Will I be in classes with college students?
No. Your classes will be filled with students who are all rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
Can I take more than one course?
Students are allowed to take only one course per summer, but eligible students may take additional courses in future years.
How heavy is the academic workload?
The Summer Academy is aimed at providing participants with a true college experience, and our courses are meant to engage and challenge you in ways you would experience in any undergraduate course at 51. Every faculty member has slightly different expectations about work outside of class depending on their particular subject, and every student will have a different background, but students should expect to spend about one to two hours per evening on academic work outside of class itself.
Will I have exams during the program?
In general, courses within the Academy do not require large exams; however, in some classes there will be smaller quizzes along with other assignments and projects meant to provide you with the most meaningful academic experience possible.
What does the schedule for the day of activities look like for one of the courses?
The schedule below is representative, although individual course schedules vary according to the needs of the particular course. Courses do not meet during the weekend, and so those days will have more optional activities available.
| 8:00–9:00&Բ; | Breakfast |
| 9:00–12:00&Բ; | Class Session I (with breaks included as determined by individual instructor) |
| 12:00–1:00&Բ; | Lunch |
| 1:00–3:00&Բ; | Class Session II (labs, workshops, or discussions, varying by course/discipline) |
| 3:00–4:00&Բ; | Free/Study Time |
| 4:00–5:00&Բ; | College Preparation Sessions |
| 5:00–7:00&Բ; | Break |
| 7:00–10:00&Բ; | Free time/optional activities (lectures, info sessions, board games, athletic activities) |
| 10:00 | Curfew |
When should I arrive on campus and then depart at the beginning and end of the Academy?
Students will move into the residence halls on the afternoon of June 12 and move out on the afternoon of June 25. Further details about pickup and dropoff will be provided upon acceptance into the Academy.
Can my family visit me during the Academy?
No. Because the program is highly scheduled and lasts just two weeks, students will not have extra time for visitors. Additionally, the Academy promotes a tight community among its participants, and visitors do not fit easily into the program culture but instead become sources of inequity among the participants.
Admission Tours and Interviews
Tours of the campus are offered on the day of arrival/registration, times for these tours will be provided closer to registration. Parents and friends are invited to join students on this 30-minute guided walk around campus.
Opportunities will be provided for any participant who wishes to do so to interview with the College Admissions Office. The Admissions staff will also be very active in our daily College Preparation sessions.
Are students allowed to have cell phones?
Yes. Students may bring such devices with them but will be asked to refrain from using them in class (unless directed to do so by their instructor as part of the class’s activities).
Is there a dress code?
No. Students may wear typical, school-appropriate casual clothing. There is no “formal” event requiring suits or dresses.