<p>Calling all of those who have been through the Summer Session at Penn State!!!</p>
<p>I have been accepted to main for the summer, and I do plan on going, however i have some questions about the program.</p>
<p>How many classes do I take over the summer?
Do I keep my stuff there in the time between summer and fall or do I have to bring it all home?
Anything additional I might want to know?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I haven’t been through the summer but I have found out some information. I’m pretty sure that you only take around two classes during the summer session. I’m not really sure if you do keep your stuff between summer and fall, but I would think you would since fall starts about a week after summer ends. I’ve heard the summer program is great because you get to see and learn the campus before the big rush of people come in during the fall. </p>
<p>Summer semester should not be confused with LEAP, the program for incoming freshmen. You can be a summer admit and choose to not LEAP, although I can’t imagine why… LEAP underwent some real transformations in past years, but generally speaking you take a pair of classes chosen from the LEAP list. It’s usually a class related to a potential major, and a Gen Ed. (often speech or writing, but not always). The same people are in both classes, and these are small classes (25 people or so) and this is your LEAP pride. Prides all have an upperclass advisor/student who plans activities like going to sporting events, etc to help you see what’s going on. The Prides fill up so don’t wait forever to choose. If you don’t LEAP, then you just choose classes. Remember that the session is shorter so the classes are more concentrated – you won’t be taking a full load unless you are a workaholic.</p>
<p>In August, there will be very limited space for some storage; better to plan to take what little you bring back home. LEAPers live on the same floors/dorms so it is unlikely to be your fall dorm. Summer in State College is wonderful – concerts, ArtsFest, sports, an uncrowded campus, nice weather, one of the country’s biggest fireworks displays…Both my students did LEAP, and made some really good friends. Hope this helps any worries</p>
<p>Congratulations!! Summer is a great experience. I did it many years ago and DS did LEAP last summer, by choice (accepted for Fall and changed to summer). He has said it was definately a great decision and recommended it to his sister. He felt he had a definate advantage when the Fall semester began.</p>
<p>Regarding the number of classes to take during summer, the LEAP Prides are two classes (most are 6 credits, a few are 7). In most cases, each of the two classes run 75 minutes everyday for six weeks. His experience was that the 7 credit selection did require a little more out of class effort. </p>
<p>Two courses at 150 mins (total) per day is 750 in-class hours per week, equivalent to 15 credits during a regular semester (classes during a regular semester are 50min x 3 per week time 5 courses = 750 hours per week). It is a full load. More than two classes would be alot of work (you need to leave some time to enjoy the Arts Festival, the campus, town, fireworks, new friends, pool…)</p>
<p>Once you get your Fall room assignment, you can contact that housing area and request to store your belongings either in your new room or in the storage area of the housing complex. We did that – couldn’t store in the room because it was going to be used but the big things went into the storage area (bike, rug, fans*, some bins). DS was able to see his future room which was helpful.</p>
<p>*bring several to keep the air moving. </p>