<p>What do most Carleton students do over the summer? Is there any way to take classes, study abroad, research with profs, etc?</p>
<p>As a parent of a sophomore, I can’t accurately say what ‘most’ Carls do over the summer, but mine has secured a paid internship in his field of study in Chicago. I suspect that over the summer most Carls either work at summer jobs or intern on or off-campus in their major. I’m not sure about organized study abroad programs during the summer, but there are many options for semester-abroad study during the regular school year, typically in the junior year.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>“Take classes” - Nope, we all need a break no matter how much one loves Carleton profs. There are actually a host of high school summer programs (e.g Carleton Summer Science Institute) on campus as well as programs to bring HS teachers teaching advanced level/AP courses up to speed so things are still pretty hopping on campus through these months. Carleton students are often hired on as program mentors, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>“Study abroad” - Yes. The Economics in Cambridge study abroad program that is taught jointly by Carleton and Cambridge faculty is available every summer and is always booked up, always popular. Irish Lit and Culture in (surprise) Ireland is also offered this coming summer with a scattering of other options popping up year to year. In addition to Carleton’s own programs, there are also a host of commercial programs and programs sponsored by other colleges that Carleton approves year round (summer included). </p></li>
<li><p>“Research with profs?” - Yes. A large number hang around in every department for paid summer research internships. Many head off campus to pursue NSF REU’s or other paid research programs. Many more seek paid internships/summer jobs around the country to test the waters of their prospective careers (e.g Pootie’s son).</p></li>
</ol>