(NB: I’m not sure if this is the right forum, so mods feel free to move please)
I’m just coming to the end of my first year (of a 3 year degree) at a British university (I’m English) reading philosophy and am interested in spending my summer studying overseas, chiefly because if I study something vaguely related to my degree I can recieve credit for it, and thus have a lighter workload next year - but also just for the experience. I’ve had a look at a LOT of different summer programs at US universities and they really appeal, but does anyone have any experience with them?
I’m really interested in:
a) Do many people have a background similar to mine? Or are they chiefly for advanced highschoolers, or people who’ve failed a few modules and need to catch up?
b) Is the workload that intense?
c) Is it actually worth it?(!)
I’m particularly looking at Harvard (just because there’s little difference in price between it and the rest, and it’s the main one that people here actually recognise) - does any have any personal opinions? I’m also looking at Georgetown since it’s Jesuit (but it seems quite short, unless you stay for both sessions, which is obviously double the cost) and Duke (since it has lots of course options). Like I said, course-wise I can take things like ethics, politics, logic but unfortunately no languages, english classes, science etc., and that’s a factor in choosing where to go.
<p>There will probably be a mix of people wherever you go - Harvard might be a bit different though.
Some colleges might separate out the high school kids, others will throw them in with you. Rest assured though, there might be a few people retaking, but there will definitely be plenty of people trying to get requirements out of the way like you want to do!
The workload might not be more intense but it will probably be very different from what you're used to. For example, I have around 18-20 hours of class a week, as opposed to the six or so I would have had if I had stayed at home. You'll probably find that your studies are much more directed though, but I don't know for sure, since I never actually went to uni at home.
Summer schools are usually more intense than regular classes because you take fewer courses and finish in half the time. Again, that might not be so much of a problem for you since you're used to a single subject system.
A quick word on location - you might find Duke kind of boring, especially over the summer time, since it's not part of a big metropolis like Georgetown and Harvard are (and if you're not 21, with the drinking thing). Also, DC is basically a swamp, so the heat and humidity might be hard to deal with over the summer. Both DC and Boston are awesome cities though - highly recommended! Also, Georgetown would be the obvious place to choose to study politics. Well, somewhat obvious.
I guess that's all the wisdom I have to offer on the subject - if it's not obvious, I am a Brit studying full time over here, so if you have any more questions then ask away. (Never taken summer classes though - too expensive for me!)
Throw in gratuitous link for own school's summer program: <a href="http://www.sas.upenn.edu/CGS/downloads/summer/courseguide.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.sas.upenn.edu/CGS/downloads/summer/courseguide.pdf</a></p>
<p>Thanks very much, exactly the sort of thing I need to hear. (And Pennsylvania must be a world away from B'ham!)</p>
<p>I've just been reading about UPenn's courses and they do actually have an entry requirement (B minimum) which is a slight plus - reading the threads about the Harvard SS there are plenty of highschoolers saying they easily passed, and my uni might balk at something that is replacing 2nd/3rd year modules :-/</p>
<p>Silly question though, but how many course units/credits do you actually take a year? I take 4 modules in 1 year, and every uni seems to have it's own system of credits.</p>