If you're looking for a summer experience you won't forget, check out our Pre-College Programs. Notre Dame offers four options for rising high school juniors and/or seniors. They all give students a glimpse into academics and student life at a highly-selective university. You can study with Notre Dame faculty, travel, and explore the topics you're passionate about. Check out the different opportunities below and apply via the Pre-College Programs website.
Leadership Seminars
Program Dates: July 18 – July 29, 2020
Application deadline: January 27, 2020
For rising high school seniors only
Leadership Seminars is a competitive, 10-day program on Notre Dame's campus for academically talented students who show impressive leadership within their communities. Tuition, housing, and meals for students admitted to Leadership Seminars will be paid for by the University. Three seminars are offered, including Global Issues: Violence and Peace in the Modern Age; The Environment: Science, Policy, and Ethics; and The State of Race in 21st Century America. Leadership Seminars participants learn about important global issues from Notre Dame professors, experiencing academics at the college level. You'll also live on campus, conduct service, and have a blast taking part in student life on campus.
"...[A]s a student in the Environment Seminar, having the opportunity to meet professors, scientists, and researchers active in environmental issues helped me confirm my plan to pursue a career in sustainable energy. Participating in the Seminars was such an impactful experience, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it."
Eva Homberger
Oak Park, IL
Leadership Seminars 2019
Study Abroad: Ireland
Program Dates: July 18 – August 1, 2020
Application Deadline: January 27, 2020
For rising high school seniors only
You'll discover the rich history and culture of both bustling Dublin and bucolic Connemara, Ireland, with this 12-day seminar on the Emerald Isle. Guided by Notre Dame faculty and local scholars, students will embark on an exploration of Irish culture, history, and landscape through what Notre Dame's O’Connell House calls "learning through the soles of your feet." Seminars are held at the Keough-Naughton Notre Dame Center in Dublin and the historic castle of Kylemore Abbey, in Connemara, allowing students to tour and learn about numerous sites of interest in both the East and West. As a Study Abroad: Ireland participant, you're not just a tourist. Students learn from Notre Dame professors and have opportunities to participate in fun cultural experiences that include sheep shearing, hiking, and a bog challenge.
"Studying abroad in Ireland opened my eyes to the world. My experience helped me truly appreciate learning about other cultures and history, and has compelled me to want to try new things. From meeting new people to exploring Ireland, study abroad provided me with an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget.
Ryan Peters
Lake Forrest, IL
Study Abroad: Ireland 2019
Study Abroad: Rome
Program Dates: June 6 – June 20, 2020
Application Deadline: January 27, 2020
For rising high school seniors only
This 12-day seminar introduces students to the history and culture of the Eternal City, with a focus on the built environment. Notre Dame faculty in a range of fields, from art history and architecture to anthropology, provide students with an immersive experience and guide students in their exploration of this fascinating city. Students have the opportunity to visit many of Italy’s most revered cultural treasures and participate in rich cultural and intellectual exchange. The Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway on Via Ostilia, which is a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, serves as the home for lectures and discussions, while the city itself, with its rich assortment of monuments, museums, and storied neighborhoods serves as the students’ true classroom. In Rome, you'll also take part in cultural experiences from a visit to the murals in Via Tor Marancia to a Papal audience in St. Peter's Square—and, of course, a few stops for gelato.
"During Study Abroad: Rome, I had a fantastic time learning about Roman history and architecture from esteemed Notre Dame professors. We visited many incredible places including the Vatican museums, the Colosseum, and the Pope's Summer Home. Amidst the learning, it was also amazing to develop such strong friendships with peers that will hopefully last a long time. In fact, we still talk today and plan to visit each other soon! It was the best trip I've ever been on, and I'm so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend."
Molly Vedra
Lake Bluff, IL
Study Abroad: Rome 2019
Summer Scholars
Program Dates: June 27 – July 11, 2020
Application deadline: February 18, 2020
For rising high school juniors and seniors
Summer Scholars participants spend two intense weeks in one of 23 exciting programs of study. We keep the classes small and personal attention from Notre Dame faculty high. The coursework is a true preview of college academics—it is both rigorous and rewarding, and students earn one college credit upon the completion of a program track. Students collaborate on coursework outside designated class times, as they would in any college setting. Tracks include a wide range of topics, like archeology; film production; identity and popular culture; and world politics. Two new courses are offered this year—Moneyball: The Analytics of Sports and Musical Theater. As a Summer Scholars participant, you'll also have ample time to enjoy the social facets of college life, especially those unique to Notre Dame.
"Every detail of the two weeks was perfect. Through the program I was able to challenge myself academically and socially. I made the best of friends and memories that I will cherish for a lifetime."
Eleni Kvochak
Oakland, CA
Summer Scholars 2019
Learn More
Ready to plan your summer? Learn more about Pre-College Programs.