pre-College Program includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does Harvard Pre-College Program compare to other academic camps in Cambridge?: Harvard Pre-College Program is one of 9 academic camps in Cambridge that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Harvard Pre-College Program with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
STEM summer camps guide · Compare projects, staff fit, and age-readiness signals.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.

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