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What is a Pre-College Program?
Pre-college programs are academic enrichment experiences hosted by universities, often on campus or online, that give high school students a taste of college life. Programs like the Brown Pre-College Programs, the UCLA Economics Summer Institute, or the MIT Summer Programs allow students to explore subjects of interest, attend lectures, and sometimes even earn college credit.
These programs typically range from one to eight weeks and cover a wide variety of subjects, including engineering, business, and creative writing, among others. Whether you’re looking to explore a potential major, experience dorm life, or study alongside global peers, pre-college programs can offer a powerful introduction to the college experience.
Not sure where to start? Check out Aralia’s curated list of 18 pre-college summer programs to discover well-known offerings that students can apply to!
By attending a pre-college program, students will gain exposure to college-level coursework and explore their potential majors or career paths, helping them make informed decisions about their future. The experience also fosters meaningful connections with motivated peers from around the world, building a strong academic and social network.
However, these programs are typically expensive, and while they offer impressive experiences, they don’t guarantee college admission, even at the host university. Admissions officers often value what you do in a program more than where you attend it.
What is an Academic Competition?
Academic competitions are designed to test students’ knowledge and problem-solving skills in specific areas. They range from subject-based contests, such as the American Math Competition, to challenges, such as the Diamond Challenge. These contests can be regional, national, or international in scope.
At Aralia, we’ve curated comprehensive lists of academic competitions across a wide range of subjects, including STEM, humanities, business, creative writing, and more. Whether you’re looking for prestigious global contests or accessible local opportunities, our guides can help you find the right fit based on your interests and goals. Explore the articles below and find the best academic competition for you:
- Best 10 Economics Competitions for High School Students
- 6 Debate Competitions for High School Students
- 27 Writing Competitions for High School Students
- 10 Language Competitions for High School Students
- 8 Business Competitions for High School Students
- 11 STEM Competitions for High School Students
Participating in academic competitions offers a range of meaningful benefits for high school students. Winning or even placing in prestigious competitions can significantly strengthen your college application, especially at top-tier universities where selectivity and demonstrated excellence are highly valued. Many competitions also provide scholarship awards, publication opportunities, or access to mentorship and advanced programs. Additionally, most competitions are free or low-cost to enter, making them more financially accessible than many pre-college programs.
How Do Colleges View Each Activity?
After understanding the differences between the pre-college program and academic competitions, we will examine the college’s perspective. Both activities are extracurriculars that reflect who you are, what you care about, and how you have grown professionally. Regardless of which you choose, admissions officers want to see passion, growth, and impact through the activities you do.
Even if you participate in a pre-college program that is only 2 to 3 weeks, it can offer long-term value, especially when students take the initiative to reflect on their learning and showcase their final projects in a portfolio. Whether it’s a research paper, creative piece, group presentation, or technical project, these tangible outcomes can demonstrate a student’s academic curiosity and growth. Including this work on a personal website, in a competition submission, or a college application will demonstrate to admissions officers that you engaged meaningfully with the experience. When paired with thoughtful self-reflection, a short program can be a compelling part of your academic narrative and show colleges your readiness to take on greater challenges.
Competitions tend to carry more weight when they are selective, relevant to students’ interests, and guide students to produce tangible outputs like an essay or artistic piece. Success in competitions can demonstrate mastery of content, independent thinking, problem-solving skills, and a drive to go beyond classroom learning.
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
Questions to Help You Decide
Choosing between a pre-college program and an academic competition isn’t about which is “better”; it’s about which one aligns more closely with your goals, learning style, and long-term plans. Here are some key questions to help guide your decision:
- What are your academic and career interests?
- Do you prefer structured learning or independent projects?
- Are you looking for recognition or enrichment?
- What’s your financial and time budget?
- Are you already building a portfolio in a specific area?
Can You Do Both?
It doesn’t have to be an either/or decision, you can do both! Some students attend a pre-college program one summer and then enter competitions the following year. Others use a pre-college program to build knowledge that feeds directly into a research paper or business proposal for competition.
You can also sequence them within the same year. For example, take a pre-college course in creative writing, then enter the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in the fall. Strategic planning enables you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re entering a prestigious essay contest or studying data science at a university this summer, what matters most is that you engage deeply and learn purposefully. Think of each experience as a stepping stone, not just for college admissions, but for discovering who you are and what you care about.
If you’re looking for guidance, resources, or mentorship along the way, Aralia’s Competition Preparation Programs are designed to help you excel. With expert-led classes, personalized feedback, and tailored support for a wide range of competitions from writing and research to STEM and entrepreneurship, Aralia equips students with the skills and confidence to create standout submissions and achieve meaningful results.
