Dartmouth Precollege Online Program: Summer Program Spotlight
February 13, 2026
Hoping to take a course this year, but wondering where you’ll find the best combination of flexibility and rigor? Interested in exploring multiple subjects, but struggling to choose which one to pursue? Searching for a program that offers strong support alongside a healthy degree of autonomy? Look no further—Dartmouth’s Precollege Online Program for high school students features all the above attributes in addition to the rare opportunity to learn from Ivy League instructors. Through these courses, you’ll be fully immersed in Dartmouth’s holistic learning philosophy—perfect for any student who wants to build their creativity and critical thinking skills in a challenging environment. Let’s get started.
Note: This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Dartmouth’s Precollege Online Program. We have independently (and enthusiastically) recommended their offerings to our clients for many years. Our site only partners with programs that bring significant value to students and the material in this blog is 100% the genuine opinion of College Transitions.
What is the Dartmouth Precollege Online Program?
To provide challenging academic enrichment opportunities for high school students, Dartmouth created its Precollege Online Program, which currently features courses in subjects like business, law, and STEM. All courses not only build your understanding of a particular subject but also look to the future, equipping you with the skills and perspectives needed for further exploration and engagement.
Each of Dartmouth’s courses involves approximately 30 hours of asynchronous instruction, activities, and projects, and can be undertaken in one-, two-, or four-week formats throughout the year. Moreover, as long as you complete all work by your program’s end date, you can set whatever pace you like. Whether you learn best by immersing yourself in material for hours at a time or breaking lessons into short, bite-sized chunks, Dartmouth’s Precollege Online Program will be an excellent fit. And if you like to revisit lessons more than once, you’re in luck—not only can you watch pre-recorded lectures as many times as you like, but you can also access them for up to a month after your program finishes.
Since you won’t have to worry about synchronous class times, you can participate in a Dartmouth Precollege Online course regardless of time zone—all you need is a computer and an internet connection. Teens from all over the country (and the globe) will be in your cohort, they’ll represent multiple grade levels, too—any student aged 13 and up can apply, including high school graduates who have not yet enrolled in college.
What type of courses does the Dartmouth Precollege Online Program offer?
Currently, you can choose from the following eight courses:
Applied Math: Decode the World with Models
How is math used to solve real-world problems? Explore the power of applied math to understand how experts drive innovation in science and industry. Going beyond a typical high school math course, you will learn how models are used to simplify complex systems and use mathematical reasoning to question claims encountered in daily life. Build practical skills for careers in engineering, business, and more, and discover how to interpret the world with confidence.
Artificial Intelligence: From Understanding to Innovation
The AI-driven future is already here—are you ready to lead it? You don’t need to be a coder to step into the builder’s seat. This course uncovers how AI is reshaping fields from medicine to the arts, while handing you the blueprint to innovate in any industry. Learn from experts as you build, test, and refine your own AI interaction through professional no-code platforms. Move from a casual user to a skilled creator and step forward as a leader in the digital landscape.
Biology: Transforming the Future of Science
With a focus on systems biology, this course will cover exciting advancements in biomedicine, bioinformatics, and biotechnology, particularly those related to cellular processes, molecular networks, and immune networks. You’ll also dive into new techniques like omics technologies and computational modeling, discovering how they can be applied to everything from aging research to drug development to vaccine design.
Entrepreneurship: Driving Change Through New Businesses
Ready to turn your ideas into a business? This online course guides you through the entrepreneurial journey, from identifying pressing real-world problems to developing compelling solutions. You’ll learn essential skills like designing a minimum viable product and understanding customer needs, while gaining insights from industry experts. Cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and discover how to create real-world value.
Finance: Investing & Market Insights
Interested in a finance career? Or, simply want to brush up on your investing skills? This course is an excellent choice. In addition to learning about foundational concepts, you’ll also dive into investment banking, company valuation, and financial statement analysis.
Law: Navigating the American Legal System
Ready to discover the foundations of the U.S. legal system? This course empowers you to explore how laws are created, interpreted, and enforced, and how legal reasoning shapes outcomes in civil, criminal, and constitutional contexts. Through case studies and simulations, you’ll develop skills to think critically about law, rights, and justice. Hear from legal professionals and delve into real-world applications of law.
Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness
An ever-evolving and incredibly intricate field, clinical psychology requires strong skills in empathetic listening, communication, and mindfulness, all of which you’ll have the opportunity to practice in this course. You’ll also delve into the diagnostic process, treatment planning, interventions, and up-and-coming subfields like neuropsychology, geropsychology, and forensic psychology.
Regenerative Medicine: Healing with Science
In what ways will regenerative medicine transform healthcare? And what positive and negative impacts could it have? If you have pre-med, research, or technology aspirations, check out this course, where you’ll discuss the core principles of regenerative medicine while learning about cellular therapies, tissue engineering, organ regeneration, and biotechnology.
What is a Dartmouth Precollege Online course like?
During your course, you’ll progress through a series of modules comprised of lectures, reading, and assignments while receiving guidance from a mentor. With each module, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking skills and subject matter knowledge in preparation for the Final Capstone project and presentation, which every student must successfully complete. However, no cookie-cutter projects here—while you’ll receive guidelines, there is an incredible amount of choice when it comes to topic selection and mode of presentation, ensuring that the project is both personally and professionally relevant.
When your class is over, keep your Final Capstone handy! Whether it becomes the foundation for an independent research project or is incorporated into internship and college applications, your project will be an important example of rigor and creativity. Here is a look at what you’ll be working on:
In Finance: Investing & Market Insights, you’ll evaluate a company using the methods you’ve learned. Then, you’ll present your findings and strategic recommendations.
In Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness, you’ll choose a fictional character to analyze, diagnose, and provide a treatment plan for.
Regenerative Medicine: Healing with Science will require you to choose a real-life, current healthcare or biotechnology challenge and propose an innovative, evidence-based solution.
In Biology: Transforming the Future of Science, you’ll showcase your understanding of complex biological systems by applying the concepts you’ve learned to real-life medical challenges.
Who will teach my Dartmouth Precollege Online course?
Dartmouth’s instructors are well-known for their level of attention to undergraduates, and that extends to high school students taking a precollege online course as well. In addition to designing the curriculum, Dartmouth instructors record every asynchronous video lesson. Moreover, throughout the course, easily accessible expert mentors will be providing guidance and feedback on course material and assignments.
For example, in Finance: Investing & Market Insights, you’ll be led by Patroklos Karantinos, who holds a leadership role in Dartmouth’s Tuck Business Bridge Program and also teaches Summer Scholars Program courses. He has professional experience in corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, and public sector consulting.
Dr. Laurie A.S. Veillette, who instructs Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness, teaches at Dartmouth College and the Geisel School of Medicine. In addition to being an expert in positive psychology, she is also a licensed clinical and health psychologist.
Eyeing Regenerative Medicine: Healing with Science? Dr. Katherine Hixon is an Assistant Professor of Engineering as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics. She also leads cutting-edge research into tissue repair therapies at The Hixon Lab, based within the School of Engineering.
Dr. Britt Anne Goods, who serves as an Assistant Professor at Dartmouth, designed Biology: Transforming the Future of Science. With experience at the Broad Institute, the Ragon Institute, and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, she is an expert in reproductive health, immunology, and biological engineering.
How many courses can I take?
A better question would be “how many courses do I want to take?” You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to course selection. As long as you are realistic about how many hours of work you can handle per session, you can enroll in more than one class at a time. Alternatively, you can schedule several classes back-to-back, or during school breaks throughout the year.
Any combination of Dartmouth’s four current offerings will provide an excellent level of interdisciplinary depth and connection. Curious about starting your own biotechnology company? Biology: Transforming the Future of Science combined with Finance: Investing and Market Insights will help you understand what it will take to build a successful business in this niche space. Aspiring medical professional? Courses like Regenerative Medicine: Healing with Science and Biology: Transforming the Future of Science will familiarize you with new ideas and advancements that have the power to shape many areas of healthcare. Undecided about career path, but want to gain practical skills that will be useful for any major? Try Finance: Investing and Market Insights and Psychology: Explore the Mind & Mental Wellness.
How much does the Dartmouth Precollege Online Program cost?
Each of Dartmouth’s courses costs $1,895. Even though they are delivered over a longer time period, two- and four-week courses receive the same level of instruction and materials as a one-week class.
In addition, students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for scholarships.
How do I apply to the Dartmouth Precollege Online Program?
To apply, you’ll need to provide basic personal information as well as a brief personal statement via essay or video that discusses why you wish to enroll in your program of choice. The application deadline varies depending on the program, but applications are typically accepted until approximately a week before each program’s start date.
Final Thoughts – Dartmouth Precollege Online Program
Dartmouth has long been lauded for its strong research emphasis and holistic, personalized learning environment—a hard-to-find combination in the higher education landscape. As a high school student in Dartmouth’s Precollege Online courses, you’ll benefit from that same commitment to excellence.
Looking for additional resources? Consider checking out the following:
