Multi-subject pre-college
SSP (Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program)
SSP is a 4 or 7 weeks residential or commuter program run by Harvard Summer School. Open to: students who will graduate high school and enter college in 2027, 2028 or 2029.
- Application deadline
- Early January 13, 2027
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 12
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 4 or 7 weeks
- Residential or commuter
What students do
Students take one or two college-credit courses from Harvard Summer School's catalog alongside college and adult students. They can live on campus, commute or study online.
- College credit courses
- More than 200 courses
Key facts
- Run by
- Harvard Summer School
- Where
- Cambridge, MA (residential or commuter)
- Who can apply
- Students who will graduate high school and enter college in 2027, 2028 or 2029Must be at least 16 by June 13, 2027 and not turn 19 before July 31, 2027.
- Dates
- 4-week Session I: June 14 to July 8, 2027; 4-week Session II: July 12 to August 5, 2027; 7-week: June 21 to August 6, 2027
- Cost
- 2027: 7-week residential $15,980 (8 credits); 4-week residential $9,260 (4 credits); online or commuting $4,180 per 4-credit course or $8,160 for 8 credits; $75 application fee
- Deadline
- Early January 13, 2027; regular February 10, 2027; late March 31, 2027Application opens December 1, 2026.
Official program siteOfficial application pageHarvard University admissions profile
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Counselor recommendation
- Application fee
- Parent or financial forms
Short essays, transcripts from 9th grade to the current term, a counselor report, a parent-signed rules and media release form, and a $75 non-refundable fee.
How a mentor helps with your SSP application
- Decide whether SSP fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the SSP deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Pre-College ProgramHarvard Summer School | Cambridge, MAResidential | Rising juniors and seniors who will graduate in 2028 or 2029 | Paid, aid available | Early January 13, 2027; regular February 10, 2027; late March 31, 2027 |
| ATDPUC Berkeley School of Education | Berkeley, CAHybrid | Currently in grades 7 to 11 | Paid, aid available | Early February 25, 2026; standard March 23, 2026; extended May 29, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| Columbia Summer ImmersionColumbia University School of Professional Studies | New York, NYResidential or commuter | Rising 9th through current 12th graders; residential students must be 15 or older | Paid | Early registration February 1, 2027; general deadline March 1, 2027 (residential) or April 1, 2027 (commuter) |
| Cornell PrecollegeCornell University School of Continuing Education | Ithaca, NYResidential | Students who have completed 10th grade, ages 16 to 18 | Paid | May 14, 2026 (rolling admission)Last cycle’s date |
| CTDNorthwestern University Center for Talent Development | Evanston, ILResidential or commuter | Students entering grades 6 to 12 in the fall | Paid, aid available | One week before each session starts; tuition rises $100 after May 31, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| CTYJohns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth | Multiple locationsResidential or commuter | Grades 2 to 12 | Paid, aid available | Registration deadline May 10, 2027 (Summer A) and June 7, 2027 (Summer B) |
All multi-subject pre-college programsPrograms in MassachusettsEvery program
Frequently asked questions
When is the SSP application deadline?
The deadline is Early January 13, 2027; regular February 10, 2027; late March 31, 2027. The application opens December 1, 2026.
How much does SSP cost?
2027: 7-week residential $15,980 (8 credits); 4-week residential $9,260 (4 credits); online or commuting $4,180 per 4-credit course or $8,160 for 8 credits; $75 application fee. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to SSP?
Students who will graduate high school and enter college in 2027, 2028 or 2029. Must be at least 16 by June 13, 2027 and not turn 19 before July 31, 2027.
What does the SSP application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Counselor recommendation, Application fee, Parent or financial forms. Short essays, transcripts from 9th grade to the current term, a counselor report, a parent-signed rules and media release form, and a $75 non-refundable fee.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
