Earlham Summer

Pre-college Summer Program

Get a sneak peek of a week in college: dorm life, new friends, a unique class with a college professor — PLUS earn a college credit!

PROGRAM DATES:

Session 1: June 7-12, 2026
Session 2: June 14-19, 2026
Session 3: June 21-26, 2026

ELIGIBILITY: Any current U.S. high school student who will be a sophomore, junior or senior in the Fall of 2026.

COST: $2,000 — Up to 90% of the cost will be covered by financial aid for qualifying students. If you are an Earlham employee, ask about our employee discounts.

LOCATION: Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 1, 2026

Course information and online registration become available in November!

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What’s included

Join us for Earlham Summer, a weeklong pre-college summer camp for high school students. Students will have the chance to try on college life while earning a college credit and building lifelong friendships with their new classmates. You will also become eligible for a $500/year scholarship if you choose to attend Earlham after completing your session.

Throughout the week, you’ll get:

college experience on a real college campus
one Earlham college credit
classes taught by professors who’ve helped Earlham College rank among the Top 10 “Best Classroom Experiences” by The Princeton Review
structured social activities
information and training on how to apply for college and find financial aid

You’ll leave Earlham’s campus more prepared for college and the journey you’re about to embark on.

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FAQs

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Our donors

Our generous donors and partners make Earlham Summer possible.

Your unique pre-college program course options

Students in a computer lab working on games

Game Design

Yunting Yin

Students will learn the fundamentals of game design through a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops. Students will learn about game engines, design principles, the game industry, the growing esports economy, and the role of music in gaming experiences.

How Rivers Work

Andy Moore

More than half of the world’s population lives within two miles of a river, and over 80 percent meets its daily need for water from a lake or river. Rivers are vital to our past, present and future. In this class we’ll use our local river to study how they work from a historical, geomorphological and ecological perspective.

A week at the museum

Ann-Eliza Lewis

A Week at the Museum is a five-day introduction to how museums work. Students will be introduced to what goes on behind the scenes to preserve and interpret art, objects and specimens for the general public. Students will work hands-on in the collections of the Joseph Moore Museum, develop tours or programs, and conduct a small research project with museum data.

Metalsmithing

Lauren Darrouzet

Students will create art forms using a variety of metalsmithing techniques. Students will demonstrate skill in techniques such as sawing, piercing, filing, sanding, object setting and patinas. They will diversify their knowledge of art and art-making by exposure to contemporary and historical artists from a global perspective.

Psychology of Food

Maggie Thomas

Food is an essential component of the lives of every living thing, but many humans only think superficially about how food influences their lives or how their lives are influenced by food. In this course, students will focus on food from the perspective of psychology. They will analyze and discuss individual behavior and how individual behavior varies, all within the context of food.

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Learn more about pre-college programs

Interested in learning more?

We believe that our community is a special place and would love to have you be a part of it, even just for a visit! Plan your visit to campus today or request more information about Earlham College.

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