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What is a Pre-College Program for high school students?
A pre-college program is an intensive, short-term academic experience designed for high school students to explore university-level subjects, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for college rigor. Programs like Reason & Rationality focus on philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), combining classroom learning with discussion-based workshops led by faculty from top universities.
Why it Matters:
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Pre-college programs help students experience college-level academics before enrolling.
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Students learn frameworks for analyzing complex societal questions.
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Exposure to a cohort of like-minded peers builds collaboration and debate skills.
How Can Pre-College Programs Enhance My College Application?
Pre-college programs demonstrate intellectual initiative, curiosity, and engagement—qualities that top colleges seek. Completing a program like Reason & Rationality signals that a student is serious about independent learning, capable of deep thought, and prepared for rigorous academics.
Why it Matters:
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Shows colleges that students pursue challenging educational experiences outside of school.
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Builds concrete skills in research, discussion, and critical analysis.
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Provides letters of recommendation from Ivy League faculty and alumni instructors.
Are pre-college programs worth the investment?
Yes. Pre-college programs like Reason & Rationality offer measurable academic growth, networking opportunities, and preparation for higher education. The investment yields long-term returns in skills, confidence, and college readiness.
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Students gain advanced understanding of philosophical, ethical, and economic frameworks.
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Encourages thoughtful debate and problem-solving in a structured, supportive environment.
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Creates connections with faculty and peers that extend beyond the program.
Meet Our Esteemed Faculty
Peter Bach-y-Rita
DEAN OF ACADEMICS
Peter Bach-y-Rita: Ph.D., MIT (Philosophy), J.D. Stanford Law School, A.B. Princeton University (highest honors). Dr. Bach-y-Rita's dissertation at MIT was at the intersection of ethics, biology and technology. He has published work on intellectual property, bankruptcy law, and the nature of legal causation. He co-founded Reason & Rationality in 2023.
Joe earned a BA in Philosophy with highest distinction from Purdue University and is currently a Philosophy PhD student at Princeton University. He has published 16 articles on topics in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and ethics in leading peer-reviewed philosophy journals. He also authored the books Existential Inertia and Classical Theistic Proofs (with Dr. Daniel Linford) and The Majesty of Reason: A Short Guide to Critical Thinking in Philosophy. On the popular level, he creates lecture videos and hosts discussions with philosophers on his YouTube channel Majesty of Reason. His videos have attracted nearly 1.5 million views in total.
Joseph Schmid
SENIOR TEACHING FELLOW
HEAD OF INSTRUCTION
Immediate Impact
James B Estes attended the original Reason & Rationality discussion series in 2023 as a participant and TA, later joining the team to co-found the Reason & Rationality Summer Program. Inspired by the class session on the Trolley Problem, James conducted empirical research into survey respondents’ intuitions about an important Trolley Problem variant. He then authored and published a peer reviewed article entitled Empirical Evidence Reveals the Motivation of Subjects Who Switch Tracks in the Trolley Loop Case.