Summer Scholars | A program for Outstanding High School Students

What is the Summer Scholars Program?

Each summer Saint Peter's College offers outstanding high school students entering their junior or senior years the opportunity to participate in our Summer Scholars Program. For a nominal fee of $400, students may earn three college credits (a $2,000 value), learn from full-time Saint Peter's College professors, and experience the richness of college life.

Summer Calendar

The 2010 Summer Scholars classes will meet from July 7 to August 5, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9 am until 12 noon.

The classes will be conducted on a colloquium model: a one-day (Monday) general Scholars meeting, and two days (Wednesday and Thursday) of individual class meetings.  General Scholars meetings will include performances and presentations by professionals from the various fields represented in the Summer Scholars Program: the arts, the social sciences, and the sciences.  2009 presenters included Jersey City's own Actors Shakespeare Company, Rheumatologist Dr. Robert Lahita, speaking on "Diseases of the U. S. Presidents," and genocide awareness organization Rwanda Consulting.

At the end of the semester, students work in groups to create presentations which illustrate what they've learned in their classes.  They  present these before the general body of Summer Scholars, and in this way students not only learn about teamwork and public speaking and performing, but all the Summer Scholars also learn from each other.

Courses

The following courses will be offered in 2010: 

Human Genetics - A lecture and laboratory course in Human Genetics, with an emphasis on the study of human diseases that have a genetic basis (molecular and chromosomal diseases). During the semester we will discuss various ethical biomedical issues that arise because of advances in medical genetics. Taught by Dr. Leonard Sciorra, Schuh Professor of the Department of Biology (limited to 12 students).

Forensic Science - This class will consider the application of many different scientific techniques used for legal purposes and concerned with determining causes of death and examining injuries due to crime and negligence.  The laboratory component to this class will include an analysis of the techniques and procedures used in forensic science. Taught by Dr. Jeanette Wilmanski, Department of Biology (limited to 12 students).

Civilization and Disease - An interdisciplinary survey of the impact of disease on human history, during the course of which we will consider the following questions, and more: the Black Death versus nuclear war - is recovery the same?  What is the evolutionary correlation between malaria and sickle cell anemia?  What are the similarities and differences between the 1918 Spanish Flu and present-day avian flu? Taught by Dr. Richard Petriello, Department of Biology, and Dr. Jerome Gillen, Department of History.

Responses to the Land: Histories and Literatures of the Environment - The philosopher/writer Henry David Thoreau surveyed America in the middle of the 19th century and suggested that unless we changed our lifestyles we were doomed not only to destroy precious nature but ourselves. He noted that using up nature to achieve material aims might result in economic gain, but at a terrible price: the inability to achieve psychological or spiritual health. Today, of course, the issues surrounding humankind’s use of nature have become even more predominant. Material progress and the means we use to achieve it have some people worried that we’re destroying the world, while others consider it a matter of debate. Viewed predominantly through the lenses of poets, essayists, and historians, this course will take an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach to the questions posed by humankind’s relationship to the environments—natural and ‘man-made’—that we inhabit. Taught by Dr. Paul Almonte, Department of English and Dr. David Gerlach, Department of History.

Greek Theatre - We will examine three ancient dramas (two tragedies and one comedy), as literary works and as plays intended as performance. (Indeed, it is most likely that very few of the ancient Greeks and Romans actually read a written text of any of the plays.) Two of the plays, Euripides' Hippolytus and Seneca's Phaedra, are about the same myth while the third, Aristophanes' Frogs, includes Euripides as a character. We will consider the historical and cultural context in which these works were written and staged, as well as more contemporary interpretations of them. We will compose papers of literary analysis and we will also act out scenes from the plays, which we will present to the entire community of Summer Scholars. No previous acting experience is necessary: Together we will explore the rudiments of acting for the stage, as well as how to work with the poetic meters of the ancient Greek and Roman dramatists. This will be a supportive, rather than competitive, learning environment. Taught by Dr. Kristina Chew, Department of Classics, and Casey Groves, actor, playwright, and adjunct professor (limited to 12 students). 

Selection of Summer Scholars:

Summer scholars must be in good academic standing and display a commitment to learning, extracurricular activities, and public service. Admission to the program is based on academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application essays.

Rising juniors who successfully complete the Summer Scholars Program are encouraged to reapply for the next summer, to take a different course; their application essay and letter of recommendation will be waived.  Rising seniors who successfully complete the Summer Scholars Program are encouraged to apply for admission to Saint Peter's College, and their application letter of recommendation will be waived. However, participation in the Summer Scholars program does not guarantee admission to the college, which is also based on senior-year academic standing and SAT scores.

How to Apply

Students must submit the following items:

1. A completed application form 
2. An official high school transcript, with class rank
3. PSAT or SAT scores, when available
4. The required essay (see below)
5. A minimum of one letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.

All application materials must be postmarked by Friday, April 16, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified the week of May 10, 2010. Please remember that, if accepted, a $400 payment shall be required for participation.  There is no application fee.

Please mail applications and supporting materials to:

Dr. David Gerlach
Saint Peter's College
2641 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ  07306-5944

Essay

Please write a 200-word essay considering the following questions:

Saint Peter’s College is committed to the Jesuit motto “men and women for others.”  The motto of another local college, CUNY Queens College, is Disci's ut serviamus ("We learn in order to serve").  What do these statements mean to you, in the context of higher education?  What do you want to study in college, and how do you want to employ the skills and knowledge you acquire--will it be, in some way, in service to others?  Provide specific examples from your life--we want to learn about you!

Syllabi & Books

Your professor will distribute the syllabus for your course on the first day of class. Required textbooks will be indicated on your syllabus. Students may purchase books at the Saint Peter's College Store in McDermott Hall or may choose to purchase books off-campus; in general, professors endeavor to keep the cost of textbooks to a minimum.

Attendance

Regular attendance in Summer Session classes is mandatory. Any question about this policy should be directed to your professor.

Grades

At the completion of the course(s), grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

While studying at Saint Peter's, Summer Scholars may use the Saint Peter's College Library and Academic Computer Center.  Once they are registered in a Summer Scholars class, students may obtain information about accessing the SPC Computer System on the My Accounts page.

At the completion of the Summer Scholars Program, an official copy of your grades will be mailed to you at home. You may also request transcripts through the Enrollment Services Center.  If you have successfully completed your Summer Scholars course, are a rising senior, and are interested in applying to Saint Peter's College, your letter of recommendation will be waived.

Here are links to directions to, and a map of, the Saint Peter's College Jersey City campus. 

2008 Summer Scholars

 Students Conduct Disease Transmission Experiment

The Actors Shakespeare Company & 2007 Summer Scholars