Posts Tagged ‘precollege summer program’

Step Away from the TV: Pre-College Summer Programs at the University of Rochester

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

How do you usually spend your summer? If you answered, “Sitting around doing nothing,” you may want to plan ahead now and make next summer one to remember! Consider a pre-college summer program at a school like the University of Rochester that can help boost your chances of college success! Check out our interview with Ursula Balent, pre-college summer program coordinator at the University of Rochester.

Rochester ScholarsWhat does a residential pre-college summer program look like at the University of Rochester?
Students may choose between one-, two-, and three-week noncredit courses offered through Rochester Scholars or four-week, credit-bearing courses offered through Taste of College.

The students’ day begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. Morning Rochester Scholars classes run from 9 a.m. until noon, when lunch begins. Afternoon Rochester Scholars classes run from 1 to 4 p.m. Courses are structured like traditional college seminars and promote learning by doing. Students actively participate in a variety of workshops, class discussions, field trips, group projects, experiments, and labs, putting newfound knowledge to use in independent and creative ways. Classes are taught by select University faculty and graduate students, along with top local educators, who have demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm to cultivating the minds of young students. With smaller class sizes, instructors have the time to mentor and guide each student and give valuable insights into theories, technologies, and principles of the field.

University of Rochester pre-college summer program!Class times for students enrolled in credit-bearing undergraduate classes through Taste of College vary, but classes typically run for a total of 3 hours and are held 3-5 days a week. The program allows motivated students to explore subjects that are typically reserved for study on a collegiate level. Courses are offered during the University’s summer academic semesters, and credits are transferable to most colleges and universities.

If a student is not enrolled in both morning and afternoon classes, they may use the free time to enjoy the many activities available, study, browse the libraries, or simply relax. Students are also encouraged to attend information sessions, workshops, campus tours, and interviews offered by the Office of Admissions.

How old should students be to participate, and what can they study?
Rochester Scholars classes and the residential offerings are open to students entering grades 9-12. Courses offer hands-on classroom activities that introduce students to fields of study such as art, photography, journalism, music, history, forensic science, neuroscience, medicine, and engineering, among others. Classes are also offered in partnership with the Eastman School of Music, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Life Sciences Learning Center.

What do you want your summer to be? Consider a pre-college summer program like at the University of Rochester!For high school juniors and seniors looking to get a jump start on their college careers, our Taste of College program offers the chance to earn college credits and study among University of Rochester undergraduates. Typical Taste of College course subjects have included Calculus, Intro to Philosophy, American Sign Language, Prep for College Chemistry, and Principles of Economics, among others.

Why should a college-bound student think about giving up part of their summer to enroll in a pre-college program?
Students will get a true taste of the college environment and gain new perspectives on their academic abilities and potential. In addition, they can investigate their educational goals and explore career possibilities. Students build lasting relationships with peers who share similar academic and personal interests. Participants who enroll in the residential component of Rochester Scholars or Taste of College will have the opportunity to meet with admissions counselors, attend workshops about the admissions process, and receive tips and advice for study skills. These programs are also attractive additions to college applications. Students can add the program to their resumes, write about their experiences in application essays, or talk about it during interviews with admissions counselors. A student who elects to spend time pursuing an academic interest beyond the school environment often translates into a very interesting applicant.

University of Rochester ScholarsWhat options are available for younger students?
Rochester Scholars Jr. is designed for students in grades 6-8. The program runs for one week during the summer and offers just the right mix of intellectual stimulation, academic freedom, and gentle guidance and support from instructors. During the lunch hour, Rochester Scholars Jr. students participate in supervised activities and games on campus.

Any advice for a student considering a pre-college program? What should they look for? Anything in particular they should be prepared to bring with them?
Look for programs that offer courses students are interested in exploring. Determine what it is they want to get out of a pre-college program. Talk to former program participants. Determine what the family can afford and ask if there are scholarships available.

Ask if the program is run by the university itself or another organization renting space on campus. Summer is a great time for students to try something new and explore their options. All they need to bring is their excitement and willingness to learn!

Malwai Immersion Summer SeminarSo what’s new in 2011?
We are very excited to be offering a pre-college study abroad program for rising juniors and seniors to Malawi, Africa. The two-week Malawi Immersion Summer Seminar offers a unique opportunity to experience Malawi and its culture through exploration, community mapping, research activities, interviews, and field notes. Trips will include extraordinary travels to villages, museums, parks, and safaris. Students will walk away with enhanced knowledge of the customs, cultural and political milieu, and historical context of Malawi.

The University of Rochester’s Office of Pre-College Programs is always adding new classes and exciting opportunities. Please refer to http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/precollege/ for the latest, most comprehensive information. Please adhere to scholarship and application deadlines.

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 1 Comment »

Factors of College Admission or How to Get Into Your Dream School

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

As college deadlines loom in the not too distant future, you might be asking yourself, “Can I get into college?” To answer your question, My College Guide will clue you in on the factors of college admissions! While these factors can differ a bit from college to college, having some idea of what colleges are really looking for in your academic background can go a long way to make sure you are prepared so that when you get ready to actually submit a college application: you’ll be ready!

Pull up a chair and get ready for your college interview, an important part of some colleges' admission process.

Stuck in Customs / Trey Ratcliff

SAT or ACT Test Scores – The majority of colleges will be looking at your SAT or ACT test scores, comparing your score to other applicants. If you’ve only taken the test once, know that taking the test a second time can help improve your SAT score – just from knowing what to expect! The College Board SAT test and the ACT test are very important and, if you are homeschooled, it’s also a way for colleges to measure you academically.

College Interview – Do you match up? While not  usually mandatory, the college interview is used by some colleges as a way to make sure that you are the right fit for their institution. On the upside, an interview can put a nice personal spin on what can seem a very impersonal process. You can let college admissions meet your charming, wonderful self and explain any slip-ups in your record. If it’s optional at the college(s) you are interested in, why not request one?

Community Service – Are you a valuable member of your community? Community service can help you stand apart from other college applicants – it’s not like every student volunteers their time and energy, but for the most part, many students do take the SAT, have a decent GPA, and class ranking. Not only is it a great way to get accepted into college and help out your community, but it could even net you a great scholarship!

College Essay – This seemingly innocent little open-ended question can be a hard one to answer. The truth is, college admissions can place a good amount of emphasis on what you have to say – and how you say it! Use this space as a way to explain why your grades fell your Sophomore year or how you successfully handled a difficult situation. If colleges are on the fence about whether or not to let you in, your college essay may give them a nudge in the right direction.

Leadership Roles – Are you a future leader? Did you skim through high school or did you leave a mark?Universities want independent, motivated students. They will be actively seeking students with leadership roles on their college application. Holding positions in high school clubs or as a class officer can show admissions that you are just the type of person they are looking for.

"D" is for Diversity! Colleges want a varied student body from around the country...and the world.

clevercupcakes / Clever Cupcakes

Letters of Recommendation – Colleges like to get a second opinion – and the college letter of recommendation is an easy way for them to learn more about you through the eyes of someone else. Whether your college of choice lets you choose who writes your recommendation or there’s someone specific, colleges will takes these letters under consideration so if the choice is up to you, choose carefully!

Diversity – Your race, the state you live in, your gender, and national origin can play a part in college admission. Colleges like to say that they have students not only from around the country, but from around the world, too. Increasing their student body while diversifying it can help pave the way for you if you happen to possess the traits of the missing pieces.

Challenging Courses – While it’s okay to have a fluff class every now and again to boost your GPA, colleges really want to see something more challenging than a constant run of classes like Film Studies or Fibers on your course schedule. Honors classes and AP classes go a long way to prove to college admissions that you take your education seriously – just don’t take on more than you can handle. These classes dole out more work to start with and receiving poor marks in a few of them because you packed your schedule too full with difficult classes won’t help you get into your dream school, either.

Legacy Status – Did your mom and/or dad attend the same college that you are interested in? Many colleges like to keep the legacy going and put special emphasis on legacy applicants! Applications will usually have a spot to check or write that you had a family member attend their college – which may help you get in! Bonus: many colleges also let you apply for a legacy scholarship!

Grades — It almost goes without saying, but your grades are one of the key factors of college admission! Colleges have a GPA range they accept for a reason: they want students who fit within specific parameters. The more competitive the college, the better your GPA had better be! If you’ve got a few years before you are officially thinking “college” make sure to use this time wisely and try to keep those grades up.

Did you earn awards, certificates, and blue ribbons? Let college admissions know about them!

Miss Millificent / Athena Workman

Awards and Achievements – Do you have a stack of blue ribbons and grand champion ribbons from your time spent in 4-H? Did you win special recognition at your high school for an academic achievement or snag a certificate for club involvement? Not every students wins an award, so don’t just let them sit there and collect dust, write it down! Make sure that college admissions knows about your past successes. After all, if you don’t tell them, who will?

Extracurricular Activities – Colleges are looking for activities where you were meaningfully involved, not a jam-packed, alphabetized list of random clubs and organizations you joined only to impress college admissions! In this case, think “quality” not quantity! So, pick and choose your high school extracurricular activities with care and do more with it than just sign up.

Pre-college Summer Programs – More school? In the summer? Yes and yes! Don’t just think of a pre-college summer program as school, think of it as a way to do a little traveling or community service or to dig into something you are interested in, as well as earning college credit in high school and standing out to college admissions! Anything that you can do to be proactive in your education (and pre-college summer programs certainly count!) is a step in the right college acceptance direction.

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Posted in College Admissions, College Applications, College Interview, Legacy Status, Personal Statement | 1 Comment »

Pondering a PreCollege Summer Program? Get the Facts

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

My College Guide has talked about pre-college summer programs more than just a little bit – but this time we caught up with three institution-offered summer pre-college program representatives! Please welcome Jeff Harris, Executive Director of Junior Statesmen Foundation; David Lowitz, Director of Marketing at National Student Leadership Conference; and Bob Musiker, Executive Director of Summer Discovery, who took time out of a very busy season to answer our pre-college program questions!

Is your suitcase going places? Why NOT try a pre-college summer program?

jek in the box {is traveling} / jessica wilson

Why a pre-college program?  Why not just hang out at the beach or the mall all summer?  Why spend part of your summer learning?
Jeff Harris: Programs like JSA Summer School give serious students the best of both worlds – an academic experience that keeps their mind active during the summer and a social experience where they have fun, meet new friends and create good memories that last a lifetime.

David Lowitz: A pre-college summer program like the National Student Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for students to take advantage of non-traditional learning opportunities that wouldn’t normally be available to them during the regular school year. At the NSLC, students can meet and interact with their peers from all over the world, build essential leadership skills, and experience living on a college campus.

Bob Musiker: Pre-college programs such as Summer Discovery tremendously help students make a positive transition from high school to college living. Students learn to succeed at college level work, manage their time without their parents around, live cooperatively with roommates, meet peers from all over the USA and the world, and learn more about the college admissions process. And like real college, it’s not all work. There’s lots of sports, recreation, cultural and fun evening activities and weekend road trips included in the program. We also get to hang on the beach in just about every program!

Hit the road, Jack! Precollege programs can add pizzazz to your summer!

mollypop

Do you believe that any high school student can benefit from this program?  Why?
Jeff Harris: A chance to take a college-level course on a university campus is invaluable for any high school student.  Students leave our program with new study skills, enhanced time management strategies and a new sense of personal responsibility.  Not only does this give them a leg up on other students during their freshman year in college, it helps them excel academically in their remaining high school years.

David Lowitz: Absolutely! One of the great things about the National Student Leadership Conference is that we offer programs in over 14 different academic and career areas. No matter what profession they are interested in, students can find a program to fit their interests. We even offer an intensive leadership development program for students who just want to focus on their leadership skills.

Bob Musiker: Summer Discovery teaches valuable skills in academics and skill building, socialization, time management, tolerance and diversity. This summer students are attending our programs from 41 states and 39 countries. You can also explore fields you may be interested in pursuing in college and enroll in courses you are genuinely interested in.

What makes a pre-college program different from the traditional high school setting?
Jeff Harris: The learning atmosphere and environment are completely different from a traditional high school setting. When every student in a class is motivated and engaged by the subject matter, the energy created in the classroom follows the students and professors back to the dorms and dining hall. Students who immerse themselves in the subject matter with new friends wind up exploring topics much more deeply and in interesting and often unexpected ways.

David Lowitz: Many pre-college programs offer students experiences that wouldn’t normally be available in a traditional high school curriculum. At the National Student Leadership Conference, students gain a real feel for a day-in-the-life of their chosen profession. For example, students in our Medicine & Health Care program have lectures from surgeons, learn surgical knot-tying, practice suturing and taking patient histories, and work with current medical students. They even get a chance to go behind-the-scenes at hospitals, medical schools and research centers to gain a better understanding of the practice of medicine.

Really, aren't you tired of doing nothing? Think "pre-college" instead!

jek in the box {is traveling} / jessica wilson

Bob Musiker: First, students can take courses for college credit, many that are not found in typical high school curricula: Robotics, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Medical Careers, Leadership, Foreign Languages such as Chinese or Italian, Television Production, Fashion Design, Art History, and valuable Internships. Students also have access to the University computer system and libraries, world-class athletic and recreational facilities and live on-campus in an official university residence hall.

Do you have any advice for a student thinking about participating in a pre-college program like yours?
Jeff Harris: Make sure to walk in with an open mind. A lot of your assumptions will be challenged and you’ll learn that stereotypes don’t hold true.  The students who get the most out of the program are ones who treat every new challenge at the program as a learning opportunity.  From absorbing and analyzing classroom lessons to understanding students from different backgrounds to figuring out how to do your own laundry, every aspect of the program can be enriching if the student is open to learning new things.

David Lowitz: Do your homework. Talk to former participants in the program. Ask to see a full sample schedule so you know what kinds of activities you will be participating in. Think about what type of program and setting you will excel in. Some programs focus on large group lectures and with several hundred participants. Other programs may be smaller and spend more time in small-group workshops. Some programs may be more academic while others may be more experiential. Finding the program that most appeals your interests is incredibly important.

Pre-college summer programs could be your ticket into college!

abbey*christine / Abbey Hambright

Bob Musiker: If you want to feel comfortable about going to and applying for college, a residential pre-college program like Summer Discovery is right for you. You can explore over 300 courses in topics that genuinely interest you, meet with college admissions officers and visit many colleges large and small.

Any parting thoughts?
Jeff Harris: Our students have broad interests – music, science, drama, foreign languages – but are unified in understanding the importance of civic engagement and their desire to gain the skills and knowledge needed to get involved and make a difference in their community, the nation and the world.

Bob Musiker: Learning can be genuinely fun, let Summer Discovery show you how!

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Posted in College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 2 Comments »

Institution-Offered Precollege Summer Programs to Spice up Your Summer

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

When it comes to precollege summer programs, My College Guide thought you might want to know that there is even another option: institution-offered precollege summer programs! These independent non-profit organizations possess greatly varying programs, just like the college offered pre-college programs – so you can find the precollege program that fits!

It's your summer. Where do you want to go? Let a pre-college program take you there!

mil8 / Marc Levin

Hit the Road, Jack! The Summer Discovery precollege program lets students create their own adventure with various pre-college enrichment programs that dot the country (and beyond). Students can choose from enrichment courses (non-credit) or credit courses and blow off steam with numerous scheduled programs.

Don’t just sit there! Students in the National Student Leadership Conference precollege program will have a chance to experience an in-your face approach with loads of hands-on learning. This program is perfect for those students interested in medicine, engineering, and even journalism.

Live and breathe politics and government? For the last 75 years, Junior Statesmen Summer School has made students a part of the action. Participates listen to local and state political speakers, create their own legislature as part of a Congressional Workshop, and have government or history classes six days a week! Don’t worry – even with all the work, Junior Statesmen Summer School has opportunities for socializing, too.

Pack up your bags -- it's time for a pre-college summer program!

Fatty Tuna / Becky Lai

Pack Your Bags! Travel for Teens is just that: plenty of traveling with other students in your age group. You can choose from a slew of destinations and whether you prefer a little more adventure or community service. Either way, you’ll become a part of that culture while you are there with flexible schedules – gaining real life experience, too.

Be inspired. People to People National Student Leaders combines lectures, workshops,and guest speakers to inspire and inform tomorrow’s leaders, like you! National Student Leaders aims to educate students on global issues, and also how to create goals, negotiate, and get things done – even offering a little insight to the college admissions process.

Fun and adventure or for college credit, these institution-offered pre-college programs are just one more way to pass the summer in style.  You can plan for the future, stand out to college admissions, and still have a fantastic time! Hanging out at the mall was so last year.

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Posted in Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 3 Comments »

College Summer Reading Lists from College and University Libraries

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Between One Book One Twitter and pre-college summer programs, you’ve got a few things to keep you busy — but why not take a look at summer college reading lists? These college bound reading lists will give you a better idea of the intellectual mind-set waiting for you at college – and, simply put, these are good books! My College Guide got in touch with college librarians to get their top picks for summer.

The Louis Round Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina.

Ian Lamont

But first, let’s take a peek at a summer library reading program or two at the college level. Unlike the summer reading programs you enjoyed when you were a kid, you won’t be getting stickers, candy, or other prizes for finishing a book, but there will be plenty of great books to choose from! Bates College, for example, puts together yearly reviews of books based on staff and faculty suggestions.

The University of California Berkeley creates an annual themed reading list. The 2010 theme, Education Matters, includes titles like Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi and Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. You can also take a look at the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions Reading List or Swarthmore Colleges Summer Reading List for even more recommendations.

The Boise State University Albertsons Library assistant professor, Memo Cordova, shares that the campus has a “1st Year Read” (now called “Campus Read“) book selection each year, with incoming freshmen receiving a free copy of that year’s selection.” How cool is that?

Widener Library at Harvard University -- check out the summer institute on college admissions reading list!

benuski

“This year,” said Mr. Cordova, “it was Ann Patchett’s Run . Last year, it was Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson. This year’s selection [Fall 2010] is William Kamkwamba’s The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” Right from the start, incoming college students share something in common!

The fantastic librarians at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill University Library sent along a list of their personal favorite books you most likely haven’t read in high school – but that you might want to borrow and read sometime before college welcome week! Their list includes:

Margaret Atwood The Handmaid’s Tale
Rachel Carson Silent Spring
Junot Díaz The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Anne Fadiman The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Neil Gaiman The Sandman
Atul Gawande Complications, Better
Tracy Kidder Mountains Beyond Mountains, Homecoming
Thomas Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Gabriel Garcia Marquez One Hundred Years of Solitude
David Foster Wallace Consider the Lobster

The Robert W Woodruff Library that serves Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, promptly shared this list of good reads, too! Their summer reading suggestions include:

Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Saul Bellow Seize the Day
Edward Bellamy Looking Backward: 2000-1887
Kate Chopin The Awakening
Michael Dorris A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
Laura Esquivel Like Water for Chocolate
Sinclair Lewis Main Street
Toni Morrison Sula
Chaim Potok The Chosen
Richard Wright Native Son

That should keep you busy for the rest of the summer! Many colleges and universities have special college reading lists – hop on the library website to find more. That leaves just one question: what’s your favorite book?

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Classes, College Life, Online Tools | 1 Comment »

Another Summer of Boredom? Think Pre-College Summer Programs!

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Considering another summer spent playing video games, bumming at the mall, or vegging out in front of the TV?  Not that there’s anything wrong with taking a little break but – that’s not going to set you apart from the college bound crowd!  To make yourself really stand out to college admissions (and earn a college credit) you might want to look into a pre-college summer program offered by a college or university!

Option #1: Spend another summer mowing the lawn?

Nate Kay / Nate Kay

From math summer programs to summer business programs – if you want to study it, it’s out there!  What a great way to check out the actual workings of a college!

Staying in the dorms or residence hall, eating the cafeteria food, and exploring the college campus give you a sense of the college atmosphere before you ever make that official campus visit!  Take a look at a small sampling of the big variety of pre-college summer programs to fit any student!  Get in touch with the colleges and see what is still available (or the application due dates for next year).  Explore your options – you’ve got years left to plan!

Love science and math?  You might have met your match!  The School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) presents a Summer Academy in Applied Science and Technology (or SAAST).  High achievers can choose from five fabulous UPenn summer programs in exciting fields: biotechnology, computer graphics, computer science, nanotechnology, and robotics in an intense three week course full of hands-on learning — and fun!  Successful completion of this UPenn summer program could net you a college credit!

Looking for something even longer? Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York) has a six week long summer college for high school students program with a shot at earning seven college credits (with non-credit two and three weeks programs, too).  There are a lot of choice from – more than thirty courses from the Liberal Arts section alone!  There’s also Fashion Design, Law, and Architecture (to name a few more).   Connect with the Summer of Syracuse 2010 group on Facebook and start planning!

College + Workshops + Seminars. Students in the University of Maryland Young Scholars Program choose one intro-level three week college course (mock trials, kinesiology, or landscape architecture to name a few) for college credit.  Scheduled workshops at the University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland) mix things up a bit, including Stock Market Planning and Tai Chi as well as informative seminars with topics like social media privacy or tips about traveling abroad – talk about a nice (and super fun) little bonus!

Or Option #2: Hit the books, meet new people, get college credit, and have a ton of fun?

Horia Varlan / Horia Varlan

More fun than a barrel of monkeys! The Emory College of Arts and Sciences at Emory College (Atlanta, Georgia) offers up a six week residential or commuter program with courses like Public Health, Sustainability, Film Studies, or Anthropology..  When not listening to speakers or participating in student-panel discussions, students live it up on awesome scheduled tours and field trips, like to the Planetarium, the High Museum, or an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

Say goodbye to summer boredom! The five week High School Summer Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis (St Louis, Missouri) is for high school Sophomores and Juniors – and you could net yourself up to seven college credits!  Dig in to courses like geology, mathematics, Italian, dance, history, or economics.  With scheduled trips, social events, and free time (of course), it could be the makings for a summer to remember!  WUSTLhsscholars is on Twitter – so you can get connected!

Cornell University Summer College Programs for High School Students (Ithaca, New York) attracts students interested in veterinary medicine, business, or even college success (a program to help ease your transition to college and then some!). You can browse through Cornell University summer program highlights through photos, videos, a Facebook page, even blogs!  What’s even better?  They are all eligible for college credit!

We weren’t kidding when we said there were plenty of choices!  So go ahead, start planning and creating the summer of your dreams – and jump into college life!

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Posted in Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 6 Comments »