Summer Academy for Students
Entering Grades 8, 9, and 10
Session I: June 14 – July 3
Session II: July 5 – July 24
Why Attend?
The University of Mississippi’s Summer Academy gives students entering the eighth, ninth and tenth grades a taste of college life. Through the Summer Academy, students make new friends and contacts, learn time management, improve study habits and earn high school credit which can count toward high school graduation requirements*.
Depending on grade level and term selected, students will explore the world’s cultures, flex their imaginations, learn about human behavior, investigate Earth’s delicate balances, conduct science experiments, or publish a literary magazine. Each course offered by the Summer Academy is listed in the Mississippi curriculum framework but not generally offered in high school curricula across the state. Students can earn a 1/2 Carnegie unit that may be counted by their high school toward elective graduation requirements*.
*Whether or not credit is counted toward graduation requirements is determined by the student’s high school.
Who Can Apply ?
Because the curricula of these courses are advanced, students accepted to the program must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a student in good academic and conduct standing in the seventh, eighth or ninth grade at the time of admission. The school can be public, private, parochial or even home–educated.
- The applicant must have a 3.5 GPA in all four subject areas of math, science, social studies and English for his or her last three years in school and the Fall 2008 semester.
- The applicant must also have standardized achievement test scores above the present grade level.
- The applicant must have permission from his or her principal.
- The applicant must have two letters of recommendation from teachers.
Students can choose to be either resident students or commuters. Residents are housed on campus in a residence hall specifically set aside for them. Commuters must arrive on campus each weekday by 7:50 a.m. and must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. each evening.
Click here to download an PDF version of the application.
When Does It Take Place?
There are two sessions of the Summer Academy. The first will be from June 14 to July 3. The second will be from July 5 to July 24. Students who attend must complete the full three weeks, including the final exam, in order to successfully complete the program and receive credit for the courses taken. Students may not miss class for any reason unless approved by the director. There is a limit on the number of students we can enroll so be sure to apply early!
What Goes On?
Students will attend a morning class session from 8:15 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a break for lunch. Students will attend a second class session from 12:00 to 2:45 p.m. At the conclusion of the second class session, students have special projects / study hall time. Afterwards, students will have group recreation time in which they bond with each other, learn about campus, meet with current students to discuss current events and generally decompress from the day. Following dinner, there is occasion for some additional supervised study time, computer lab time and study groups, as well as some free time to just “hang–out.” Because the days are long and full, we do have a curfew that is strictly imposed.
For those who choose to stay over the weekend, we have activities planned that are covered in a weekend activity fee. Students are taken off campus in University vans for movies, swimming, outdoor recreational activities, as well as on campus events like the Shakespeare Festival, Summer Concert Series, etc.
The following are the courses we plan to offer for the 2009 Summer Academy session (course offerings can change based on the number of students applying for the program):
|
8th, 9th, or 10th Graders |
9th or 10th Graders |
10th Graders Only |
First Session |
Environmental Science |
Creative Writing |
Psychology |
Second Session
|
Geography |
Botany |
Mississippi Writers |
How Much Does It Cost?
All admitted students must send a nonrefundable deposit of $50 to hold a seat in the program. The students who plan to stay for weekend activities will send an additional $75 weekend activity fee, which will include at least one meal per weekend. Costs will be accrued for tuition, housing and a required meal plan. The costs are as follows:
| Cost | Resident | Commuter |
| Nonrefundable Deposit | $50 | $50 |
| Tuition for one course | $250 | $250 |
| Room for one three–week session | $300 | N/A |
| Meal plan | $245 (14 meals per week) |
$95 (5 meals per week) |
| Weekend Deposit (optional) | $75 | $75 |
| Total Cost (not counting weekends) |
$845 | $395 |
Applying To Summer Academy
Download an application here.- OR- Request an application be mailed to you by calling the Summer School at (662) 915-7621 or emailing jewilkin@olemiss.edu. Please be sure your request includes your name, mailing address, phone number, and states your request for a Summer Academy application.
Once you print the application (or receive it in the mail), you will need to complete it and attach the requested documents. In order to speed the process along, here are the documents you must attach (go ahead and begin gathering them):
- Transcript from the last three academic years
- Achievement test scores
- Copy of insurance card or Medicaid card
- Recent photograph
- 2008 tax returns (if applying for financial aid)
Please remember:
- We do not guarantee a spot for any student until the deposit is received.
- Financial Aid applications cannot be reviewed until all forms have been completed and returned.
- Students that meet entrance requirements are admitted on a first come basis until the program is filled.
- All applications (including all required documents) MUST be received in the Office of Summer School no later than June 1, 2009.
If you have any questions, email Jason Wilkins at jewilkin@olemiss.edu or call us at 662-915-7621