Welcome classes of 2030 & 2031!
We are excited to meet you this summer!
Congratulations on your admission to Cornell and the Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP)! Only a select group of exceptional students are admitted to PSSP, and we fully expect that you will find it as rewarding and helpful as students have in the past. PSSP alums say that their participation in PSSP was crucial to their academic confidence and readiness for the first year of classes.
The Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP) gives students early exposure to Cornell’s academic courses, faculty, advisors, a community of supportive peers, and university resources. These opportunities and connections help students build on their previous accomplishments and skills to facilitate a successful transition from high school to Cornell. The program will start on July 6, 2026, and end on August 7, 2026.
Benefits of Participation
The program gives participants a chance ahead of the first semester to:
- experience Cornell’s rich academic life and acclimate to Cornell’s rigorous academic expectations
- hone academic skills vital to the transition to Cornell
- live in a small and diverse residential community and make life-long friends
- make meaningful connections with caring faculty and staff mentors
- learn the campus resources and opportunities that support academic achievement, personal well-being, and belonging
- get a taste of the vast opportunities for intellectual and co-curricular exploration
I think the community building aspect [in PSSP] beyond our own colleges is very helpful in strengthening confidence, sense of belonging, and support.
Things to know about PSSP 2026!
When is PSSP 2026?
The Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program 2026 will begin Monday, July 6, and end Friday, August 7. Move-in and orientation are Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 7. Move-out is Friday, August 7, with courses taking place Wednesday, July 8 through Thursday, August 6.
How are students selected?
Participation in PSSP is limited to those students selected by the college admissions committees. Each of the colleges at Cornell selects students based on a number of factors including high school achievement and experiences, academic promise and ambition, and love of learning and curiosity. It is designed for exceptional high school students who may not have had access to some of the resources that would help them prepare for the rigor of Cornell and who would benefit from this intensive experience. In addition, students admitted into the Higher Education Opportunity Program or Educational Opportunity Program are required to attend.
What do students in the program do?
Students in the program typically take three courses. All students will take the popular Strategies in College Success course. The other two courses will be in such subjects as writing, math, economics, and chemistry. Specific courses for each student will be determined in advance by the student’s college advising team. The courses selected are designed to prepare students for their first-semester courses at Cornell and will depend on a student’s planned course of study. During the program, students meet with their advisors to discuss progress and to plan future course schedules. In addition, students are involved in workshops, guest lectures, and a variety of social and cultural activities.
What are the costs?
Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program costs, including tuition, lodging, meals, and required academic supplies, are covered for all participants.
How will the program help me?
PSSP consists of academic, mental health and well-being, and social components with emphases that reflect the overall mission of Cornell and the individual undergraduate colleges. PSSP courses, academic enrichment, and support (e.g., faculty and TA office hours, tutoring, study groups, advising) are designed to prepare students specifically for core first-semester courses and generally for the rigor of Cornell.
Over 6,500 students have participated in the Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (formerly the Prefreshman Summer Program) since its inception. Previous participants have reported overwhelmingly that their participation in the program was extremely valuable in helping them prepare for Cornell’s rigorous academic expectations and become familiar with the Cornell campus and the various resources available. Additionally, friendships formed during the summer have proven to be enduring, offering a supportive social network that is invaluable during college and, in many cases, last a lifetime.
What are the specific program goals?
The goals of PSSP are to:
- Help students to establish meaningful connections with peers, mentors, staff, and faculty to support their college journeys
- Foster opportunities to help students build a sense of belonging at Cornell and begin their introduction to the Ithaca community
- Introduce students to campus resources, including advising, residence life, health services, financial aid, bursar, and more
- Cultivate self-aware independent learners who: Identify and build on academic strengths to foster continued growth; Recognize and address gaps in their understanding; Persist through academic struggles; Refine skills and strategies for effective learning; Embrace curiosity and joy in intellectual growth
- Promote students’ agency in shaping and directing their education and personal growth
- Prepare students to meet Cornell’s academic expectations in courses they will encounter in fall and beyond
- Enhance students’ academic skills and provide a strong foundation for success
- Advise students on pathways and appropriate courses for their fall semester
Additional information for PSSP 2026 scholars is coming soon!
Contact us
The program is coordinated by the Learning Strategies Center in conjunction with the Office of Academic Discovery and Impact, the New York State Opportunities Programs, the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment, and the University’s undergraduate colleges.
For further information please call the Learning Strategies Center at (607) 255-6310 or email us at cu-pssp@cornell.edu