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.

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.

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.

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.