PREMIER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM
Premier Pre-College Program
John Carroll University’s Summer in The Heights is a premier pre-college academic experience for students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school.
Participants will learn directly from John Carroll faculty in one of our six dynamic programs offerings while immersing themselves in JCU’s campus environment. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the diverse neighborhoods around John Carroll in “The Heights” and the city of Cleveland!
Academic Program Offerings
Critical Thinking & Current Debates: Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Sustainability, and Medical Ethics
In this program, you will receive an introduction to controversial issues in three of the world’s most exciting industries: AI, environmental sustainability, and medical ethics. John Carroll University faculty from these fields will accompany you through activities that demonstrate new technological concepts and challenge you to understand all sides of the issues (even the ones you disagree with!)
HeatSeekers: Drone Imaging for Future Scientists
In this program, you will build technical and experimental skills in drone imaging through experimental design, data modeling, data/image analysis, and the communication of results. You can expect to learn how to use a drone to capture images using a thermal camera, create heat maps to explore the impact of greenspace, and discover the presence of urban heat islands.
Building Future Business Leaders
Learn all the business basics while solving a fun problem. At John Carroll’s Boler College of Business, you learn by doing, so you'll have fun developing entrepreneurship, leadership, management, marketing, accounting, and finance skills while building a business. At the end of this program, you'll pitch your business to a panel of investors.
Young Writers Workshop
Are you looking for a leg up on college applications? Do you want to hone your writing skills? Do you need some inspiration to write and want to get feedback from peers and published writers? Do you want to have a pre-college experience at a big-time university? The John Carroll Young Writers Workshop is looking for students like you!
Criminal Courts & Trials
Learn about the criminal court system in the United States as part of our pre-law program. Hear from professors, lawyers, judges, and other court actors about their roles within the court system. Work with your classmates to develop critical legal skills and engage in a mock trial to complete your week.
Health for the Whole Person
Students will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of health and healthcare in this interdisciplinary program. Faculty from our College of Health will partner with you to do a deep dive into self-care and resilience, components of physical fitness, disease prevention and infection control, and more! This immersive experience will leave students with a broader and deeper understanding of what it means to work in the world of health.
Key Dates
November 12
Application Opens
March 15
Priority Application Deadline
July 13
Residential Student Move-In
July 14-18
Program Dates
How To Apply
How To Apply
The application for Summer in The Heights opens on November 12, 2024. Students who apply will be asked to submit biographical information, a short essay, and their top two academic program choices.
The Priority Application Deadline is March 15, 2025. After this date, students will be notified if they have been accepted and, if so, which program they have been placed in.
Once accepted, families must submit a deposit to secure their student's spot in Summer in The Heights.
Cost of Attendance
The cost to attend Summer in The Heights covers a student’s academic experience, lodging, meals, and off-campus excursions. This pre-college program is a primarily residential experience where students reside in JCU's air conditioned and recently renovated residence halls. That said, we understand that some students may need to participate as a day student.
Residential
- Total Cost - $1,000
- Students will arrive at JCU on Sunday, July 13 to check in to their residence hall and meet fellow campers and staff.
- The academic day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- There will be evening programming available on campus from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Students must be in their dorms for the evening at 10:00 p.m.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will be provided.
Day
- Total Cost - $500
- Students should be dropped off at 8:45 a.m. as the academic day begins at 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch will be provided around noon.
- The academic day ends and students are dismissed at 5:00 p.m. If they are being picked up, this must occur by 5:30 p.m.
- There will be at least one off-campus excursion during the week for each academic program.
Faculty Highlights