2026 LU Student Counselors

Lehigh University Pre-College Summer Programs

Connect your curiosity to real-world impact this summer at Lehigh University. Lehigh's Pre-College Programs are one-week residential summer camps for rising 10th through 12th graders, held on Lehigh's campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Students live in University residence halls, eat at campus dining halls, immerse themselves in non-credit courses taught by Lehigh faculty in one of five subjects, and experience life on a research university campus. The 2027 program runs Sunday, July 11 through Friday, July 16.

Registration Opens in December

Choose Your Program

Each program is a hands-on, week-long deep dive in a single subject, taught by Lehigh faculty. Students attend one program. Check back for the 2027 programs. Below are the 2026 programs.

Blockchain in Business

Blockchain In Business

How distributed ledger technology is changing finance, supply chain, and business operations.

Racecar

Engineering: Race Cars & Sensors

PROGRAM FILLED!

Build, test, and analyze sensor-equipped race cars in Lehigh's engineering labs.

Journalism

Journalism

Reporting, fact-checking, and storytelling with award-winning Lehigh journalism faculty.

Sustainable solar panels

Sustainability

Climate, energy, and environmental challenges through hands-on field and lab work.

What to Expect

Connect your curiosity to real-world impact this summer at Lehigh. Spend a week living on Lehigh's campus in South Side Bethlehem, and immerse yourself in one of four specialized programs. Your experience extends beyond the classroom: campus tours, admissions workshops, and social events designed to connect you with our community and your peers.

Program Details:

  • Sunday, July 11 - Friday, July 16, 2026
  • One-week residential camp
  • Open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders 
  • Participant must be 14 -17 years old to participate
  • $1,800 (includes instruction, supplies, housing, meals, and activities)
  • All academic programs taught by Lehigh University faculty

Why Lehigh Summer Programs

Lehigh is a private research university in the Lehigh Valley, about 90 minutes from both New York City and Philadelphia. Pre-College students get the same things that draw undergraduates here: faculty who teach their own courses, small cohorts, and a residential campus designed for engagement rather than commuting.

Program Details:

  • Faculty-taught, not graduate-student-taught
  • Small cohorts
  • Residential, not commuter; you experience real college life
  • Five subjects, including emerging fields you won't find at most pre-college programs
  • On-campus, not virtual

Lehigh Pre-College Programs FAQs

Registration will open in December.

All programs are $1,800. Fee includes instruction, supplies, housing, meals and activities. 

Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders who will be 14-17 years old during the program can register. All participants should be in good academic standing with their school and be ready to engage with challenging ideas. 

The final schedule will be available closer the start of the program. Below is a broad view of the week:

  • Sunday: Arrival, Introductions, Expectations, Campus Tour
  • Monday - Thursday: Breakfast, Academics, Lunch, Academics, Dinner, Evening Activities with University Offices/Programs
  • Friday: Breakfast, Academics, Lunch, Departure (1:00p.m.)

All academic programs are designed and delivered by Lehigh faculty. Check out their bios in the program descriptions.

Lehigh student-staff will be with the cohorts at all times leading participants through the daily agenda.

You will stay in one of our residence halls. During your stay, you will experience campus life just like a Lehigh student! You will dine at Lehigh's dining halls for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some meals may come from local restaurants. 

We will send you a complete packing list in the summer. Here are some things you can think about bringing in the meantime:

  • Twin Bedding
  • Shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirt, pajamas
  • Comfy shoes (Lehigh is built on a mountain!)
  • Shower kit (soap, towel, shampoo, etc.)
  • Fan 

 

Sure! Let us know before April 30 for a full refund. After April 30 we can refund 50% of the registration fee. After May 30 no refund can be issued.

Jill Forrest, Director of Academic Outreach
610-758-4802 or jsf212@lehigh.edu