Veritas is a nationally acclaimed pre-collegiate Saturday school that offers students from underserved communities access to accelerated college-level academic and corporate-level professional skills training.
Veritas exists to drive economic mobility by giving youth training and advantages to be competitive in college and career.
Through a suite of programs, including a Harvard residency, global travel program, career readiness program, etc., Veritas provides resources, experiences, and training that help students build competitive resumes and place them on a pathway to prestigious colleges and universities and impactful careers across.
What do you do at Veritas?
Students begin their journey with our flagship program, Veritas Debate Institute (VDI)
At VDI, students receive preparatory training on Saturdays for eleven months in Atlanta where they take a variety of college courses in the social sciences such as philosophy, political science, humanities, rhetoric, debate, and much more.
This training culminates with an international summer residential program at Harvard University, where Veritas students live and study for two weeks in July. The residency concludes with a debate tournament where Veritas students compete against hundreds of other gifted students from across the globe.
After students successfully complete Veritas Debate Institute and Harvard residential program, they are considered to be Veritas alum and gain access to all other Veritas programs such as the global travel program, career readiness program, corporate immersion program, etc. which are available to Veritas alum for the remainder of their high school and college years.
What is the impact of Veritas?
For 8 years, Veritas has produced many of the top-performing students in the world.
Despite having only one year of academic debate training (compared to many years of training other students at Harvard receive), Veritas students have won the Harvard debate competition for 7 consecutive years, demonstrating how rapidly the Veritas curriculum develops students into elite scholars.
Veritas students consistently gain admission into the top colleges & universities in the world.
The critical thinking and communication skills taught through Veritas’ award-winning curriculum has led to a dramatic increase in students’ SAT, ACT, and standardized test scores.
Veritas alumni have gone on to achieve some of the highest awards in America, including Team USA debate appointments, Congressional Gold Medal winners, student-body presidents at Ivy League colleges, and more.
Who is Veritas for?
Veritas is for highly motivated 8th – 12th-grade students from underserved communities who are seeking accelerated academic and professional skills training that will make them competitive in the college admissions process and career building.
Veritas is for students who hope to build their resumes in order to compete for the best colleges and careers in the world.
Veritas is for students who aspire to become the next generation innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and world-changers.
Is Veritas for debate students?
Veritas invites everyone to apply, though it is not necessary for debate students. Veritas targets students who have never been exposed to the rigors of academic debate.
Is Veritas a school?
Veritas is not a day school. Veritas is a nonprofit, pre-collegiate Saturday school.
Is Veritas a debate team?
No, Veritas is not a debate team. Veritas is a pre-collegiate program that includes debate among other academic disciplines. Veritas does not compete at any competitions outside of the Harvard residential program.
What is the time commitment?
Students accepted into Veritas must begin with the Veritas Debate Institute, which requires students to attend class every Saturday from 9 AM – 3 PM for one year only.
Veritas students study at Harvard during the summer for two weeks at the beginning of July.
After students successfully complete the Veritas Debate Institute, all subsequent alumni programming takes place sporadically throughout the year.
Admissions
Who can apply?
All rising 8th – 12th grade students in all types of schools in Metro Atlanta can apply.
What are the age requirements?
Veritas is for students in grades 8 – 12.
Will my student automatically be accepted into Harvard College as an undergraduate?
No. Veritas is a pipeline for the Harvard summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students.
When does the next application round open?
The next application round will open in February. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, or TikTok at VeritasGeorgia to stay up to date on all upcoming events, including the next application round.
What is the admission process?
Students undergo a series of rigorous admission interviews over a span of several months. The interviews are non-traditional, and they test students’ academic, professional, and social skills.
Finance
Is there a cost to participate in Veritas?
Yes, there is a cost to enroll at Veritas. The fee structure has a sliding scale based on household income. Financial assistance is provided for qualifying families to ensure affordability for all students who want to participate.
Are you a scholarship/financial aid program?
No. Veritas is not a scholarship or financial aid program. We do not award public, private, or charter school tuition scholarships.
In the spirit of the holiday season, we are looking for your support in giving 100 deserving Atlanta youth the opportunity of a lifetime to receive a summer education at Harvard University.
