Interested in vegetable farming, robotics, anatomy or acting? High school students who want to experience campus life and get a head start on their college career can choose from a variety of exciting course options at UVM’s newly expanded Summer Academy program.
Now in its second year, Summer Academy is a four-week program open to high school juniors and seniors. Summer Academy consists of two weeks of on-campus learning (June 30-July 11 or July 14-25) and two weeks of online learning (July 12-25 or July 26-Aug 8).
Twenty courses – compared to five last year – will be offered at Summer Academy in 2014, and participants will earn 3 college credits, which may be transferred to almost any college or university. Courses range from creative writing and dance to engineering and farming.
Part of what makes Summer Academy such an enriching experience is the opportunity for high school students to live on campus with other students from Vermont and around the world.
“There are numerous benefits to living on UVM’s campus, including convenience and proximity to classes, opportunities to develop life-long friendships, and to live in an environment that fosters the educational and personal growth of students,” says Heather Palow, an advisor for UVM Continuing and Distance Education.
In 2014, UVM will also offer a new commuter option for local high school students who live close to campus. This option allows students to participate in Summer Academy while saving money on housing.
UVM’s Summer Academy gives students the unique opportunity to slowly acclimate from high school to college by participating in on-campus and online learning while also becoming familiar with UVM’s expectations. It’s also a chance for students to make new domestic and international friends, and find their way around UVM and Burlington.
The program also includes educational workshops on how to effectively study for college-level exams and navigate the college admissions process.
“Summer Academy students will experience a mix of academic learning by participating in workshops in time management, study skills, and test taking. Our class sizes are small during the summer, allowing for greater interaction with faculty and other students,” Palow said. “We have many great excursions planned, such as going to a concert at a local farm, touring Ben & Jerry’s, taking a ropes course, going to the beach, and more. We strive to make UVM’s Summer Academy a well-rounded experience and help students further develop the skills they’ll need for college.”
Summer Academy is part of UVM’s summer college program for high school students, also known as precollege. Established in 2004, UVM’s precollege program has attracted more than 350 students from Vermont, New England and beyond
