Summer Honors Program at RECHC - Deadline ASAP!

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Are you a rising sophomore, junior, or senior?</p>

<p>Are you interested in *Shakespeare, Harry Potter, journalism, physics, graph mathematics or CSI/forensics *?</p>

<p>Then let me recommend to you Summer</a> Program for High School Students at Cook Honors College at IUP.</p>

<p>Summer Honors Program is a one or two week pre-college program (your choice) run by the Robert E. Cook Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA. This year, the dates are July 10 - 23.</p>

<p>What does the program consist of?
For six hours a day, Monday through Friday, you as a student will be in class. Three hours will be spent in a course of your choosing (physics, journalism, CSI/forensics, or graph mathematics) taught by an IUP faculty member, while the other three will be spent in Honors Core.</p>

<p>Honors Core? What the heck is that?
In Honors Core, you will pick a subject (usually through SHP we offer English, History, and Philosophy) and through those subjects, you answer a "core question." The core questions we've had in the past include "What is good? What is evil? What therefore should we do?" and "Why do we study the past and what therefore should we do?" but they can vary. Based on the subject you choose for honors core, you will answer the question. For example, if you are in the English unit, you might read plays or short stories, and if you are in the history unit, you might read ancient texts or documents. At the end of the first week, you as a class will do a skit to show what you learned to the other groups. </p>

<p>** Okay, so that's six hours a day. What else do I do for the other eighteen? **
At SHP, we like to give kids a real college experience. In the morning, you will meet in the dining hall to check in and to have breakfast. After your first class is over, you will have lunch, and then later on you can have dinner when you choose. </p>

<p>After your second class, you are required to do what we like to call "mandatory fun." This is one activity, ranging from coffee shop visits to sports to movies to library time and every thing in between. After you have attended your one activity, you are free to roam around campus, provided that you sign out of the dorm and do not leave campus unless you are with a counselor. On campus, you have access to the pool, library, and gym just like a normal college student. We usually have a group meeting at 10pm, you have to be on your floor by 11, and in your room by 12.</p>

<p>*What about weekends? *
On the weekends, we usually go to Mack Park, a local recreational park and have a picnic there. Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be coming out while SHP is in session, and we love to please our HP fans, so a trip to the movie theater will be in order. </p>

<p>*I need access to a computer and the internet. Is that possible? *
Students are allowed to bring their own laptops, but internet access to them may not be possible. However, students do have access to computer labs that have programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and internet access.</p>

<p>** This sounds like an interesting program. How do I apply? **
As you may have noticed, the program starts in about two weeks. We are trying to get as many students as we can to attend, so the deadline is now extended. Here is a link to the application page - Summer</a> Honors Program Application. Since it is such short notice, we understand if you cannot get a teacher recommendation. We are accepting students on a rolling basis, so as soon as we process your application materials, you will know if you are accepted.</p>

<p>What's the cost for a program like this?
This year, the program is a reasonable $975 for two weeks and $600 for one. This includes room and board as well as tuition. Need based financial aid is available.</p>

<p>** I live outside of driving distance. Can I fly in?**
Of course! Counselors will provide transportation to and from the Pittsburgh International Airport at no additional cost.</p>

<p>If I have questions, who can I ask?
Me! I went to SHP twice as a high school student, and I currently attend the Robert E. Cook Honors College. This year I am also going to be a counselor for the program. I am more than happy to answer any questions either on this thread or through PM. My name is Katie.</p>

<p>If you have any specific questions that you would like to have answered, you can also contact head counselor Amber Bittiger at <a href="mailto:amber.bittiger@gmail.com">amber.bittiger@gmail.com</a>, or call 800-487-9122.</p>

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<p>I’m unsure what a rising student is. I’m a freshman going to sophomore. Can I still go?</p>

3

<p>Yep, sure can! A rising sophomore means you will be in your sophomore year next year. :)</p>

4

<p>Do you have any computer courses? And for the writing ones, is humor allowable? Or is it a very serious program?</p>

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<p>We don’t have any computer courses, unfortunately. But we are offering a dual journalism/humor writing program. :)</p>

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<p>That’s okay, just thought I’d ask. And on the link it says for rising juniors and seniors. It also said the extended deadline had passed.</p>

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<p>It’s also for exceptional sophomores. When I went in 2009, we had about 10 sophomores. We did extend the deadline, but we are trying to get more students so that deadline is not true anymore. :)</p>

8

<p>Well I am exceptional. ;D and you said journalism/ humor writing. On the link it said two weeks for humor writing. Can it be just one?</p>

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<p>I do believe that because journalism was originally only offered week one, you can come for the first week if you can’t make it to both. :slight_smile: I can double check tomorrow with our head coordinator, Amber Bittiger, to make sure. Let me know if you have any questions about SHP or even the Honors College in general.</p>

10

<p>In your opinion, is it worth the money? To my family that would be a chunk of change and I don’t want to be disappointed by not getting my money’s worth.</p>

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<p>When I went as a sophomore and junior, I was worried that the cost wasn’t worth the program. I applied for both need based and merit based need, and made up the difference by working all summer. It was definitely worth it. I made great friends, and I had a great sense of the college atmosphere and environment. You are given a lot of respect as long as you don’t disrespect others.</p>

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<p>They offer aid?</p>

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<p>They do offer need-based financial aid, but I’m not sure how much is left. Your best bet would be to call the 800 number I put in the first post. Someone in the office can help you out. Amber, the head counselor, should be in. :)</p>

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<p>Is it too late to apply for chemistry?</p>

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<p>If you are interested in chemistry, you should apply for the CSI/Forensics program. We did a ton of bio/chem/physics in that course. :)</p>