From Classroom to Career: High Schoolers Get a Taste of the Future at Montclair

From sketching runway looks to producing their own sports segments, 365 high school students from across the nation spent a week at Montclair State University exploring their passions and kickstarting their futures.

Through the university’s Pre-College Summer Programs, the teens got a taste of college life — staying in dorms, making new friends and taking courses taught by experienced university faculty.

Here’s how it went:

Fashion Design

From early 2000s emo grunge and dark academia to flowy coquette dresses, students in the Fashion Design program brought their unique styles to life — sketching, sewing and even taking a field trip to NYC’s Garment District to source materials at the iconic Mood Fabrics.

 

EcoMind Explorers: Conservation Psychology

What does psychology have to do with protecting the planet? In the EcoMind Explorers program, students didn’t just learn about the environment — they studied how people think, feel and behave toward nature.

Pre-Medical Professions

What’s it really like to work in medicine? In the Pre-Medical Professions program, students got hands-on experience in everything from emergency care to medical ethics — practicing real clinical skills and learning what it takes to save a life.

Explore 19 Areas of Study

From Nutrition to Animation & VFX, Montclair’s Pre-College Summer Programs offer high school students a chance to explore one of 19 different majors through hands-on, immersive experiences.

Areas of study include:

• Acting
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Criminal Justice & Law
• Teaching
• Film & Television Production
• And more.

Why Spend Your Summer At Montclair?

At Montclair State University, high school students don’t just imagine college life — they live it. 

Through our one-week residential Pre-College Summer Programs, students stay in dorms, explore campus, and take hands-on courses led by university faculty.

Whether they’re learning to negotiate like a diplomat, trade stocks like Warren Buffett, or create and measure social media content — each student gets the chance to dive deep into a subject they love.

 

That immersive approach is exactly what makes Montclair’s Pre-College Summer Programs so impactful.

“The 2025 Pre-College Summer Programs are a testament to our commitment to cultivating future leaders, thinkers, and innovators,” says Dominique Houze, Senior Director for Strategy and Program Development.

“These programs are more than just a summer experience — they serve as a launchpad for academic and personal growth, shaping aspirations, building confidence, and laying a strong foundation for future success in college and beyond.”

From field trips and creative projects to collaborative research and real-world skills, the Pre-College Summer Programs give teens a powerful taste of what college — and their futures — can be.

Want Your Teen To Experience It For Themselves?

Explore Montclair State University’s Pre-College Summer Programs and learn how they can explore their passions, build new skills, and join a campus community that champions curiosity, creativity and bold new ideas.