Emerson College, Boston - College Discovery

The Princeton Review College Discovery Experience

• Session #1: July 1-July 13, 2012

• Session #2: July 15-July 27, 2012

Boston stands out as a truly unique combination of breathtaking skyscrapers and green parks, complimented by a rich history dating back to the early days of the nation. With the largest concentration of colleges and universities in the world (and over 300,000 students enrolled), Boston is built for students. Founded in 1880 and located in the heart of Boston, Emerson College is one of “America’s Top Colleges” according to Forbes Magazine. It is one of the nation’s premiere institutions of higher education devoted to communication and the arts. Home to over 4,000 students from 45 states and 40 countries, Emerson’s campus is conveniently located at the southeast end of Boston Common, the nation’s oldest park, and is situated within walking distance to many of Boston’s cultural treasures.

Choosing the right college is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever have to make. After all, the school you attend will help determine your future – your career, your lifetime friends, even where you’ll live and work after college. We know how important this decision is, and The Princeton Review College Discovery Experience can make it a less stressful, more successful process. During this intensive two-week summer program, we’ll help you create your personal college admissions profile (including the application essay), improve your SAT/PSAT scores, and help you navigate through the demanding college application process.

Features of this exciting program include:

• All-inclusive college campus visits 2 – 4 days a week in “college-rich” areas.
• Meetings with college admissions officers and college students as you tour the campuses.
• College Admissions courses by The Princeton Review.
• Tailored PSAT and SAT preparation with guaranteed results.
• Intensive College Essay/Personal Statement workshops to help you craft an outstanding admissions essay.
• Coaching and thorough preparation for college interviews.
• Expert guidance to help you narrow your college choices and pick the right school for you.
• Expert admissions advice from college admissions advisors and guidance counselors.
• Enjoyable, well-supervised introduction to campus living and college life.

*Note: College Discovery students will be able to partake in most evening and some weekend activities that are offered on the full, 4 week Summer Discovery program. However, College Discovery students will not be able to participate in most athletic activities.

Program Features and Experience

Straight A’s to Admission

Achievement

Preparation for the SAT. Identification on key curricula/courses that impress the top colleges.

Analysis

Individual Personal Profile and transcript review, school type identification (large/small, public/private, urban/rural, liberal arts/specialty curriculum) and more.

Application

Creating a personal portfolio, essay writing workshops and strategy, meeting deadlines, early decision options, rolling admissions, and geographic/cultural diversity.

Acceptance

Sound choices and goals= college acceptance success.

Classes

All students take the following three classes and guidance sessions:

College Admissions

This comprehensive program provides direction and insight into the complicated college selection and application process.  The course takes a workshop approach to narrowing college choices, crafting a dynamic admissions essay, preparing for an interview, establishing a personalized admissions time line, and using a step-by-step process to complete college applications. Students will go “Inside the Decision” and witness a simulated admissions application review session where professional admissions officers evaluate actual applications. Students also receive two of The Princeton Review’s most popular books: Best 376 Colleges and Visiting College Campuses.        

Essay Writing Workshops      

When it comes to your college essay, we know what colleges are looking for. Colleges use these essays to discover the “real” you and to help determine what you’ll contribute to their academic community.  By reviewing the most commonly asked essay questions, we teach you how to effectively express your ideas and create a positive impression while avoiding potential missteps.

Intensive PSAT/SAT Preparation

The Princeton Review offers the most effective and personal PSAT and SAT preparation available anywhere.  That’s why we help more students prepare for the PSAT and SAT than anyone else.  This unique summer program offers you an experience you won’t find anywhere else.  The SAT course is structured to produce high score improvements through effective, proven verbal skill-building and math instruction. These intensive programs focus on all of the content tested on the PSAT and SAT. Class size is small, and students are grouped by individual strengths and weaknesses.  You’ll also get a free fall PSAT or SAT Wrap-Up which will help you refresh your skills right before the fall PSAT or SAT.

Guidance Sessions

Guidance from Admissions Experts

In order to pinpoint the school that best meets your needs, first you have to figure out just what those needs are. Our effective admissions advice helps you define your ideal school by looking at criteria such as your interests, your goals, your academic background, school location, size, finances, faculty credentials, course offerings, team sports, and more. And we won’t just stop at helping you narrow down your school choices either; our experts help you develop a game plan to increase your chances of acceptance, covering the rest of the application process and even going so far as to prepare you for your college interviews.

Choosing Recommenders

Most schools require letters of recommendation as part of the application.  If you think all applicants send in strong recommendations, think again. There are right and wrong ways to choose recommenders.  In this workshop, our faculty will help you determine who should write your recommendations and what they should say.

The Personal Profile

Keeping Your Parents and High School in the Loop Prior to the program you and your family will complete this important questionnaire. The information you provide in the profile, along with your school transcript, help us to customize the College Discovery program specifically for you.

Experience Campus Life While Still in High School

Through the Princeton Review College Discovery Experience you’ll have the unique opportunity to live in a real collegiate community. You’ll live cooperatively with roommates, learn how to use a university library, do your own laundry, and manage your time. Best of all, you’ll make new friends from all over the USA and around the world.

College Visits

Getting into the best college means knowing which college is best for you! It’s easy to learn about colleges by reading their brochures or going online, but nothing beats the experience of visiting in person. On our college visits you’ll see the part of the campus colleges leave out of their brochures  and talk to students who attend the school. You’ll see small schools, private schools, rural schools and big city schools to get a true feel for what appeals to you!
Visits include a guided tour, meetings with students and admissions officers, a stop at the bookstore, and sometimes lunch or dinner. Students choose from a menu of visits to those colleges that best suit their interests and academic profiles. Students visit many, but not all, of the colleges listed:

• Brandeis University
• Northeastern University
• Bentley College
• Emerson College
• Tufts University
• Boston College
• Harvard University
• Wellesley College
• Boston University
• MIT
• Brown University
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Transportation is provided by motorcoaches, school buses, vans and public transportation. Staff accompanies students to all colleges.