Application deadline
1 April 2026
College Preparation Program application deadline.
In-person Program
Astronomy Credit Course
Study planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe through a college-level astronomy course that connects physical principles with current research and scientific reasoning.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Astronomy Credit Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Rising juniors and seniors; GPA 3.0+
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Cost
$6,936; $11,766
Duration
6 weeks
Format
In-person
ScienceSpace & physics
Accommodation: Northwestern residence halls; commuter option
Meals: Residential dining; commuter meals purchasable
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Campus experience: Classes with university students
Credit / Outcome: One Northwestern credit unit
Instructor: Andrew Rivers
Sessions / cadence: 2 × 2.5 hours, Mondays and Wednesdays
Astronomy Credit Course summary
Northwestern's astronomy course connects questions about planets, stars, and the universe with the physical principles and theories used to explain them.
Students study in an undergraduate classroom alongside university students, with expectations of independent learning and active academic commitment.
It suits students who want to test their interest in astronomy through scientific reasoning rather than observation alone.
What is Astronomy Credit Course?
The Astronomy Credit Course is Northwestern University's ASTRON 120-0: Highlights of Astronomy, offered through its College Preparation Program. It explores modern understanding of the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe, including black holes, dark matter, extrasolar planets, and the search for life.
Students connect physical principles to astronomical explanations and assess the strengths of scientific theories. The course places high school participants in undergraduate classes with Northwestern and visiting university students, offering a practical test of college-level academic expectations.
Why Succeed highlights Astronomy Credit Course
The learning objectives emphasize evaluating evidence and theories, giving the course depth beyond an introduction to space facts.
Studying alongside university students offers a concrete way to test readiness for undergraduate learning.
Northwestern credit provides a tangible academic outcome under the university's standard credit-course policy.
The Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series adds college-preparation workshops to the academic experience.
Who is Astronomy Credit Course for?
Best for
Self-directed students who enjoy physics, questions about the universe, and evaluating scientific explanations in a university classroom.
Not ideal if
You want a lightly structured astronomy camp or need to miss class meetings for other commitments.
Is Astronomy Credit Course worth it?
This course is a strong option if you want to move from an interest in space to explaining astronomical phenomena through physics and evidence. The undergraduate classroom and credit outcome make it useful for testing whether deeper study in astronomy or physics appeals to you.
The value depends on your readiness for independent work and reliable attendance, since Northwestern warns that missing even one meeting can affect a final grade. Treat participation as academic exploration: it does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.
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Cost and what is included
$6,936; $11,766; includes One college credit class., Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops., Residential room and board in the residential tier., Campus activities and excursions for residential and commuter students..
Accommodation
Northwestern residence halls; commuter option
Meals
Residential dining; commuter meals purchasable
Provider details
Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
6 weeks; Evanston, Illinois, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Astronomy Credit Course need?
Effort level
High academic commitment.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before an announced application deadline to draft responses and arrange official records; begin international travel planning earlier.
Main challenge
Balancing college-level learning with independent time management.
Typical preparation
Review basic physical principles and identify astronomy questions you want to understand.
Draft both personal-statement answers within approximately 500 words total.
Arrange official English-language transcripts and any required English proficiency testing.
Protect the full course period from conflicting commitments and plan housing or commuting.
Useful if
You want to test your readiness for undergraduate science.
What do students do on Astronomy Credit Course?
You study how physical principles explain astronomical phenomena and use scientific reasoning to examine theories about the universe. The learning objectives progress from understanding explanations to applying concepts and evaluating evidence.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe.
- 2
Connect basic physical principles to astrophysical applications.
- 3
Explain the development of solar-system formation and Big Bang theories.
- 4
Compare the certainty of fundamental theories with alternative ideas.
- 5
Apply astronomy concepts to current research and evaluate scientific explanations.
Astronomy Credit Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
22 June-2 August 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 1 April 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-2 August 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Be a rising high school junior or senior.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Submit a personal statement and extracurricular activities list.
Provide official high school transcripts in English.
Provide English proficiency scores when language or schooling requirements apply.
Commuters must live with a responsible adult over age 18.
International F-1 students generally need two credit classes; exceptions apply.
How much does Astronomy Credit Course cost?
Commuter program fee
$6,936 — One-class tuition plus the program fee.
Funding or discounts
- Residential program fee: $11,766 — One-class tuition, program fee, and six weeks of room and board.
- Application fee: $60 — Non-refundable; eligible former CPP students may request a waiver.
- Deposit: $1,000 — Non-refundable; due three weeks after acceptance and credited toward the total.
- Tuition scholarship: Need-based support for domestic U.S. rising seniors with strong achievement.
What's included
One college credit class., Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops., Residential room and board in the residential tier., Campus activities and excursions for residential and commuter students.
How to apply to Astronomy Credit Course
- 1
Prepare approximately 500 words answering the two personal-statement questions.
- 2
List extracurricular activities with dates of involvement, descriptions, and your roles.
- 3
Arrange official English-language transcripts and any required English proficiency score.
- 4
Complete the College Credit program application and pay the $60 fee unless a waiver applies.
- 5
After acceptance, pay the $1,000 deposit within three weeks and arrange course enrollment.
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What does Astronomy Credit Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Solar systems and planets
Explore the solar system, extrasolar planets, and theories of solar-system formation.
Stars and extreme phenomena
Study stars, supernovae, and black holes within modern astronomy.
Galaxies and cosmology
Examine galaxies, dark matter, and the Big Bang theory of the universe's origin and evolution.
Life beyond Earth
Explore the search for life in the universe.
Scientific theories and evidence
Evaluate scientific theories and apply astronomy concepts to current research results.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Astronomy Credit Course?
A typical day during the program.
Monday class
Astronomy meets from 1:00–3:30 p.m. Central Time at Tech Institute.
Wednesday class
A second 2.5-hour meeting brings the scheduled weekly class total to five hours.
Who teaches on Astronomy Credit Course?
Andrew Rivers is listed as the instructor for the Summer 2026 astronomy section. Northwestern-affiliated instructors expect the same commitment and involvement from College Prep participants as from university students.
Where do students stay on Astronomy Credit Course?
Residential plan
- University residence hall: Students live in a Northwestern residence hall with common areas and quiet study rooms.
- Dining and dietary support: University dining offers varied dishes, vegan options, and a dietician for special dietary requirements.
- Resident support: Resident Directors and trained Residential Advisors support academic and social adjustment.
- Campus resources: Students can access libraries, computer labs, athletic facilities, and beaches.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter living arrangements: Students commute from home or relatives and must live with a responsible adult over age 18.
- Activities and workshops: Commuters may join campus activities, excursions, and the Get Ready Series.
- Commuter meal access: Meals are available to purchase in the Norris University Center.
Residential students may explore independently but must follow residence hall check-out and return check-in rules.
What happens after Astronomy Credit Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn one Northwestern credit unit under the standard credit-course policy.
Apply physical principles to astrophysical questions and current research.
Build confidence evaluating scientific theories and alternative explanations.
Experience undergraduate expectations before beginning college.
Use Get Ready Series workshops to prepare for college applications.
Participation does not guarantee admission to Northwestern University.
Where does Astronomy Credit Course take place?
Astronomy meets at Tech Institute on Northwestern's Evanston campus in Illinois, just north of Chicago. The 240-acre lakefront campus offers university libraries, recreation, and summer cultural activities.
Astronomy Credit Course FAQs
It explores the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Topics include extrasolar planets, supernovae, black holes, dark matter, the Big Bang theory, and the search for life.
Northwestern credit courses normally award one credit unit unless the course description states otherwise. One unit is typically equivalent to four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester credit hours.
Participants take undergraduate credit courses with Northwestern and visiting university students. Instructors expect the same commitment and involvement from them as from university students.
Andrew Rivers is listed as the instructor for the Summer 2026 astronomy section. College Prep credit courses are taught by Northwestern-affiliated instructors.
The six-week astronomy course fits the residential credit-course limit, and commuters can also participate. Commuters must live with a responsible adult over age 18 throughout the program.
Applicants must be rising juniors or seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Application materials include a personal statement, activities list, and official transcripts; English proficiency testing applies in specified circumstances.
No. Northwestern describes participation as one part of an application profile and explicitly says it does not guarantee acceptance.
International on-campus credit students generally need F-1 status and at least two classes. Northwestern provides an immigration-document process and identifies exceptions for some students with existing documents; adequate health insurance is required.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent 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.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Campus Life, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Pre-College Summer Programs for Credit: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Astronomy: Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Official course listing reviewed
Application deadline checked
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Course timetable checked
Enrollment tier costs calculated
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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.
Astronomy Credit Course
by Northwestern College Prep
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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