The University's pre-college summer programs are expanding to meet rising demand, although some undergraduates enrolled in summer classes were less than thrilled with the presence of high school students on campus.
According to Karen Sibley, dean of summer and continuing studies, the popularity of Brown's precollege programs is part of "a national trend among precollege students to be better prepared for college" by participating in academic programs over the summer.
The one- to five-week mini-courses, designed specifically for high school students, are undergoing the largest growth of the precollege programs. Last year mini-courses in engineering and theater were introduced and more courses were offered in the most popular areas, a process that will continue in the coming years. precollege programs in leadership, English for international students and environment science are also growing.
Accepted precollege students can also enroll in Brown summer session courses alongside undergraduates, but the popularity of this option is declining, Sibley said.
Brown undergraduates taking summer session courses generally outnumber precollege students in their classes by about five-to-one, according to Sibley. But precollege students from a variety of programs dominate the campus and residence halls, which usually hold no more than 150 undergraduates during the summer. Most of the 500 or so Brown students here for summer session live off campus during their seven-week courses.
Brown undergraduates who have been here during summer sessions have mixed feelings about the large number of high school students on campus. Saul McDonald '06, who has taken two summer session courses while living on campus, wasn't bothered by precollege students in his classes but did notice their overwhelming and sometimes "obnoxious" presence on campus, particularly in the dining halls.
Angela Santamaria '07, who took EL11: "Critical Reading and Writing I: The Academic Essay" during the summer, said that precollege students outnumbered Brown students in her class and that they couldn't express their ideas at the same level as college students. She also lived on campus and said that the precollege students "acted like they owned the place" and that it was a very different atmosphere from being surrounded by all Brown students.
The summer programs grossed over $10 million in revenue before expenses this year. "Once the expenses are all met the revenue goes to support the academic enrichment plan," Sibley said.
Precollege students living on campus pay between $1,750 and $4,500 for the mini-courses, depending on length, and $7,840 for two seven-week credit courses.
The residential facilities could house even more precollege students during the summer, but the University still has to expand summer programs "carefully" to maintain the current level of quality while offering more opportunities, Sibley said.
