The Foundation Program

Foundation Program — student reflections

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The Foundation Program immerses high school students in lively, small-group discussions around twenty core topics in philosophy, economics, politics, and decision-making. The program is taught by Ph.D. students and young professors from Princeton, Harvard and other excellent philosophy graduate programs.

The two-week program emphasizes serious but playful intellectual conversation — testing ideas in real time, revising views with humility, and continuing discussions beyond the classroom, sometimes late into the evening. Some of our students go on to create their own student podcasts and projects that you can explore on this website.

Program Details

Students who, as of 2027, are entering 9th grade through those who have just graduated from high school are eligible to apply. While preference will be given to those applying to the full 2-week session, you will also find an option to apply for a single week.

Use the button below to set up a Zoom Call with Dean of Academics Peter Bach-y-Rita and learn more:

Book Call
Princeton
Session 1
Jun 6 – Jun 19, 2027
Session 2
Jun 19 – Jul 2, 2027
Session 3
Jul 5 – Jul 17, 2027
Session 4
Jul 18 – Jul 30, 2027
Stanford

Official dates coming soon

Learn More

Sample Topics

  • Free will and determinism
  • Probabilistic arguments for the existence of God
  • The legitimacy of democratic political institutions
  • How economists and philosophers think about cost-benefit analysis, utility maximization, and their limits

Oral Exam Contest

Students who attend the full 2-week program are eligible to participate in an Oral Exam Contest on the second to last day of classes. The Oral Exam Contest follows the same oral examination methods used in Princeton undergraduate courses. We are excited to announce that Benjamin Morison, the Chair of the Princeton University Philosophy Department, will join the judging panel for the 2027 competition. Participation is an additional $800, which can be added when paying the application deposit.

Student Schedule

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
8:30–9:00 Travel & Arrivals Breakfast CheckoutWk 1 Cohort Ends
9:00–9:30
9:30–10:00 Morning Lectures & Announcements
10:00–10:30 Experience Machine Intellectual Virtue & Formal Logic Population Ethics Bayes' Rule Political Authority Saturday Brunch
10:30–11:00
11:00–11:30 Canoeing on Princeton Waterfront
11:30–12:00 Lunch
12:00–12:30
12:30–1:00
1:00–1:30 The Good & Personal Taste? Ethical Theory IUtilitarianism Ethical Theory IIFairness Private Property Pascal's Wager
1:30–2:00
2:00–2:30
2:30–3:00 Check‑in Free Time Free Time Princeton University Tour Free Time Free Time
3:00–3:30 Capture the Flag Four in a Row Activity Marshmallow Tower Challenge Group Projects Free Time
3:30–4:00
4:00–4:30
4:30–5:00
5:00–5:30 Opening CeremonyParents Invited Free Time Free Time Free Time Free Time Free Time
5:30–6:00 Dinner5:45 start Dinner
6:00–6:30 All‑Students Pizza Party
6:30–7:00
7:00–7:30 Games College Oral Exams I How to Make Academic Podcasts & Videos Philosophical "Debate" College Oral Exams II Movie Night Talent Show
7:30–8:00
8:00–8:30
8:30–9:00
9:00–10:00 Group & Personal Time

Tuition & Pricing

Tuition covers all classes, activities, and meals for both boarding and day students; boarding students also live on campus, with housing included. Applications submitted with deposit before March 1, 2027 receive Early Bird tuition, even if supporting materials (such as teacher recommendations) arrive afterward.

Boarding

  • Full Program · Two Weeks $7,600Early Bird $6,900
  • Single Week $5,000Early Bird $4,600

Day

  • Full Program · Two Weeks $6,600Early Bird $5,900
  • Single Week $4,500Early Bird $4,100

Boarding students are housed in double rooms; a single room may be requested during application for a $1,000 supplement.

A $1,000 deposit is due at the time of application and will be promptly refunded if the application is not accepted; the remaining balance is due by March 15, 2027.

Your deposit and any tuition paid are fully refundable through March 15, 2027; see the FAQ for the full refund schedule.

If your student would like to apply for financial aid, you may apply using this Tuition Grant link.

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