Top 11 Psychology Pre College Programs to Apply For This Summer

Summer’s here, and one way for students interested in psychology to demonstrate your academic prowess is by gaining admission to a competitive summer program for high schoolers. These programs not only equip you with invaluable resources for deep-diving into learning, psychological science, human behavior and psychological research methods, but they also connect you with world-class instructors and like-minded peers while significantly strengthening your college applications and essays. Many prestigious institutions, including Ivy League universities like Yale and Harvard, offer these education opportunities, while some even let you earn college credit or take online courses from anywhere.

These psychology summer programs often explore topics in human behavior, neuroscience, and clinical practice (including clinical psychology and social psychology), making them ideal for students with interdisciplinary interests—even those considering fields like computer science with a behavioral lens.

Are these psychology summer programs prestigious?

Yet it’s essential to critically evaluate the prestige and real value of these summer programs before making an investment. Admissions offices typically do not consider participation in these programs as a distinct factor, meaning that even if you attend a program at a university, it will be evaluated based on the challenge level of these programs and how you leveraged this opportunity.

Certain programs will be more respected by admissions officers, however, due to their selective and rigorous application processes. In general, if a summer program of a top 20 university publicizes its selection rate, these statistics should be considered trustworthy. For programs not backed by top-tier universities, only a few names, such as Pioneer Academics, RIS, TASP and SUMAC, are truly respected. 

Psychology summer programs for high schoolers

This article highlights a range of programs for both U.S. and international students, covering pre-college online options as well. You’ll find insights into each subject area within psychology and get advice to help you pick the program that fits your academic goals and career plans perfectly.

1. Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience at the Stanford University

• Format: On-campus and virtual options
• Admission Rate: 12%
• Eligibility: Sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school
• Cost: $2,795 (on-campus); $1,495 (virtual)
• Academic Credit: No
• Duration: 10 days
• Application Deadline: Typically around March 1

If you’re looking for a holistic exploration of neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, and behavioral sciences, then Stanford University’s Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience, a practical and rigorous summer program, may be up your alley. Shortened to CNI-X, it’s also known as CNV-X for its virtual format.

The program features seminars and lectures showcasing innovative research led by Stanford’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences faculty. It also touches on topics important to youth, including self-care, transition into adulthood, and career opportunities. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, you’ll collaborate in a small team to choose a mental health issue and develop and publish a solution as a capstone project to present publicly.

2. Psychology Courses from Summer Session at the Yale University 

• Format: Virtual
• Admission Rate: High
• Eligibility: Entering the senior year of high school or freshman year of college; 16 years of age or older by the program start date
• Cost: $5,070 (tuition per course); $75 (application fee); $85 (technology fee)
• Academic Credit: Yes
• Duration: 5 weeks per course
• Application Deadline: 
  • Session A: Typically in early May, around May 10.
  • Session B: Generally in mid-June, around June 14.
    

Yale Summer Session is a fast-paced summer program in which high school students can enroll in two college-level courses per session and potentially earn college credit, gaining exposure to college-level academics. You may dive into the introduction to psychology and its multicultural and clinical facets alongside 10-12 students.

Additionally, you’ll be required to attend multiple live discussions per week with your classmates online, enriching your learning experience with new perspectives and helping develop skills to communicate on your own. 

3. Introduction to Experimental Psychology from Pre-College Program at the University of Pennsylvania

• Format: On-campus
• Admission Rate: >50
• Eligibility: 10-11th grade students
• Cost: $13,648 (1 course unit); $75 (application)
• Academic Credit: Yes
• Duration: 5 weeks
• Application Deadline: Generally around Jan 31

U Penn’s Pre-College Program offers undergraduate psych courses to high schoolers. The program delves into diverse topics relating to the biological basis of behavior, the cognitive basis of behavior, and individual and group bases of behavior.

This unique opportunity will familiarize you with the undergraduate environment, letting you learn alongside undergraduate students and receive guidance from the expert faculty.

4. Pre-College Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley

• Format: On-campus and virtual options 
• Eligibility: Aged 16 to 18 by the program start; completed 10th or 11th grade by summer; have at least a B average (3.0 GPA) in high school coursework
• Cost: Application: $25

Residential Track:

8 weeks – Session C: $15,800 

6 weeks – Session D: $14,500

Virtual & Commuter Track:

Per unit charge: $595

Registration fee: $550 

Document management fee: $68

International visitors: $500

• Academic Credit: Yes
• Duration: 3-10 weeks
• Application Deadline: 
  • Residential: Typically around March 11 
  • Commuter & Virtual: Generally around June 3

If you want to be part of a community-oriented program, UC Berkeley’s Pre-College Scholars program is ideal. It allows you to take up to two undergraduate courses. You’ll get to explore a wide range of topics, including human sexuality, personality disorders, early development, and more.

At the campus, you can participate in extracurricular activities, scavenger hunts, local excursions, social activities, and an exploratory workshop series led by expert faculty, all designed to create memorable experiences, encourage intellectual growth, and foster bonds among students.

5. Psychology Courses from the Pre-College Program at Harvard University

• Format: On-campus 
• Admission Rate: Medium
• Eligibility: Will graduate from high school in 1-2 years; at least 16 years old and not 19 during the program; minimum 3.3 GPA
• Cost: $5,550 (tuition); $75 (application)
• Academic Credit: No
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Application Deadline: Usually around April 10 (late application) 
  

Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a highly rigorous summer program. With around 15 students, you’ll be challenged to learn and engage with a rigorous curriculum, solve problems, explore complex articles, deliver presentations, and engage in debates with classmates to enhance your communication and diplomacy on complex topics. 

At the end of the program, you may receive a written evaluation from your instructor, which will be an excellent boost for your college submissions. 

6. Immersion & Pre-College Connect Programs at the University of Chicago

• Format: Hybrid (Pre-College Connect); on-campus (Immersion)
• Eligibility: High school students aged at least 14
• Cost:

Immersion:

Residential: $8,600 

Commuter: $5,850

Pre-College Connect:

$6,350

• Academic Credit: Yes (Connect)
• Duration: 3 weeks
• Application Deadlines: 
  • Priority: Jan 18
  • Regular: March 5
  • Extended: April 11
  • Rolling Basis: April 15 to May 15

UChicago’s Pre-College Connect entails an intensive program that explores the foundations of psychological research and evolution in thought, art, and culture. It begins and takes place online for 2 weeks with virtual activities and interactions with instructors and fellow students. During the third week, it transitions into an on-campus experience with in-person classes, labs, museum trips, and more.

The Immersion program, on the other hand, invites you to immerse yourself in valuable educational resources via undergraduate-level courses, where you’ll receive mentorship from faculty researchers, workshops led by experts, research projects, etc. It covers fundamentals and research in psychology, as well as exploration and theories of neuroscience.

7. Pre-College Program at the Columbia University 

• Format: On-campus and virtual options
• Eligibility: During senior year for participation just after graduating
• Cost: 

Residential (3 weeks):

Program: $12,154 per session

Activities: $65 per session

Health Service: $195 per session

Technology: $35 per term

Commuter (3 weeks):

Program: $6,100 per session

Activities: $65 per session

Health Service: $100 per session

Technology: $35 per term

Commuter (1 week):

Program: $2,700 per session

Activities: $50 per session

Health Service: $40 per session

Technology: $35 per term

Virtual:

1 Week Program: $2,700 per session

2 Week Program (single course registration): $3,850 per session

Activities Fee: $50 per session

Health Service Fee: $25 per session

Technology Fee: $35 per term

• Academic Credit: No
• Duration: 3 weeks (residential); 1-3 weeks (commuter); 1-2 weeks (virtual)
• Application Deadline:
  • Residential: Around March 4
  • Commuter & Virtual: Approximately April 1

Columbia University’s program helps you develop a thorough understanding of neuroscience and psychology, focusing on understanding the brain, psychiatric disorders, and human and social behaviors. 

On campus, residential students enjoy benefits beyond classes, including prestigious faculty, college prep workshops, community-building activities, and health and wellness programs. You’ll also earn Columbia University Certification of Participation and receive an evaluation from your instructor, enhancing your college submission process.

8. High School Student Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles

• Format: On-campus and virtual options
• Eligibility: 

SCIP: Enrolled in grades 10-11 during spring; 3.5+ GPA

Summer Courses, Summer Online & Summer Intensives: Aged 15 years or older

• Cost:

Summer Online & Summer Intensives

• Registration Fee: $350
• Course Fees: $385 per unit
• IEI Fee: $61
• Document Fee (first-time students): $50
• For students requiring a visa:
  • Service Fee: $500
  • iStart Fee: $59
  • Health Insurance: $410

SCIP (Summer College Immersion Program)

• Program Fee: $1,650 (SCIP) / $1,900 (SCIP+)
• Unit Fee: $385 per unit
• Registration Fee: $350
• Document Fee: $50
• IEI Fee: $61
• Residential Plan: $5,043
• Academic Credit: Yes

Program Duration: 3 to 10 weeks

Application Deadlines

• Summer Courses, Online & Intensives:
  • June 28 (Sessions A3, A6, A8, A9, A10)
  • July 19 (Session B3)
  • August 9 (Sessions C3, C6)
• SCIP:
  • April 1 (International students)
  • May 1 (U.S. students)

UCLA offers a variety of summer programs for high school students, exploring introductory psychology and multiple aspects. 

You can choose Summer Courses, which immerse you in the fast-paced college quarters, or Summer Online, a flexible online course designed for optimal learning at your own pace. If you’re looking to accelerate your learning, Summer Intensives allows you to complete a 10-week course in just 3 weeks.

If you’re keen on a more immersive undergraduate experience, the Summer College Immersion Program lets you take 1 to 2 courses alongside undergraduate students. You’ll participate in lectures, workshops, and seminars to develop your skills and knowledge, and earn a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

Additionally, if you’re passionate about research, SCIP+, a variant of the Summer College Immersion Program, may interest you. It allows you to delve deep into theoretical research supported by UCLA’s top-tier research resources.

9. Pre-College Studies at the Cornell University 

• Format: On-campus and virtual options
• Eligibility: Rising junior or senior; at least 15 years old (virtual); at least 16 years old and live locally (on-campus)
• Cost: $1,750 per credit (tuition); $145 (health fee); $10 (per health visit)
• Academic Credit: Yes
• Duration: 3-6 weeks
• Application Deadline: 

May 5 (3-week session 1)

June 2 (3-week session 2 & 6-week season)

June 23 (3-week session 3)

Cornell’s Pre-College Studies program gives you a unique opportunity to work closely with Cornell’s world-class professors, where you’ll receive support to develop critical thinking, problem solving and writing skills, as well as receiving guidance for your academic and career paths, which includes one-on-one admissions counseling for college applications.

The courses offered provide introductory insights into a wide array of fascinating psychology fields, including environmental psychology, sports psychology, behavioral neuroscience, and more.

10. Summer School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Format: On-campus and virtual options
• Eligibility: Honor roll students who have completed their junior year of high school
• Cost: $367.46 per credit hour (resident); $1,631.67 per credit hour (non-resident)
• Academic Credit: Yes
• Duration: 5 weeks (per session)
• Application Deadline:

First session: 

March 1 (international)
May 9 (all other summer visitors)

Second session:

March 1 (international)
June 14 (rising seniors)
June 18 (all other summer visitors)

The UNC Summer School takes you into the heart of nationally recognized teaching and cutting-edge research, as well as hands-on Makerspace courses and activities alongside the classes. 

The program will enrich your knowledge and expertise through hands-on learning in multiple psychology topics, including biopsychology, psychopathology, laboratory research in psychology, and more.

11. Summer@Brown at the Brown University 

• Format: On-campus, hybrid and virtual options
• Admission Rate: High
• Eligibility: Completing grades 9 to 12
• Cost: 

Residential:

1 week: $3,406

2 weeks: $5,256

3 weeks: $7,452

5 weeks (hybrid): $9,

Commuter:

1 week: $2,816

2 weeks: $4,076

3 weeks: $5,682

5 weeks (hybrid): $8,100

Virtual:

2 weeks: $3,094

3 weeks: $4,282

4 weeks: $5,108

6 weeks: $5,998

• Academic Credit: No
• Duration: 1-3 weeks (on-campus); 5 weeks (hybrid); 2-6 weeks (virtual)
• Application Deadline: Typically around May 10

Summer@Brown at Brown University is an exciting opportunity where you can engage in enriching workshops, activities, and events, helping you develop skills for independence and college life. 

The program’s psychology courses cover a wide range of topics, from psychoactive drugs and neurodegenerative disorders to culture and psychology, often using real-world case studies to deepen understanding.

With no pressure of formal grades and credit, the program allows you to delve freely into your interests and make connections with fellow students, while still working toward meaningful completion of your coursework. 

Pioneer alumni’s take on summer programs

Based on survey results from Pioneer‘s alumni, 71% were admitted to the top 20 US colleges and universities. 6% of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs. Among them, only 8% found the experience helpful for college admissions. If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more.

By combining academic rigor with curiosity and preparation, you might just find yourself among the top young scholars in the world.