Does the Summer Session include any social activities and programs for the attendees? The Pre-College experience at Carnegie Mellon includes a variety of social activities designed to provide our students with a variety of opportunities to meet new people and explore what the city of Pittsburgh has to offer. There are a number of optional on-campus events for all Pre-College students, including a professional fireworks show on July 4th, a 3-week party, and events planned and hosted by RAs and CAs within the residential community. Students also have the opportunity to form their own clubs which generally meet on a weekly basis (much like the undergrad experience). We also offer off-campus opportunities for Pre-College students to experience Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. Students can purchase tickets for trips to Fallingwater (home built by Frank Llyod Wright) and/or a baseball game at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. To allow for the exploration of various areas throughout Pittsburgh, Pre-College students are also provided with a free bus pass. Are remote courses offered or an option? All Summer Session courses require in-person attendance, and no remote options are available. Can I plan a vacation or depart early during the program? Due to the rigorous coursework in a condensed term, combined with the expectations surrounding class attendance, students should not plan any vacation or time away from campus during the 6-week program. Students may have final exams on the last day (Friday, July 31, 2026) of the program, so please coordinate your travel home on the six-week move-out day (Saturday, August 1, 2026). How difficult is the coursework? In Summer Session, students have the opportunity to take actual Carnegie Mellon courses, often alongside undergraduate students. While most students will be challenged due to the college rigor and pace of the six-week courses, the university seeks to support the education of everyone accepted into the program. If you have questions about the difficulty of the program, please contact the Program Director. We would be happy to discuss further
