For many high school students, going to college isn’t a given—it’s a question mark driven by rising tuition costs, reservations about the value of a college education, and personal anxiety about navigating campus life.

Even if you are open to attending college, you may find yourself asking:

• Do I have what it takes to earn a college degree?
• What majors lead to different careers?
• Is college still worth it if I don’t know what I want to study?

If any of these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Many universities offer pre-college programs—opportunities for high schoolers to get a taste of college-level learning and campus life—that don’t require you to commit to a certain school or major. 

Pre-college programs can help with college readiness and bring clarity to the experience as a whole, helping you determine what majors and career paths might be right for you.  

Let’s explore some of the many other benefits of pre-college programs.

1. You’ll Get a Head Start on Navigating Campus Life

It’s one thing to base your idea of college on TV shows or your friends’ social media. It’s another to shape your opinion through firsthand experience. 

Spending a week or two in a real campus environment can help you envision your daily rhythms in college and learn what resources are available to you. For example, at Butler University’s Pre-College Programs, you’ll interact with professors and staff during classes, eat in the dining hall, and have the option to stay in residence halls with roommates. 

As you explore different majors and areas of campus, you’ll gain confidence and set realistic expectations for college no matter what school you choose to attend. 

2. You’ll Gain Clarity on Majors and Career Paths

Unsure what you want to do with your life? That’s okay—being undecided isn’t a shortcoming. It’s an opportunity for you to reflect on your values, lean into your passions and interests, and discover what kinds of careers fit the way you’re wired. 

Many pre-college programs let you explore a wide range of majors so you can get an early glimpse into what your studies and future career could look like. Butler’s Pre-College Programs offer tracks for high-demand fields like business and healthcare, as well an exploratory track to “try on” majors within each of the University’s colleges. 

Whether you have a general idea of your strengths, have no idea what majors excite you, or feel like you’ve got option paralysis, pre-college programs allow you to preview your possibilities. And it never hurts to rule out options that don’t speak to you. 

3. You’ll Try College-Level Coursework

Pre-college programs often offer college credit for the labs, projects, and assignments you complete during your time on campus. A credit is a way to measure your academic work, so if you decide to go to college, you may be able to apply that time toward the amount of credits required to complete your degree. 

Even though pre-college programs are usually short-term experiences, they’re an excellent way to get a feel for coursework in different fields of study and for the time it might require. You’ll be able to ask questions like:

• How does this homework compare to what I’m doing in high school?
• What do I need to succeed? Time management skills? New study techniques?
• What areas of study feel fulfilling to me, even if the coursework is challenging?

In short, pre-college programs reduce anxiety by helping you familiarize yourself with college-level learning. 

4. You’ll Develop Leadership Skills 

First-year students who attended pre-college programs in high school can lead the way for other first-year students. They tend to be more familiar with who to reach out to for support, more confident about locating their classes and residence hall, and more likely to believe in their ability to overcome college’s challenges. 

Butler’s Pre-College Programs each have leadership development built into the program. You’ll learn about the “Three C’s” of leadership across all areas of life: cultivating your influence, championing your community, and carrying the culture forward. 

It’s never too early to expand your leadership skills—not only for yourself, but for the betterment of those around you. Pre-college programs help you uncover all the ways you can uniquely contribute to your community and become someone others can rely on.

5. You’ll Build Community Early 

Maybe you’re less worried about the academics and more interested in what your social life might look like in college. 

You’re wondering if you’ll join a fraternity or sorority, you’re curious about what clubs or intramural sports you should try, or you’re nervous about what your roommate situation might be like. 

It’s not uncommon for students to end up choosing to go to the same school where they attended pre-college programs. These students often find that when they step foot on campus for move-in, they already have familiar faces they can turn to before forging new relationships too. They also benefit from having already made connections with some faculty and staff before arriving.

The social aspect of college can be daunting, but whether you attend the college hosting your pre-college program or not, this experience is a great way to prove to yourself that you don’t have to have it all figured out to build community.

Ready to give a pre-college program a try? 

You’re invited to Butler University’s campus in Indianapolis, Indiana to explore majors, build leadership skills, and experience life as a college student. Visit our Pre-College Programs page to see all the tracks offered and learn how to register. 

Register for the Exploratory Track

Register for the Business Track

Register for the Healthcare Track

Frequently Asked Questions