The Pre-College Program offerings in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis provide opportunities for qualified middle and high school students to study on a non-degree basis. Both credit and noncredit course work is available during the academic year and summer.

Students interested in attending a Pre-College Program must submit an application for admission that may include essays, transcripts, and teacher recommendations. Students are expected to meet the age/year-in-school eligibility of the program unless an exception has been granted. International students must be able to verify fluency in the English language by providing a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT) or a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5. Students may request a waiver based on the current standards of English proficiency certification set by the Office for International Students and Scholars.

Credit courses enrolled in through a Pre-College Program are considered pre-matriculation units and are subject to Washington University policies regarding Pre-Matriculation Credit Units. 

Admission to and participation in a Pre-College Program does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at Washington University.

Need-based scholarship assistance is available for all programs. Information about applying for scholarship assistance is available on the Pre-College Programs website.

Summer Programs

Summer Pre-College Programs are designed for mature, academically motivated students enrolled in challenging curriculum that may include honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, if offered by their high schools. Students who are collaborative, intellectually curious, and creative thinkers thrive in these programs. Courses are taught by Washington University instructors from across disciplines and research fields. Course offerings rotate each year. For current course offerings, visit the Pre-College Programs website.

In addition to course work, students participate in enrichment programming designed to support the development of college readiness skills.

High School Summer Scholars Program

Through the High School Summer Scholars Program, students enroll in one or two courses for credit. Students choose from a selection of Arts & Sciences undergraduate courses. To be eligible for the program, students must be current juniors in high school. Students must meet any prerequisites listed for a course in order to be approved to enroll.

High School Summer Institutes

Through the noncredit High School Summer Institutes, students discover a new passion or dive deeper into an existing one through an interdisciplinary environment. Each institute has a specific theme or focus and includes traditional undergraduate classroom activities like lectures, discussions, small group collaboration, and final projects. To be eligible for the program, students must be current sophomores or juniors in high school, and they must meet any prerequisites listed for the institute to which they are applying.

High School Summer Launch

Through the noncredit High School Summer Launch, students participate in a series of daily lectures, workshops, and seminars designed to build a strong foundation for future academic studies and to prepare students for the college application process. To be eligible for the program, students must be current freshmen or sophomores in high school.

Middle School Summer Challenge

Through the noncredit Middle School Summer Challenge program, students participate in a humanities-themed course, leadership and team-building workshops, and a STEM course to create a well-rounded summer experience. To be eligible for the program, students must be current fifth-, sixth-, seventh-, or eighth-grade students.

Academic Year Programs

Early College Scholars Program

The Early College Scholars Program is a year-round dual-enrollment program that allows St. Louis area high school students to enroll in courses for credit. To be eligible for the program, students must be current 12th-grade St. Louis-area high school students, and they must meet any prerequisites listed for a course. Priority for enrollment in the fall and spring semesters is given first to full-time degree students. If space is available, pre-college students may then be permitted to enroll in a course pending instructor and department approval. 

Exploration Courses

The noncredit, online Exploration Courses allow students to explore a topic or subject through a series of interactive activities, lectures, and discussions. To be eligible, students must be current sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school, and they must meet any prerequisites listed for the course. 

Contact Info

Contact:	Becki Baker
Phone:	314-935-4807
Email:	precollege@wustl.edu
Website:	https://precollege.wustl.edu/