The Harvard Student Agencies Summer Academies are one-week academic enrichment programs for high school students held on Harvard's campus. The Academies are taught by Harvard undergraduate students to help orient high school students to a pre-professional field of their choice.
The Government Academies allow students to engage with renowned speakers and faculty from Harvard Kennedy School, explore today's global issues and challenges, and gain a broader perspective of law and politics.
There are two Government options:
- Pre-Law: The Government: Pre-Law Academy provides an opportunity for students to gain knowledge about the U.S. legal system, Supreme Court cases, and different types of law. Learning how to approach cases and legal documents like a lawyer, and developing valuable critical thinking and reading skills, will prepare students for a mock trial, where they will have the opportunity to step into the shoes of a lawyer, witness, or judge, and simulate a real legal trial. The strong curriculum taught allows students to not only learn about the U.S. legal system, but also gain a better understanding of what being pre-law entails.
- International Politics: The Government: International Politics Academy provides students with insight into the structures of government, as well as diplomacy tactics and international relations between countries. Learning about topics ranging from how political campaigns work, to how laws are written and passed in Congress, to the impact on game theory on diplomacy will prepare students for their own attempt at writing public policy. The curriculum allows students to not only learn about international political science, but also gain a better understanding of what working in government entails.
Additionally, The Academies are uniquely positioned to foster connections between students and Harvard undergraduate mentors. The Academies run from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday in the summer in Harvard's classrooms.
Location(s)
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Schedule
- International Politics:
- June 8-12, 2026
- June 22-26, 2026
- July 6-10, 2026
- July 20-24, 2026
- Pre-Law:
- June 15-19, 2026
- June 29-July 3, 2026
- July 13-17, 2026
- July 27-31, 2026
- August 3-7, 2026
Cost/Compensation
- $1,800 tuition
- $1,200 on-campus housing (June 29th - July 31st programs ONLY)
Eligibility Requirements
- High school students in grades 9-12 who are 14+ at the time of attendance
Deadline
- February 15, 2026
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online application
- The application contains two short essays (250 and 500 words). Students nominated by their teachers are given first consideration.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
- The financial aid application can be found here.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) is a non-profit in Cambridge, Massachusetts with 12 businesses across various industries to provide educational and business opportunities to students. With more than 600 employees, HSA is the largest student run company in the world, striving to defray the costs of education with student wages and inspire the next generation of business leaders.
The Academies is one of HSA’s 12 businesses, providing opportunities for high school students that transcend traditional classroom topics to forge connections between high school students and quality Harvard exploratory courses. Through collaborative work with peers across the globe and access to trained Harvard undergraduate instructors, The Academies offer courses online with over 7,000 students globally.
