Some WHB students approaching their junior or senior year, take it upon themselves to engage in a summer college program. Whether it’s their top college choice or just one they might be interested in, it’s a good opportunity to take a chance at trying a college course level class in the profession they are seeking. One school, Notre Dame, has accepted a few students from our school for this year’s summer program.
One student in particular, Lucy Mansfield, junior at WHB spoke on her summer studies at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a leading American research university that offers undergraduate, professional, and graduate students a chance to pursue their academic endeavors in a unique scholarly community.
Lucy was initially interested in Notre Dame because it offers excellent engineering and computer science courses, which she is interested in majoring in. They offer up to 75 different degree programs including one different option within Business, Arts and Letters, Engineering, Global affairs, and sciences. The computer science program at Notre Dame is in the top 10% of the country, and the engineering school is ranked 47th in the nation.
Notre Dame summer scholars program is very competitive, therefore she had to complete a long winded application. In that application, she selected two courses that she would be interested in learning. One is her primary interest, and a second one she would be able to fall back on. She will be taking a course titled “Engineering and Inventing the Future” from June 29th to July 14th. This course exposes her to taking a college level engineering class which she will earn one college credit for completing.
She is nervous about completing a college class for a college credit. Although she has taken many college courses throughout her high school career, she has yet to learn from actual college professors on campus. The curriculum will be more difficult for her to comprehend and keep up with. Lucy has unfortunately not been able to visit the campus yet, so this course will give her a great opportunity to experience it in real time, possibly to assist her decision on a college the following year.
Also, the college application and admissions process to Notre Dame is tedious and frustrating, as the University only allows for “Restrictive Early-Action,” severely restricting her choices when applying early. She is most excited to see how the college campus is, socially, and visually. As well as making new friends that she may possibly end up going to school with in the future! From what she’s heard, the University of Notre Dame has a beautiful and attractive campus, as well as having a social and lively student body.
Lucy’s time at Notre Dame this summer will consist of attending classes, leading discussions, listening to guest lectures, collaborating in group projects, conducting research, and contributing to community service causes of my choice. Interestingly enough, she will also be residing in a freshman dorm during my stay, as well as eating in the dining halls when it is lunch time.
For more information on Notre Dame, visit https://www.nd.edu/.
