College Curious? Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy Offers Immersive Campus Experience

Are You Swimming in Educational Uncertainty? Here’s a College Lifeline.

Transitioning from high school to college is pivotal in a student's life. Entering dorm life, expanding responsibilities, and embarking on new journeys is an exciting but also daunting prospect. Villanova University's  Pre-College Summer Academy, offered through the College of Professional Studies, is a four-week intensive program, open to current high school juniors and seniors that gives students a taste of college life, earning them real college credits they can list on their transcript.

The program is designed to introduce students to college basics, including the academic rigor of a college classroom setting and the fundamentals of campus life. This year's summer program runs from July 1 to July 29.

Christine Kelleher Palus, PhD, Dean of the College of Professional Studies, says, We're particularly excited about this innovative educational experience designed specifically for high schoolers. As these students think about what comes next in their academic pursuits, this summer program is the perfect springboard to explore their passions and discover what they are called to do."

Go Beyond your GPA and Add College Credits to your Transcript

High school students can use the program experience and earn college credits to bolster their transcript, supplementing traditional application requirements like GPA and test scores. In the high-stakes world of college admissions, the Pre-College Summer Academy helps high school students gain a competitive edge on impending applications and personal essays.

During their time on Villanova's campus, students enjoy the opportunity to take one three-credit course taught by Villanova faculty. These courses are regularly available to enrolled Villanova students throughout the academic year. In short, they're actual college classes. Due to the program's analytical focus and experiential learning design, high school students can feel better prepared to enter higher education classrooms. After completing the program, students will have a more robust understanding of the academic expectations associated with college-level classwork, assessment, and faculty engagement.

This year's offerings for the three-credit courses include:

•    COM 1000: Survey of Communication Studies
•    COM 1100: Public Speaking
•    EDU 3251: Psychology of Teaching & Learning
•    SAR 2113: The Charm of Music

In addition to a three-credit course, participants also take a one-credit college preparatory course. The PCAC 1000 workshops augment the three-credit courses, creating a holistic curriculum experience. Developed with the whole student in mind, students engage in intrapersonal activities such as understanding and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Other workshops teach students how to write a college essay and think through choosing a major.

A critical piece of this program shows students how to build an internal support toolkit to draw upon when they enter college, utilizing campus offerings such as academic advising and the career center.  The skills and college prep work covered in the Pre-College Summer Academy is not specific to Villanova. Students can expect to apply the skills and resources they’ve learned in this program to wherever they choose to go next in their education journey.

Examples of topics covered in the one-credit (PCAC 1000) course offerings include:

•    Metacognition + The Science of Studying
•    Navigating the Financial Landscape of College
•    Academic Advising 101 + Logic of Curriculum
•    Finding Your Agency in College

New to the 2024 Program:

An addition to this year's program is daily structured mentorship. Each enrolled student is assigned a Villanova student mentor who is available throughout their four weeks to assist with coursework and assignments, answer any questions, and help them navigate their time on campus.

The academic advisory team in the College of Professional Studies oversees the entire Pre-College Summer Academy. Advisors are on site each day, supervising mentors, but are also available to answer students' questions.

Get A Head Start on College this Summer

Olivia Mendenall, Associate Director, Academic Advising and Student Support, says the intentionality of the program design is to set students up for future success. "This Pre-College Summer Academy provides the framework for students to explore academically, safely and intentionally, so that whenever they do arrive on a college campus, they can lean into their experience here, which has hopefully prepared them for what's to come."

Laying the foundation for navigating college academics gives students the building blocks for college success. At a time when uncertainty can cloud future college decisions, Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy provides a clear roadmap, equipping students with the confidence and skills to thrive wherever they go next.

Villanova's Pre-College Summer Academy is accepting applications through June 23, 2024. Apply today, request more information, or speak with an enrollment counselor about the program.

**Application, acceptance or participation in the Pre-College Summer Academy does not guarantee acceptance or preferential treatment for students applying for future admission to Villanova University.

^{About Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies: Founded in 2014, the College of Professional Studies (CPS) provides academically rigorous yet flexible educational pathways to high-achieving adult learners who are balancing professional and educational aspirations with life’s commitments. The CPS experience embodies Villanova’s century-long commitment to making academic excellence accessible to students at all stages of life. Students in CPS programs engage with world-class Villanova faculty including scholars and practitioners, explore innovative educational technologies and experiences, and join an influential network of passionate alumni. In addition to its industry-leading programs at the nexus of theory and practice, CPS has built a reputation for its personal approach and supportive community that empowers adult students to enrich their lives, enhance their value in the workplace, and embark on new careers.}

^{PURSUE THE NEXT YOU™ and visit cps.villanova.edu for more information about the college, including a full list of education and program offerings.}