Our 2024 application is open!

For over 100 years, Carnegie Mellon has offered students unique and hands-on educational programs from the fine arts to technology and everything in between. Through Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Programs, rising juniors and seniors in high school have the opportunity to experience a world-class education on a beautiful, vibrant college campus. Our programs prepare students for their upcoming college experience, help them narrow their career focus, and build critical knowledge and skills.

Pre-College Programs* – Summer of 2024

Architecture: Introduces design practice, creative problem solving, and critical thinking through a matrix of programming, celebrating curiosity, and providing a strong foundation for architectural education. (5-week program)
Art: Uses both traditional tools and cutting-edge technologies to explore creative ideas in a college-level studio environment. Students develop both conceptual and technical skills preparing them for a wide range of opportunities in both art studies and careers. (3- and 6-week program options)
Computational Biology: Provides extensive training in both cutting-edge laboratory experiments to generate biological data and the computational analysis of that data. Uses real-world scenarios for exploration. (3-week program) Upcoming virtual Discover Session on November 29, 2023!
Design: Introduces students to the discipline of Design, provides a foundation of skills, and gives a clear idea of what to expect from a college-level accredited program. (6-week program)
Drama: Prepares students for the college audition and interview process, illustrating the kind of creativity and discipline required of students studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama curriculum. Students will be introduced to the intensity of a top-rated undergraduate conservatory experience. (6-week program)
Music: Immerses high school students in a world-class conservatory experience within an internationally recognized university. The program mirrors the first weeks of Carnegie Mellon’s first-year undergraduate School of Music curriculum. (3- and 6-week program options, commuter part-time option)
National High School Game Academy: Allows high school students to experience modern video game development using industry-standard technology. Students interested in art, music and audio, game design, and software development are encouraged to apply for this interdisciplinary program. (6-week program) Upcoming virtual Discover Session on December 5, 2023!
Summer Session: Provides high school students with the opportunity to take summer courses offered by Carnegie Mellon. Students earn college credit while working in an academic setting that mirrors the supportive, rigorous environment of the first year of college. (6-week program) Upcoming virtual Discover Session on December 13, 2023!
Writing & Culture: Storytelling is the process of uncovering, understanding, and sharing stories. Whether through words or images, stories unite us and help create a mutual space for understanding ourselves and each other. That’s what the Pre-College Writing & Culture program works to develop: skilled, reflective, engaged storytellers who can share our stories well. (4-week program)

*Limited scholarships available for programs above.

Fully Funded, Merit-Based* Pre-College Programs – Summer of 2024

AI Scholars: Provides opportunities for students who have been historically excluded in STEM to study artificial intelligence with full-time faculty, staff, and researchers who are leaders in the field. (4-week program, rising seniors only) Upcoming virtual Discover Session on November 29, 2023!
CS Scholars: Provides students who have been historically excluded in the field of computer science an opportunity to explore the subject with full-time faculty, staff and researchers who are leaders in the field.(4-week program, rising juniors only) Upcoming virtual Discover Session on November 29, 2023!
Summer Academy for Math and Science: Allows students from underrepresented communities to develop a deeper understanding of STEM via traditional classroom instruction, hands-on projects, and sustained engagement with world-renowned faculty and skilled staff mentors. (6-week program, rising seniors only)

*No cost to participant.