On this page:

Academics

Join an immersive educational journey designed to empower high school students with unparalleled opportunities for intellectual growth and personal development. Our Pre-College Programs blend academic study with interactive experiences to ignite curiosity, foster critical thinking, and cultivate skills vital for success in higher education and beyond.

Wheaton faculty & TAs: Unlike other summer programs led by graduate students with predetermined outlines to teach, our Pre-College Programs are taught by Wheaton faculty who create a curriculum and classroom experience with their own distinctive approach. Students also connect with dedicated Teaching Assistants (TAs). These current undergraduates mentor, guide, inspire and support students every step of the way.

Classroom experience: With an emphasis on experiential and divergent learning, students work in groups and individually, through experimentation, exploration, research and critical inquiry. While there may be lectures given, they are in service to the work students will be doing in and outside of the class, rather than as the primary structure of the course. Students learn to ask the right questions, consider problems from different perspectives, develop and articulate innovative ideas, communicate effectively, listen actively, develop innovative ideas, and work collaboratively.

Credit/non-credit:*  Whether you’re eager to earn credits toward your academic journey or prefer the flexibility of non-credit options, our program caters to your aspirations.

*Please see more information about credit in the FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose your path

We offer two unique program options which allow students to tailor their experience to their interests and goals.

Student Experience

Participants in this program will select 2 courses from our 10 course offerings  – one in the AM schedule and one in the PM schedule. Students may select recommended co-courses to immerse in a particular subject or explore two different areas of study.

Athlete Experience

Participants in this program will select one course from the AM or PM schedules as follows:

  • Fencers: Your training will be in the AM: Choose one course from the PM schedule.
  • Swimmers: Your training will be in the PM: Choose one course from the AM schedule.
  • Strength and Conditioning: If you choose a course in the AM, your training will be in the afternoon. If you choose a course in the PM, your training will be in the morning.

Learn more about the Athlete Experience

View Courses

Program details

Who should attend?

Our Pre-College Programs are open to high school rising juniors and seniors (or the equivalent) who are between 16 – 18 years old.* The program does not require any prerequisites or minimum GPA. However, students should be prepared to step up to college-level learning, arrive on time, and actively engage in classes and homework.

*Note: students who turn 16 by October 1, 2024, are eligible to apply as long as they meet the grade level requirement. Students who graduate high school in 2024 and have not yet started in college are eligible to attend.

Program schedule

  • Dates: July 6 through August 2, 2024
  • Schedule: Classes are held Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Mondays: Open lab and studio time, as well as College-Life Workshops
  • Closing Reception: Classes will host a closing reception where students showcase their work for friends and family.

Program cost

Tuition and fees
  • Residential Program: $5,727
  • Commuter Program: $3,000
Tuition details
  • Residential tuition includes course tuition and associated lab/tech fees and/or athletic training, housing and dining costs for shared accommodations and access to participate in all planned Pre-College activities (e.g., museum/venue admissions fees, buses, ferries, etc.).
  • Commuter tuition includes course tuition and associated lab/tech fees and/or athletic training and access to participate in all of the planned Pre-College activities. Commuting students may purchase meals from the dining hall as needed.
Additional costs

Tuition does not cover course-related books and supplies or personal sports equipment/gear. Students are responsible for personal purchases, travel to and from the program and personal laptops.

Health insurance

Medical insurance is mandatory for all students participating in programs in the state of Massachusetts. The college requires all students to carry valid medical insurance to help cover the cost of any medical treatment at our Health Services. All medical insurance policies must be from a U.S. domestic insurance company.

If you do not have medical insurance from a U.S. domestic insurance company, you may purchase a short-term medical insurance policy from a third-party insurer. Please contact our Health Services Department for more information.

Payment schedule

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due with application submission. If a student is not admitted to the program, the deposit will be refunded in full. If admitted, the deposit will be credited toward the program charges. Payments above the $500 deposit or the full amount can be made at the time of application.

Balance due: All accounts must pay the balance in full by Monday, April 29, 2024.
Application forms submitted after April 29 and before the May 20 deadline require payment in full upon application form submission.

Refund policy

Enrollment deposit is non-refundable unless the student is not admitted to the program. Tuition payments may be refunded based on the following deadlines:

  • On or before April 29: 100% refund of tuition (minus the deposit)
  • April 30 – May 13: 50% refund (minus the deposit)
  • On or after May 13: 0% refund

Application requirements

All applications must meet all of the below requirements in order to be reviewed for admission.

  • Rising high school junior, senior or equivalent
  • 16-18 years old by October 1, 2024
  • High school transcript indicating grade level and age
  • Proof of English proficiency, if English is not your primary language
  • $500 non-refundable deposit

Application Deadline:

  • May 20, 2024  (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens currently residing in the United States)
  • March 31, 2024 (Non-U.S. citizens, located outside of the United States)

Students are strongly encouraged to submit applications early as there is limited space in each course and athletic program.

Each application is dated and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete applications cannot be processed for review. Once accepted, students are enrolled in their selected courses. If the selected course is full, they will be placed in their 2nd or 3rd choice. By selecting alternative 2nd and 3rd options, students improve their chances of securing a place in the program. If all selected courses are full, students will be notified and provided with options of courses with remaining space available.

Apply today

Non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent residents (non-immigrants)

In addition to the above requirements:

  • Students currently residing in the U.S. and holding a visa and eligible to remain in the U.S. must provide documentation to confirm their status.
  • Students who need to obtain a visa must provide evidence of financial support to cover the average estimated cost of the program $6,500 (including books, materials, incidentals, short-term health insurance (if needed), etc.).
  • Students who are in any non-immigrant category must provide documentation of their status and the ability to provide above listed financial support.
  • Commuting students must have their own housing (with adult supervision) and transportation to/from campus.
  • Copy of passport
  • All students must communicate with the Center for Global Education before submitting an application:

Desnee Stevens
Associate Director/International Student Advisor, International Student Services
Wheaton College Center for Global Education
[email protected] 

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is other than English must demonstrate their English proficiency to be considered for this program. Applicants may demonstrate proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
    • Recommended score of 85
    • Wheaton College Code: 3963
    • Wheaton College accepts TOEFL MyBest scores, sometimes referred to as super scores
  • IELTS
    • Recommended score of 6.5
    • Wheaton College Code: 5109
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
    • Recommended score of 61
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
    • Recommended score of 125