FAQs

General Pre-College Questions

Syracuse University offers three main pre-college programs to high school students across the country and around the world. These include (click to learn more about the courses offered in each of our programs):

Our pre-college programs have various age and eligibility requirements. General grade requirements are listed below. Please click on the pre-college program to learn more about their specific eligibility requirements.

  • Summer College – On Campus
    • Students must be 15 years or older by their move-in date
    • Students should be of rising high school sophomore (current freshmen), junior, or senior status
    • Recent high school graduates are also accepted as long as they are not attending Syracuse University in the fall
  • Summer College – Online
    • Students should be of rising high school sophomore (current freshmen), junior, or senior status
    • Recent high school graduates are also accepted as long as they are not attending Syracuse University in the fall
  • Summer College – On Location
    • Students must be 15 years or older
    • Students should be of rising high school sophomore (current freshmen), junior or senior status
    • Recent high school graduates are also accepted as long as they are not attending Syracuse University in the fall

Yes! We accept students from all over the United States and the world! From 2018 – 2022, over 4,000 students joined us from 55+ countries and 50 U.S. states.

For all of our pre-college programs, after students submit a fully completed application, they will receive an admissions decision within roughly two weeks. Note that applying early is strongly recommended as all of our pre-college programs have a rolling-admissions process and all courses have enrollment limits. Please refer to the apply now pages for what constitutes a completed application for each pre-college program.

There is not an application fee waiver available at this time. Application fees vary based on the pre-college program and the fee covers the cost of application fee processing.

Federal Student Aid or loans are not accepted for Syracuse University Pre-College Programs. Summer College – Online, Summer College – On Campus, Summer College – Hybrid, Summer College – On Location, and Summer College – Research Immersion all offer partial scholarships including merit-based and financial-assistance awards as well as many discounts. Discounts and scholarships are not available for Accelerated Semester Online. Please review the cost and aid page for specific information.

International students are eligible for the scholarships and discounts offered through Summer College – Online and Summer College – On Campus. Scholarships and aid are not available for Accelerated Semester Online. Additionally, international students are encouraged to reach out to their local embassies to determine if there are any scholarships or aid available. Please review the cost and aid page for specific information.

If you are enrolling in a credit course: Unless you already have an appropriate visa which includes the provision for academic study, Syracuse University will issue you an I-20 document that you will need in order to apply for your F-1 Student Visa at a United States Embassy or Consulate.  You can expect to receive your I-20 approximately three weeks after making your deposit online.  Note that as an international student taking a credit-bearing course, you are not permitted to attend Summer College on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. 

If you are enrolling in a noncredit course: Students enrolled in a Summer College – Hybrid, short-term non-credit program do not qualify for F-1 immigration sponsorship. International students are encouraged to enter the United States in a temporary visitor status that allows for participation in a short, non-credit, course of study. For citizens of countries requiring a visa to enter the U.S., participants should obtain a B-2 “Visitor for Pleasure” visa to enter the U.S. Citizens of countries who enjoy the benefits of the Visa Waiver Program should obtain ESTA clearance and enter the U.S. in WT “Waiver Tourist” status.

Syracuse University welcomes people with disabilities and we are committed to providing all students with equal access to the educational experience. The Syracuse University Center for Disability Resources coordinates a wide array of support services for students with documented disabilities. Once admitted into one of our pre-college programs, we will be happy to assist you in contacting the office to obtain your necessary accommodations.

In the event a course does not reach its minimum capacity or due to unforeseen circumstances, the course will be canceled. If this happens, you have the choice of receiving a full refund (less the application fee) or you can choose to enroll in a different course. If you choose to enroll in a different course, please note that your eligibility may need to be reconfirmed depending on your new course selection.

The application fees for all pre-college programs are nonrefundable and all programs have a specific refund schedule. Please refer to your program’s cost and aid page for information regarding refunds.

Yes! All pre-college students at Syracuse University who successfully complete their course will walk away with a Certificate of Completion. Students also will have a transcript with Syracuse University transcript and are able to request one through the registrar. For more information on grades and transcripts, see the Grades and Transcript page.

For more information on grades and transcripts, see the Grades and Transcript page.

Credits earned through Accelerated Semester Online, Summer College – On Campus (credit-bearing courses) and Summer College – Online (credit-bearing courses) are Syracuse University credits. These credits are eligible for consideration at Syracuse University and as transfer credits at other colleges and universities upon matriculation and a credit-transfer request. The student’s college of matriculation (Syracuse University or other) determines whether and how credit transfer applies. The variables involved in the transferability of credits (and applicability of the credits at Syracuse University) are many:

  1. Does the university/college accept transfer credits from other institutions?
  2. What are the degree requirements within the undergraduate program of study where the credits are to be applied? Do the earned credits fulfill any of those requirements? If not, can they be used to fulfill elective requirements?
  3. Are the pre-college courses taken regularized (for undergraduate study)? Syracuse University pre-college programs have both regularized courses and courses that are designed by faculty and academic departments specifically for high school students. These “designed” courses are sometimes viewed by other institutions as less transferable than “regularized” courses.

Because of this variability of credit transfers, it is recommended that students choose to attend pre-college courses based on their interest in the specific coursework (as opposed to attending to potentially transfer the credits).

Admission to Syracuse University is very competitive and acceptance to our pre-college programs is not a guarantee that you will be admitted to the University. At the same time, pre-college students have the opportunity to excel, prove themselves at the college level, and make a positive impression on professors/instructors. We recommend that students request a letter of recommendation from their professors/instructors upon completion of the program.

Stay up-to-date on all things pre-college by signing up for email updates.

Summer College – On Campus FAQs

For students living on campus, one of the primary components of the Summer College – On Campus experience is learning how to live on their own. This includes time management and being responsible for their actions. Therefore, Summer College – On Campus students will have a good deal of autonomy and freedom in their schedules. They will spend between 16 and 30 hours per week in the classroom, studio, lab, and/or theater. The remaining time is to be organized around studying, writing papers, working on group projects, rehearsing, doing laundry, attending (optional) residential activities, socializing, etc. Off-campus weekend trips and activities are planned in addition to the residence hall and on-campus activities that occur in the evenings during the week.

Most courses in Summer College – On Campus have a commuter option. View the individual course pages for more details. Commuters do not pay room and residential programs fees, but they are provided with a meal plan as part of their Summer College – On Campus board fees. The meal plan consists of 5 lunches per week. Commuters are permitted to spend time in the approved residence hall common areas if they are appropriately signed in as a guest of a Summer College – On Campus residential student and adhere to all guest policies. Commuter students may utilize campus common areas for studying and gathering outside of class time. Such areas include but are not limited to the Life Sciences Atrium, Bird Library, Schine Student Center, Marshall Square Mall, and many more.

Students taking credit-bearing courses are typically in class for three to four hours per day, four or five days per week (Monday-Thursday or Monday-Friday). Students spend the remaining hours of the day (and some evening hours) on class assignments, group projects, and studying.

Students in noncredit classes and the studio/lab programs are in class (and the studios, labs, or theater) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with an hour break for lunch Monday through Friday. Students spend the remaining hours of the day (and some evening hours) on class assignments, group projects, and studying. Weekends offer opportunities for outdoor activities, trips, and social events. Most students also spend considerable weekend time on academic pursuits.

Our dining hall, Shaw Hall Dining, has food options for almost everyone: gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, and more! Do you have a food allergy, dietary restrictions due to medical reasons or religious observances, or stay away from certain kinds of foods? We can connect you with our registered dietitian.

A roommate will be assigned to you. Students attending Summer College – On Campus with a friend from high school or sibling may request to room together and we’ll make every effort to honor that request, although we cannot guarantee placement with late requests. Roommate requests must be made by both of the individuals requesting each other in the Summer College – On Campus application in the space provided. Many students enjoy the adventure of rooming with a new acquaintance, so we encourage students to consider this option. For privacy purposes, roommate information will not be given prior to arrival on campus.

Yes, Summer College – On Campus students are required to sign in at the main desk of the residence hall prior to curfew each night and then remain in the residence hall for the rest of the night. Curfew is 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday. 

Yes, students are permitted leave campus during the day and evening hours as long as it doesn’t interfere with class and studies. They must sign out prior to leaving and sign back in upon their return.

The residence hall is coed by floors. Rooms are typically doubles, and house two students. Some students may be placed in singles. Others may be in triples or suites that accommodate two to six students. Roommates are assigned (see above). Large bathrooms on each floor are shared. Residence halls also typically contain a large common room and several smaller lounges. Dining facilities are in a nearby dining center.

While we do not recommend shipping belongings, you may ship your items to the residence hall, but the package cannot arrive before you arrive on campus. The earliest the package can arrive is the Monday of the start of your course. For example, if you are attending Session I and moving in on July 7, you would not be able to have your items shipped to the dorms until Monday, July 8.

Yes, you are expected to stay in the residence hall for the duration of your courses unless there is a break longer than one week between the sessions you register for. For example, if you register for a program in Session 1 and one in Session 3, you may NOT remain in the residence hall during Session 2.

Note: Students attending courses in more than one session will only need to attend one orientation session, however all curfews remain in place so they may not leave for the weekend unless they have parental permission.

We will have a complementary airport shuttle for students from the SYR airport. Students should wait to book flights and we will be updating orientation and move-in schedules soon.

The money students need varies from student to student and family to family. Remember, the cost of Summer College – On Campus includes all meals, field trips, and activities. Students are provided with lunch on weekend field trips. Students may want to bring extra spending money for souvenirs on these trips.

Many students like to purchase food to eat after the dining hall closes for the day. Some students like to grab coffee at Starbucks or lunch at one of the many eateries on Marshall Street. For a $2 fee, students can take a 10-minute bus ride to the nearby mall, Destiny USA, for shopping, movie theaters, and other entertainment. Students will also need pocket money for snacks, school supplies, and toiletries. Students in credit-bearing courses should estimate about $150 per course for textbooks. We suggest that parents purchase prepaid debit cards for students to reduce overall cash on hand.

No, Summer College students are not permitted to bring or have cars (or any other type of motor vehicle) on campus during the program. The only exceptions are for commuting students who need to drive to class each day. Students are not permitted to ride in/on any motor vehicles owned or operated by other students. Students who are invited to ride with the parent of another student must provide documentation from their parent expressly granting permission on a case-by-case basis.

Summer College – Online FAQs

Students must have access to a computer or laptop with a webcam and reliable access to the internet to be successful in an online program. Some programs have specific additional requirements.

Students taking an online course are typically in class for 1.5 hours per day, Monday – Thursday, for their synchronous class. Students spend 6-8 hours per week on asynchronous work including class assignments, group projects, and studying. Outside of class, students can look forward to multiple virtual career and college prep sessions and social events to meet other Summer College – Online students.

We understand that appointments and illness arise, and it is okay if you need to miss or are late to a class or two. If you are late or need to miss the live synchronous class, please ensure to connect with your instructor so you can catch up on any missed work or assignments!

Accelerated Semester Online FAQs

Students must have access to a computer or laptop with a webcam and reliable access to the internet to be successful in an online program.

We understand that appointments and illness arise, and it is okay if you need to miss or are late to a class or two. If you are late or need to miss the live synchronous class, please ensure to connect with your instructor so you can catch up on any missed work or assignments!

Accelerated Semester Online courses are comprised of high school, undergraduate and part-time students.