The Young Women’s Institute is open to women finishing their junior year of high school (rising seniors). Students are selected from around the country to spend a week at Indiana University in Bloomington participating in workshops with top Kelley School of Business faculty, interacting with Kelley alumni and current students, preparing a real-world business case project, building leadership and communication skills, and connecting with like-minded women interested in business.
25 Recognizable College Prep Programs for High School Students
College prep programs are opportunities for high school students to take advantage of their summer time off to explore their academic interests, get a taste of college life, and meet like-minded students from all over the world. Many college prep programs for high school students take place on a college campus and focus on various subjects like journalism, entrepreneurship, or computer science to expand students’ understanding of their interests. Most programs range from 1-7 weeks long and students either live on campus for that time period or can commute to and from campus.
Getting into one of these pre college summer programs can be a great addition to your resume, but be cautious when choosing a program because there are many out there that take advantage of students and will select any student that applies. University admissions faculty know which programs are legitimate and which ones are just cash cows, so be selective and do your research when applying. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 25 recognizable college prep programs for high school students :
University of Pennsylvania – Leadership in the Business World
A month-long summer program for 80 rising high school seniors who want an introduction to an undergraduate business education and the opportunity to hone their leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Students have opportunities to learn about leadership in 21st century organizations through a dynamic and rigorous mix of classes with professors and business leaders, company site visits, and team-building activities.
This 10-day program on Notre Dame’s campus is for 90 academically talented students who show impressive leadership within their communities and focuses on topics like global issues, the environment, and the state of race in 21st century America. Students are eligible to receive one college credit upon completion of the program.
#1: College Prep = Standard Core High School Curriculum
Since the goal of high school is to prepare students for college, it makes sense that the classes that you take in high school are called "college prep classes." After all, the way you get ready for college is by learning what there is to learn in high school!
So, the first and most common definition of the term "college prep" is the core requirements of a high school education. They differ from school to school, but typically go something like this:
In states and districts that require a high school exit exam in order to graduate, these are the subjects that this exit exam is based on. For example, Massachusetts doesn’t let students graduate unless they can pass the MCAS exam in English, math, and one science or technology subject.
College Prep vs. Honors/AP vs. Remedial Classes
Because "college prep" refers to the core set of high school classes, this term has basically become the way to identify the standard class level. College Prep is the class you will take when you are not being challenged by the honors or AP version of a class, and when you are not placed into the remedial version of the class for catch-up.
College Prep Classes and the Big Decision
When you start planning your high school curriculum, you’ll face a tough decision. Should you stick with the standard (or college prep) classes in order to have a higher GPA, or should you challenge yourself and take the Honors or AP course where you’ll probably do a little worse?
The answer is: challenge yourself – within reason. Typically, you should go with the harder level class if you think you can earn a B or higher because generally, most colleges would rather see a B in an Honors or AP course than a set of straight A’s in college prep classes. Straight As in all college prep courses looks like you are avoiding the challenge of honors/AP, and colleges don’t like challenge-avoidance in their applicants.
The idea is to demonstrate that you are challenging yourself, and also that you are mastering the material. Getting a B grade says "I’m just very slightly reaching past my grasp." On the other hand, avoiding honors or AP classes where you will most likely get a C or D shows self-knowledge and mature judgment – another thing colleges tend to value. Taking too many honors and AP classes and ending up with mostly C’s and D’s implies that the standard classes would have been a better fit.
So what should you do? Our advice is to try to take 1-2 of honors or AP courses, maybe in subjects you feel most comfortable in, or those where your strengths lie, or those you’re most interested in pursuing further. To check out the different options, check out our guides that break down each core subject progression:
One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school (in conjunction with how well you do in those classes). Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. We’ll advise you on how to balance your schedule between regular and honors/AP/IB courses, how to choose your extracurriculars, and what classes you can’t afford not to take.
#3: College Prep = Schools Focusing on Successful College Application
Finally, "college prep" can refer to a specific type of high school, where lots of focus is placed on the concept of college. These schools can be public, private, boarding, parochial, and charter schools – just as long as what they most emphasize is getting into and graduating from college.
Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We’ve written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.
Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.
Sources:
https://www.nshss.org/blog/25-recognizable-college-prep-programs-for-high-school-students/
https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-are-college-prep-courses-and-classes#:~:text=Because%20%22college%20prep%22%20refers%20to%20the%20core%20set,the%20remedial%20version%20of%20the%20class%20for%20catch-up.
https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-are-college-prep-courses-and-classes
College prep
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What you need to know about test prep
85% of colleges and universities give admittance and scholarships based on a test score alone . This can save you thousands that can put you behind before even getting started. College Prep Genius’ award-winning strategies and tips teach students the tools needed to raise scores and earn scholarships.
Studying math, writing and reading curriculum is a waste of time.
Tests like the SAT, ACT and CLT are reasoning tests based on logic . College Prep Genius teaches students how to take a reasoning test. If you are prepping with material that is simply reteaching high school, you are doing it wrong.
Prepping for the SAT, ACT and CLT takes time.
There is no instant success. That’s why College Prep Genius gives students a full year to access our course. Many programs give as little as 3 months! Usually not enough time to successfully prepare. Success on these tests requires mastering our strategies and practice, practice, practice. Use our program for 1 year and renew for only $49.*
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Online Courses, College Classes, & Test Prep Courses
Study.com’s self-paced video courses are created by the best teachers and designed to help you meet your educational goals. They will help you improve your grades, better understand concepts from class, and prepare for tests. Most video lessons are 10 minutes or less, so you get the information you need in a fast and fun format.
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Browse all course directories by subject, education level, or goal. Our collection of online college classes for credit will help you find the course that’s right for you. We offer online college courses with transferable credit on subjects like Biology, Business, Calculus, and more. Over 1,500 colleges and universities consider Study.com’s college courses for transfer credit, so you can save time and money on your education.
Use Study.com’s online high school courses to learn about Biology, English, Math, and more. These video courses created by academic experts will teach you key concepts in a fun and engaging way. Each video lesson breaks down ideas into manageable pieces that are easy to understand and remember. With on-demand flexibility, you can easily fit our online classes into your schedule and study when you have time. Whether you’re learning these subjects for the first time or looking for a study guide to help improve your grade, these high school courses will help you succeed.
Study.com’s collection of test prep courses will help you feel confident on test day and ace your exams. Our on-demand test prep courses cover a wide-range of exams. These include school entrance exams like the ACT, SAT, and GRE, and test prep courses for teacher certifications like PRAXIS, NES, and TExES. We also offer test prep classes for military placement exams, like the ASVAB. Whatever your test, we can help.
Our Goals
100% of our students graduate from high school or earn a certificate of completion. 80% of our students go on to some type of postsecondary education (4-year, 2-year, or vocational school) 75% of our students increased their school attendance. 70% of our high school seniors attend a 4-year institution and earn College units before they graduate high school. 100% of our parents and guardians understand their child’s educational options.
100% Jump Start Will you be a HS senior this fall planning to attend college or career program? Then you want to get a Jump Start on all of that NOW! Don’t wait until school begins to get started on your college list, essay writing for scholarships, etc. The sessions are all virtual too! Register TODAY!
Sources:
https://collegeprepgenius.com/
https://study.com/academy/course/index.html
https://www.100collegeprep.org/
College prep
All class sessions are recorded should a student miss one of their live sessions. Recordings will be available to the students immediately following class and during the life of their membership.* Class transfers can be arranged prior to the first day of the student’s scheduled class. Please email [email protected] to make class transfers.
What you need to know about test prep
85% of colleges and universities give admittance and scholarships based on a test score alone . This can save you thousands that can put you behind before even getting started. College Prep Genius’ award-winning strategies and tips teach students the tools needed to raise scores and earn scholarships.
Studying math, writing and reading curriculum is a waste of time.
Tests like the SAT, ACT and CLT are reasoning tests based on logic . College Prep Genius teaches students how to take a reasoning test. If you are prepping with material that is simply reteaching high school, you are doing it wrong.
Prepping for the SAT, ACT and CLT takes time.
There is no instant success. That’s why College Prep Genius gives students a full year to access our course. Many programs give as little as 3 months! Usually not enough time to successfully prepare. Success on these tests requires mastering our strategies and practice, practice, practice. Use our program for 1 year and renew for only $49.*
Testimonials
The last time I looked at a college application, it was 1974. Apparently things have changed a little. In the beginning I tried to help my son with the application process. He told me in no uncertain terms that I was "not qualified." Really made me angry and we had it out. I hired Great Expectations just to get him going, but my "expectation" was that we wouldn’t really need them. Very long story short, I couldn’t have been more wrong and my son was right.
We are very pleased with my daughter’s results. Whitney helped my daughter with her USC application and she had great tips on how to improve it. Chelese was my daughter’s main counselor and she was a tremendous help to my daughter during the college application process. Among other things she helped her choose which schools to apply to. Chelese was always available to my daughter and we can’t thank her enough. As it came down to the wire, she was even reachable while she was out of town.
I simply cannot praise Great Expectations College Prep enough! My daughter is a great student but falls a little short in the standardized test taking department. We turned to GE College Prep to help her prepare for the ACT. Not only did she reach her target score, she exceeded it and was accepted into her first choice University with a faculty scholarship. Everyone at GE has been exceptional in their service from the tutors to the administrative staff.
Jen and her team of accomplished and highly trained counselors and tutors were experts in knowing exactly how to help my son navigate through the acutely stressful college application experience. He worked one-on-one with Jen, who helped guide him through the actual application process. This can be a daunting task for any parent/student who tries to undertake it alone. Jen’s comprehensive knowledge of the colleges and universities across the country is unparalleled, so her professional advice and guidance was invaluable.
We are extremely satisfied and grateful Great Expectations customers. We have used its services for several years, including to advise and assist our son with applications to high school and college. Great Expectations provided invaluable assistance with test preparation, essays, the common application, UC applications and other application hurdles. Throughout the otherwise daunting process, founder Jen Kaifesh and other tutors at Great Expectations have been consistently well-informed, thoughtful, patient and tactful.
There are so many bizarre ins and outs of applying to college that stump, and subsequently freak out, 98 percent of high school seniors, but my counselor knew how to deal with them: whether it was a Common App glitch, questions that don’t make any sense, or scheduling (and preparing for) interviews, I was well-prepared. I received an acceptance from Stanford University, my top choice, and I am 100 percent positive that without GE, I would not have submitted a strong enough application to get in.
Great Expectations right away gave me a sense of solace in the process, and through several meetings online I was able to get the support I needed in terms of my personal statement, supplementals to my top schools, and advice to aid me in the rest. I was able to complete my college applications very thoroughly and timely as well. This all concluded with me getting into my dream school, which I applied early decision to. Thank you so much Jen and Great Expectations!
. I couldn’t be happier with Great Expectations. My son feels very fortunate to be attending the perfect school for him, a school that was actually recommended by Nicole in one of their first online meetings. Everyone at Great Expectations was knowledgeable, and on top of their game, and I feel very fortunate that my son was matched with Nicole throughout this process.
There are no words to say how much I appreciate your counseling with Tim during his college application process. Tim has been accepted to EVERY school to which he applied; including his top choice! Tim is a proud member of the Class of 2023 Wolverines! Your approach with Tim was tailor made. Lessons were structured and incredibly efficient. I’m amazed at how much you accomplished in a limited amount of time.
The value add for the money spent is far beyond expectations. I’m sure you have clients that spend a lot more money than we did, so we are so grateful for your valuable time and attention. You can count on me to be an enthusiastic advocate for Great Expectations to everyone I know getting ready for the college preparation process. Great Expectations’ guidance equipped Tim with the tools to highlight the best he had to offer in a genuine way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’m so thankful I had Jen Kaifesh and Great Expectations to depend on to provide my two sons with good subject test, ACT and SAT tutors and college application essay writing counselors over the past three years. It was very convenient to only have to call one place for all our college prep assistance. When I had a specific question about something in the application process, Jen always offered me quick and useful advice.
Test Prep
Best investment ever for my son! He wanted to go to a 4 year college and at risk of not getting in! Jennifer tutored him to achieve a great score on ACT and that helped him get into the college of his choice. She did all the work with him on the application process and helped us pick the most appropriate schools to apply. Today we are on a college tour of his first pick and thrilled he was accepted! We owe it all to Jennifer at Great Expectations. Thank you Jennifer. We are truly grateful and owe this accomplishment to you!
The tutors at GE prep don’t let you slack off — many of my friends took prep courses with a group of people or in a classroom setting where they were able to get away with not completing their assigned practice tests, and were also not shown techniques that might have worked best for them individually. Working one-on-one with a tutor who knows you very well is a crucial component in getting the best score a student can on a standardized test!
I used the services of Great Expectations for over two years and am so grateful for every session. My tutor helped me with everything from testing to the application process. My test scores improved dramatically in each section because GE helped me understand the nuances of the tests and how to attack each section in the way that best fit to my skills. In addition, the college application process felt so smooth with the help of my GE tutor. I was confident in my essays and knew that I was turning in the best applications I could.
A huge thank you to Ryan S, my son’s ACT test prep tutor. He was kind, patient, extremely helpful, and very attentive to helping my son prepare for the ACT. He challenged him and was always available to answer any questions or concerns that either of us had. I have used GE test prep in the past for my daughter and highly recommended them. Jen and her team are outstanding and I couldn’t be more happy.
Our tutor really understood how to help my daughter prepare for the SAT. He was able to identify early on the specific areas where she needed to improve, and most importantly, what type of preparation she needed to do in order to make those gains. Thanks to a 510-point improvement, my daughter will be attending Stanford University in the fall. Thank you!
I had Jen Kaifesh as my college counselor, and it truly was the best decision I have ever made! Jen helped me from beginning to end. She helped me form my list of colleges, edit the applications, and connected me with great tutors for the ACT and subject tests. Jen’s spirit and passion for helping students is unparalleled. She provided support and motivation and she really truly cares about the students that she works with. Thanks to her, I got the ACT score that I wanted and am going to be attending my dream school next year.
Great Expectations is a tremendous asset in preparing for all the different standardized tests and also helping with the application process. The time spent with our tutor not only resulted in scores higher than we’d ever hoped for, but it was also an enjoyable experience. She knew how to manage a very stressful time and keep the pressure to a minimum. We highly recommend Great Expectations to any family.
I’m so thankful I had Jen Kaifesh and Great Expectations to depend on to provide my two sons with good subject test, ACT and SAT tutors and college application essay writing counselors over the past three years. It was very convenient to only have to call one place for all our college prep assistance. When I had a specific question about something in the application process, Jen always offered me quick and useful advice.
We used multiple people from this company for SAT prep, college planning and essay writing. Each person was so professional, knowledgeable, punctual, friendly, etc. My son related to every person and best of all, they got results — his SAT score went up 250 points and he got into a dream college. It is so nice to be able to have someone that you and your child both trust help you navigate through the very stressful college application process.
I wasn’t treated just like any high school student; I was able to focus on my weaknesses and enhance my skills. My tutor was very knowledgeable about the intricacies of both the ACT and the SAT. Because of this, I was able to study more efficiently for each of them. With the help of my GE tutor, I scored a 34 on my ACT and was admitted to Amherst College (my top choice) Early Decision.
HAPPY CUSTOMER: Our son’s final ACT score jumped 8 points! I wanted to express our gratitude for the tremendous job performance and support that Great Expectations’ tutor extended to my son while helping to prepare him for taking the ACT exam. The result of this one-on-one work is self-explanatory if you look at the scores. My son’s first proctored ACT test concluded with a composite score of 21. While working with the tutor, the scores continued to improve.
Online Courses, College Classes, & Test Prep Courses
Study.com’s self-paced video courses are created by the best teachers and designed to help you meet your educational goals. They will help you improve your grades, better understand concepts from class, and prepare for tests. Most video lessons are 10 minutes or less, so you get the information you need in a fast and fun format.
Education Level
Subjects
Goals
Filter Your Results
Education Level
Subject
Course Type
A Smarter Way To Study…
Browse Course Directories
Browse all course directories by subject, education level, or goal. Our collection of online college classes for credit will help you find the course that’s right for you. We offer online college courses with transferable credit on subjects like Biology, Business, Calculus, and more. Over 1,500 colleges and universities consider Study.com’s college courses for transfer credit, so you can save time and money on your education.
Use Study.com’s online high school courses to learn about Biology, English, Math, and more. These video courses created by academic experts will teach you key concepts in a fun and engaging way. Each video lesson breaks down ideas into manageable pieces that are easy to understand and remember. With on-demand flexibility, you can easily fit our online classes into your schedule and study when you have time. Whether you’re learning these subjects for the first time or looking for a study guide to help improve your grade, these high school courses will help you succeed.
Study.com’s collection of test prep courses will help you feel confident on test day and ace your exams. Our on-demand test prep courses cover a wide-range of exams. These include school entrance exams like the ACT, SAT, and GRE, and test prep courses for teacher certifications like PRAXIS, NES, and TExES. We also offer test prep classes for military placement exams, like the ASVAB. Whatever your test, we can help.
Sources:
https://collegeprepgenius.com/
https://www.gecollegeprep.com/
https://study.com/academy/course/index.html
College prep
Detractors contend that the term college prep is so indiscriminantly used that it doesn’t mean much. “In some states, anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a college prep high school,” Nassirian says. “The level of oversight is all over the map.” It’s up to parents to differentiate between a program that actually teaches students what they need to succeed in college and one that merely pays lip service to the task. Most importantly, it’s up to parents to decide if a college prep school – one that genuinely prepares their child for college – is the right fit.
College prep: elite boarding school or urban charter?
Among the many schools that call themselves college preparatory, you’ll find elite boarding schools that have sent generations of graduates to the Ivy Leagues and other top universities. You’ll also find inner-city charter schools that pledge every graduate will be admitted to a four-year college or university. You’ll also, unfortunately, find schools that do nothing outside the ordinary to ensure that students go to college, but claim the college preparatory label because they know it’s what many parents are looking for.
There are public, private, parochial, and charter schools that call themselves college preparatory. And while these schools can be selective — requiring testing and interviews for admission — they could also be open enrollment, accepting anyone who shows up.
With such a range of options — and with so many schools calling themselves college preparatory — parents would do well to look beyond labels and evaluate a school’s actual performance. Before enrolling your child into any self-proclaimed college prep, it helps to know what advocates, and critics, claim about these types of schools.
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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
“My daughter completed your program in the Plano location. In the fall, she is headed to Colorado School of Mines to study engineering. I asked her if KD had helped her with the SAT® and ACT® tests. She said they helped her know how to manage her time while taking the test as that is a huge aspect to the test.”
“My daughter completed your program in the Plano location. In the fall, she is headed to Colorado School of Mines to study engineering. I asked her if KD had helped her with the SAT® and ACT® tests. She said they helped. Read more.
“(I wanted) help with writing essays and getting into my dream colleges. (I was most concerned with) keeping up with everything I have to do and meeting all the deadlines. The constant and honest feedback about my essays regardless is what I really appreciated. There was a time that writing essays just clicked, and it was much easier after that.”
“(I wanted) help with writing essays and getting into my dream colleges. (I was most concerned with) keeping up with everything I have to do and meeting all the deadlines. The constant and honest feedback about my essays regardless is what. Read more.
“It’s hard to believe we are finally done at KD Prep with our three children. We are incredibly grateful to you for all of your support over the years, which undoubtedly helped each of our children realize their college dreams. All three were accepted to colleges with single digit admission rates. Our eldest was selected as a National Merit® Finalist and was able to apply to colleges with a perfect SAT® score. Our other two were both named National African American Recognition Scholars and National Merit Commended Scholar. One of them applied to college in 2020 with an SAT score of 1520 (780 math and 740 verbal) and the youngest scored 1500 on the October 2021 SAT test (720 verbal and 780 math). Our. Read more.
“It’s hard to believe we are finally done at KD Prep with our three children. We are incredibly grateful to you for all of your support over the years, which undoubtedly helped each of our children realize their college dreams. All. Read more.
“Obviously SAT® test prep was NOT fun. The experience was difficult and exhausting, but learning through KD definitely made the experience much less stressful and definitely easier. It’s a great system with tons of resources all aimed to give you what you need and more to reach whatever score range you set as your goal (I was able to get a 1540). My favorite part though, specifically with the Coppell campus, was the people! Everyone was so incredibly nice and always in impossibly good moods. It was a great environment to learn and improve in!”
“Obviously SAT® test prep was NOT fun. The experience was difficult and exhausting, but learning through KD definitely made the experience much less stressful and definitely easier. It’s a great system with tons of resources all aimed to give you what. Read more.
“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping me get the score I needed to receive over $464,000 in scholarships, including two full rides. I started the program the summer going into my junior year. I had an excellent GPA but struggled on standardized tests. Taking the test prep classes throughout junior year and taking practice tests got me more prepared each time I took the test. I achieved my best score the summer going into my senior year. That score allowed me to apply to my top schools as soon as early decision opened. I am so grateful to Karen Dillard and the extra practice and proctored exams! My parents are grateful too—for the small investment they got a great return.”
“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping me get the score I needed to receive over $464,000 in scholarships, including two full rides. I started the program the summer going into my junior year. I had an excellent GPA. Read more.
“I really enjoyed KD because the teachers helped me look at the SAT® test in a whole new angle. I really began analyzing the test and learned how to work math and reading problems in a smarter way, which was really helpful. I also really appreciated all the varied practice and detailed breakdowns from instructors, helping me see not just what answer was correct but why those answers were correct.”
Sources:
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/college-prep-school/
https://www.cpe-k6.org/
https://kdcollegeprep.com/