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Early College Programs for High School Students

Early College Programs

With our convenient and flexible schedules, we offer varying program lengths and class times during the fall, spring, and summer terms.

The Hispanic Student College Institute provides a unique and highly interactive opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors of Hispanic/Latinx descent. The purpose of this 3-day, non-credit residential experience is to strengthen students’ knowledge on issues related to transitioning and applying to college, and future academic success.

More Program Information Register Here

The Pre-Law Summer Academy offers students an immersive mock trial experience. Participants will receive coaching from attorneys and law students to prepare for the mock trial competition, academic lectures on legal issues, as well as information about the law school admission process and law career opportunities. The ten-day experience includes field trips to the Lenni Lenape Munsee Three Sisters Farm in northern NJ, a federal courthouse, Rutgers and Seton Hall University Schools of Law.

More Program Information Apply Now

students sitting in lecture hall

The Italian Immersion Summer Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students interested in improving their knowledge of the Italian language and its culture. In just three weeks, this program prepares students to move with confidence from Italian 3 to an AP or advanced Italian class, while granting 3 college credits.

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The Model United Nations Summer Academy will provide students with a comprehensive blend of academic and co-curricular activities that assist in strengthening skills such as leadership, negotiation, public speaking, research, writing, and conflict resolution. Students will help solve real world problems under the instruction of Alfredo Toro Carnevali, a former UN diplomat of ten years.

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Through our Early College Scholars program, academically ambitious high school students have an exciting opportunity to complement high school study with Montclair State University coursework. Earn transferable college credits, learn alongside University students, and engage in courses taught by University professors on campus or online.  This program is offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms.

More Program Information Apply Now

Pre-College Programs

New One-Week Pre-College Summer Programs

  • Experience a jam-packed week of fun and engaging activities centered around a topic of your choice.
  • Move away from the norm and experience what it’s like to be a college student living on a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Immerse yourself in a topic and discover your interests early on. These residential programs run for 7 days and 6 nights from July 16-22, 2023.
  • Get the most bang for your buck compared to other pre-college summer programs. Students have the opportunity to apply for up to 50% off of the $2,400 all inclusive tuition cost.

Immerse yourself in the creative and strategic process of how to create and leverage social media through the Social Media Success: Influencing, Marketing, and Creative Strategy Pre-College Summer Program. Learn from experienced communications professionals about how to leverage the power of social media as part of a comprehensive communications strategy. You’ll collaboratively create content for different social media campaigns while also learning how to measure their effectiveness in the competitive online marketplace.

Apply Here!

Experience the innovative process of design and entrepreneurship for social change-making through the Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pre-College Summer Program. Learn from faculty, world-class entrepreneurs, innovators, designers, urban planners, community activists and environmentalists who will guide you through an innovation process – from defining the challenge to disruption to prototyping to pitching. Over the course of an intensely creative, fun and challenging week, you, along with your classmates, will collaboratively redesign key aspects of your urban landscape. 

Apply Here!

Gain firsthand experience in the entire programming and engineering process through the Intelligent Systems: Python and Robotics Pre-College Summer Program – from concept to coding, building chips, mounting sensors, testing and debugging programs, and controlling robots. Under the guidance of experienced programmers and engineers, you’ll collaboratively design and build a real robot that can make decisions, perform jobs and perceive its environment via various sensors.

Apply Here!

Interact with experienced screenwriters and directors who will guide you through the creative process of how to write and produce narrative film and TV through the Film and Television Production Pre-College Summer Program – from concept to script writing to production and postproduction. You’ll collaboratively write and produce a narrative scene, using your creativity to tell the story. Get hands-on training across the production process and take a trip to meet with working media professionals in film and television.

Apply Here!

Join faculty and other experts in the firsthand exploration of the art, food and culture of New York City, including a trip to see the Broadway hit Hamilton. Through the Summertime in the Big Apple: Exciting Excursions in New York City, you will produce a digital photographic essay about your experiences in New York City. The essays will serve as a lifelong reminder of your personal journey of discovery.

Apply Here!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Montclair State Summer Pre-College?
It’s a one-week, residential summer academic program for high school students where they’ll get hands-on instruction from outstanding Montclair faculty in one of several exciting disciplines. In addition to academics, students will get a taste of college life by living in dorms, eating in campus dining facilities, and meeting students from other programs. It’s a great way to learn more about an area of interest and take an important step towards your college future.
Who is eligible?
Rising 10th through 12th graders are eligible for the program.
What are the dates?
Sunday, July 16 through Saturday, July 22. Students will check from 1 to 2 p.m. on July 16 before heading to campus and class orientation. On July 22, students will give presentations from 9 – 10 a.m. (parents are invited to attend) before checking out of the dorms between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
What subjects can I study?
  • Social Media Success: Influencing, Marketing, and Creative Strategy
  • Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Intelligent Systems: Python and Robotics
  • Film and Television Production
  • Summertime in the Big Apple: Exciting Excursions in New York City
What will a day look like? How long will I be in class?
For most programs, students will be in their academic classes from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a break for lunch. You’ll spend the rest of your time enjoying all of the other aspects of campus and residential life. The Summertime in the Big Apple program will take excursions to NYC each day of the program and join their fellow students when they return. All other programs will take one field trip during the program to meet with leaders in the field.
How much does it cost?
For this inaugural summer, Montclair is offering tuition scholarships to all students. Students in Film and TV, Social Media Success, Business Entrepreneurship, and Intelligent Systems will receive a 50% scholarship, making the total program cost $1200. Students in the NYC Experience program will pay $1800, a 25% discount, to accommodate the cost of multiple experiences in New York City.

Once accepted, families can pay a deposit of $100 to secure a spot in the program.

Deposits (and all payments) can be made via our electronic portal here. You can also mail in a check to the following address:

Montclair State University, attn. Office of the Provost, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ, 07043

Deposits are due on June 1. However, we encourage families to submit a deposit as soon as possible, as spots in your selected program cannot be guaranteed until a deposit is received. The remainder of program fees are due according to the following payment schedule:

June 16: 50% of tuition ($600 — $900 for Big Apple Program)

July 8: Remaining tuition ($500 — $800 for Big Apple Program)

Families are welcome to pay any or all portions of program fees in advance of these dates.

Where will we stay? Where do we eat?
Students will live in Montclair’s Machuga Heights dormitory, a contemporary facility with ample communal and recreational space so students from different programs can socialize. Our residential life staff will oversee recreational evening activities and ensure everyone’s well-being throughout the program. Students will eat in Montclair’s dining hall Sam’s Place, located adjacent to Machuga Heights. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided for all students.
What will we do besides class?
Lots! First, all programs will take a field trip to meet with professionals in the field. And every evening, our residential staff will lead fun activities for all students, including opportunities for recreation and sports, interactive games, and enjoying leisure time in communal spaces. Of course, students may use some evening time to work on group projects with their classmates. Regardless of your program, you won’t be bored.
Can I bring my car?
Students cannot bring cars to campus.
What should I bring?
All students should bring comfortable clothing for the week, including leisure and recreational clothing as well as appropriate clothing for a field trip. There are laundry facilities in the dorms, but we expect that most students may be too busy to want to use them. Students should bring all toiletries and personal items (linens will be supplied). In some programs (including Film & Television), it is critical to have closed toe shoes during production. A suggested “packing” list will be sent in June as well as specific information about your specific program from your program director. While all meals will be provided (as well as snacks available in the classroom), students are welcome to bring their favorite snacks and other items that make them feel comfortable. Students will not be leaving campus (other than their field trip) during the week.

While it is not required, we recommend that students bring their own laptop computers if they have them. This will facilitate independent and group work when you return to the dorms. Additionally, students should bring writing tools (pens/pencils) and a notebook or binder.

Finally, students may want to bring some limited spending money (or credit) to buy shirts, hats, or other items from the campus store. We do not encourage students to bring excessive cash to campus.

Who do I contact for more information?
For general information about pre-college or your application, please contact Skyler Malchiodi at malchiodis@montclair.edu. For questions about a particular academic program, please contact the program director (their contact information is found on individual program pages).
Are there additional forms I’ll need to fill out?
Yes. Once students have been accepted and submitted their deposit, you will receive a request for additional information, including a health form, emergency information, drop-off and pick-up information, and other information that you’d like to share with program administrators. In early July, you will receive an online packet that provides additional detailed information about pre-college and the exciting week ahead of you.
How do I apply?
Great question. To apply, please click here. You’ll be asked to provide some information and answer a couple of brief essay questions to learn more about your interests. Someone from Montclair will be in touch soon thereafter.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Summer 2023

Program Name Earn College Credits Residential Rising HS Freshmen Rising HS Sophomores Rising HS Juniors Rising HS Seniors Graduating HS Seniors
Early College Scholars
Model United Nations Summer Academy ✔ Required
Italian Immersion Summer Program
Hispanic Student College Institute ✔ Required ✔ Students of Hispanic/Latinx descent ✔ Students of Hispanic/Latinx descent
Pre-Law Academy
1-Week Pre-College Summer Programs ✔ Required

Eligibility Requirements for the Early College Scholars Program

High School Graduation Date Spring 2023 Entry Term Summer 2023 Entry Term Fall 2023 Entry Term
June 2023 x
June 2024 x x x
June 2025 x x
June 2026