Through our High School Summer Scholars Program, students have the opportunity to enroll in courses for credit and study alongside undergraduates. Students select from a broad range of stimulating introductory courses in the humanities, math, sciences, and social sciences. 

High School Summer Scholars live on campus in one of our top-ranked, air-conditioned residence halls. In addition to coursework, students participate in specialized seminars, academic support groups, and a variety of weekend and evening social events. Learn about life on campus during a Summer Experience.

2019 Sessions

We offer three different sessions of the High School Summer Scholars Program: 

• Session A: June 9-July 13 (five weeks)
• Session B: July 14-August 16 (five weeks)
• Session C: June 9-August 3 (eight weeks)

Courses

Students choose from a variety of introductory courses in humanities, math, sciences, and social sciences. See Courses for a list of 2019 courses by session. 

Seminars 

Throughout the program, we offer a variety of seminars focused on preparing students to apply and attend college. Students who attend at least 3 seminars will receive a special certificate of participation. The topics for our 2019 seminars are:

• Preparing for Your College Application
• Writing the College Admissions Essay
• Financial Aid 101
• Acing Your Interview
• College Life Skills

In addition to our seminars we also offer our very popular College Forum. This special event is a panel discussion with members of our Washington University community who share advice on choosing a college, major, and insights about Washington University. Seminars and the College Forum are included in the program fee and are optional to attend. 

High School Summer Institutes combine traditional undergraduate class and lab curriculum with organized field trips, guest lectures, and small group activities in order for students to gain valuable academic and career experience. Institutes are divided into morning and afternoon sessions that include assigned readings, daily assignments, and a final project. High School Summer Institutes are noncredit, academic programs. All of our institutes are taught by Washington University affiliated instructors which include faculty, graduate students, post docs, and adjuncts. 

High School Summer Institute students live on campus in one of our top-ranked, air-conditioned residence halls. In addition to coursework, students participate in specialized seminars and a variety of weekend and evening social events. Learn about life on campus during a Summer Experience.

2019 Institutes

We offer several different institutes each summer:

• Creative Writing

• Environmental Studies

• Humanities

• Global Leadership

• Pre-Engineering

• Pre-Medical

• Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology (PNP)

• Young Leaders

Seminars

Throughout the program, we offer a variety of seminars focused on preparing students to apply and attend college. Students who attend at least 3 seminars will receive a special certificate of participation. The topics for our 2019 seminars are:

• Preparing for Your College Application
• Writing the College Admissions Essay
• Financial Aid 101
• Acing Your Interview
• College Life Skills

In addition to our seminars we also offer our very popular College Forum. This special event is a panel discussion with members of our Washington University community who share advice on choosing a college, major, and insights about Washington University. Seminars and the College Forum are included in the program fee and are optional to attend.