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    University of Rochester Pre-College Programs Pre-College College Credit Courses

    by University of Rochester Pre-College Programs

    The University of Rochester lets rising 11th and 12th graders enroll in its regular credit-bearing courses, studying alongside its undergraduates in the fall, spring or summer semester. You pick a course with no prerequisites from the university's schedule, apply with a short essay, a transcript and a recommendation, and earn college credit if you complete it. Classes meet on the campus in Rochester, New York, and there's no student housing, so the program is built for students who can commute.

    Facts checked against the official page on 12 Nov 2026 · Editor: Sean StevensSean Stevens · Sources

    At a glance

    Official facts · checked 12 Nov 2026
    DatesNot published
    The organizer doesn't publish this.
    Who can applyOfficial
    Rising 11th and 12th graders (high school students). High school students must take courses with no prerequisites. Monroe County Community Math Program: Monroe County, New York residents who have exhausted their high school math classes may take a math course
    Total costOfficial
    $2,150 per credit hour
    Format and placeOfficial
    In person, Rochester, NY
    Length
    One semester-long course (fall, spring or summer)
    Included / budget separately
    Separately: application fee $60 (nonrefundable), books and supplies (most classes require books), Campus parking pass (required for all campus parking)
    Deposit and refunds
    If you drop or withdraw from a course, only a portion of the tuition paid may be refunded, under the university's tuition refund schedule
    Financial aid
    Limited need-based Pre-College financial aid, awarded first come, first served to families with demonstrated need. It is not merit-based and not guaranteed
    Apply by
    Rolling admissions
    Cohort and selectivity
    Credit-course applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and Rochester says many of its pre-college courses are highly selective with limited space. Classes close once they reach capacity
    Credit or certificate
    University of Rochester college credit (transcript requested by the student from the Office of the Registrar)
    Official page
    admissions.rochester.edu/pre-college/programs/credit-course

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    Pre-College College Credit Courses

    Succeed's assessment

    Should you apply?

    Succeed

    In short

    Worth it for a rising junior or senior who lives within reach of the University of Rochester and wants a real college course, taken alongside undergraduates, on a university transcript. Students outside commuting distance get far less from it, because there's no campus housing.

    • Why it's worth it

      The course is a regular University of Rochester class, so you study among its undergraduates and earn credit that the university says transfers to most colleges, in whichever of the fall, spring or summer semesters suits you.

    • What it asks of you

      At $2,150 per credit hour, plus books and a $60 application fee, a single course is a serious expense, and you have to get yourself to campus for every class. The application also asks for an essay, a transcript from your counselor and a recommendation.

    • Who should skip it

      Students who would have to travel to Rochester, since there's no campus housing and the university's aid doesn't cover travel. Students hoping to start at an advanced level should also look closely, because high school students are limited to courses with no prerequisites, and the Monroe County math program is the one stated exception.

    Who can take a course, and what does the application ask for?

    Rising 11th and 12th graders can apply, and the University of Rochester limits high school students to courses that have no prerequisites, so check a course's listing before you settle on it.

    The one stated exception is the Monroe County Community Math Program, for students living in Monroe County, New York, who have already taken all of their high school's math classes. Rochester recommends Math 165: Linear Algebra with Differential Equations, which needs a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam or completion of Math 162, and the Department of Mathematics may suggest a different course after reviewing your application.

    Credit-course applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a decision about two to three weeks after everything arrives. Rochester describes many of its pre-college courses as highly selective with limited space. International students also send a Duolingo, InitialView, TOEFL or IELTS result, or request a waiver in the application.

    • Essay

      Up to 500 words on how you'll use what you learn in your chosen course to make your world "ever better", the university's motto, covering your passion for the subject, why you're enrolling and what you hope to gain.

    • Transcript

      Sent by your high school counselor, whom the application emails on your behalf.

    • Recommendation

      From a school official who can speak to your academics and how well you fit the course you've chosen.

    What does a course really cost?

    Tuition is $2,150 per credit hour, so your total is that rate multiplied by the credit hours your course carries, which the university's course schedule lists. On top of tuition there's a $60 application fee that isn't refunded, and most classes need books, which you buy at the campus bookstore or online. If you drive, you'll also need a parking pass, since all campus parking requires one.

    Full payment, by credit card, check or tuition waiver, is due before your class starts. If you drop or withdraw, you may get only part of the tuition back, so be sure of the course before you pay.

    • Need-based aid

      Limited and awarded first come, first served, with the aid application due 1 April 2027. It goes to one student per family and doesn't cover books, the application fee or travel.

    • Monroe County math discount

      Up to 50% off tuition on a math course for county residents in the math program, but it can't be combined with other aid or tuition benefits.

    • Rochester Scholars Scholarship

      Offered to students at Rochester City School District schools, and the Pre-College office explains who qualifies.

    • University employee families

      Children of University of Rochester employees may get tuition benefits, which cover 50% at most.

    What do you leave with?

    You leave with University of Rochester college credit for the course. The university says its credits transfer to most colleges and universities, so it's worth checking with the specific colleges you have in mind. Rochester won't send your transcript for you, so you'll need to request it yourself through Blackboard or the Office of the Registrar, whether for your own records or your high school's.

    Taking a course doesn't guarantee admission to the University of Rochester or its combined degree programs, although the university says successful participation strengthens a resume. Drop deadlines vary by session. Under the College's semester rules, a course you drop by the end of the fourth week disappears from your transcript, while a withdrawal from the fifth through the eleventh week stays on it as a W.

    What should you do next?

    Choose a semester and a course with no prerequisites from the University of Rochester's course schedule, then apply well before it starts, since a decision takes two to three weeks and classes close when they fill. Line up your counselor and a recommender first, and if you're hoping for financial aid, that application is due 1 April 2027.
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    Frequently asked questions

    Yes. The university's Office of Pre-College Programs runs it, and you take a course from the university's own fall, spring or summer schedule, studying among its undergraduates.

    Not if you took a credit course the previous semester. Email precollege@rochester.edu with your UR Student ID and the course you want, and the university will enroll you without a new application or fee.

    Only for summer. Newly admitted summer students must attend one, which includes a campus tour that shows you your classroom and stops at the ID office, parking office and bookstore.