1. How will this
program help a student to get into an elite university?
Elite universities look
favorably on students who participate in academic programs such as ours
during their summers. Our experience is that a high percentage of our
students are accepted into very prestigious schools. Students who are
attractive to top schools are also the students seeking out programs like the
Junior Statesmen Summer School. In addition, all of our students have the
opportunity to meet as a group with an admissions officer from the school and
have the opportunity to visit the admissions office of the school in their
free time.
2. Is summer school admissions competitive?
Yes! We look closely at all of the pieces of a student's application and we
do reject students that we feel are not ready for the summer school. If the
admissions committee feels that a student is not prepared to handle the
academic components of the program or the responsibilities of residential
life on a university campus, the student may be denied admission or deferred
admission for one year. Students who apply to an advanced course without
completing the pre-requisite courses may be accepted to the program but
enrolled in their second choice courses.
3. Do students have any free time?
Yes. While students are in class
in the morning and afternoon, and have evening debates, they do have
considerable free time. Students use this time to go to the library, to
study and also to participate in recreational activities. At Princeton, for
example, students can check out a volleyball or soccer ball during times they
are not in class.
4. What is the difference between Georgetown and the other programs?
The Georgetown program includes a high level speakers program that takes
students around Washington D.C. to meet with political leaders. Because of
the speakers program, the schedule at Georgetown can be intense. Students
may be at the Pentagon in the morning, and have class in the afternoon, or
may have class in the morning and afternoon if there are no speakers on that
day. As a result, the Georgetown program is geared toward older, more mature
students who can handle the varied schedule and the shorter time frame to
write their term paper. Younger students are encouraged to apply to the three and four
week campuses where the schedule is the same Monday-Saturday.
5. How does the Advanced Placement U.S. History program at Princeton differ from
the other classes offered?
Students in the U.S. History program are enrolled for four weeks and
start their program one week earlier than other Princeton Summer School
students. They are in the history class in the morning and afternoon,
and have Congressional Workshop debates at night at the same time as
other summer school students. The U.S. History class is designed to
cover the equivalent of two college level US History courses covering
history from the founders until present day. Students will have trips
to New York and Philadelphia to provide a hands-on learning experience
about U.S. History. Students in the history course will participate in
social activities with other students at the summer school.
6. How does the Freshman Scholars program differ from the regular courses?
Students in the Freshman Scholars
program will spend less time in class and will have more structured study and
research time. Students will be in class between 90 minutes to 2 hours each
morning and afternoon. Congressional Workshop debates will be integrated
into class time to give students a more interactive and dynamic experience.
Evening study time will be held in a central location with faculty and
Resident Assistants available to work with students. Freshman Scholars
students will also be housed separate from students in the core program, but
will participate in social activities with other students at the summer
school.
7. What are the housing arrangements? Can my student have a private room?
Most students are housed two to a room, just like a college
dorm. Because all campuses and dorms vary, there will be times when these
arrangements differ. At
Princeton, many students live in suites, where four students share
two bedrooms and a common room. Students may not request a private room, and
we avoid putting students in rooms by themselves.
8. How are roommate selections done?
Students are housed by sex (same sex dorms), by courses (so that their
roommates are in the same courses they are), by age, and when possible, by
geographic region. We attempt to match students by area of interest based on
information from their application. Students may request roommates.
9. How are student supervised?
The Summer School senior staff and Resident Assistants reside in the dorms
with students. They are available 24 hours a day, and are responsible for
the heath and safety of the students. Faculty and staff members actively
participate in non-academic aspects of the program, including recreation,
social activities, and off-campus activities. Students have a meeting at
10:00 p.m. every night with their Resident Advisors, and have an 11:00 p.m.
curfew after which they may not leave their rooms. Students and parents read
and sign community rules prior to attending the summer school. Students who
break these rules may be sent home without a refund.
10. Do students get high school credit for the classes they take?
Many students get
high school credit for the classes. The government and speech courses are
each equivalent to a one semester long class. The U.S. History course is the
equivalent of a two semester class. Students who want to receive credit from
their high school should talk to their high school counselor prior to
attending the summer school. We are happy to send a sample transcript and
course description to the counselor to help them understand the course
requirements.
11. Do students get college credit for the classes
they take?
Students enrolled in AP U.S. History, the AP U.S. Government, AP Comparative
Government or AP Macroeconomics are eligible to take the College Board AP
exams in May of the following year. Students who pass these exams may
receive college credit.
12. Can students attend religious services on Saturday/Sunday?
Arrangements are made at all campuses to help students get to religious
services. In many cases, the services are right on campus. Students often
attend religious services as a group.
13. What if students cannot participate in class on Saturday because of
religious beliefs?
Students need to let the Director and their professors know well in advance
if they will not be able to participate in class on Saturday. These students
arrange to take their government exam on Sunday, and may be responsible for
additional material covered in the Saturday class.
14. What is the difference between the Summer Schools and
the Institues?
The summer school is a residential academic program where students take
college level courses. The institutes are shorter programs focused on
thematic topics or state/local government. Generally an institute has
3-4 days of
speakers, debates, and simulations. Students learn about
government, but the "classrooms" are government buildings and the
"teachers" are political and governmental leaders.
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