Program Overview

The Rutgers Pre-College Summer Academies offer high school students an opportunity for an immersive academic experience that allows them to explore potential academic or career interests and experience campus life to prepare them for college.

During the week-long program, academy students will attend daily academic workshops, lectures, tours and activities, taught by leading practitioners and Rutgers instructors. Outside of class, students will participate in activities and events, scheduled every evening to engage and entertain, as well as form connections between the pre-college student cohort. Students are supervised by program assistants (PAs) and resident assistants (RAs) throughout the program.

Who can apply?

High school students completing their sophomore and junior year, ages 16 to 18 by Summer 2026

What type of program options are available?

Students can select between residential and commuter focused academies* to experience a taste of college life on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus. Program type offerings vary by academy topic.

^{*The academic interests will remain the same in these programs, but where the student resides is the difference. Our residential academies are held on campus, where the student will reside/dorm for the entire week while taking courses, eating meals, and engaging in evening activities with their cohort. Commuter academies are held on campus, but students will be dismissed to their prospective homes daily. Commuter students will be provided with lunch and have a pickup time from campus daily. Commuter students will be given options to engage in some evening activities pre-planned ahead of time with their cohort.}