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.
Over the summer, you’ll gain the confidence to do well in college that comes from successfully navigating a healthy balance between advanced coursework, extracurricular activities, and new friends.
Location(s)
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Remote
Schedule
- 4-Week Program: July 13th - August 8th, 2025
- 7-Week Program: June 21st - August 9th, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- $75 application fee
- 7-Week Online or Commuting: $4,050 (4-credits) or $7,900 (8-credits)
- 7-Week Residential: $14,950 (8-credits)
- 4-Week Residential: $8,650 (4-credits)
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Summer 2025, you must meet both of the following criteria:
- Will graduate from high school and enter college in 2025, 2026, or 2027.
- Are at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and will not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2025.
Deadline
- Early Application & Priority Financial Aid Deadline: January 8th, 2025
- Regular Application & Financial Aid Deadline: February 12th, 2025
- Late applications will be accepted through April 9th, 2025, if space is available
- International students must apply no later than the regular application deadline, due to student visa timelines
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application
- Counselor report: You can request a link be sent to your counselor in the application
- Transcripts from 9th grade to fall 2024 grades: This can include progress reports, report cards, and educational summaries from your high school
- You are welcome to submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT test scores, but they are not required.
- Rules and Media Release online form: We require a link be sent to your parent or legal guardian in the application
- Review expectations for TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, and IELTS Academic tests (non-native English speakers only): Most successful Secondary School Program students score above 103 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 or above on the IELTS, and 135 or above on Duolingo. Be sure to schedule your test early so it does not delay your application. You can also submit an interview and writing sample from InitialView to supplement your application, but these cannot replace a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or Duolingo score. We do not accept Cambridge English Exam or TOEFL iTP test scores.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Scholarships are available to Secondary School Program students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need.
To be eligible:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- OR you must be granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status
- You must complete the applications and all other requirements on time
Secondary School Program financial aid is a scholarship award. It is not a loan and does not have to be paid back. Awards typically cover only a portion of the program cost, not its entirety. Families should expect to contribute to the remaining portion of the program cost as well as other expenses like books and school supplies.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
Harvard Division of Continuing Education is a division of Harvard University dedicated to bringing rigorous programs and innovative online teaching capabilities to distance learners, working professionals, high school students, college students, and those seeking higher learning in retirement. The program offers more than 300 courses taught by Harvard professors and visiting scholars during the day, evening, and in a variety of online and on-campus formats.
