The Foundation Program

Foundation Program — student reflections

Hear student reflections

Apply Now

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.

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.

If you have questions you would like to discuss, use the button below to book a 15-minute Zoom Call with Dean of Academics Peter Bach-y-Rita.

Book Call
Session 1
Full Program
Jun 7 – Jun 18, 2027
Week One
Jun 7 – 12classes Jun 8 – 12
Week Two
Jun 13 – 18classes Jun 14 – 18
Session 2
Full Program
Jun 19 – Jun 30, 2027
Week One
Jun 19 – 24classes Jun 20 – 24
Week Two
Jun 25 – 30classes Jun 26 – 30
Session 3
Full Program
Jul 5 – Jul 16, 2027
Week One
Jul 5 – 10classes Jul 6 – 10
Week Two
Jul 11 – 16classes Jul 12 – 16
Session 4
Full Program
Jul 18 – Jul 29, 2027
Week One
Jul 18 – 23classes Jul 19 – 23
Week Two
Jul 24 – 29classes Jul 25 – 29

All sessions are held on the Princeton University campus. All students depart after the Closing Ceremony and optional dinner.

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 Competition & Training Program

Students attending the 2-week Foundation Program are eligible to participate in the Oral Exam Competition & Training Program including additional evening training sessions and the competition towards the end of the second week. The Oral Exam Competition follows the same oral examination methods used in Princeton undergraduate course oral exams. 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.

Learn more about the Oral Exam Competition & Training Program

Student Schedule

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five Day Six
8:00–9:00 Travel & Arrivals Breakfast
9:00–10:00 Morning Lecture & Announcements
10:00–11:00 Experience Machine Intellectual Virtue & Formal Logic Population Ethics Bayes' Rule Political Authority
11:00–12:00
12:00–1:00 Lunch
1:00–2:00 The Good & Personal Taste? Ethical Theory IUtilitarianism Ethical Theory IIFairness Private Property Pascal's Wager
2:00–3:00 Check‑In
3:00–3:30 Free Time
3:30–4:30 Capture the Flag Four in a Row Activity Princeton University Tour Marshmallow Tower Challenge Group Projects
4:30–5:00
5:00–5:30 Opening CeremonyParents Invited Free Time Free Time Free Time Free Time Week One Cohort Departure
5:30–5:45
5:45–6:30 Dinner
6:30–8:30 All‑Students Pizza Party & Games College Oral Exams I How to Make Academic Podcasts & Videos Philosophical "Debate" College Oral Exams II Movie Night
8:30–10:00 Group & Personal Time

Tuition & Pricing

Tuition covers all academic classes, extra-curricular activities, and meals for both boarding and day students. Boarding students live in dorms on campus, with housing included. Receive Early Bird Reduced Tuition for applications submitted with deposit before March 1, 2027 (note: teacher recommendation may arrive later).

Boarding

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

Day

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

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.

Apply Now