Summer Experiences
Academic Information
High School Summer Scholars
The Classroom
Summer undergraduate courses include as much material as a regular semester course. When offered during the regular school year,
these courses are given over 16 weeks, so the pace during the summer is quite accelerated. Students should plan on spending 2-3 hours
working outside of class for every hour spent in class. Because missing one summer class is equivalent to missing well over a half
week of a semester course, attendance is extremely important and monitored.
Summer Scholars will need to purchase textbooks for their courses. The cost of textbooks can vary greatly depending on the course
and instructor. Students may spend as much as $300 on textbooks. Beginning mid-April, textbook requirements and costs are posted
on the Campus Bookstore website at www.wustl.bkstr.com. This list is updated as instructors submit requests. A few courses will have
no required textbooks. If a student changes their course schedule after the first day of classes, they will be responsible for returning
textbooks no longer need.
Many students purchase their textbooks from various online sources to find a better bargain. Books should not be sent to school prior
to student’s arrival.
Disability Resources
Disability resources assist students with hearing, visual, orthopedic, learning, or other disabilities. Please contact Becki Baker at
b.baker@wustl.edu or (314) 935-4807 before arrival to campus if a student requires these resources.
Academic Support Groups
Daily Academic Support Groups provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the same courses to meet and discuss issues outside
of the classroom. These groups, led by our program staff, are also designed to assist with time management as well as understanding
the syllabus and course curriculum. Topics such as networking, presentation skills, and research methods are also discussed.
Seminars
Throughout the summer, we offer optional exploration seminars for students. These seminars, led by WashU staff and faculty, explore
a variety of majors, career options, and fields of interest, as well as important information such as how to prepare for a college
admissions interview. Seminars are a great way for students to network with individuals on campus and to develop confidence when
applying to college.
Grades and Transcripts
At the conclusion of the program, participation in the program, as well as grades or credits if earned, will be recorded and will become
part of the student’s academic record at WashU. Summer Scholars will receive an official WashU transcript (available upon request).