Overview
We realize that deciding whether or not you should send your child to Carnegie Mellon's six-week summer program from June 29 to August 9, 2013 could be a difficult decision for you. For one, there's a significant price associated with our Pre-College programs. And there's also the issue of your child "living the life of a college student" while they are still in high school.
We're going to put your worries to rest. First, read through the details of the program your son or daughter is interested in. Then, take into consideration that Pre-College is literally the shortened version of a first-semester of college. It's not easy. Students not only experience a real classroom and complete Carnegie Mellon coursework, they also get a glimpse of what it takes to interact with professors, classmates and a roommate at a level they may have not yet encountered.
Students who have participated in Pre-College return to high school with a much better sense of what they need to do in preparation for college or what college setting they may now either like or dislike. They may feel more confident about the college application process and going off to college.
While Pre-College is serious inside the classroom, and at times demanding, it is also a great social opportunity. Many classes meet on casual levels in the evenings, putting a fun spin on academics. There are weekend events organized for the students so they can explore the city in an exciting, but supervised atmosphere. And your child will have the chance to meet others from all over the country and the world. Bonds between classmates and roommates are typically strong and long lasting.
Be assured that your son or daughter will gain much from their experience in Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College programs. They'll be challenged, but they'll also gain confidence from their new independence and will feel a sense of accomplishment having completed six weeks worth of real college-level coursework.
