Archaeology, film production, global health—these are just a few of the many tracks offered to our Summer Scholars. High school juniors and seniors arrive on campus this week to kick off their summer experience. They’ll live in the dorms, eat at the dining halls, and work closely with Notre Dame faculty throughout their coursework. The experience offers a taste of college life and while they’re on campus students become part of our Notre Dame community and all it affords.
Summer Scholars choose from 21 tracks including Gender and Culture in American Society, Debate and Public Speaking, Photography, and Life Sciences among others. Courses, taught by Notre Dame faculty, bring students out of their comfort zone with challenging academics, and students are eligible to receive college credit upon completion.
Victoria Potter, a rising high school senior from Greenberg, Penn., is a Summer Scholar in the Photography track. She says the entire campus experience is preparing her for life after high school. “It gives me a real feel for the college life. I feel like I'm on my own for the first time.”
Francesca O'Hop, from Washington, D.C., is in the Film Production track. "The program is absolutely excellent, we have great guest speakers! We have so much technology available to us and we are able to make full short films and have the resources to make them more professional. I would say it's a worthwhile experience."
In mid-July, the University welcomes members of another pre-college program. Our Leadership Seminars offer high school students the opportunity to develop leadership skills while studying in one of three tracks: American Arts, Popular Culture, and Social Change; Global Issues: Toward a Just Peace; and Science, Ethics, and Responsibility.
Other opportunities for high school students at Notre Dame include study abroad through our Global Gateway in Rome and a Seminary Immersion experience.
Visit our Office of Pre-College Programs to learn more and hear from past participants.