Vassar College will be offering high school students across the country and beyond the chance to experience what college life is like by enrolling in its Pre-College Summer Program this coming July. Students can enroll in one-week sessions July 5–11 or July 12–18, or they can opt for the full two-week program from July 5–18.

The program is open to all students 14 years of age and older who will be entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall. “We see this as an opportunity to give high school students a real sense of what a liberal arts education feels like day to day,” said Bill Blake, Vassar’s Director of Campus Programs and Partnerships. “We’re keeping classes small so students can work closely with Vassar faculty and instructors and they’ll have the chance to live and learn on our campus alongside current students who will be sharing how they’ve shaped their own paths through college. Our hope is that they come away with a deeper understanding of what a liberal arts college experience can be.”

Each participant will be enrolled in a session taught by Vassar professors, instructors, and visiting scholars alongside Vassar student advisers. Topics include:

• College Foundations & Leadership
• Exploring AI: From Code to Robot
• Art, Museums, and Social Impact
• Designing Sustainable Futures
• Law, Justice, and Civic Life
• Hudson Valley Ecology
• Health Access, Community Practice, and Care
• Entrepreneurship for Changemakers

Many of the courses will involve guest speakers and visits to the local community, where participants will interact with members of nonprofit organizations. Participants will also learn about campus life by staying in supervised campus housing and engaging in social activities throughout the session.

Vassar is currently accepting applications for the program. To learn more and apply, visit https://precollege.vassar.edu/.

About Vassar College

Founded in 1861 and based in Poughkeepsie, Vassar is renowned for pioneering achievements in education, for its long history of curricular innovation, and for the beauty of its campus, just 85 miles north of New York City. Originally founded to provide women an education equal to that once available only to men, Vassar became coeducational in 1969.

The Vassar campus is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie, NY.