49950_HSP Fall College Issue

Making Sure
Your College
of Choice...
...is a Perfect Fit
Let’s face it … you can only
binge-watch so many shows
over the summer. Instead, why
not consider a preview of your
dream school? Many colleges
and universities offer summer
programs for high school
students as a kind of “test drive.”
Participating in these programs
can shore up your admission
credentials and give you a real
taste of collegiate life.
Pre-College programs are gaining momentum as a
way for students to test-drive their chosen school prior
to beginning a college career. A pre-college program is
a great way to allow students to meet instructors and
other students while obtaining credit in a subject
of interest.
Christian Amondson, managing editor of College
Choice, says the ranking is important because,
“Pre-college summer programs are much more fun
and rewarding than a traditional campus tour. Most
competitive colleges and universities offer at least
one pre-college summer experience. These programs
give students opportunities to explore campuses,
meet with instructors, take courses, and get a sense of
college life. Such experiences can be beneficial to high
school students still exploring schools, majors, and
career paths.”
17
College Choice took the following factors into
account:
• approximate cost of an extended-stay
residential program
• number of summer program options
for each school
• academic reputation
• student retention
All information was researched by using individual
schools’ websites, U.S. News and World Report and
The National Center for Educational Statistics.
College Choice 2016 ranking for Best Pre-College
Summer Program.
The top three slots are awarded to:
• Emory University
• University of Michigan
• Carnegie Mellon