📘 What Is Harvard Summer School?
Harvard Summer School (HSS) is the oldest academic summer program in the United States, run by Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education and offering 300+ courses across 60 + disciplines including arts, sciences, business, technology, humanities, and more. Students from around the world participate in rigorous academic study for college credit or enrichment in on-campus, online, or hybrid formats.
Harvard Summer School caters to:
- Adult & college students looking to advance skills or earn credits
- High school students through targeted programs
- International learners seeking study abroad experience
🎓 Program Options (2026)
1. Adult & College Student Courses
✔ Open to students aged 18+ with prior college experience
✔ Over 400 courses in more than 60 subjects
✔ Full-time or part-time options (3-, 4-, or 7-week sessions)
✔ On-campus or online formats offered
2. Secondary School Program (SSP)
✔ Academic program for high school students (approx. 16–18 yrs)
✔ 4-week residential program (July 12 – Aug 7, 2026)
✔ 7-week residential, commuting, or online program (June 20 – Aug 8, 2026)
✔ Earn college credit while living on campus or studying online
✔ Over 200 courses across disciplines
3. Pre-College Program
✔ Intensive 2-week academic experience designed for motivated high school students
✔ Sample sessions: June 21 – July 31 (three session options)
✔ Mix of college-level courses + social activities
🗓 Key Dates & Deadlines (2026)
All dates below are Eastern Time (ET):
Application Deadlines
- Early & Priority Aid Deadline: Jan 7 2026
- Regular Application & Financial Aid Deadline: Feb 11 2026
- Late Application Deadline: Apr 1 2026 (or earlier if spots fill)
Session Dates
- 7-Week SSP: June 20 – Aug 8, 2026
- 4-Week SSP Residential: July 12 – Aug 7, 2026
- Pre-College: Dates vary (e.g., Jun 21–Jul 2, Jul 5–17, Jul 19–31)
Visa & I-20 Deadlines
- I-20 registration deadline: Apr 20 2026
- Supporting docs for I-20: Apr 30 2026
✍️ Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Choose Your Program
Decide whether you want:
- Adult college courses
- Secondary School Program
- Pre-College experience
📌 Note: Each has its own application process and eligibility criteria.
2. Prepare Documents
Common requirements:
- Academic transcripts (if applicable)
- Personal statement or essay
- English proficiency scores (if required)
- Counselor recommendation (for high school tracks)
- Application fee (varies)
3. Submit Online Application
👉 Official Apply Page:
https://summer.harvard.edu/apply
Follow the prompts, complete your profile, and upload required materials before the deadline.
4. Await Decision
Decisions for early applicants are typically released by early Feb 2026, and for regular applicants by Mar 10 2026.
5. Register for Courses
Once admitted:
- Pre-register in the MyDCE Portal
- Choose your desired courses
- Pay any tuition/fees by published deadlines
6. Visa Application (If On-Campus & For Credit)
If you are an international student and plan to study on campus for credit, you must:
- Register in I-20 eligible courses (on-campus) by Apr 20 2026
- Submit International Student Questionnaire by Apr 23 2026
- Submit supporting financial/passport documents for I-20 by Apr 30 2026
- Receive Form I-20 from Harvard Summer School
Once you have your Form I-20, apply for a U.S. F-1 Student Visa at your local U.S. embassy/consulate. You’ll need:
- DS-160 completion
- SEVIS I-901 fee payment
- Valid passport & I-20
- Financial documentation
- Visa interview appointment scheduling
Important: B-1/B-2 or ESTA do not allow full-time for-credit study on campus; attempting to enter under these can be denied or violate U.S. immigration rules.
💸 Cost & Financial Aid
- Application Fee (varies by program)
- Program tuition and housing (depends on length & format)
- Need-based aid available if applied by priority deadlines
Note: Financial aid and Scholarships are limited and awards are subject to fund availability.
🎯 Why Attend Harvard Summer School?
- Study with Harvard faculty & distinguished instructors
- Experience a global academic community
- Choose from a wide range of subjects
- Gain college credit and academic enrichment
- Connect with peers from around the world
🧭 Summary — Harvard Summer School 2026
| Category | Info |
|---|---|
| Programs | Adult/College, Secondary School, Pre-College |
| Application Open | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Priority Deadline | Jan 7, 2026 |
| Regular Deadline | Feb 11, 2026 |
| Late Deadline | Apr 1, 2026 |
| I-20 Deadline | Apr 30, 2026 |
| Start Dates | Jun–Jul 2026 |
| Visa | F-1 Student Visa for credit study |
🔗 Official Links
- Harvard Summer School Main Page: https://summer.harvard.edu/
- Apply to Harvard Summer School: https://summer.harvard.edu/apply
- International Student Guidelines (Visa): https://summer.harvard.edu/adult-college-students/course-registration/international-student-registration/
