Syracuse University

syracuse university: Summer College on-campus

Age Range:

Rising Juniors and Seniors

Location:

Syracuse, New York

Trip Duration:

4 Weeks

Dates:

July-August

ID Needed:

School ID

application requirements

  • To apply for this program, you should follow the instructions for "Students from Partner Organizations," which can be found on this page. On the application, there will be a section asking about partner organizations. Students will need to select Summer Search as the partner organization they are associated with.

    You will need to register for a Slate account and then click a link in the confirmation email you will receive soon after. After you submit your application, you should receive an admissions decision within two weeks. Within one week of receiving your letter of admission, you must complete an Admit Acceptance Form (which can be found in your Application Student Portal) to confirm your intention to attend Summer College. 14 days after confirming your attendance, you will need to activate your NetID account to access your Syracuse University email address.

    Please refer to the "Summer College - On Campus" page for what constitutes a completed application. The main application will ask you for your biographic, demographic, and school information as well as your parent and guardian information.

  • All required forms can be accessed through the application portal.

    Students applying to this program must be in good academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). You will need to provide a copy of your most recent high school transcript (an unofficial is acceptable), and this must include at least one full year of grades.

    A letter of recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, coach, or mentor is required. This letter must address "your maturity, self-discipline, and potential for success in a college-level course."

    There is also a 250-500 word essay requirement. There are three prompts to choose from; you only need to answer one:

    • Do you have a background, interest, or talent that is especially meaningful? If so, please tell us about it

    • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth or a new understanding of yourself or others.

    • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

  • There are no required orientations or workshops prior to attending this Summer Experience.

About the Program

Take credit-bearing college-level courses at the Syracuse University campus. This experience helps students figure out how to balance school life, home life, and social activities.

  • This is an intensive summer program that will provide you with a college prep experience, allow you to improve your academic skills, and leave you with easily transferrable college credits!

    In the classroom, you can look forward to lectures, hands-on activities, guest speakers, and field trips. You will spend between 16 and 30 hours per week, M-F, in the classroom, studio, lab, and/or theater. The remaining time is to be organized around studying, writing papers, working on group projects, doing laundry, rehearsing, socializing, attending optional residential activities, etc.

    The course list and programming schedule will be updated in February — stay tuned!

  • For this program, you will be living in the residence halls, eating in the dining halls, and participating in various events and activities.

    Residence halls will be exclusively dedicated to Summer College - On Campus students for the duration of this program. You will have 24/7 card swipe access, Residential Security Aids will be posted at each building entrance, and Summer Residential Counselors will occupy rooms on each floor. Residence halls typically contain a large common room and several smaller lounges. Quiet Hours are from 9pm-8am every day. Curfew begins at 11pm, Su-Th, and at 12am F-Sa; you will be required to sign in at the main desk of the residence hall prior to curfew, and then remain in the residence hall each night.

    Floors will be gendered and students are not permitted to attend informal or formal gatherings on floors to which they are not assigned. Large bathrooms on each floor are shared. There is air conditioning in the lounges, but not in the dorm rooms.

    Rooms typically house two students, however some students may be placed in singles, triples, or suites that accommodate 2-6 students. Each room is equipped with a bed, dresser, desk, chair, a wardrobe per student, and a combination minifridge and microwave (MicroFridge).

    Students may request a roommate in the "Roommate Request" field on their Slate application. Both parties must separately request each other as their roommate. If students do not request a roommate, one will be assigned to them. For privacy purposes, roommate information will not be given prior to arrival on campus.

    All students are provided with a meal plan and get to eat right on campus. Your meal plan will include 19 meals per week (starting with dinner on the Sunday of your move-in/orientation). There are options for dietary restrictions and food allergies. You will need to contact mealtalk@syr.edu 4+ weeks before arriving to campus with any questions about dietary needs.

  • This is an open enrollment program, which means non-Summer Searchers will be able to join your group and you’ll meet folks from diverse backgrounds. There may be a couple of other Summer Searchers attending the same program, but most people will probably not know each other!

  • Phones and other electronic devices are available for use. You may want to bring a laptop if you have one. If you need to borrow one from Summer Search, let your mentor know! There will also be a computer lab at Syracuse University.

  • You will need to travel by plane to Syracuse. A NY REAL ID is required to fly.

    While you may have been chaperoned as a sophomore, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your final destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the airport.

  • We recommend having $35-100 for personal spending. You may want to buy snacks or souvenirs!

  • See here for your packing list! Syracuse will also provide textbooks and materials like pens/pencils and notebooks.


I hope I impacted my students by encouraging them to really think differently. Like keep opening doors, keep questioning why things are the way they are. Education is a powerful tool.
— Summer Search Alumnus

Summer Search provides a variety of resources to support you in preparing for your Summer Experience. From travel tips to what to expect from outdoor activities to live events, we got you!

Remember that your mentor is always your best resource! Reach out if you have any questions or need help with your application.

Need to schedule office hours with the Summer Team? Create a Calendly appointment here!



Summer Experience Support Resources