Summer academic programs are great experiences for exploring major and career interests, college residential life and what it’s like to be away from home, as well as the rigor of college courses.
Whitney and Katelyn discuss the three primary buckets of summer academic options on college campuses for high school students. For one of the most affordable options, students can directly enroll in a college level course, for college credit, at many schools, including local community colleges and colleges and universities close to home. Students can also attend programs sponsored at colleges specifically for high school students, often offered for college credit as well. Many of these programs include an exploratory focus on college majors and departments at the college. The last type of summer program are those that are run on college campuses by outside organizations.
While these classes and programs can be extremely beneficial in confirming your academic interests, taking courses on a specific campus is rarely going to make a difference in the admission process for that campus. It’s the exploration, learning and reflection that will impact the content of your applications to all of the colleges on your list.
For students who are interested in studying architecture, visual arts or the performing arts, summer programs can be vital for preparing and receiving feedback on portfolio and audition materials.
As you explore programs and consider costs and other factors, think of the summer program applications as a warm up to your college applications as you will usually need to request your transcript, write a short essay or two, and often will need a teacher recommendation. Above all else, be clear about your goals and approach this exploration with curiosity, not as another box to check.
Time Stamps:
00:39 What Are We Learning This Week? Katelyn discusses tuition protection insurance coverage and watching for this, as well as student health insurance, in college billing. Families should have the option to opt out of insurance plans, but don’t always catch this notation.
04:07 Big Picture: Structured academic programs on college campuses for high school students fall into three big buckets: stand alone college course enrollment; college sponsored high school academic programs (many times with a career/major exploration focus); and high school academic programs run by outside companies on college campuses.
15:25 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” College trivia multiple choice provided by a listener!
17:36 Tips and Strategies for exploring and applying to the best fit summer academic option for you. Keep your goals in mind and start with the list of colleges that interest you most to see what might be offered on those campuses. Applying to summer programs can also be a great warm up to the college application process down in senior year.
More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.
Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.
Thanks for listening!
