Harvard Summer School 2012

Secondary School Program


Apply now

Apply today! Space in the program is limited.

Register now

See also

Play video

SSPeaking about

Play video

SSPeaking about

Admitted Secondary School Program Students

Once accepted, you must complete a number of steps before you can be officially enrolled in the program.

  1. Request housing if you plan to live on campus.
  2. Register for your selected courses. You can get advice on course selection by phoning our office. Remember that residential students must stay enrolled in 8 credits (usually two 4-credit courses).
  3. Pay in full. Summer School tuition, room and board expenses total approximately $10,370 for residential students.

Complete these tasks as soon as possible. The date by which these tasks must be completed is May 21, but don’t put it off. Space in the dormitories, and in many classes, is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet all requirements listed above, so you are strongly advised to complete these tasks well before May 21.

If you plan to live on campus, you must request housing, register for courses (8 credits), and pay in full by May 21, or you will be withdrawn from the program.

If you plan to commute to campus or take a course online, you must register for your course(s) and pay in full by May 21, or you will be withdrawn from the program.

Key dates

See other important dates in the calendar.

Request housing early

After you are admitted, you must request online.

On-campus housing is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to students who submit an online housing request and meet all requirements. We encourage you to complete these requirements early to ensure all materials are processed while space in Harvard’s residential buildings is still available. The last date housing may be requested (provided space is still available) is May 21.

Registering for courses

If you have been admitted to the program, you may register for courses March 1 to May 21. Register online with credit card payment for faster service.

If you plan to live on campus you must enroll full time in 8 credits. If you are going to commute or live off campus and take courses online, you may enroll in either one 4-credit course or in 8 credits.

See a list of popular courses for SSP students.

Financial aid

Admitted students who are US citizens or permanent residents may apply for SSP financial aid through April 6.

Immunizations

All students who attend the Summer School must comply with Massachusetts immunization regulations.

Opening Weekend

Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, mark the official opening of Harvard Summer School. Dormitories open on Saturday, and you are encouraged to check in that morning.

On Opening Weekend, residential SSP students wait until all roommates arrive before determining who settles in which bedroom and sleeps in which bed. This is an excellent way to begin getting to know your roommates.

For advice and to find some calm outside the ferment of the first few days, you are welcome in Straus Hall, the Yard dorm that houses our summer office. There you can see your assistant dean, talk with the proctors hanging out, and get to know other students. The first few days are hectic, and the office can be crowded, but we want to meet you.

Activities and resources

As an SSP student, you have access to a large number of activities and resources during your time at Harvard, such as movie nights at the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, sculling lessons on the Charles River, and trips galore.

You can also attend a college fair and any number of college prep workshops to improve your understanding of the college-admissions process.

See Activities and College Prep for more details.