Pre-College Summer (PCS) allows high school students to explore their academic interests, while gaining knowledge of institutional activities and social environments on a college campus. PCS serves as an exploratory experience where students will gain an understanding of the college classroom with engaging University faculty & experts in their field and explore nuances and areas of college-life at a nationally ranked public university. Plus, students have the opportunity to build lasting friendships with other high school students.

Because Pre-College Summer is a residential, academic program, it is unlike the traditional summer camp setting your child may have attended in the past. Pre-College Summer students are expected to have a genuine interest in the academic area of their choosing and should be truly curious about college living on a public university campus. We expect them to be socially mature and academically serious about their experience at Pre-College Summer. If this sounds like your child, Pre-College Summer would be a great fit for them!

Students in our program live in a UConn residence hall and dine in campus dining halls. They attend class Monday through Friday, and class times alters based on the daily schedule and their specific course. When not in class, students are required to attend a variety of afternoon skill building exploratory workshops of their choice, on topics like choosing a college major, coping with stress, writing a college application essay, and creating a vision board of what they aspire for their future! Free time during evening hours allows students to play sports, go for a group jog around UConn’s scenic campus, take a walk to UConn’s Dairy Bar or Downtown Storrs, have “jam sessions” with instruments brought from home, have movie nights, or just hang out with roommates and floormates.

Residential staff are with students throughout the evening in the residence halls and available to the students for the entire program period. They provide near-peer mentoring and ensure student health, safety and welfare. These mentors are current undergraduate and graduate students who support and inform high school students regarding questions about college life, their own college experiences, and navigating their way around campus.

We pride ourselves on our Pre-College Summer residential staff and their training. We build a cohesive and well-prepared team through an intensive week-long residential staff safety curriculum provided by UConn’s: Division of Public Safety (police, fire, and emergency medical services), Office of Minor Protection, Cultural Centers including the Asian American Cultural Center and the Women’s Center, Center for Students with Disabilities, First Aid/CPR/AED training, and mandated reporter training provided by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.

Please take a look at our Note to Parents for additional information about your child’s experience with us at Pre-College Summer.

Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will meet with our program staff at our check-in table to receive the key to access their room, as well as pick up some PCS swag! Our program staff, including the Residential Assistant will be around to help guide students to their room assignment and answer any questions that you or your student have. After bringing your student's belongings to their room, you may explore the surrounding area a bit before saying your goodbyes. Students will be guided by our staff over to the building where the family orientation will begin at 3:30pm.