Earn College Credit and Experience College Life as a High School Student

Engage with knowledgeable faculty to further your passion for a topic, while earning college credit. Experience what college is like on the beautiful Ithaca College campus during the summer, one of the most enjoyable seasons in Ithaca, NY.

Summer Pre-College Preview

A group of high school students is sitting at a table laughing
Take Your First Step Toward College

Take your first steps toward college by spending time this summer living and learning at Ithaca College. Our summer pre-college programs are geared for individuals age 14 or older, entering 9th grade or in high school (or equivalent). The programs will run Monday, July 07 through Friday, July 25, 2025 (drop-off on Sunday, July 06 between 2:00pm-4:30pm, and pickup on Friday, July 25 in the afternoon. Applications for 2025 open in January 2025.

Interested in 2025?

The Ithaca College summer pre-college programs provide high school students with an opportunity to earn three college credits while experiencing residential living on a college campus. The program occurs Monday, July 07 through Friday, July 25, 2025 (Participants must arrive on campus Sunday, July 06, 2025, between 2:00pm-4:30pm). 

In this exciting Ithaca College program, you will learn hands-on about getting to college, succeeding in the classroom, and making the most of life outside of classes under the guidance of supportive faculty, Teaching Assistants, and Resident Advisors (or "RA's"). Our RA's are peer leaders who encourage community-building, peer-to-peer connection, and who provide regularly-scheduled social activities when you are not in class.

Choose from one of three pre-college programs that best fits your interest:

“This was an incredible and interesting program to take. I was able to expand my knowledge to a level I didn’t expect and I learned valuable lessons that I will take back home with me. Something I really enjoyed about the program was how invested our professor was when it came to teaching us and allowing us to learn from one another. I was able to meet amazing people who share similar interests as me and I gained genuine relationships through this program. I was also exposed to a different side of health which was very helpful considering my future career goal.”

2022 participant

Other Summer Opportunities for High School Students at Ithaca College

Ithaca College hosts other excellent opportunities for high school students during the summer.

  • Summer Sessions - Ithaca College offers undergraduate credit-bearing coursework in a five-week format, in one of two sessions that run between May and August. High school students can take Ithaca College courses as Extramural Students. Many of our summer courses are online and asynchronous so that anyone, anywhere, can experience learning at Ithaca College. For more information, visit our website.
  • Summer Music Academy - Our high school program is unique in that it offers a residential pre-college experience with a rich offering of music courses, as well as non-music courses, taught by Ithaca College faculty and top music educators from across the country. Our intermediate program provides young musicians with the opportunity to work with renowned faculty in a fun and supportive environment. For more information, visit our website.