Harvard University: Secondary School Programs for High School Students

Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program (SSP) is a 4- or 7-week academic program for motivated high school students ready to excel in academically rigorous college courses for college credit.

Within the SSP, you will choose between taking one 4-week course while living on campus, or our more flexible 7-week option that offers residential, online, or commuting formats with the potential for one or two courses.

As a summer student at one of the top-ranked universities in the world, you'll experience a challenging learning environment. Whether you’re making liquid nitrogen ice cream in a chemistry lab or examining sea urchins with a marine biology professor, you'll find fascinating ways to build your knowledge.

Challenge yourself academically while earning college credit: Neuroscience, film, philosophy, creative writing, and computer science—these are just a few of the 200-plus courses you can choose from.

Expand your worldview: Learn and connect with students from all over the globe. You’ll also study alongside undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals.

Become a stronger college applicant: Participating in the Secondary School Program will not only enhance your college application, but the experiences you gain will also make you a more informed applicant and confident college student.

College Prep: You can participate in a variety of activities that expose you to college academics, campus life, and the admission process, including a fair with more than 75 colleges throughout the country, organized visits to New England colleges, such as Brown and Yale, and workshops to prepare you to write a college application essay or take college exams.

Live independently: You may choose to live on campus at Harvard, attend as a commuter, or take your courses online. However, living on campus provides an excellent opportunity to become a more independent, confident individual. To ensure your safety, proctors and staff provide guidance and supervision.

Get out and about: From free films and concerts to volunteer opportunities and day trips, there’s always something going on at Harvard.