State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a free college preparatory program for New York State students in grades 7 through 12 who are interested in medicine or other STEM careers. It is run through Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. S-PREP has an academic year session and a summer session. The 2026-27 academic year session meets on Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM, running November 2026 through May 2027. Classes cover subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, psychology, algebra, calculus and statistics, along with PSAT and SAT prep. Students also get college and career workshops, academic counseling, field trips and college tours. Admitted students may apply to Columbia summer research programs for high schoolers.

S-PREP follows the eligibility rules of New York State's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). Students must live in New York State, be enrolled in grades 7-12, and be economically disadvantaged (per NYSED STEP income guidelines) and/or able to benefit from extra academic support in STEM. Selection is based on an 80% grade average (especially in math and science), a strong interest in medicine or STEM, the ability to commit to the program schedule, and good conduct. Applicants submit the online new student application and a recommendation form. The application deadline for the 2026-27 academic year was September 30, 2026.