2012 Rainey Academic Program

[morton]

<p>I got an email about this program. I am still deciding whether to go.</p>

<p>My only concern is the level of difficulty. Are summer sessions in UVA significantly more difficult. Usually with summer school, I get the impression that the course is crammed into one month and the fewer tests make it difficult to "recover" to one bad test grade.</p>

<p>So, what are your experiences with UVA summer sessions. Is it harder to get an A then in a regular school course, or do you find it easier. Please also describe the class structure, etc.</p>

[10iswarrior]

<p>You also have to remember that you are not taking as many classes as you would in a regular semester which allows you to focus on the classes you are taking. It is also expense free, if I remember correctly, and will allow you to better handle your course load in the Fall. This could allow you to become more involved on Grounds when the academic year starts. Just things to keep in mind. If you do not have any other plans for the summer then it may be a good idea. I think that students normally enjoy and appreciate the experience.</p>

<p>Also, it is hard to recover in most college classes from a bad test grade. Normally you only have one or two midterms then the test. In a summer class you will have at least one midterm and one final. There is not too much of a difference component wise.</p>

[morton]

<p>I am concerned about cramming a whole semester work load into one month.</p>

<p>What courses did you take and what grade did you get in them?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

[10iswarrior]

<p>It’s not an entire semester’s workload since you will not be taking 5 or 6 classes that you would in an entire semester. Over the summer you won’t have extracurriculars and you’ll just have the one or two classes to work on. Remember, there are at least 12 waking hours in a day. Even if you spend 4 of them in class then you still have a lot of time to work, study, and have fun.</p>

<p>I have not taken a summer class, but my friends did J-Term. They handled the work fine and got an A.</p>

[morton]

<p>J-Term is very different since it is a study abroad program. Their grading standards could be very different. I probably will be taught by UVA professors.</p>

<p>I am a senior in HS going on to be a freshman in UVA, so I don’t want to ruin my GPA by taking a rigorous program in which I have no previous college experience…</p>

[Dean_J]

<p>This is about easing into the academic pace of college and the rigor at UVa. Year after year, students find this experience to be extremely beneficial. </p>

<p>Check this out: [Rainey</a> Program Offers Low-Income Students a Smooth Transition](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=3173]Rainey”>http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=3173)

When late August came and 13,000 students arrived on Grounds, Kyle was already well-established. In fact, he was able to help fellow first-years find their way around.</p>

<p>That’s a big deal, Most said. The Rainey students "become the go-to people, because they know where things are, they know how to do things, they know how to buy their books, they know how to navigate the system. And that’s empowering, to be the one person on your hall or floor or suite who’s got it all figured out.</p>

<p>“They’ll come back and say, ‘Everybody looks at me and says how do you know all this?’ That’s huge.”</p>

<p>Because the group is so small, it’s difficult to make any statistically sound conclusions about the program’s effectiveness, Most said. Anecdotally, “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “Everybody’s been glad they participated in the program.”

</p>

<p>

“The goal of the program was really to help with the adjustment to college, so that they could hit the ground running in the fall,” Most said. “We know that students who come in the summer feel more comfortable in the fall.”</p>

<p>The students take two classes during the summer session and live together in residence halls. They also attend weekly workshops on topics that include financial aid processes, whether or not to work, how to use the library, ways to get involved in academic and student life, study abroad options, and how to choose classes and declare majors. After the workshops, they dine with faculty and administrators from across Grounds, making contacts that will be important resources throughout their U.Va. careers.

</p>

[bigwill11205]

<p>Hi guys! If anyone has questions about the Rainey Academic Program, shoot me a PM.</p>

<p>I was in the 2010 Rainey Academic Program. I’m currently a second year, Government major. I’m also enrolled in the Curry School.</p>

[morton]

<p>I think my main reason for why I am hesitant to commit is not receiving enough information before making my decision. I do not know what courses I will take or what kind of experience it will be since there is a limited amount information online, since this is a fairly new program with only about 20 students participating a year.</p>

[Dean_J]

<p>Call or email the Outreach folks with your concerns. They’d be happy to chat. :)</p>

<p>BTW, J-Term is not just about studying abroad. Some people take classes on Grounds during the J-Term.</p>

[crystalclear44]

<p>I was accepted to this program as well. I decided to decline though. Sounds like a great program nonetheless. Good luck to everyone who will start college early :)</p>

[Redscorpion]

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>What classes did you take during the program? Did you find it worth it?
Thanks.</p>