I chose this program to study on Northwestern’s campus and to see what it is like to be a college student, taking classes, meeting new people, etc. I love the friends that I made and the experience as a whole.”
Gabrielle, former College Prep student
Explore college summer programs for high school students
Applications for summer 2025 are now closed
Earn credit for the next phase in your education through our online and in-person college summer programs. You’ll learn from Northwestern-affiliated instructors who assume the same level of commitment and involvement from you that they do from university students. The expectations are high, the rewards long-lasting.
VIEW 2025 COURSES CONTACT AN ADVISER
On-campus pre-college summer programs
One of the best ways to prepare for college is to get a taste of college life and academics; the on-campus summer program for high school students combines the challenge of for-credit undergraduate courses with the excitement of living in a Northwestern residence hall. Residential students may enroll in one or more 3- to 8-week classes. Learn more about what life on campus is like during the summer program for high schoolers.
Chicago-area residents may also apply to the program as commuting students, eligible to enroll in one or more 3- to 10-week classes.
On-campus courses include access to our "Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series." This series adds a robust co-curricular component to your schedule with interactive workshops that will prepare you for successfully applying to college and integrate you into the Wildcat community!What students and parents say
Students and parents are thrilled with the experience they've received during Northwestern's summer programs for high schoolers.
The [Northwestern College Prep Program] was academically challenging, interesting, and very social. It gave [my son] a lot of confidence that he will enjoy college.”
Online pre-college credit courses
The online college summer program for high school students is an opportunity to explore different subjects or get a head start on the major of your dreams. Choose from various asynchronous or synchronous courses according to your schedule and areas of interest.In order to be considered a full-time student on an F-1 Visa, international students must take two credit classes.
More about Northwestern's pre-college summer programs
Applying to Northwestern’s summer programs for high schoolers
In order to be successful in a college credit class, students must be self-directed, highly motivated, and possess excellent time management skills.
Applications for the summer program for high school students will require a personal statement, list of extracurricular activities, and official transcript. Please see additional transcript information on the admissions page.
Notes on earning and applying credit
- College credit courses are only available to rising high school juniors and seniors.
- Each credit course is worth one credit unit, unless otherwise noted in the course description. One credit unit is typically equivalent to four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester credit hours at other colleges. This information may be useful when you are an undergraduate student looking to transfer your Northwestern college credit unit(s) towards your undergraduate degree.
- Please note: You cannot be active in more than one program or take classes from a program other than that which you are enrolled in, with the exception of the non-credit online enrichment classes.
Interested in helping facilitate our college summer programs for high school students? Visit the employment opportunities page to view open program roles.
Talk to an adviser
The enrollment team will be happy to speak with you! Be sure to visit our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions regarding our summer programs for high school students.
Summer 2025 credit courses
Below are the 2025 summer classes. To filter for online courses, please search “online” in the search bar.
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