OVERVIEW: The Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Program is a 6-week academic and residential experience for rising 11th and 12th graders (16-18 years old). There are 6 different academic programs to choose from (APEA, National High School Game Academy, Drama, Music, Architecture, Art & Design). CONDENSED SEMESTER: Pre-College is a shortened version of a first-semester of college. Students not only experience a real classroom and complete Carnegie Mellon coursework, they also get a glimpse of what it takes to interact with professors, classmates and a roommate at a level they may have not yet encountered. PREPARE FOR COLLEGE: Students who have participated in Pre-College return to high school with a much better sense of what they need to do in preparation for college or what college setting they may now either like or dislike. They may feel more confident about the college application process and going off to college. OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM: While Pre-College is serious inside the classroom, and at times demanding, it is also a great social opportunity. Many classes meet on casual levels in the evenings, putting a fun spin on academics. There are weekend events organized for the students so they can explore the city in an exciting, but supervised atmosphere. Students have the opportunity to meet others from all over the country and the world. Bonds between classmates and roommates are typically strong and long lasting. 360o TAKEAWAYS: Students gain so much from their experience in Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College programs. They'll be challenged, but they'll also gain confidence from their new independence and will feel a sense of accomplishment having completed six weeks worth of real college-level coursework. We truly strive to make Carnegie Mellon "home" for the summer. Our sincere hope is that you find your summer college experience challenging and fun, exploring all that Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh have to offer.