The annual Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute is a week-long summer camp that provides a critical thinking forum for high school students to explore the big questions at the intersection of the humanities and cognitive sciences.

Cognitive Science: The scientific study of the mind, brain, and its processes be they real, artificial, or animal. It allows us to understand the process of thought, learning, and mental organization through disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, and artificial intelligence.

Humanities: The study and analysis of people and the human experience that spans disciplines such as philosophy, literature, the arts, languages, and history. It allows us to understand all that we do and create as humans.

At HumCog, high school scholars will spend the mornings with world-renowned professors in lectures and afternoons in group discussions and hands-on activities. They'll get a glimpse of what it's like to be a University student while cultivating their passions and building a community of like-minded peers! At the end of the week, they will have learned central aspects of just how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live. 

Dates & Daily Schedule

July 13-17, 2026

• Drop off 8:30-9 am
• Programming 9-12 pm
• Lunch 12-1 pm
• Programming 1-3 pm
• Pick up 3-3:30 pm

Eligibility

HumCog is designed for high school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12. A student completing their freshmen year of high school is eligible to apply. 

Students are not required to be local residents but they must be staying within driving distance of campus for the duration of the program. We cannot assist with student housing or transportation to campus.

Instruction

Participants will attend lectures, workshops, and lab demos led by current OSU faculty, researchers, and graduate students. We may also feature industry professionals, curators, or local artists. All instructors are selected for their expertise in their field as well as their interest in teaching pre-college students. 

Select the apply tab above to learn more!

An interdisciplinary collaboration of professors has launched HumCog, developing its activities in partnership with Ohio State’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences.

When: July 13-17, 2025, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Ohio State University, Main Campus, Columbus OH

Cost: Financial aid opportunities are available, please see the application for more information!  

Attendance: The camp is 100% in-person, so attendance on the Ohio State campus is required. 

Eligibility: HumCog is designed for high school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12. A student completing their freshmen year of high school is eligible to apply. 

Students are not required to be local residents but they must be staying within driving distance of campus for the duration of the program. We cannot assist with student housing or transportation to campus.

Application Link

Supporting Documentation:

High School Transcript –  Unofficial transcripts or advisor reports are sufficient. Please provide a full high school grade report, including the grades from previous years and all grades achieved in the current year. Applicants should request this from their school administrator and submit a copy to ccbs@osu.edu. 

Personal Statement –  A one-page description of why you want to participate in HumCog, including what you might bring to HumCog and what you hope to learn. Note, the personal statement often differentiates a good application from a great one! Applicants must write independently and submit a copy of their statement to ccbs@osu.edu. 

Teacher Recommendation –  This should be completed by a teacher who is qualified to comment on your ability in the classroom. You will provide your teacher's contact information on the application and our team will reach out. To complete this task, your teacher can submit a letter of recommendation, complete our short form, or schedule a call with our leadership team. If you do not have a teacher for this section, please find out your options by emailing ccbs@osu.edu. 

Deadline for all materials: May 31, 2026

Your application is complete when the final material is submitted to our team. We'll review applications at the end of two cycles: Mar 16 to Apr 26, and Apr 27 to May 31.

At the end of each cycle, complete applications will be reviewed by our leadership team and students will be accepted or waitlisted. A finite number of applications will be accepted each cycle. Waitlisted applicants will be reconsidered against new applicants at the end of subsequent cycles. All final decisions will be announced by June 14.

Contact

Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences: ccbs@osu.edu

Leadership

Dr. Angus Fletcher                                                       
Professor of English and Film                                                              

Dr. Andrew Leber 
Director, Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Associate Professor of Psychology 

Application

What will program participants do? 

• Develop interests in neuroscience, cognitive science and basic research
• Acquire knowledge of how our emotions and thoughts work in everyday activities as well as in more specialized activities like making stories and consuming those stories
• Learn that the intersection of the sciences and humanities can teach us something foundational about what it means to be human
• Learn how research in the cognitive sciences can be applied to the humanities and vice versa

Key program takeaways:

• Learn from and establish professional relationships with world-renowned professors at The Ohio State University
• Create professional relationships with advanced college student "Team Leaders"
• Learn what it is like to be a student on a college campus
• Create lifelong friendships with students who have similar interests and be invited to join HumCog365 after program completion
• Receive a certificate of completion

Will participating in this program improve a student's chances of being admitted into Ohio State University? Ohio State University’s undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent from precollege programs. As with any extracurricular activity, participation in this program can help students present themselves as strong candidates, but does not guarantee admission into Ohio State University.  If you choose to include your HumCog experience in any college application, we encourage you to consider reflecting on your experience, and how you felt you learned, grew, and developed your talents and curiosity during your time with us.  

What is HumCog? HumCog is a week-long summer day camp that provides a critical thinking forum for gifted and motivated high school students to explore the big questions at the intersection of the humanities and cognitive sciences! By the end of the week, students will have learned central aspects of how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live. HumCog is committed to fostering an exchange of ideas amongst a diverse group of unique and talented students.

Where is HumCog? HumCog is at The Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, Ohio. Our program ‘home base’ will be at the Psychology Building, however, the program will utilize various locations across campus to provide students with a better understanding of the college experience.

Is financial aid available? Yes! Financial aid is available and does not impact your chance of admission. The Center provides financial aid to all qualified applicants in need. Please review the financial aid section of the application for more information. Partial and full scholarships are available. 

What food is provided? A light continental breakfast will be provided each morning and lunch will be provided each afternoon. We make every effort to accommodate dietary needs and preferences, however, students with concerns are welcome to pack meals. 

What are the drop-off and pick-up times and locations? Students are to be dropped off before 9 a.m. at the designated location and picked up by 3:30 p.m. each day. Drop off and pick up will occur behind the Psychology Bldg on the OSU campus. More detailed directions will be distributed to parents prior to the program start.

Can a student drive themselves? Students are allowed to drive themselves to campus but we recommend they give themselves ample time to navigate campus. Students may park in any visitor garage or PAY-BY-PLATE surface lot. Please keep in mind that the program will not provide any cost assistance for transportation or parking. 

What should students bring? Students do not need to bring anything! Students are allowed to bring their laptops, although they should be mindful of the professors during their lectures. If a student brings a laptop, it is their sole responsibility to keep track of it throughout the week. Umbrellas will be provided if necessary but students are encouraged to bring other rain gear in the event of bad weather.

Who views application materials? Application materials will be accessible only to HumCog program staff, and unless required by law, will not be shared with applicants, their families, or any other third party once submitted.

Health and Safety: To read more about OSU health and safety protocols, please visit: safeandhealthy.osu.edu/events

Please contact CCBS with any additional questions at ccbs@osu.edu. 

What is HumCog?

The Humanities and Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute (HumCog) is an interdisciplinary, week-long summer day camp for advanced high school students to explore correlations between brain sciences and the humanities through daily lectures, discussions, research exploration, and collaborative activities with OSU students and faculty across campus. By the end of the week, students will have learned central aspects of just how the humanities and cognitive sciences can work together to help us understand how we imagine, artistically create, and materially transform the world in which we live.

What is a team leader?

As a Team Leader, you will help guide a diverse, bright group of high school students along an exploratory academic journey through the intersections of the humanities and cognitive sciences. Team leaders should have an interest in the sciences and humanities. You will be paired with another Team Leader and assigned your own small group of students, called Pods, to mentor throughout the week. 

Team leaders will work approximately 9AM-3PM during the week of camp, participating in all student activities. This is an hourly paid position ($15/hr) and meals will be provided each day. All programming will take place on OSU’s Columbus Campus.

Eligibility

All prospective team leaders must be accepted or enrolled as OSU undergraduate or graduate students. Team Leaders should not typically be enrolled in classes during the week of HumCog.

Undergraduate and graduate students with another OSU student assistant position can be hired as team leaders. However, OSU policy states that undergraduate students are limited to a cumulative 38 working hours/week during their off-academic term. Graduate students are limited to a cumulative 30 working hours/week. Therefore, by accepting a position as a team leader, the student must agree that they will not work any hours at another OSU position during the week of HumCog. Graduate students employed as Summer GRA, GTA, or GAAs will also need approval from their supervisor and department to work during the program week.

Graduate students on Fellowship during the program are not eligible for this position. 

Onboarding

Team leaders may be subject to an interview and reference checks.

Team leaders must complete a background check and a Minors Policy Training through BuckeyeLearn prior to working with campers. Instructions to complete these steps will be provided during the onboarding process.

Team leaders are asked to attend one virtual meeting prior to the start of the program.

Apply

Interested undergraduate students should apply for the position through Workday. Please search for Job Requisition # R120398.

Interested graduate students should email ccbs@osu.edu for more information. Please include your latest CV/Resume and a list of your summer commitments (school/work).  

Know someone who would be great for this role? Nominate a student by emailing ccbs@osu.edu, or encourage them to apply for this unique opportunity!