Writers' Week for Teens
An immersive week-long experience with creative writing and the performance arts. All participants earn one transferable college credit. In-person and virtual sessions are available each summer.
Precollege Programs
Precollege Programs
Jump-Start Your College Experience
At Sarah Lawrence College, we believe in empowering curious, creative high school students to explore advanced ideas, deepen their voice, and get a real feel for college-level work, all while remaining supported and inspired.
Located in Bronxville, just north of New York City, Sarah Lawrence is renowned for our multi-disciplinary, student-centered, hands-on approach to the arts and sciences. Whether you are interested in creative writing, theatre, visual arts, or environmental science, you will find a program designed to challenge you, help improve your college application, and surround you with a vibrant community of like-minded people.
Upcoming Programs
Precollege Visual Arts Program
From Drawing to Painting to Experimentation is an intensive summer college art program for rising juniors and seniors in high school that features a college-level curriculum led by active artist–faculty in modern studio spaces.
Hudson River Ecology
This course is perfect for high school and undergraduate students interested in learning more about the Hudson River. Students have the option of taking this course for one transferable college credit.
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Precollege Programs
Why Choose Sarah Lawrence College for Summer Precollege Programs?
Academic Rigor, Personalized Attention
- Courses are taught by Sarah Lawrence faculty, graduate students, and guest experts, using the seminar/small-group model the College is known for.
- Students engage in intensive, project-based, experiential learning — lectures, readings, labs, workshops, fieldwork, group projects, and one-on-one mentoring.
- Because the programs are condensed, the pace is brisk and immersive, giving students a taste of real college expectations.
Credit & Non-Credit Options
- Some courses are offered for credit, enabling participants to earn transferable college credits, subject to agreement with their future colleges.
- Other courses are non-credit, focusing on enrichment rather than formal credentialing.
Non-Residential Format with Hotel Partnerships
- Students do not live on campus, eliminating the pressure of dorm life while still offering a robust academic environment.
- We provide negotiated discount rates at the nearby Hyatt Place New York/Yonkers hotel, with a free shuttle to our main campus for those who are coming from out of town.
- Daily schedules incorporate transit time, lunch breaks, and access to campus facilities (library, art studios, labs).
Community & Networking
- Participants join a cohort of like-minded peers from across the region and beyond.
- The program fosters connections with college faculty and staff, which can evolve into mentorship or recommendation opportunities.
Exploration & Self-Discovery
- Students have the freedom to explore fields beyond what their high school offers (e.g., environmental science, visual arts, creative writing).
- They can test out possible majors or career interests before committing to them in college.
- The experience helps build confidence in navigating complexity, balancing responsibilities, and self-direction.