Frequently Asked Questions

High school students who love critical thinking and conversation, as well as high school students seeking to expand their capabilities — authentic curiosity, critical thinking and verbal dexterity — to get into an ideally suited college and to thrive there and beyond.

Students entering 9th grade through those who have just graduated from high school, as of summer 2027, are eligible to apply.

Summer 2027 sessions are held on the Princeton University campus in Princeton, New Jersey. Students live in college dorm rooms with meals and housing included in boarding tuition.

Crafting strong arguments and holding intellectual conversations that are interesting, persuasive and stay on track requires a combination of critical thinking, conversation techniques and a basic knowledge of the 20 Big Ideas in philosophy, economics and politics that serve as a foundation for many issues.

With the many distractions and demands on high school students and families, high school students rarely get the opportunity to practice fluid, to-the-point conversations in a social but formal setting. Students need those skills in order to grasp opportunities that appear in life.

We are designed from the ground up for joyful, authentic inquiry. Our classes are concentrated dives into the most important ideas — from justice and democracy to game theory and the nature of consciousness — led by Ph.D. students and graduates from top philosophy programs. Our faculty don’t vanish after class; you’ll find them in the lounge at midnight still debating with students. The result is a rare atmosphere where sharp reasoning, open-minded dialogue, and genuine friendships thrive. To make it all work, Reason & Rationality instructors are picked from the most dynamic and energetic young scholars who love connecting with their younger peers and audiences.

Convivial (adjective): Marked by good company and cheerful conversation.

Students will have the skills, knowledge and confidence to speak up more in class with well crafted arguments gaining the attention of teachers and improving their GPA. Students will be well prepared to engage in stimulating intellectual discussions with college interviewers and adeptly handle tricky questions.

The Summer Program is about fun and conversation, so students are not required to do substantial work in advance. We will email links to some short videos and readings a few weeks before the program, which will help students get in the mindset to maximize their learning from the very beginning of the Program. After each days’ activities, students will be assigned short readings to prepare for the next day.

An optional judged competition — the first of its kind for high school students — open to students attending the full two-week program. Benjamin Morison, Chair of the Princeton University Philosophy Department, joins the judging panel for 2027. Participation is $800 for Foundation students and free for Advanced Program students. Learn more on the Oral Exam page.

The 2027 Reason & Rationality Summer Program has limited space because it is designed to be an intensive conversational experience. We hope you will check back and apply again next summer.

• Two-week boarding tuition is $7,900 ($6,900 Early Bird).
• Two-week day tuition is $6,900 ($5,900 Early Bird).
• One-week boarding is $5,900 ($5,600 Early Bird).
• One-week day is $4,900 ($4,600 Early Bird).

Early Bird pricing requires the $1,000 deposit and full tuition payment by March 15, 2027. Financial aid is available on request.

If a student’s application is rejected, the deposit is promptly refunded the same day the application rejection notice is issued. For admitted students who need to cancel, our refund policy is as follows:

• Your $1,000 deposit and any additional tuition you have paid are fully refundable through March 15, 2027.
• From March 16 through April 8, 2027, any tuition paid above the $1,000 deposit remains 100% refundable, but the deposit is no longer refundable.
• From April 9 through May 15, 2027, any tuition paid above the $1,000 deposit is 50% refundable.

Yes — families may apply for a tuition grant. Please contact us if your student requires financial aid. info@reasonandrationality.com

Students will be accommodated in college dorm rooms — singles or doubles. Linens are included. If you would like your child to be roomed with a friend or sibling, please let us know and we will most likely be able to make that happen.

Most rooms are in mixed gender hallways with single-sex bathrooms. However, a girls-only floor may be possible based on enrollment. Please let us know if that is a priority for your family.

For every 5 students in the program, there will be at least one 18+ instructors or staff living in the same halls, who are mostly graduate or undergraduate instructors, and who are also present at discussions, meals, and activities throughout the day.

Yes — all meals are included for every student, and boarding tuition also includes housing on campus. Day students attend all classes, activities, and meals at tuition $1,000 lower than boarding.

We are always looking for undergraduates, Ph.D. students and graduates in philosophy (and adjacent fields) who “get” the Reason & Rationality curriculum and thrive on the social, conversational side of the field. Please reach out to us at info@reasonandrationality.com.