Summer at Carleton: Where your college journey begins
The Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) is a summer learning community built for academically motivated high school students to explore a liberal arts education at one of the nation’s top colleges.
You’ll get the unique opportunity to live like a college student on a residential campus, learn through hands-on and collaborative coursework, attend planned social activities and field trips, and for some programs, earn college credits.
3-Week For-Credit Courses
- Session dates: July 5–24
- Open to current high school sophomores and juniors
- Students earn 6 college credits upon completion
- A deep dive into college-level coursework with uniquely designed interdisciplinary courses, a rigorous academic structure, collaborative group work, research opportunities, and a final presentation
1-Week Non-Credit Courses
- Session 1 dates: July 12–17
- Session 2 dates: July 19–24
- Open to current high school first years, sophomores and now juniors!
- An immersive academic experience without graded outcomes or college credits
Important Dates
- March 18, 2026 | Round 1 admitted students confirmation form & $500 deposit due
- April 10, 2026 | Round 1 admitted students dashboard materials due: CampDoc, Student Profile, Yearbook Photo.
- International students only: Confirmation of Address Form, and Proof of USA Health Insurance
- April 17, 2026 | Round 2 & 3 admitted students confirmation form & $500 deposit due
- May 1, 2026 | Round 2 & 3 admitted students dashboard materials due: CampDoc, Student Profile, Yearbook Photo.
- International students only: Confirmation of Address Form, and Proof of USA Health Insurance.
- ALL full tuition payments due
- June 5, 2026 | ALL Transportation Forms Due
- July 5 – July 24, 2026 | 3-week program dates
- July 12 – July 17, 2026 | Session 1: 1-week program dates
- July 19 – July 24, 2026 | Session 2: 1-week program dates
Learn more about how you can spend your summer at Carleton! Join our email list.
