12 Pre-College Summer Programs for High School Students in Georgia
For high school students in Georgia, pre-college summer programs offer the chance to explore academic interests, build college readiness, and experience campus life. From STEM labs to creative writing workshops, these programs are designed to challenge you while helping you develop skills for future studies.
Hosted by top universities and institutions across the state, many of these programs combine rigorous coursework with mentorship and collaborative projects, giving you a head start on exploring potential college majors and career paths.
To help you get started, we’ve curated 12 pre-college programs for high school students in Georgia that offer academic depth, practical learning, and meaningful summer experiences.
1. Oxford College Summer Experience Program
Location: Oxford College, Emory University, Oxford, GA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 2 – 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders
Application Deadline: Not specified
This two-week residential program at Emory University’s Oxford College offers high school students an opportunity to experience college life within a small liberal arts environment. Students reside on campus, attend courses taught by Oxford faculty, and explore a diverse range of subjects, including STEM, humanities, creative arts, and global challenges. Beyond the classroom, they participate in workshops, community events, and local trips, providing a richer understanding of life within the Oxford community.
2. GTAE STEP Program (Science, Technology, and Engineering Program)
Location: Georgia Tech Main Campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and residents of Georgia
Application Deadline: March 9
Hosted by Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, STEP is a free two-week summer internship program that gives high school students a hands-on introduction to real-world engineering research. Unlike traditional camps, STEP organizes students into teams to tackle open-ended aerospace engineering challenges inspired by ongoing Georgia Tech projects. With faculty guidance, students develop designs, create prototypes, and present their work to both academic and industry experts. This day program focuses on creative problem-solving, teamwork, and gaining exposure to aerospace innovation.
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Museum, Atlanta, GA or Online
Cost: Free (students must arrange their own travel and housing for in-person camp)
Dates: In-Person Camp: June 23 – 27 or July 21 – 25 | Online Course: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (must be 16+ by start of session)
Hosted by the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, this program familiarizes high school students with public health and epidemiology. Participants can join the in-person Disease Detective Camp in Atlanta or opt for the flexible Online Summer Course, covering current issues such as infectious diseases, global health, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and data analysis. Both programs are academically rigorous, led by CDC educators and experts, and designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at how the CDC works to protect public health.
4. Emory Pre-college Program
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Residential (2 weeks): $5,137 | Commuter (2 weeks): $3,662 | Residential (4 weeks): $10,274 | Commuter (4 weeks): $7,299
Dates: Session A: June 15 – June 28 | Session B: June 29 – July 12 | Session C: July 13 – July 26
Application Deadline: Session A: May 9 | Session B: May 23 | Session C: June 6
Eligibility: Must be at least 15 years old by the program start date, a current 10th or 11th-grade student at the time of application, minimum GPA of 3.0
Hosted by Emory University in Atlanta, this residential summer program invites rising high school juniors and seniors to experience college-level academics and campus life at one of the country’s top research universities. Students take non-credit courses taught by Emory faculty, exploring subjects ranging from neuroscience to ethics, and participate in co-curricular events and excursions throughout Atlanta. The program also offers workshops, residence hall activities, and opportunities to connect with peers from across the U.S. and abroad. Sessions run for either two or four weeks, depending on what fits your schedule.
5. Georgetown University Summer College Program
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (with online options available)
Cost: $2,207 per credit (most courses are 3 credits) | $50 application fee
Dates: Summer College 1: June 1 – July 3 | Summer College 2: July 6 – August 8 | Summer College 3 (Online): June 1 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, or 12th graders during the school year with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Georgetown’s Summer College invites high school students to immerse themselves in college-level academics while earning credit. Students can select from a wide range of on-campus and online courses in subjects such as political science, philosophy, computer science, filmmaking, and art history. They have the opportunity to take classes with undergraduates, attend guest lectures, and interact with Georgetown faculty. The program offers flexible options, including five-week in-person sessions, eight-week online courses, or a combination of both. For those up for a challenge, the Summer Honors Intensive lets students take two courses in one session and earn a certificate at the end. The online Pre-College Programs run year-round and are still open for enrollment.
6. Georgia Tech College of Design
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $2,500 (includes tuition, room, board, materials, and activities)
Program Dates: Session I: June 15 – 27 | Session II: July 6 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Georgia Tech’s Pre-College Summer Program features two-week, practical workshops in Architecture, Industrial Design, Building Construction, and Music Technology. Located on Georgia Tech’s Atlanta campus, it provides rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn from faculty, participate in studio projects, and delve into the design process within a college setting. Students reside in dormitories, dine in dining halls, and participate in social activities with their peers. Weekend excursions to destinations such as the High Museum or the Georgia Aquarium add a creative and cultural dimension to the experience.
7. SCAD Rising Star Program
Location: SCAD Rising Star Savannah/Atlanta, GA
Cost: $6,490
Dates: June 29 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (current 11th graders)
SCAD’s Rising Star program is a four-week summer opportunity designed for rising high school seniors eager to begin their journey in art and design. Participants take two college-level courses, earning 10 quarter hours of credit, while working in SCAD’s professional studios, labs, and creative environments. The program is held at the Savannah or Atlanta campus, where students reside in dormitories and engage in student activities and cultural trips. With access to Adobe Creative Cloud and personalized mentorship from faculty, students enhance their skills and begin developing impressive portfolios for future college applications.
8. Architecture Summer Academy
Location: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Cost: $1,000
Program Dates: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: April 1
This 10-day program, offered by Kennesaw State University, provides an immersive introduction to architecture and design. This program offers students an opportunity to explore drawing, design thinking, sustainability, and the built environment. It features guided projects, guest lectures from practicing architects, and a field trip to Atlanta to observe notable architecture firsthand. Aimed at students interested in architecture as a potential career, the program combines creative exploration with essential skill development.
9. Covenant College Summer Institute
Location: Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA
Cost: $1,010
Program Dates: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
Application Deadline: Not specified
The Summer Institute is a week-long residential program for high school students to experience campus life and earn an hour of college credit. Participants can select from various small seminar courses taught by Covenant professors, covering subjects such as literature, psychology, political theory, engineering, theology, and others. Mornings are spent in class, afternoons in group study or research, and evenings include residence hall activities and community devotions led by current students. Students who attend the Summer Institute before their senior year and later enroll at Covenant receive a $1,000 scholarship per year toward their tuition.
10. AISEE Summer Academy
Location: Clayton State University, Morrow, GA
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, instruction, materials)
Program Dates: June 1 – 8
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; rising 10th–12th grade high school students from underserved backgrounds
The AISEE Summer Academy is an 8-day residential STEM camp held at Clayton State University, funded by NASA. It aims to serve minority and underserved high school students, introducing them to artificial intelligence, data science, and NASA's Earth science research. Students will learn Python programming, explore real-world applications of AI in Earth exploration, and live on campus to simulate college life. The curriculum includes lectures, labs, field trips, and guest talks from NASA scientists and university faculty.
11. SRE Program at Georgia Cancer Centre, Augusta University
Location: Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: 16 years old for lab-based projects; Students under 16 may apply for non-lab projects
Augusta University’s six-week summer program invites high school students to join cutting-edge cancer research at the Georgia Cancer Center. Students work alongside leading scientists in areas such as cancer biology, immunology, metabolism, genomics, and population science. It’s an excellent chance to explore careers in biomedicine and gain mentorship from field experts. Participants under 16 can get involved through bioinformatics or community projects.
12. SMASH Academy
Location: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free (includes housing, coursework, and use of a laptop)
Program Dates: July 6 – July 26
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Must be in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Must attend a public high school or a private school on scholarship
SMASH Academy is a free summer program designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who want to explore computer science. Held on college campuses such as Morehouse, this program provides rising 11th and 12th-grade students the opportunity to enhance their skills through practical STEM and CS coursework, while fostering confidence, community, and access to real-world experiences mentorship. The curriculum covers design thinking, coding, social-emotional learning, and workshops for college success.
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