Summer Scholars
Start a successful college career early. Apply now*.
July 19 - August 2, 2019.
Save Time and Money
Apply to be part of the free 2-week learning community that will allow you to:
- Save $400 per course that you could avoid taking by increasing your Math and Writing skills and an average of $125 on books per class.
Previous students have reduced the cost of their education by $400, $800 and even $1,200 by improving placement scores in Math and English.
- Take fewer classes, reducing time to graduation.
- Have an opportunity to earn a Fall semester monetary award that can be applied to your First Year Seminar Start Smart course, reducing the cost for this course by $133.
- Have the opportunity to earn Spring semester $500 Success Award.
* Space is limited. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Begin Your College Career With a Strong Start in the Summer Scholars Program!
Harper College gives you the opportunity to prepare for your academic and personal success through the Summer Scholars program.
The free program focuses on providing:
- Customized instruction in Math to help increase Math placement scores.
- Comprehensive Writing and Reading skills to help improve placement scores.
- Basic Financial Literacy skills.
- Harper College Resources to help college success.
- Career exploration and guidance with course planning for your first year.
- Opportunities to potentially make long-lasting friendships.
Increase College Success
Increase your academic and personal success by: 
- Establishing a strong Math, Writing and Reading foundation that helps with future classes.
- Developing strong study habits and academic skills.
- Exploring Career options based on your interests.
- Creating a personalized academic plan for the fall and spring semesters.
- Learning about college resources for support and guidance.
- Learning basic Financial Literacy concepts and creating a personalized budget.
Create Connections
- Meet other new students and Harper staff.
- Get to know Harper professors.
- Become familiar with the Harper Campus.
Save time and money! Be Prepared! Feel and learn what it’s like to be a college student with a community of your peers.
Am I Eligible?
As a Summer Scholar, you are expected to meet the rigors and requirements of the program in exchange for the necessary and valuable skills that will enable you to reduce the time and money spent completing your college education.
All Harper College-bound 2019 high school graduates from high schools in Districts
211, 214 or 220 that have at least one developmental college placement are eligible.
You meet the program requirements if you received at least ONE of the following placement
scores or meet the high school English criteria:
|
ACT Math score below 21 |
OR SAT Scores |
OR |
|
ACT English Score below 19 |
SAT Math score below 530 |
7 Semesters of GPA below 3.0 in English |
|
ACT Reading Score below 20 |
SAT Reading and Writing Score below 480 |
Program Schedule (2 Weeks)
Friday, July 19th 9:00am – 1:00pm Kick-Off Orientation Meeting
Monday – Thursdays, July 22nd through August 1, 9:00am – 4:30pm class time
Friday, August 2nd 9:00am – 1:00pm Closing Ceremony
* Space is limited. Early application is strongly encouraged.
What Do I Have to Do?
- Contact your high school counselor for help with:
- Enrolling at Harper College
- Completing Summer Scholars application
- Completing Math Placement testing
- Contact the Harper One Stop for help with completing Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) 847.925.6710
- View Summer Scholars Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A member of the Summer Scholars Program team will follow up with you.
For more information, contact:
- Your high school counselor
- Juanita Bassler, Harper College Recruitment Specialist, 847.925.6940
- DuBoi McCarty, Program Co-coordinator, 847.925.6393
- Student Development, Academic Advising and Counseling, 847.925.6220
View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Student Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do I have to do to participate in the Summer Scholars program?
- Meet eligibility requirements
- Apply for Admission to Harper College
- Apply for Financial Aid if eligible
- Complete Summer Scholars Application
Who can help me apply to Summer Scholars?
Please contact your High School Counselor for help with completing the application.
Is it too late to apply?
Applications are accepted until the day prior to the start of the program or until
the program is full.
Can I complete only part of the program?
In order to complete the program successfully, program attendance is required on all program days. Family vacation, work commitments, etc. are not acceptable reasons for lack of attendance. Please make appropriate plans with family and employers.
What should I do if I don’t have ACT or SAT score results?
Apply to Harper College and then take the Harper College Math and Writing placement tests.
How are my chances to participate in the One Million Degrees (OMD) program increased?
A pre-determined number of seats are held for Summer Scholars participants.
Can I attend the program to get all of the benefits if I don’t meet the Math, Writing and Reading placement scores?
Unfortunately, seats are only available to students that place into at least one developmental college course.
What happens when I complete Summer Scholars?
Students that complete the program are given the opportunity to retake the tests: Math and/or Writing. Afterwards, you will meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if you should be placed into a higher-level Math and/or English course.
Student Reviews
Academic Success
- “I now know that as a student I am capable to manage my time and have the power in my life to succeed.”
- “At the beginning, when classes started, I understood that I was an adult now and I had to make my own decisions, but carefully because if I make wrong ones there are consequences.”
- “When I realized I wasn't as bad as I thought at math.”
- “I was able to improve my scores from 32 to 75, a whole 43 points and being able to qualify for such a higher math class! It was a crazy moment but i really was happy and very astounded by my own capabilities.”
- “I am now more comfortable with how to write a paper
Financial Literacy
- “When we were doing the game of life and I saw that my overall salary was not as much as I thought it would be monthly. I know now that I have to save and spend reasonably.”
- “I was surprised finding out more about my finances.”
Personal Success
- “I realized I was more sociable than when I was in high school. It felt so liberating being able to talk more to others and let go of myself to be able to merge into the program. I owe this moment to professor E. It’s a relief that it’s okay to be me and really flourish in the school.”
- “During the Summer Scholars program, I had the chance to get out of my comfort zone several times. In my own opinion, this is very crucial for students because you are doing something new. That might be cliché to say, but trust me it will help you out in the long run especially in college."