By Kassel Pierre-Jean
The University is inviting superior high school students for a chance to gain an edge in college education. The University has officially extended course options to high school students who show a propensity toward hard work and excellence.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Gigi Lamens said that the University has always offered college courses to superior high school students, but is promoting it for the first time.
“We had about one or two students a year taking college courses here,” Lamens said. “They were students who took initiative and came to us looking to further their education. As of this past summer session, we’re promoting it.”
The University’s efforts proved fruitful: over 20 students attended college courses this summer and Lamens said she received positive comments from them.
“They really enjoyed it. It’s good for them to be in a college setting, coming on campus, and meeting other college students. They really get the collective college experience,” Lamens said.
Unlike colleges such as St. John’s University, which integrates college courses in a few high schools on Long Island, the University prefers to have high school students attend the classes on campus.
“The courses are a supplement to their high school education,” Lamens said. “We know who’s teaching these students. They’re [University] faculty and they’re quali-fi ed to teach those courses.”
A variety of courses are offered to students in advance preparation for college. Anthropology, Chemistry, Economics, Math and Political Science are just a few of the departments that feature high school level classes. However, the University does not offer these featured courses to just any high school student.
Guidance counselors at high schools select and recommend students who have proven their dedication and commitment to excellence and superiority among their classmates in education. The admissions officer reviews the student credentials and offers students the courses that may be the best fit for them.
“Students can have a variety of reasons to take a course here,” Lamens said. “They may have exhausted a discipline at their school and want to further their education, they don’t have any AP classes offered, or they just want to excel in education.”
High school students can get University credit to apply toward future attendance at the University, but certain core courses such as English 1 and 2 are not offered. Lamens said that the faculty selects the courses and decides the appropriate amount of work for a high school senior. “We won’t give a student more than they can handle.”
Since residence is not offered, students primarily travel from all over Nassau County, eastern Queens and western Suffolk. Lamens hopes to see an increase in high school student enrollment next summer.
“It’s great for students, it’s great for us,” she said. “We hope to see it grow over time.”