Pre-College 2025

GW Pre-College Program 2025

High school students in the Pre-College Program spend a summer in Washington, D.C., taking advantage of GW's expertise in global development, international relations, public policy and administration, politics, diplomacy, history, biomedical engineering, museum studies and the arts. Top-tier faculty and scholar practitioners guide, inspire and empower students through immersive programs that connect academic experience with real-world practice. Our summer programs are intensive and exciting, allowing students to experience the academic rigors of learning in a college environment. They are academically-challenging courses that integrate lectures and seminars with exploration of area organizations.

Pre-College also offers a transformative introduction to college life. Students develop confidence in their ability to become part of a new community, participating in recreational and social activities while making friends with peers from around the world.

Please note that each session has a specific deadline as you are looking to apply.

Summer Immersion: Residential Programs

Summer Immersion is a two-week, full day, non-credit program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors that integrates lecture-based instruction with experiential and applied activities. Students expand and deepen their knowledge of a topic through collaborative learning and an exploration of the diverse intellectual and cultural resources of Washington, DC.

Session I: Monday, June 23, 2025 - Thursday, July 3, 2025

The Science of Healing: An Introduction to Medicine

Discover the fascinating world of healthcare in this course designed to give you a head start on your medical journey. Explore the foundations of anatomy, physiology, and medical ethics, while learning about the different fields of medicine and the day-to-day responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Through interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and case studies, you’ll gain insight into the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as the latest advancements in medical technology. Ideal for aspiring doctors, nurses, and medical researchers, this course offers a dynamic introduction to the world of medicine!

The Science of Us: Exploring Social Psychology

In this course, dive into the science of human behavior that explores how individuals think, feel, and act in social contexts. Uncover the psychological mechanisms behind topics like group dynamics, persuasion, conformity, and prejudice. Through engaging discussions, real-world experiments, and case studies, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how social environments influence behavior and decision-making. Perfect for students interested in psychology, sociology, or any field that examines human interaction, this course offers valuable insights into the forces that shape our social world.

The U.S. Intelligence Community: Global Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation

Explore the covert world of national security in this course that delves into the critical role intelligence agencies play in safeguarding the nation. Learn about the strategies and technologies used to combat global terrorism, prevent nuclear proliferation, and address emerging threats. Through case studies, simulations, and analysis of real-world events, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the intelligence community. Ideal for students interested in national security, international relations, and defense, this course offers a fascinating look into the complexities of global security.

U.S. Law: Exploring D.C. and Federal Courts

Step into the heart of the American legal system in this course that offers a hands-on introduction to how federal law is shaped and enforced. Dive into the workings of the U.S. court system, from district courts to the Supreme Court, while exploring the nation’s capital as a hub of legal and political power. Through mock trials, case studies, and visits to key legal institutions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of constitutional law, civil rights, and the role of the judiciary in shaping national policy. Perfect for future lawyers, policymakers, or anyone interested in law and justice!

Session II: Monday, July 7, 2025 - Thursday, July 17, 2025

Students huddled together with notepads and books in their laps.

Inside the Mind: Exploring the Power of Cognitive Neuroscience

Unlock the mysteries of the brain in this course that delves into how our minds work at the intersection of biology and psychology. Explore how the brain processes thoughts, emotions, memories, and behaviors, while gaining insight into topics like perception, learning, decision-making, and neuroplasticity. Through interactive lectures, case studies, and hands-on activities, you’ll discover the fascinating science behind cognitive function and its real-world applications in fields like artificial intelligence, mental health, and education. Ideal for students passionate about neuroscience, psychology, and understanding the mind!

Building Better Lives: The Science of Biomedical Engineering

Explore the cutting-edge field of biomedical engineering, where technology and medicine come together to transform healthcare. This course introduces you to the science behind medical innovations. Through hands-on projects, case studies, and discussions on real-world applications, you'll learn how engineers solve complex medical challenges to improve lives. Ideal for students passionate about science, engineering, or medicine, this course provides a dynamic foundation for those eager to shape the future of healthcare.

Health for All: The Science and Practice of Public Health

Discover the exciting and impactful world of public health through this introductory course designed to ignite your passion for improving population health and addressing global health challenges. You’ll explore public health's history, philosophy, and core values while learning how quantitative and qualitative methods shape our understanding of population health. Dive into evidence-based strategies, uncover the social, political, and economic factors driving health inequities, and examine how globalization influences disease burdens worldwide. From prevention strategies like exercise and nutrition to tackling systemic issues, this course offers a comprehensive foundation for students interested in making a difference in health at both local and global levels.

U.S. Foreign Policy: Global Conflict Resolution in a Multilateral World

Examine the complexities of international diplomacy in this course that explores how the U.S. engages with other nations to address global challenges. Learn about the strategies behind diplomacy, international cooperation, and conflict resolution in a world where multilateral institutions and alliances play crucial roles. This course will take participants to foreign embassies, U.S. government agencies, and some of the nation's leading think tanks. Through case studies, debates, and simulations, you’ll gain insight into key issues such as peacebuilding, humanitarian interventions, and geopolitical tensions. Perfect for students passionate about global affairs, politics, and shaping the future of international relations.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Students in the Pre-College program are constantly engaged. Connecting with their classmates, their topic of study and Washington, D.C, Pre-College students have the opportunity to interact with this program in an immersive, hands-on experience. Both in and out of the classroom, students are kept busy as we arrange opportunities for exploration through class site visits and residential programming. Students also receive a certain amount of free time to explore DC independently. Here is a sample Pre-College student schedule:

Weekdays
7:30am - 8:30am: Breakfast

9:00am - 5:00pm: Class, Study Sessions, Co-Curricular Activities

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm - 4:00pm: Class, Guest Lecture and/or Site Visit

5:00pm - 6:30pm: Dinner

7:00pm - 9:00pm: College Readiness Activities and Recreational Programs with Residential Staff

11:00 pm: In-Room Curfew (weekday and weekends)

Weekends
Recreational Programs with Residential Staff. Examples of Recreational Programs include 4th of July Celebration on the National Mall, DC Cupcake crawl, and Smithsonian museum tours.

Additional SUMMER Opportunities

Program dates for Summer 2025 to be announced.

College Intensive programs offer rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit by engaging in challenging online undergraduate level courses. Grades earned establish an official academic record at GW and may be transferable, depending on the policies of the receiving institution.

Students who wish to engage in credit-bearing online courses may apply for the 6-week online option. Students participating in this program are eligible to enroll in one 1000 or 2000 level course. To be eligible for enrollment, students must satisfy all prerequisites for a given course. For dates and times, please consult the GW schedule of classes, which will be posted later this spring.

Program dates for Summer 2025 to be announced.

Caminos al Futuro is a fully-funded, selective pre-college and residential summer program for rising seniors in U.S. high schools offered by the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at the George Washington University, in Washington D.C.

During the 3-week intensive program, Caminos scholars examine the social, economic, and political transformations affecting the Hispanic/Latino community. Through lectures by university professors and expert leaders in their fields, scholars not only learn about pressing contemporary issues but also create their own project to bring change in their own communities.