Summer Academy is on pause and will not be offered in 2023.
A Pre-College Experience For High School Students
The Allegheny College Summer Academy offers an enriching— and seriously fun —pre-college experience for motivated high school students.
We’ve designed the Summer Academy to help talented young people explore their academic interests, build connections, and take an important step in their pathways to college — and their futures.
Students can earn college credit and focus their experience in one of three areas led by Allegheny’s distinguished faculty:
Creativity & Expression Academy – Gain new perspectives, stretch your creativity, and draw connections across the arts, history, literature, and philosophy.
Freshwater Academy – Study freshwater ecology in the beautiful streams of Northwestern Pennsylvania, observe wildlife, and learn from experts.
Science & Innovation Academy – Learn by doing—and solving problems—through hands-on experience and experimentation.
|
Notice:
Allegheny is now hosting a variety of online events for prospective students and their families. Learn more here. |
Summer Academy is on pause and will not be offered in 2023.
Applications for Summer 20xx Available in February 20xx.
-
Choose from Week 1 or Week 2. Students attending both sessions will have additional programming over the weekend.
-
Application deadline: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be submitted by TBD.
-
Final notification deadline: TBD
-
Deposit due: 2 weeks following notification of acceptance to Summer Academy
As part of their application, students are asked to submit a high school transcript and a brief statement about their interest in the academy. A letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher should also be submitted.
The Allegheny College Summer Academy welcomes applications from rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with high school graduation years of 202x, 202x, and 202x.
The Academies
Samples of past Creativity & Expression Academy courses include:
Diplomacy and Problem Solving
Ever wonder what creates the difference between world conflict or world peace? In this course, we will look at the various tools diplomats in the United States and around the world have used successfully or unsuccessfully to deal with international issues such as armed conflict, climate change, immigration and, others. Students will participate in a real-life diplomacy simulation addressing a current problem facing diplomats. Problem-solving techniques will be discussed which apply to walks of life beyond the international stage. The course will be taught by a U.S. State Department diplomat. If you are interested in world affairs United States Diplomacy and how to be a better negotiator this course will be of interest.
Making (Up) History
An introduction to folklore and oral tradition, this module will examine the complexity of how history is created, how it can change and its effects on the human experience. Students will explore this topic through the examination of Western Pennsylvania frontier heroes such as George Washington and Samuel Brady.
O.L.I.M. - Obnoxiously Large Inflatable Monsters
We will explore the potential of sculpture by making the largest possible inflatable monster sculptures. Starting with pre-made patterns, plastic sheeting and heating irons we will eventually design our own obnoxiously large inflatable monsters or O.L.I.M.’s. We will move from the craft of constructing monsters to the art of expressing our inner self (using inflatable monsters).
SHHH, LISTEN!!!
There is a common desire among people to belong, to be heard and to be valued. We tend to want to be of help, yet fail to see the need to be a good listener. In giving the other person the moment with genuine sincerity, we start by giving that person the decency to listen. This module, “SHHH, LISTEN!!!” gives all involved opportunities to learn to listen, by sampling masterpieces of classical music. Discipling ourselves to create a quiet heart, we analyze and inspect the “moments” in these works. Consequently, we begin to see specific ways to listen and digest. This is done in a way that will reach the music novice as well as the musically advanced. Other portions of the day will be devoted to learning to play the piano and exploring other music genres such as jazz/blues and rock.
Do you have a love for our natural environment? Do you like exploring the outdoors and getting wet? Want to learn outside the classroom in an interactive setting?
You can do all these things while on a college campus! This summer program has been led by Creek Connections, Allegheny’s award winning environmental education outreach program, for 15 years as Creek Camp. Now, as Freshwater Academy, we will continue this unique opportunity to explore the nationally recognized and biologically diverse French Creek watershed. You will study fresh water ecology in the beautiful streams of Northwestern, PA, observe wildlife, learn from experts, all while earning college credit. You will be able to interact with many people from the Allegheny College community, including current students.
This is a physically and mentally demanding class. We are in and out of water each day and work in teams on projects. Do not miss out on this unique opportunity!.
Learn more about Freshwater Academy by visiting their website, checking out photos from past years and reading the blog!
Samples of past Science & Innovation Academy courses include:
The Art and Science of Color
An exploration of color through pigment and light. Students will explore color through a scientific lens — understanding how the human eye sees, the physical properties of light, the engineering of lighting devices, and the chemistry of paint — and through an artistic lens — color theory, how colors interact with each other, and how light color impacts how humans perceive color surfaces. By the end of the module, students will create visual artwork in which color shifts over time.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
This module is intended for most anyone curious about the universe. We will study the Sun, Moon, and planets, as well as more distant celestial objects including black holes, stars, and galaxies. Students will learn not only how to find and follow these objects in the sky, but also about the underlying physics that describes them. In the process, students will have the opportunity to operate Allegheny’s Wible Planetarium for themselves and also make use of telescopes during an evening session at the College’s Newton Observatory.
Fun With Materials: An Introduction to Materials Properties
Have you ever wondered why it is better to build a chair out of wood rather than cake? These two materials are chemically very similar but they have very different strengths and rigidities, both of which are materials properties. In this course, we will learn the answer to this question and much more through hands-on experiments. We will explore the properties of all kinds of materials including metals, polymers, fluids, and even chocolate. Long pants and closed toed shoes will be required for some of the activities.
Making “Scents” of Chemistry
This module is an investigation of the molecules and interactions that create odors, both good and bad. Aroma chemistry is a multi-billion dollar industry that leads to perfumes, essential oils, candles, soaps, and a myriad of other household products that have natural and synthetic scent additives. The module will allow students to create scented compounds synthetically in the laboratory and give them an opportunity to create their own scented bar soap.
Program Details
Dates
July xx, 20xx
July xx, 20xx
Summer Academy is on pause and will not be offered in 2023.
Students may enroll in either weeklong session or both of them.
Check-in is at 4 p.m. on Sunday. On Friday afternoons, families will have an opportunity to see all that students accomplished during the week. (Extended pickup on Saturday will be available for families unable to arrive on a Friday.)
Sample Schedule
8:00–9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00–Noon: Academic Session 1
Noon–1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00–4:00 pm: Academic Session 2
4:00–-6:00 pm: Free time for activities/relaxation
6:00–7:00 pm: Dinner
7:00–9:00 pm: Evening activities
9:00–10:00 pm: Wind-down time
Lodging
Students stay in an Allegheny College residence hall on one of the most historic and beautiful college campuses in the country.
Area Information
Allegheny College is perched on a hill overlooking Meadville, a community that offers the history and natural beauty of northwestern Pennsylvania. Allegheny is set in a region that provides a wide range of activities and outdoor opportunities. Explore our Visitor’s Center to learn more.
Activities
College can be hard work, but it’s not all hard work. The Summer Academy includes a range of fun opportunities for career exploration and relaxation, such as guest presentations, hiking, swimming, and other activities.
Tuition
Students earn one college credit for each week of the academy that they complete. These credits should be eligible for transfer to another college. Students accepted to the Summer Academy are awarded a $863 High School Enrichment Grant to support their studies at Allegheny.
| Tuition for One College Credit | TBD |
|---|---|
| Room and Board | TBD |
| High School Enrichment Grant | TBD |
| Program Cost Per Week | TBD |
Please note: there are no additional fees for books and supplies. They are included in the overall cost.
After acceptance to the Summer Academy, a $200 non-refundable deposit will be required to secure a student’s enrollment. Full payment will be due July 1, 20xx.
Deposit and tuition payments may be submitted online through the Summer Academy Payment Portal.
Have Questions?
summeracademy@allegheny.edu
(800) 521-5293
Summer Academy is on pause and will not be offered in 2023.
Apply Feb. 20xx!
