My daughters school has this for a limited number of students. They take two classes over the course of 6 weeks before the fall semester begins. Is it very costly? Is it worth it? She is considering it to make her semesters a bit less challenging (nursing)
It probably depends on the specifics of the program and how the student’s characteristics relate to it.
Some programs are aimed at bringing students from weaker high school backgrounds up to speed for college work. Others are offered to typical and stronger students to get a head start.
For your student and the specific college program in particular, how would participation in the program affect her selection of courses and progression in her major (and entry into her major if not direct admit)?
@ucbalumnus we are going to try and do a tour and talk to someone in the nursing school to ask about these things. I think she is wanting to maybe lighten her course load during certain semesters by taking some early core or elective classes ahead of time. She also has a few dual enrollment courses from high school which she is trying to determine if they will accept the credits (or else she will take the AP exams)
If you pay by credit it doesn’t cost more to take 6 credits in the summer + 13 Fall + 13 Spring than none in the summer and 16 Fall + 16 Spring. If not, then it’s more expensive, but it can “pay for itself” (or be a good investment) if your child does well: the summer is typically more laid back, so the students are able to get their sealegs so to speak, with only a fraction of the students present, smaller classes, ease to make friends, so that when Fall comes they know how to navigate the campus and “can do” college. So not only do they have a lighter courseload (and, if necessary, can work 8-10 hours - not recommended otherwise for nursing students or, even with summer, if you’re not 100% sure the student will be comfortable adapting to the college pace and rigor) but they also hit the ground running compared to others. Then, it’s up to them to stay ahead.
Our son did the Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) at UCSB and it worked out great. They had all the classes available to them that are part of the normal summer session. He was even able to take an engineering class that was required for his major. I would highly recommend that program, or one like it, to anyone. I looked at the summer programs at other UCs that S17 was accepted to and none of them were as good or provided as many useful classes as UCSB’s program. Especially if they’re going to a big school, the summer program lets them get familiar with the school during a much quieter time, so that when the fall semester/quarter starts, they are already old pros. We thought the summer program was one of the best things we could do to help him be successful in college. If the classes they can take are useful, it’s a great idea; otherwise I probably wouldn’t do it because it’s not cheap.
@MYOS1634 I will have to look at how they charge - that is a good point. I would have to also pay 6 extra weeks of dorm and food I assume too
I don’t know if it applies in your case, but the public school programs I looked into charged the same amount for their summer program whether you were in-state, OOS, or international. So for OOS and international, they can be a bargain.
Yes, you have to pay for the 6 weeks of room&board - but it can be offset if it allows your student to work - earn money- a few hours in the Fall (normally, it’s not advised for freshmen to try and handle college along with a job, especially for a Nursing or Engineering major.) Obviously an 8-10 hour/wk job would not yield more than a few hundred dollars a month and wouldn’t pay you back but if you’re short on money (with so many teens) you can consider that a loan that she starts paying back with half her job’s money…
What are the actual costs for summer, what are the potential savings if she does the summer program?
Also when does the program start? Some start in June, right after HS graduation.
Some kids might want to have the summer to earn money and spend it with friends.