Barnard Pre-College offers three noncredit institutes and one credit-bearing program:

• NextGen Leadership Institute
• Health and Society Institute
• Athena Summer Innovation Institute
• Pre-Baccalaureate Program

Visit Summer Programs to compare the programs and explore their academic focus.

Our three-week institutes run during the following sessions:

• Session I: June 28 through July 16, 2027
• Session II: July 19 through August 6, 2027

NextGen Leadership Institute and Health and Society Institute are offered in both sessions. Athena Summer Innovation Institute is offered during Session I.

The Pre-Baccalaureate Program runs July 6 through August 13, 2027.

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Review the Pre-College Admissions page for age, grade-level, and academic requirements before applying.

All Barnard Pre-College programs are open to students of all genders.

The Pre-Baccalaureate Program is our credit-bearing option. Students enroll in a three-credit Barnard course alongside undergraduate students.

NextGen Leadership Institute, Health and Society Institute, and Athena Summer Innovation Institute are noncredit programs.

Yes. NextGen Leadership Institute, Health and Society Institute, and Athena Summer Innovation Institute offer both commuter and residential options.

The Pre-Baccalaureate Program is commuter-only. Commuter students and their families are responsible for arranging daily transportation to and from campus.

Yes. International students may apply to our noncredit institutes if they meet their chosen program’s eligibility requirements. International applicants are not eligible for the credit-bearing Pre-Baccalaureate Program.

Review the international-applicant section of our Admissions page for English proficiency expectations, transcript translation requirements, and other application guidance.

Yes. You may attend programs in different sessions as long as their dates do not overlap. You must be admitted to each program and complete the required registration and payment steps for each one.

Campus housing is not available between sessions. If you attend both sessions as a residential student, your family must arrange and pay for accommodations and transportation between the first session’s move-out and the second session’s move-in.

Applications open: December 1, 2026

Priority and application fee-waiver deadline: February 15, 2027

Final application deadline: April 15, 2027

Applicants seeking financial aid must submit both their program application and financial aid form by February 15, 2027.

Apply early. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and programs and courses have limited capacity. Applying early gives you more time to complete your application and plan your summer.

Prepare the following:

• An online application
• An unofficial high school transcript
• A list of extracurricular activities
• Teacher recommendations
• A 500-word statement of purpose

Pre-Baccalaureate applicants must also submit an additional writing sample.

If your transcript is not in English, submit both the original document and a complete English translation. Review Pre-College Admissions for detailed instructions.

The application fee is waived for applications submitted through February 15, 2027. Applications submitted after that date are subject to a $75 application fee.

Summer 2027 admission decisions begin on January 12. Students who complete their applications in December will receive their decisions with this first release.

Once decision releases begin, complete applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions generally available within two to three weeks.

Missing materials can delay review, so check your application portal to confirm that all required materials have been received.

Application fee payments may take two to three business days to appear in your portal because payments are manually verified.

If your payment is still missing after three business days, email pcp@barnard.edu for assistance. Do not submit a second payment.

Course selection takes place during registration and enrollment in CampDoc, after admission. A deposit is required at registration to secure your place.

Course availability is limited. If your preferred course is full, our team will contact you to discuss an alternative. Review the available courses before registering, as course changes cannot be guaranteed once enrollment is finalized.

Homeschooled applicants should include at least one recommendation from someone other than a parent or guardian who can speak to their academic performance.

This could be an instructor or another educator who has worked directly with the student and can describe their preparation for the program.

Recommendation requirements depend on your current grade when you apply:

• Current ninth-grade students: Two teacher recommendations.
• Current tenth-grade students and above: At least one teacher recommendation.

Choose teachers who know your academic work and can describe your classroom engagement, approach to learning, and readiness for the program. Give your recommenders enough time to submit their recommendations before your intended application deadline.

Homeschooled applicants should include at least one recommendation from someone other than a parent or guardian who can speak to their academic performance.

No. Participation in Barnard Pre-College does not guarantee undergraduate admission to Barnard College.

Pre-College offers an opportunity to explore academic interests, develop skills, and experience campus life. Students interested in attending Barnard as undergraduates must complete the undergraduate application process. Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the applicant’s full academic and personal record.

Visit Barnard Undergraduate Admissions for information about that process.

Schedules vary by program and course. Your day may include classes, workshops, instructor office hours, independent study, and course-related outings. Students are expected to attend all required academic and program activities.

For NextGen Leadership Institute students, Leadership in Action and Foundations for Well-Being is required. 

Detailed schedule information will be shared with enrolled students so commuter and residential families can plan around the full program.

Yes. Students should expect readings, written assignments, projects, or other preparation outside scheduled class time.

The workload varies by course and instructor. Plan to set aside time for independent work throughout your program, including when making plans for evenings and weekends.

Students who successfully complete a noncredit institute receive a Certificate of Completion and a qualitative instructor evaluation. The evaluation considers coursework, participation, and attendance.

Students who successfully complete a Pre-Baccalaureate course earn three college credits and receive a letter grade. An official Barnard transcript can be requested to document their academic record.

Once enrolled, share any dietary restrictions, food allergies, and accessibility needs through the appropriate CampDoc enrollment forms.

For specific residential accommodation requests, use the housing form sent separately after enrollment.

Email pcp@barnard.edu if you have questions before applying or enrolling.

Noncredit institutes: $8,515 for commuters or $11,255 for residential students, per three-week session.

Pre-Baccalaureate: $7,806 for one three-credit course, including the required comprehensive fee. Commuter only.

Visit Tuition and Financial Aid for the full breakdown of costs and optional fees.

Institute tuition includes instruction, required course materials, weekday campus dining, core program activities, non-premium PCP excursions, campus and library access, a program email account, and an OMNY transit card.

Residential enrollment also includes campus housing, meals seven days a week, linens, and access to Barnard’s LeFrak Center Gym.

Yes. Deposits are non-refundable and count toward your total program cost:

• Noncredit institutes: 10% of base tuition.
• Pre-Baccalaureate: $835.

Residential students also pay the $2,740 residential fee at registration. This fee follows the program’s refund policy.

Noncredit institutes: Full payment is due May 31, 2027.

Pre-Baccalaureate: Full tuition payment follows the Bursar’s summer payment schedule.

Follow the payment instructions provided for your program.

Barnard Pre-College offers a limited amount of need-based financial aid to eligible applicants.

To be considered, submit both your Pre-College application and financial aid form by February 15, 2027.

International applicants are not eligible for financial aid.

Indicate your interest in financial aid within your program application and complete the financial aid form. Both forms must be submitted by February 15, 2027.

Upload the following through your application portal:

• 2025 parent or guardian federal tax returns
• 2025 parent or guardian W-2 forms

You may also submit an optional statement explaining significant changes in your family’s finances in 2026. Follow the supporting-document deadlines listed in your portal.

Financial aid notifications are expected to begin March 9, separately from admissions decisions.

Non-premium excursions are included. Optional paid experiences are:

• Premium Excursion Package: $235. A Broadway ticket, subject to availability, and a trip to either The Edge or the Empire State Building.
• Luna Park at Coney Island: $110. Offered July 4, during Session I.

Registration details will be shared with enrolled students.

If you have paid your deposit and enrolled in CampDoc, email pcp@barnard.edu to request withdrawal from the program.

Refunds depend on your program and withdrawal date:

• Noncredit institutes: Tuition and residential fee refunds follow the schedule on the Tuition and Financial Aid page. Tuition deposits are non-refundable.
• Pre-Baccalaureate: Tuition refunds follow the Bursar’s summer refund schedule. The deposit and comprehensive fee are non-refundable.