Summer, for the typical high school student, is a time for relaxing, reading, working, traveling, and socializing with family and friends. But the one thing that summer usually does not involve is academics. The three months off are greatly anticipated and coveted by high school students, and opening text books is not on the agenda. Though the Schuler Scholar will not be opening a high school text book during the summer, rising juniors will be engaged in rigorous academic study at the nation’s most competitive colleges across the country.
      Summer college programs are an invaluable part of what it means to be a Schuler Scholar. Each program lasts from two to six weeks during which time scholars take classes specific to their interests and strengths.  For most scholars, going away for the summer and living on a college campus provides many first time experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom or counselor’s office. Andrea Goodman, Director of Summer Programs for the Schuler Scholar Program says,

The summer college program is an invaluable tool for our scholars.  They get a true feel for the rigors of college level classes, meet students from a wide range of backgrounds, experience college dorm living, and take full advantage of the on-campus programs and services.

      For scholars in the Schuler Scholar program, it is important that they experience college life first hand and as early as they can. While visiting colleges certainly influences a scholar’s college decision, the summer college program provides a scholar with the tools needed to decide which type of schools to visit. After the summer program scholars and parents feel infinitely more comfortable with the idea of the scholar attending colleges that are often located several states away.  According to Goodman,

A great deal of preparation goes into summer college programs. The summer programs are a rare opportunity for scholars to practice the college application process. Each scholar must complete two applications, and in doing so he/she learns what completing a quality application entails.

      The 2008 summer application process is well underway.  To date Scholars have been accepted into summer programs at Brown University, Harvard, Cornell University, Ithaca College and Johns Hopkins.  The scholars are experiencing, for the first time, the feelings that come with opening an envelope of acceptance inviting them to go away from home and experience college, even if just for the summer. It is the beginning of the realization that all the hard work really does pay off.