College Curious? Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy Offers Immersive Campus Experience

Transitioning from high school to college is pivotal in a student's life. Entering dorm life, expanding responsibilities and embarking on new journeys is an exciting but also daunting prospect. Villanova University's  Pre-College Summer Academy, offered through the College of Professional Studies, is a four-week intensive program, open to current high school students and incoming college freshmen that gives students a taste of college life, earning them four college credits.

The program is designed to introduce students to college basics, including the academic rigor of a college classroom setting and the fundamentals of campus life. This summer's program runs from June 30 to July 30, 2026, with applications due by April 6. 

Go Beyond your GPA and Add College Credits to your Transcript

High school students can use the program experience and earn college credits to bolster their transcript, supplementing traditional application requirements like GPA and test scores. In the high-stakes world of college admissions, the Pre-College Summer Academy helps high school students gain a competitive edge on impending applications and personal essays.

During their time on Villanova's campus, students enjoy the opportunity to take one three-credit course taught by Villanova faculty. These courses are regularly available to enrolled Villanova students throughout the academic year. These are real college classes, filled with current undergraduate students. Thanks to the program's analytical focus and experiential learning design, high school students can feel better prepared to enter the higher education atmosphere. After completing the program, students will have a more robust understanding of the academic expectations associated with college-level classwork, assessment, and faculty engagement.

This year's offerings for the three-credit courses include:

• Healthy Lifestyles & Human Values (Nursing)

• Human Centered Engineering Design (Engineering)

• Overview of Cybersecurity (Computer Science)

• Principles of Bioengineering: A Hands-On Journey with Colorful Microbes (Chemical Engineering)

• Programming for All (Computer Science)

• Public Speaking (Communications)

• Survey of Communication Studies (Communications)

In addition to a three-credit course, participants also take a one-credit college preparatory course. The PCAC 1000 workshop augments the three-credit courses, creating a holistic curriculum experience. Developed with the whole student in mind, students engage in intrapersonal activities such as understanding and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Other workshops teach students how to write a college essay and think through choosing a major.

A critical piece of this program shows students how to build an internal support toolkit to draw upon when they enter college, utilizing campus offerings such as academic advising and the career center.  The skills and college prep work covered in the Pre-College Summer Academy is not specific to Villanova. Students can expect to apply the skills and resources they’ve learned in this program to wherever they choose to go next in their education journey.

Examples of topics covered in the one-credit (PCAC 1000) course offerings include:

•    Metacognition + The Science of Studying
•    Navigating the Financial Landscape of College
•    Academic Advising 101 + Logic of Curriculum
•    Finding Your Agency in College

Outside the Classroom

In addition to the academic portion of the program, PSCA students are given the chance to build relationships and try new things.  Each enrolled student is assigned a Villanova student mentor who is available throughout their four weeks to assist with coursework and assignments, answer any questions, and help them navigate their time on campus.

After classes in the evenings, students are encouraged to make friends and learn more about one another. The program also includes trips and activities, like sporting events, museums, and service learning opportunities.

A huge part of the college experience is stepping onto campus and into a new environment. PCSA serves as a great way to experience that in the years before college.

Get A Head Start on College this Summer

Olivia Mendenall, Associate Director, Academic Advising and Student Support, says the intentionality of the program design is to set students up for future success. "This Pre-College Summer Academy provides the framework for students to explore academically, safely and intentionally, so that whenever they do arrive on a college campus, they can lean into their experience here, which has hopefully prepared them for what's to come."

Laying the foundation for navigating college academics gives students the building blocks for college success. At a time when uncertainty can cloud future college decisions, Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy provides a clear roadmap, equipping students with the confidence and skills to thrive wherever they go next.

Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy is accepting applications through April 6, 2026. 

Apply today, request more information, or speak with an enrollment counselor about the program.

**Application, acceptance or participation in the Pre-College Summer Academy does not guarantee acceptance or preferential treatment for students applying for future admission to Villanova University.