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Stanford Summer Humanities Institute

Humanities

Stanford University

Stanford, CASummer

Stanford’s Summer Humanities Institute (SHI) is a three-week, residential enrichment program for rising high school juniors and seniors that immerses participants in college-level exploration of humanities topics—from literature and philosophy to history and cultural studies—through seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students. Students engage deeply with texts, write analytical papers, and develop critical arguments, while also collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds in an intellectually vibrant campus environment. The program includes lectures, discussion sections, independent research projects in the third week, and weekend field trips, with opportunities to live in Stanford residence halls and participate in structured social and cultural activities. Tuition (for Summer 2025, $8,575) covers housing, meals, and program-related costs, and financial aid is available based on demonstrated need.

Visit summerhumanities.spcs.stanford.edu

Skills You'll Build

Critical Thinking

Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.

Research Methods

Gathering and evaluating information systematically to answer a question.

Persuasive Writing

Writing to convince a reader of a position using evidence and logic.

Active Listening

Fully focusing on and understanding what someone else is communicating.

Public Speaking

Delivering ideas clearly and confidently in front of an audience.

Related Careers

University Professor

Students engage in college-level seminars and independent research projects led by Stanford professors, mirroring academic scholarship.

Author / Novelist

Program emphasizes analytical writing, deep textual engagement, and critical argument development through writing assignments.

Journalist

Students develop research, critical analysis, and persuasive writing skills through humanities seminars and discussion-based learning.

Policy Analyst

Program builds critical thinking and research methods through exploration of philosophy, history, and cultural studies topics.

Quick Facts

Grade Levels
10th - 12th
Format
In-Person
Time Commitment
Full-time, 3 weeks
Best For
Humanities-focused students

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