If you’re looking for highly prestigious dual enrollment, I’ve got 5 universities that will knock your socks off. Each of these programs are open to homeschooling students, for college credit, and taken as a distance learning student.
Prestigious colleges and universities tend to require a lot of reading, critical thinking, and writing. As a side note, I loved my courses at Harvard University through their Extension program, but most of their courses had 10+ books PER COURSE as required reading; that’s not considering the additional list of 10-20 books given as suggested reading. Factor in the weekly written requirements, live Zoom sessions, professor lectures, and TA-led section meetings, and papers. Start your teen with just one course at any of these schools, you can add more next semester if it goes well.
- William & Mary (Virginia) Most courses are taught on campus, but there are a few online available. Students apply as non-degree-seeking undergraduate, and completion of a course does not guarantee admission to the university. William & Mary charges instate rate for those in Virginia and out of state for those out of Virginia. Students must be a rising sophomore to apply. Cost is approximately $4,500 per course. Learn More
- Brown University (Rhode Island) This private Ivy League university offers limited courses for rising seniors or recent graduates. Most courses are taught on campus, but there are a few online available. Students may enroll in up to 2 courses in a semester. Cost for one course is approximately $5,000 and the cost for two courses is approximately $9,000. Learn More
- Harvard University Extension (Massachusetts) This private Ivy League has a robust Extension division that allows open enrollment for single courses. This means anyone over age 15 can enroll in a course for undergraduate credit. While the course registration is unrestricted, a high school student will not be able to enroll in a degree program until they’ve been out of high school for 5 years. Currently, they only allow you to “count” courses that were taken in the past 4 years, so the program is intentionally designed to disallow traditionally aged teens to enroll after high school. Cost for one course is approximately $2,000. Learn More Harvard University Summer School (Massachusetts) This private Ivy League summer program is competitive admissions and allows high school students to live and learn on campus or online. Students can take 2 courses max in either format. Those who attend on campus will stay in student housing and receive a meal plan. Residential program $14,000, online program $7,500. Learn More
- Boston Architectural College (Massachusetts) is a very “field-specific” college, with only fields of architecture being available. The cost varies for 9th-12th grade online or on campus Summer Design Academy, $1500; available on campus add-on only to Summer Design Academy – Urban Design and Planning Pre-College Fellowship, $3000 (for BOTH summer programs); 11th and 12th graders who complete both summer programs receive 1.5 credits and are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship to BAC towards any undergraduate program. 11th and 12th grade fall 4-week online synchronous (spring on campus) intensive (requiring 4 days in Boston) CityLab Experience; 2 credits. 11th and 12th grade 16-week fall online synchronous (spring on campus) Community Practice course, 3 credits. Learn More
- Duke University (North Carolina) Duke’s summer high school program is open to 10th and 11th grade (NOT 12th) students. Students may choose to take courses on campus or online, however housing is not available. The program offers a wide variety of subjects, which are also available as a non-credit option. Tuition is $2,800 per course. Learn More
