Humanities and social science
SHI (Stanford Summer Humanities Institute)
SHI is a 3-week residential program run by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. Open to: grades 10 to 11 at the time of application.
- Last cycle's deadline
- February 2, 2026
- 2027 date not posted yet
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 3 weeks
- Residential
What students do
Students live on the Stanford campus and take a seminar led by Stanford professors and Ph.D. students on a humanities topic. The program includes field trips and organized weekend activities.
- Humanities
- History
- Philosophy
- Literature
Key facts
- Run by
- Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
- Where
- Stanford, CA (residential)
- Who can apply
- Grades 10 to 11 at the time of applicationApplicants must be at least 15 and younger than 18 during the program.
- Dates
- Session One June 21 to July 10, 2026; Session Two July 12 to July 31, 2026These are the 2026 dates. 2027 dates are not posted yet.
- Cost
- $8,850 tuition, covers housing in Stanford residence halls, meals, daily activities, and field trip costs
- Deadline
- February 2, 2026This was last cycle’s deadline. The 2027 date is not posted yet.
Official program siteOfficial application pageStanford University admissions profile
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Application fee
Unofficial transcripts, one humanities or social science work sample of up to five pages, one recommendation from an English, history, or social science teacher, an optional video essay, and a $65 application fee.
How a mentor helps with your SHI application
- Decide whether SHI 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 SHI deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Frequently asked questions
When is the SHI application deadline?
The 2027 deadline has not been posted. Last cycle's deadline was February 2, 2026, and most programs keep a similar date from year to year.
How much does SHI cost?
$8,850 tuition, covers housing in Stanford residence halls, meals, daily activities, and field trip costs. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to SHI?
Grades 10 to 11 at the time of application. Applicants must be at least 15 and younger than 18 during the program.
What does the SHI application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Teacher recommendation, Application fee. Unofficial transcripts, one humanities or social science work sample of up to five pages, one recommendation from an English, history, or social science teacher, an optional video essay, and a $65 application 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.
