Summer Start Frequently Asked Questions
The following information provides some answers to basic questions about Summer Start to help you better understand the program and what you may expect as a participant. If you do not find the answers or information you need, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Stephen O. Wallace, by phone (717) 477-1627, or by e-mail sowallace@ship.edu
What is Summer Start?
Who may participate?
When is Summer Start?
When do students need to show up on campus?
How many students are enrolled?
Are Summer Start students permitted to return for fall?
How many students successfully complete the program and return for fall?
What happens at Summer Start Orientation?
How much will the Summer Start Program cost?
Is financial aid available for Summer Start students?
What courses do Summer Start students take?
Can students change their course schedule?
What do Summer Start students do other than go to classes?
Are Summer Start students required to stay in the residence hall during the summer term?
When will roommates be announced?
What should students living in the residence hall bring?
Are students allowed to bring a vehicle to campus?
What do I need to do between now and then?
Who do I call if I have questions?
What is Summer Start?
Summer Start is a conditional admission program for first-year students who do not meet the university’s requirements for regular admission. Summer Start is not a summer camp. Its focus is college-level academics and students are challenged with a “real life” college experience. Summer Start offers an exciting opportunity for motivated students to begin their college journey and to get a head start on reaching their goals of attending and graduating from SHIP.
Who may participate?
The Admissions Office determines a student’s eligibility for Summer Start by using a formula that includes SAT scores, high school grade point average, high school graduation rank, and other items. Students who do not meet the university’s requirements for regular admission and demonstrate the skills and motivation to succeed at SHIP are invited to participate in the five-week summer program.
When is Summer Start?
Summer Start is conducted during the university’s Summer Term 5: July 12 – August 14. Students are required to attend the Summer Start Orientation held on the weekend, July 12-13. Classes begin Monday, July 14 and end August 14. Students should not plan any major events, such as vacation, wedding, surgery, camps, or work commitments during these dates.
Courses and Summer Start activities are conducted Monday-Thursday of each week. No required activities are scheduled on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday; however, the Student Union or residence hall may schedule special weekend events, and there are plenty of campus activities for students.
When do students need to show up on campus?
The residence hall is open for move-in on Saturday morning, July 12. Students must attend the Summer Start Orientation the weekend before classes begin—July 12 - 13. Classes begin on July 14. Summer Start students should not attend any other university orientations that may be offered through the summer.
How many students are enrolled?
Enrollment is limited to 100 students. Many more than that apply. So, acceptance is on a first-come-first-served basis. Students who apply after the enrollment is filled are placed on a waiting list and will be admitted only if a place becomes available.
Are Summer Start students permitted to return for fall?
Summer Start provides students the opportunity to return as a regular admitted student in the fall semester. However, to be eligible to return in the fall a student must: (1) make no lower than a “C” grade in each of the two summer courses, and (2) comply with university and program policies.
How many students successfully complete the program and return for fall?
The Summer Start goal is to provide students the opportunity to succeed this summer, to see all of them back in the fall, and to see them graduate from SHIP. The success rate may vary from year to year, and there are various factors that may impact upon a student’s experiences. Ultimately, the key determinant is the student’s motivation and commitment to succeed. Over the past few years, the average completion rate has been 80%, and of those who successfully completed the summer program almost 100% have returned the following fall.
What happens at Summer Start Orientation?
Students are required to attend the Summer Start Orientation the weekend before classes begin—July 12 - 13. Classes begin on July 14. On Saturday morning, July 12, students check into their residence hall room and finalize any paperwork. Lunch will be provided for students and parents. Saturday afternoon will consist of information sessions for students and parents. Students get their ID on Saturday afternoon. Parents will not be involved in the Sunday schedule, so it will not be necessary for them to arrange overnight lodging in Shippensburg. At 4:15 parents will be asked to say good-bye and leave campus. Sunday morning will be free time for attending religious services or rest and relaxation. Sunday afternoon will consist of small group activities, receiving course schedules and going to the bookstore for books. Students will receive a detailed orientation schedule and further instructions.
How much will the Summer Start Program cost?
Shippensburg University's tuition and fees are set by the State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors and/or Shippensburg University's Council of Trustees. Summer Start students pay the regular summer tuition and fee rates. *Rates are subject to change.
| PA Residents | Non-residents | |
6 credit hours |
$ 1,663 |
$ 3,623 |
If living on campus, add housing and meal plan cost, shown below. |
||
Housing (5 weeks) |
$ 550.00 |
$ 550.00 |
Choice of Meals: |
19 plan $ 380.00 |
19 plan $ 380.00 |
Textbooks |
Varies: $100 - 175 |
|
Bill will be mailed to the student approximately June 4.
The bill with payment is due back to Shippensburg University by June 23.
Is financial aid available for Summer Start students?
Since Summer Start students are conditionally admitted into the university, they are not eligible for federal, state, or university financial aid. However, some students do arrange financial assistance through their banking or lending institutions. Students who successfully complete the summer program are eligible to apply for financial aid in the fall and following semesters. For university financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office, 717-477-1131.
What courses do Summer Start students take?
Students are scheduled into two courses. Each course is a 3-credit hour, college-level, general education course that does apply to graduation requirements. Each class meets Monday through Thursday—course #1 from 8:00 am – 9:45 and course #2 from 10:00 am – 11:45. Classes do not meet in the afternoons or on Fridays. Students are scheduled into courses appropriate for their placement testing results and intended major or area of interest. Developmental-level courses are not offered in the summer. Students who place into developmental courses will be scheduled for those courses in fall.
Many Summer Start students find that the depth and intensity of the courses is significantly different from what they experienced in high school. The five-week summer term is very intense and fast-paced. To succeed, students must go to every class period and stay up on course readings and assignments. Students who are not ready to make that commitment should not attend Summer Start.
Can students change their course schedule?
It is a university policy that the university Registrar’s Office sets the schedules for all new students, and first-semester students do not have the option to change their schedules. This will be true for the fall schedule as well.
What do Summer Start students do other than go to classes?
One of the objectives for Summer Start is to provide students with helpful assistance and resources to enhance their potential for success. Therefore, various support services are scheduled. Students are required to attend all Summer Start sponsored programs.
- The main thing students do is study. To succeed in the courses, students can anticipate spending 16 hours in study time each week. Study hall hours are scheduled in the afternoons.
- Students also participate in small group activities that focus on academic skills and team building, recreation, intramural sports, and residence life and other campus activities—plenty to keep them busy and entertained.
- Students have access to the university Learning Center, Library, Student Union and recreation facilities.
- Students also work closely with an academic advisor who will assist them in developing academic plans and becoming familiar with the campus.
Are Summer Start students required to stay in the residence hall during the summer term?
Students who live within the immediate area are not required to live on campus; however, it is recommended that students do live in the residence hall. Living in the residence hall gives a more complete college experience because it provides opportunities for students to become familiar with the campus, to take advantage of campus resources, to begin to establish new friendships, to get to know their professors, and to initiate the process of taking responsibility for their experiences. It also encourages students to focus on the purpose of being here. Sometimes the familiar sights, sounds, and friends of home are distracters. Students who do not live in the residence hall are still expected to attend and be on time for every class period and to participate in Summer Start programs and activities.
When will roommates be announced?
The rooms are double-occupancy with restroom/bath facilities in the hall. Residence life makes the roommate assignments. Summer Start students are paired with another participant in the Summer Bridge Program. Exactly who that person will be may not be known until students check in for the program.
What should students living in the residence hall bring?
A key to remember is that students will only be in their assigned room for five weeks and may plan to not be here on weekends. Students will be assigned to a new room for fall. That means at the end of the summer term they must completely pack up and move out of their summer room. Therefore, a good rule to plan by is to only bring only essentials for the summer. Wal Mart, K Mart, and the university bookstore are available for essentials.
| The following items are recommended: | |
|
|
| The following items are not permitted in the residence halls: | |
|
|
During the first week, you can confer with your residence hall director and negotiate with your roommate on other things you feel you need. For more information on life in the residence hall, contact Residence Life at 717-477-1701.
Are students allowed to bring a vehicle to campus?
Yes. Students who plan to have a personal vehicle on campus through the summer will be required to purchase a parking decal. The cost for the decal is $50.00, and students will be able to get it on Saturday of orientation.
What do I need to do between now and then?
- Be sure that your Summer Start application, health forms, residence hall, and any financial aid paperwork (for fall) are submitted.
- If you receive a letter notifying you that you must take placement test(s), you should take those no later than May 25. Your scores are needed in order for us to build your class schedule. You will receive information from the Placement Testing Office. If you are required to take a placement test, please review before the testing date. Your placement scores impact the courses you are permitted to take and may have financial implications.
- Have a successful ending to your high school experience. The grades you make are important. You might want to maximize use of this time to brush up on some of your math, reading, writing skills.
- Enjoy your summer! Relax. But, remember, your life of ease will end on July 12.
- You will receive additional information from the Summer Start staff.
Who do I call if I have questions?
- Admissions Office 717-477-1231
- Residence Life 717-477-1701
- Office of Disability Services 717-477-1329
- Financial Aid Office 717-477-1131
- Summer Start Program: 717-477-1627 or 1395
