Vol. 16, No. 38	Aug. 7, 1997

Summer College: More than books and classes

Summer College provides a learning experience and head start for talented high school juniors, giving them a taste of campus life and college-level courses before they they are freshmen, according to Elizabeth Reynolds, ccordinator.

This year, 96 students-87 from Delaware-are enrolled in the five-week residential program, which first began in 1983. The Delaware Department of Education defrays some of the cost of tuition for in-state students.

Summer College is designed for students who have proved themselves in high school. Juniors must be in the top 15 percent of their class, have maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average and have letters of recommendation from their teachers.

An added bonus is that Summer College also acquaints the students with the University of Delaware, and many opt to attend for their college education, Reynolds said. For example, 50 percent of those in the 1996 Summer College are returning to UD as freshm an next fall, with 17 of them enrolled in the Honors Program.

Academics are the first priority, with students selecting two intensive daily freshman-level courses from eight offered in the arts and sciences category, earning three or four college credits per class.

For some students, it's a shock to see the syllabi and realize the amount of work and reading required, Reynolds said. But this is a good chance for participants to learn to budget their time, sort out their priorities and hone their academic skills, Reyn olds said. There are group discussions to help students adjust, with topics ranging from college admissions procedures to health and social concerns.

Aside from their courses, living on campus prepares them for other phases of college life as well. Living away from home and dormitory living are new experiences for most of the juniors, who this year are housed in Thompson Residence Hall.

Like traditional undergraduates, they have IDs, FLEX and e-mail addresses and magnetic cards to enter the residence hall.

Socializing, having fun and making friends in Summer College also are important. The students have activities and trips during the session-including a beach day at Rehoboth Beach; a Phillies baseball game, a trip to New York, including a visit to the Metr opolitan Museum of Art; a tubing outing on the Brandywine River; a talent show and several informal get-togethers. Students also have access to sports facilities on campus.

"The first few weeks of college can be overwhelming for some freshmen, and Summer College gives students an edge over other students, as well as giving them a head start on earning college credits. It's a challenging, creative way for college-bound studen ts to spend their summer, preparing them for their future," Reynolds said.

--Sue Swyers Moncure<<