Succeed
    Pre-Baccalaureate
    Online Program

    Pre-Baccalaureate

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Brown’s Pre-Baccalaureate offers undergraduate study alongside Brown students, with academic credit and formal transcripts across sciences, mathematics, social sciences and humanities.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Pre-Baccalaureate at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising or recently graduated high school seniors

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 17+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $8,973; $17,935

    Duration

    7 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    ScienceMathematicsSocial SciencesHumanities
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: Mostly asynchronous; 25–30 hours/week/course including independent study
    Assessment style: Graded coursework; course-specific final assessments
    Scheduling model: Some live meetings arranged with students
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Academic support: Office hours; writing and language support
    Credential: Brown credit and formal transcript

    Pre-Baccalaureate summary

    Pre-Baccalaureate places students in Brown undergraduate courses alongside university students. The academic focus spans natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences and humanities.

    Expect independent reading, online course activities and assessed work. Academic credit and a formal transcript make the experience more consequential than a participation-only enrichment course.

    It suits students who want to test their readiness for demanding college study and can manage their own learning consistently.

    What is Pre-Baccalaureate?

    Pre-Baccalaureate is Brown University’s credit-bearing undergraduate study program for students ready for college-level academic demands. Participants join Brown undergraduates in Summer Session courses spanning natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences and humanities.

    The program delivers online courses through Canvas, mostly asynchronously, with some instructor-arranged live meetings. Students combine course activities with substantial reading and independent study, then complete the assessments required by their chosen course.

    Why Succeed highlights Pre-Baccalaureate

    • Studying alongside Brown undergraduates provides a direct test of college-level academic expectations.

    • Formal grades, academic credit and a university transcript give the work a concrete academic outcome.

    • The curriculum supports exploration across natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences and humanities.

    • Virtual library access, writing support and instructor office hours help students practice using university resources.

    Who is Pre-Baccalaureate for?

    Best for

    Self-motivated students who want serious undergraduate study and are comfortable organizing substantial independent work.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light enrichment experience or a residential campus summer, since this program involves demanding online coursework.

    Is Pre-Baccalaureate worth it?

    Pre-Baccalaureate can be worthwhile when the chosen course directly develops a subject you want to pursue. Its strongest value is the experience of completing assessed undergraduate work and earning a formal academic record.

    The substantial fee and workload make course choice especially important. Credit may support advanced standing, but that outcome is not guaranteed, and Brown describes Pre-College as preparation for college rather than a prospecting program for undergraduate admission.

    Sean, founder of Succeed

    Sean

    Founder, Succeed

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,973; $17,935; includes Online undergraduate course instruction., Brown University academic credit., Formal university transcript., Virtual university library access., Writing Center and English language support., Instructor office hours., Virtual student life activities..

    Dates and time commitment

    7 weeks; Mostly asynchronous; 25–30 hours/week/course including independent study.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Your main academic output is completed, assessed undergraduate coursework recorded on a formal university transcript.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Students can access virtual university library resources, Writing Center appointments, English language support and instructor office hours.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Pre-Baccalaureate need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline for essays, grades, recommendations and any English testing.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining independent study while keeping up with undergraduate assessments.

    Typical preparation

    • Identify a course whose content connects with your academic interests.

    • Ask your recommender early and collect both years of grade records.

    • Draft the required essay in your own words and leave time to revise.

    • Build a weekly study plan and test your computer, software and internet connection.

    Useful if

    You want to test your readiness for college-level academic work.

    What do students do on Pre-Baccalaureate?

    You study undergraduate course material alongside Brown students and take responsibility for keeping up with readings, online activities and assignments. Final work varies by course and may include examinations, papers, projects or presentations.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete Canvas orientation and review your syllabus before instruction begins.

    2. 2

      Log into your course at least daily and follow the assigned work.

    3. 3

      Combine online activities with reading and independent study.

    4. 4

      Use instructor office hours and academic support when helpful.

    5. 5

      Complete the final assessments specified in your syllabus.

    6. 6

      Review your course grade in Banner after Summer Session ends.

    Pre-Baccalaureate dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    Summer 2026 deadline.

    Reference date

    Pre- Bacc - 2 courses

    15 June-31 July 2026

    Both courses run during the same Summer Session.

    Reference date

    Pre- Bacc - 1 course

    15 June-31 July 2026

    Six instructional weeks plus a final-work week.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Summer 2026 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Reference date

    Course orientation

    Week of 8 June 2026

    Log into Canvas and review the syllabus.

    Reference date

    Full payment

    10 June 2026

    Summer Session account payment.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising or recently graduated high school seniors.

    • Age 17 by 14 June 2026 for the verified cycle.

    • Strong English language proficiency.

    • Meet prerequisites for your selected course.

    • Submit a required recommendation with your application.

    • Take no more than two Pre-Baccalaureate courses per summer.

    • Do not combine Pre-Baccalaureate with non-Pre-Baccalaureate courses.

    How much does Pre-Baccalaureate cost?

    Program fee

    $8,973; $17,935 — One course or two courses, including academic records.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Nonrefundable.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment.
    • Application fee waiver: Eligibility-based — Requested within the application; reduces the application fee only.

    What's included

    Online undergraduate course instruction., Brown University academic credit., Formal university transcript., Virtual university library access., Writing Center and English language support., Instructor office hours., Virtual student life activities.

    How to apply to Pre-Baccalaureate

    1. 1

      Use Brown’s application page and create one Student Portal account.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and your original 250–500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic year grades in English.

    4. 4

      Provide your recommender’s details so Brown can send its required form.

    5. 5

      Submit accepted English proficiency results if required.

    6. 6

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible waiver.

    7. 7

      Monitor your portal for missing materials and the admission decision.

    8. 8

      After admission, review course choices, submit the deposit and enroll separately.

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    Learning format

    Courses use Canvas and are mostly asynchronous, although some include live meetings arranged by instructors with enrolled students. Each course averages 25–30 hours weekly across online activities, reading and independent study, with six instructional weeks followed by course-dependent final work in the seventh week.

    Log into Canvas at least daily and check Brown email daily for course communications.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Use instructor office hours to discuss content and assignments.

    • Book Writing Center appointments for help with writing assignments.

    • Access English language support when English is not your primary language.

    • Use university library resources virtually.

    • Contact your instructor about questions or difficulties.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Most courses do not require logging in at a fixed time.
    • Some courses include live meetings arranged with enrolled students.
    • Plan for 25–30 weekly hours per course across activities and study.
    • Log into Canvas and check course communications daily.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer with a reliable internet connection.

    • Have a webcam and microphone, built-in or external.

    • Use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

    • Have a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat.

    • Install Zoom for mostly asynchronous or blended courses when required.

    Assessment style

    Assessment follows the selected undergraduate course’s assignments, grading options and final-work requirements.

    • Most courses award A, B, C or NC grades.
    • Some courses offer satisfactory/no-credit grading.
    • Final work may include examinations, papers, projects or presentations.
    • Complete course assignments on time and remain active.
    • View your final course grade in Banner.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Your main academic output is completed, assessed undergraduate coursework recorded on a formal university transcript.

    • Earn Brown University academic credit.

    • Receive a formal university transcript.

    • Complete any paper, project or presentation required by your course.

    Pre-Baccalaureate FAQs

    Yes. Courses carry Brown University academic credit and may provide advanced standing at a college or university.

    Pre-Baccalaureate students receive formal university transcripts instead of Certificates of Completion.

    Expect an average of 25 to 30 hours each week per course, including online activities, studying and reading. Taking two courses means planning for roughly twice that workload.

    Most Summer Session courses are asynchronous. Some include synchronous meetings whose times instructors determine with enrolled students.

    Students may take up to two Pre-Baccalaureate courses per summer and may not enroll in non-Pre-Baccalaureate courses.

    Yes. Every Pre-Baccalaureate application requires a recommendation submitted through Brown’s recommendation form.

    Students can access virtual university library resources, Writing Center appointments, English language support and instructor office hours.

    Parents and guardians can access the Student Account Payment System after the student adds them as authorized users.

    Alternatives to Pre-Baccalaureate

    Compare these options if you want broader online study, a focused subject course or a residential academic experience.

    Alternatives to Pre-Baccalaureate

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Frequently Asked Questions | Student Financial Services | Brown University
    • Summer Session | Student Financial Services | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Pre-Baccalaureate | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Connect With Us | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Pre-Baccalaureate

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official program page checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Session dates checked

    • Program fees compared

    • Weekly workload verified

    • Transcript outcome verified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.