Frequently Asked Questions
How many students usually attend Summer College?
In recent years, we have had a range of students enroll in Summer College. In 2007, we had 117 students; in 2006, we had 128 students; in 2005, we had 101 students; in 2004, we had 94 students; in 2003, we had 123 students, and in 2002, we had the most students we have ever enrolled - 136 students.
Where do the students come from?
Many students come from Delaware, but we also routinely have students
from all over the mid-Atlantic region - New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts. We have
also had foreign students attend Summer College.
Can I commute to Summer College?
No, Summer College is a residential program only. Actually, living in a
residence hall is the best way to prepare for the freshman experience.
Besides, it's a lot of fun!
Can I come to Summer College if I'm only a sophomore?
Yes! We accept well-qualified, mature
sophomores for the program. For the past two years, numerous sophomores navigated the Summer College waters successfully!
How good do my grades have to be?
Generally, you should be taking the hardest classes your high school
offers (Honors and AP courses) and doing pretty well in them (B or
better). Every case is evaluated individually, and we take the rigor of
the high school into account.
I didn't do too well on my PSAT/SAT. How important is that?
Standardized tests are only one indicator of how well you might perform
in college. Of course we like to see high scores if possible, but your
day-to-day performance in classes (i.e., GPA) is more important to us.
The combination of a mediocre GPA and low test scores will be a concern,
however.
Can I work and go to Summer College at the same time?
We do not forbid you to work while attending Summer College but very
strongly advise against it. You will be very busy as it is, balancing
your classwork and social life. Getting good grades at Summer College
will help you get into the college of your choice, so why jeopardize
them? Besides, you won't get to know the other students as well and will
feel socially removed from what is going on while you are working. Try
to schedule your job around the Summer College dates.
Will attending Summer College help me get into the UD Honors Program?
There is no guarantee that it will, but we do know that past students
who have excelled at their Summer College courses as well as those
in their high school have been admitted to the Honors Program.
Be sure to mention your Summer College experience on your UD application.
I really want to take classes but I'm not sure I can go to Summer College.
It's a good idea to apply, even if you're not sure you'll be able
to come. On your application we ask you to prioritize your selection
of classes. Once we decide to offer you admission, we will put you
on a class list. So you can see why early applicants are more likely
get the classes they want. Once we notify you that you are admitted,
you will have a tough decision: should I send the non-refundable
deposit or not? It might be wise to call the Summer College office
and explain your predicament. If the classes you chose are not filled
yet, you might be able to wait until you know for sure that you
can go before sending the deposit.
Can I use my UD credits at other colleges?
Usually the credits transfer without problem, but it is up to the other
institution to decide if they will take them. If you are set on
attending a certain college, call them in advance and ask if they will
take credits from another university's summer program. (We have been told that some Ivy League institutions will not accept credits from courses students take exclusively with other high school students in the class. Fortunately, we have a solution! If it is your intent to attend an Ivy League institution, you can take Second Summer Session courses where you will be in class with regularly matriculated college students.) Your credits will
be very useful to you if you attend UD; they can be used to satisfy
breadth requirements or as electives in your major.
How often do the classes meet?
Most classes meet for 90 minutes Monday through Friday. There is a
15-minute break between classes. Classes begin at 8:00 A.M. and end at
4:30 P.M. Those students taking General Chemistry (CHEM
103) will have a laboratory
on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Students taking Introductory Biology (BISC 207) will have a laboratory on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Steel Drum Band (MUSC 123) sections
will meet for an hour three times per week. Introduction to Statistical Methods (MATH 201) will have additional lab meetings on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Can I buy my books in advance?
Yes. The UD Bookstore should have them on the shelves a couple of weeks
before Summer College starts. In June you may preview prices and order
on-line at the University Bookstore or call the Textbook Office at
(302) 831-8900. (You will need to give them the complete course number--e.g.,
CHEM 103-030.)
You may also purchase your textbooks at other booksellers or on-line. We will provide you with ISBN numbers in advance to help you get the correct books.
Can I get a scholarship as well as financial aid?
Yes, but be aware that scholarship amounts generally range from $50-300.
You do not need to apply to be awarded a scholarship.
How much financial aid can I receive?
It depends on each family's individual situation. Factors besides annual
income are the number of dependents and the number of college students
in the family. Temporary setbacks, which can be explained on Form C, may
also make a difference. In order to make it possible for as many needy
families as possible to send their high-achieving children to Summer
College, we rely on all families to be scrupulously honest in reporting
their income and expenses. You should also know that it's rare for a
student to have the entire Program Fee covered by financial aid.
I'm a citizen of another country. Can I get financial aid, too?
Because it is too hard for us to compare family income earned in the
currency of another country to those of U.S. families, we are not able
to offer financial aid to international students. Dependents of U.S.
citizens, however, are eligible for financial aid. International
students are eligible for scholarships.
Can my parents pay the program fee by credit card?
Yes! As of February 12, 2008, we will accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and AMEX cards for paying (1) the $100 deposit requested when you are accepted to the Summer College program and (2) the remaining balance of the Program Fee. The Application Fee and Private Music Study costs must be paid by cash, personal check, money order, or cashier's check.
Why do I have to pay a $100 non-refundable deposit?
Paying the deposit, which will be applied to your tuition as soon as
you know you've been accepted, tells us that you plan to come to Summer
College and that you will be occupying a seat in your courses. If a
student doesn't pay the deposit, we consider his or her seat in that
class up for grabs and may assign it to someone else who has paid the
deposit, particularly after June 15. This means that not only should you
apply early (to get on the class list), but you should confirm your
acceptance right away.
How much will books cost?
It depends on the classes you get. "Worst case" is usually in the $200 - $250 range, but it
could be as low as $100. We will know book prices by the end of May and
will send all accepted students a price list along with other
information in mid-June. Used textbooks are available in the UD
Bookstore for early birds or you may preview prices and order on-line at
the University Bookstore. The bookstore accepts the following forms of payment. You may also purchase textbooks at other booksellers or on-line.
I live in Pennsylvania (or Maryland or New Jersey, etc.) but go to school in
Delaware. Can I qualify for the resident Program Fee?
Unfortunately, no. Your residency status is determined by the state you
live in (where you are "domiciled"), not where you go to school.
Can I bring a car to Summer College?
Summer College does not allow its students to bring cars to campus or to
keep them nearby, nor does it permit students to drive their friends'
cars while on campus. Participants need written parental permission to
be a passenger in a friend's car while they are in residence.
Does Summer College have a curfew?
Yes. Sunday through Thursday nights you will need to be on your residence hall
floor at 11:00 P.M. On Friday and Saturday nights, check-in is at 12:00 midnight. This rule is for your protection. We need to know that you are
"present and accounted for" at least once a day. It's also a good time
to start settling in for the night.
What should I bring to Summer College?
On June 20, all participants will be sent a packet of
information and forms that includes a list of useful items.
Should I bring a computer to Summer College?
Many former Summer College students have told us that having a computer
is very helpful for completing assignments such as essays, projects,
papers, and lab reports. It is also helpful for communicating with
professors and other students via e-mail and instant messaging. If at
all possible, it is suggested you bring a computer.
Are the dorms air-conditioned?
Yes, Summer College students will be using air-conditioned residence
halls again this year.
Can I know who my roommate is in advance?
Yes. We will send you
a Roommate Questionnaire after you are admitted so that we can try to
pair you with someone who shares your tastes and sleeping habits. After room assignments are done in early June, we will send you your roommate's contact information.
Can I room with a friend?
Possibly, but we cannot make any promises. We will check your
roommate preferences on the Roommate Questionnaire mentioned in
the previous question. Please consider that it may be best if
you don't room with someone you know or someone from your school
because you won't be prepared to (possibly) room with a stranger
when you are a freshman. Besides, it's a good way to branch out
and quadruple your number of new friends.
Can I go home for the weekend?
Yes, you certainly may go home if you like, but since we plan our
off-campus trips for Saturdays and because, as time goes on, most
students enjoy being together as much as possible, relatively few
students do take off on weekends. Any time you leave campus, however,
your parents must provide a written request 24 hours in advance, come to
campus and drive you home, or give us written permission for someone
else to pick you up. All students must be back in the residence halls by
11:00 P.M. on Sunday night.
How do I get to Newark and the campus?
Check out the webpage that addresses this question at the Admissions
website. We will also send you a campus map in the June mailing.
How safe is the campus?
The UD campus is quite safe (particularly in the summer) and crime is
usually of the bike-stealing and nuisance variety. The campus Public
Safety Office's website has crime statistics. Nevertheless,
during the
first few days the residence life staff will instruct students on
"street smarts."
How well are the students supervised?
Our staff of program assistants (PAs) and our hall director (HD) are
trained to ensure a supportive environment as well as make sure the
students obey the program rules. Males and females are segregated by
residence hall floor at night, but may visit each other in the main lounges during the day. The students are not directly supervised during the day
while they go to classes and the dining hall, but the PAs are present on
the floors from early evening until the next morning. We try to strike a
balance between letting the students experience some independence
and making sure they don't get carried away with this newfound freedom.
What happens if my son or daughter gets sick?
First, your student's PA should be notified so that he or she can take
appropriate action. The hall director will also be informed, as will the
program coordinator if the injury or illness is serious. We will call
you if necessary. (We also find that most students call their parents
right away, before we have a chance to do it.)
Medical emergencies are taken by campus ambulance to one of two nearby
emergency rooms for treatment. The student will be accompanied by either
a residence life staff member or the program coordinator. If your child
needs a weekly allergy shot, we can arrange to take him or her to a
nearby clinic for this purpose.
The University purchases group insurance for attending students that
covers most emergency situations. All routine appointments such as sick
visits or allergy shots must be covered by your private medical
insurance. Please be sure to send copies of your insurance and
prescription cards with your child to Summer College.
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