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High School Summer College Students

The Application Process

• Are scholarship applicants able to waive the application fee?

  Applicants to the Stanford Horizon Scholars program may have their application fee waived. All other applicants must pay the application fee, according to the following schedule: $25 non-refundable fee for applications completed by January 31; $75 non-refundable application fee for applications completed after January 31.

• I attend an early start college program, and have been enrolled in college courses since I was 15. Can I apply to the regular Summer Session program?

  As stated above, students in the High School Summer College program enroll in regular Stanford undergraduate courses. High School Summer College is the “regular” Summer Session program for students who are under the age of 18.

• I plan on applying for a scholarship, but my parents have not filed their 2012 tax returns yet. Our financial situation is pretty much the same — do I need to wait until the 2012 return has been filed, or can we just submit the 2011 returns?

  Scholarship funds for Summer 2013 have been exhausted. Students who have not yet submitted an application for the residential program should proceed accordingly. The following information will no longer apply. For students who are filing their High School Summer College application prior to April 15, it is acceptable to use the 2011 tax returns on an interim basis. Applicants will need to provide a statement indicating that the family’s 2012 returns have yet to be filed. Also, the statement should briefly describe if the 2012 returns are anticipated to be similar, or significantly different, from the 2011 returns. Students may need to submit a copy of their family’s 2012 returns once they have been filed. Applicants should include details of any recent changes in their family’s financial situation.

   

• I want to take college courses. Why do I need to apply to a high school program?

  Students who want to take courses at Stanford during the Summer Quarter are channeled into the appropriate Summer Session program on the basis of their age. The courses offered are predominantly the same in all programs, with just a handful of exceptions. By admitting a high school student to the program, the Summer Session Office is verifying that the student is capable of handling the rigors of a college level course. The High School Summer College selective application process ensures that students have every chance of being successful in their summer courses.

• I've changed my mind about whether to apply for a scholarship. What do I do?

  Scholarship funds for Summer 2013 have been exhausted. Students who have not yet submitted an application for the residential program should proceed accordingly. The following information will no longer apply. Students will be able to edit their decision whether or not to apply for a scholarship until such time as they have submitted their application for review. The applicant should simply click on the "Submitted" link in their checklist next to the Scholarship Application item, and use the edit button at the bottom of the page to re-enter that portion of the application. If an applicant needs to update their scholarship decision after submitting an application for review, they are advised to contact the Summer College Office for more information.

   

• Should all of the application components be sent in together?

  Some students prefer to collect all supplemental components of their application and mail them in together. Other students send items in one at a time, as they become available. Either approach is acceptable, and students are able to track the status of their application online.

• What happens when my application has been completed?

  Students are sent an email message once their application is complete.

• What kind of student are you looking for?

  We are looking for academically motivated students who are ready for a hands-on college experience. This doesn't mean an applicant needs a perfect GPA or the highest test scores in their class, but we do need evidence that a student enjoys learning, understands how to be successful in an academically rigorous educational environment, and is prepared to be in an undergraduate/college classroom. Our applicants also need to be socially mature enough to manage their own time and balance their academic and recreational schedules.

• Will exceptions be made to the age requirement?

  Students who are current Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors at the time of application must be 16 or 17 on the first day of instruction. We will also review applications from high school Sophomores and Juniors who are already 18 years of age and will remain so through August 18, 2013. Students in this latter category will need to contact the Summer Session Office for assistance once they have created an application. Students who have been admitted to Stanford as incoming freshmen may not attend High School Summer College. There are no exceptions to these guidelines.

   

   

• You say you admit High School Summer College residential students on a rolling basis, but what does that mean?

  We begin admitting qualified students in January as soon as their applications are complete. We have room for approximately 500 students in our residential Summer College class each year. Students are not guaranteed a space in Summer College until we issue them a Stanford ID number. A Stanford ID number is created only after we have received all required forms and applicable fees, as detailed in a student's admission materials. Once we have guaranteed a space in our program for approximately 500 students, we will initiate our waitlist. Admitted students who submit all required forms and fees after the class is full have the option of being placed on this waitlist and will be kept informed of their admission status.

   

Curriculum

• Can I obtain high school credit for Summer College work?

  Summer College courses are regular Stanford undergraduate courses that cover a single term's curriculum. Because completion of Stanford courses provides a student with university credit, typically high school credit is not also given. Students are advised to check with their high school registrar if they have any questions.

• Do you offer any SAT preparation courses during the summer?

  Stanford Summer Session does not provide SAT tutoring to students enrolled in our program. Private companies in the local area offer a variety of tutoring services, and we encourage students or their families to coordinate test preparation services on a private basis.

• Does attending High School Summer College improve my chances of getting into Stanford as an undergraduate?

  Stanford’s Office of Undergraduate Admission does not view participation in High School Summer College as an advantage in and of itself, but does consider that enrichment and advanced courses, whether taken at Stanford or at another institution, indicates enthusiasm for a subject area and excitement about discovery. The fact that a student takes summer or enrichment programs is not the value-add to their application. It’s what the student takes from that experience, how they share that experience through essays and short answer topics, and how that experience enhances their intellectual life that is of importance.

• How do I get a course syllabus?

  The courses listed within the Summer Session website provide a link to the current or previous Summer’s syllabi. Many of these can be found at syllabus.stanford.edu. In some cases, the department offering a course will have syllabi available at their website. The Summer Session Office can also forward most syllabi via email upon request.

• How do semester units compare to quarter units?

  To convert quarter units to semester units, multiply the quarter units by 2/3. For instance, 3 quarter units are equal to 2 semester units.

• How many classes should I take? How much homework can I expect?

  Residential High School Summer College students may carry between 8 and 12 units, which typically adds up to two or three classes. Commuting students need to enroll in a minimum of 3 units, but may carry more. Every course offered during the Summer Quarter has a specific unit value, and units bear a direct correlation to workload as follows:  Every unit for which credit is given is understood to represent approximately three hours of work per week for the average student. In lecture or discussion work, for 1 unit of credit, one hour per week may be allotted to the lecture or discussion and two hours for preparation or subsequent reading and study. Studio, field, or laboratory-based courses require three hours of class time per unit of credit. During the Summer Quarter, the typical ten-week term is condensed to eight weeks; course load requirements increase proportionally.

• I have schedule conflicts that will make me come to the program late/leave the program early. Is this possible?

  Residential students must arrive on campus on Saturday, June 22, and remain in the program through the end of their courses and scheduled final exams. Commuting students are expected to attend a scheduled orientation on Sunday, June 23, and not miss class meetings for the duration of the Summer Quarter. 

• Is there academic advising available for students?

  Academic advising is available both prior to and during High School Summer College. Before the start of the program, Summer Session Office staff is able to provide basic advising assistance over the phone. Advising is also available by scheduling a phone appointment with the Director of High School Summer College. After students arrive on campus there will be opportunities to attend group or individual academic advising with our specially trained Academic Advisors. The purpose of academic advising is to give students an opportunity to ask questions about summer courses and to ensure that each student's course load is balanced and appropriate for summer study.

• What's the difference between taking a class for credit vs. taking a class for a letter grade?

  Academic courses taught during the Summer Quarter are typically offered for a Letter Grade, or for an elected Credit/No Credit grading option. Non-academic courses are offered on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis. When enrolling in a specific course, a student has the ability to select their preferred grading scale from the options provided within Axess.

   

• What’s the difference between High School Summer College and a summer camp?

  Stanford’s High School Summer College is an academically selective program that provides access to undergraduate education at one of America’s most respected universities. Summer College is not a camp, but an eight-week college experience that provides academic, social, and intellectual opportunities that cannot be found in a high school classroom. Program participants build a schedule comprised of challenging college-level courses. Credit earned is documented on a Stanford University transcript, and courses may be transferable to other colleges and universities.

• When a course is offered for a range of units (for example, 3 – 5 units), what does this mean for students in that course?

  Courses list a range of units for a variety of reasons, but in most cases the range has more to do with matriculation than anything else. Typically, the lower range of units is intended for Stanford graduate students who have enrollment caps. For planning purposes, all Summer Session students should plan on taking courses listing a range of units at the higher unit count.

• Which subjects are considered "academic departments" for the coursework requirement that students take a minimum of 6 units in academic departments?

  For the purposes of Summer College, "Athletics, Phys Ed, Recreation" is the only department regarded as non-academic in nature. An exception exists for Athletic 190: Introduction to Nutrition. Students taking Athletic 190 may count those units as academic coursework.

Campus Life

• Are most of your students from California, or do you have students from other states or countries?

  We have a diverse mix of students from all over North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Program participants interact with a multicultural group of students in our High School Summer College.

   

• Can I get a job to earn money during my time at Stanford?

  High School Summer College residential students are expected to participate fully in our program. In addition to class time and study time, there are many daily and weekly activities scheduled for the group. To truly benefit from the summer experience, our students need to be able to immerse themselves in all aspects of the program. Residential High School Summer College students are not permitted to work during their time on campus. Commuting students may carry a substantially lighter course load, and may work as their schedule permits.

• Can I participate in the social activities for residential students if I'm a commuting student?

  For a reduced Program Fee, commuting students have the option to participate in many of the social and extracurricular activities enjoyed by their residential program classmates, such as social outings within the Bay Area, organized service projects, intramural sports, and more.

   

• Do I have the ability to leave campus while I’m there for the summer?

  The Program Handbook details information about student curfews and leaving campus. In short, students have reasonable curfews in place for the summer:  12:00 midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. As long as curfews are adhered to, students are able to leave campus following the second weekend of the program. For day trips not sponsored by the program, students are required to advise their mentor by completing a short form explaining where they will be going and when they will return. For overnight trips, or any outing in which the student will leave campus in a privately driven automobile, a travel form needs to be completed by a parent or guardian and submitted to the onsite Summer Session Office in advance of the trip. High School Summer College students should not miss class for any reason.

• Is the residence hall I will reside in co-ed?

  Summer College students will be assigned roommates on single-sex floors in our residence hall. Each floor will also house Stanford undergraduate students who are hired to serve as program mentors.

   

• May I have guests come and stay with me during the program?

  Individuals who are not enrolled as residential or commuter students in the High School Summer College program are not allowed in the residence hall at any time. Additional information regarding guests in the residence hall is covered in the Behavioral Agreement all students sign during the acceptance process.

• My friend and I both want to attend Summer College. Can we room together?

  Summer Session policy does not give students the option of requesting a particular roommate. The office also will not reveal the name of a roommate in advance of move-in day. Experience over the years has shown that relationships between roommates and housemates are much more positive and successful if everyone starts out in the same place; i.e., knowing nothing about each other. Roommate assignments are made on the basis of our Student Profile questionnaire which our program participants submit once they decide to attend High School Summer College.

• What would a typical daily routine be like for a residential student?

  Students 'build' their own schedules from the list of courses available. Many classes meet twice a week, so it is possible for a student to have all their classes clustered on certain days with study days in between. Other students may have classes four or five days a week. A variety of planned activities during the evenings and on weekends complete the calendar and make for a changeable daily schedule. The most important thing to keep in mind is that each student is responsible for managing their own time and being successful in their courses.