The Summer Scholars Program provides international students with the opportunity to study in the United States and experience college life on an American campus. While participation in the Summer Scholars Program does not guarantee admission to a college or university, the successful completion of a pre-college program demonstrates the student's potential to study in English at the university level.
Summer Scholars: Three-Week, Credit Program Eligibility
Individuals should be self-motivated and prepared to study an academic discipline in a rigorous scholarly program, while earning college credit.
- Completed sophomore (10th) or junior (11th) year of high school
- Grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Teacher recommendation
- Guidance counselor recommendation
- Official high school transcript(s)
- Personal essays
- International Applicants are required to send the following additional documents to the SSP office:
- Official TOEFL or IELTS score – If your native language is not English
- Copy of the ID page of your passport
- Student Visa: An F-1 student visa is required for non-U.S. citizens applying to the Three-Week Credit Program. The following additional documents are required with your application:
- Copy of your student visa – If you are already studying in the U.S.
- Bank Sponsorship Letter
UM Academies: Two-Week, Non-Credit Program Eligibility
Business & Entrepreneurship Academy, Shark Research Academy
- Completed freshman (9th) sophomore (10th) or junior (11th) year of high school
- Grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Teacher recommendation
- Guidance counselor recommendation
- Official high school transcript(s)
- Personal essays
- International Applicants are required to send the following additional documents to the SSP office:
- Official TOEFL or IELTS score – If your native language is not English
- Copy of the ID page of your passport
- Applicants admitted to the Two-week Non-Credit Program do not require a student visa, however a TOEFL or IELTS score is still required for non-native English speakers.
International Applicants – Application Process – Step by Step
The following application is for both the Summer Scholars Three-Week Credit Program and the UM Academies Two-Week, Non-Credit Program. To apply to the Intensive English Two-Week, Non-Credit Academy click here>>
1. Create your account online
Create a new account or log in using your email address.
2. Apply online – select Summer Scholars Online Application
Get started on your application. Save your application progress and return any time to continue where you left off. You are encouraged to apply early – review the application deadline schedule.
3. Select your Academic Specialty on your application
Select your first program preference and second program preference from the drop-down list on the application. If your program is not listed, select "other" and write your program in the box. Some new programs that are not included in the drop-down list are: Explorations in Architecture and Global Business.
4. Include two essays with your online application
Upload two essays with your online application, answering the following questions:
Essay 1 (minimum 300 words) Why are you interested in participating in the Summer Scholar Programs, and how will participation help you achieve your future goals?
Essay 2 (minimum 300 words) choose from the following prompts: 1. What do you believe would happen to society if cell phones and computers were outlawed? or 2. You were just invited to speak at the White House. Write your speech.
5. Submit your Teacher and Guidance Counselor recommendation requests online
Enter the information for your Teacher and Guidance Counselor recommenders. Once the recommendation request has been submitted, they will receive an email with a link to fill out the recommendation form.
Please note, the Teacher Recommendation should be completed by a current or recent high school teacher, preferably from a teacher that is closely related to the academic specialty your are applying to.
6. Submit your application and pay application fee
A $75 nonrefundable application fee is required when you submit your application online. Before submitting your nonrefundable application fee, please review program tuition and fees.
7. Set up your CaneLink account
After you submit your application online, you will be sent an email with your Cane ID and a temporary password to log into CaneLink, the University of Miami student information system. Access your CaneLink account to monitor your application status and track the receipt of important application documents, including transcripts and letters of recommendation.
8. Send Transcript(s) to the Summer Scholars Program office
Send your official high school transcript(s) and most recent report card by email to the Summer Scholars Program office at ssp.docs@miami.edu.
Please send transcripts and grade reports by email as we are currently working and processing applications remotely.
High school registrars can send transcripts by email to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
9. Passport Information
Send a copy of the ID page of your passport to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
10. Official Test Scores
All applicants (applying for the Two-Week Non-Credit or the Three-Week Credit Programs) whose native language is not English are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). International students demonstrate a proficiency in English by submitting the TOEFL exam, with an Official TOEFL score report of 213 for the computer-based test, 550 for the paper test, or 80 for the internet-based test (including the speaking sub-score); or by submitting the IELTS score report with a minimum score of 6.5. UM does not accept the Institutional Testing Program (ITP) TOEFL score report. For information visit the University's English Proficiency Requirements page.
11. Student Visa
An F-1 student visa is required for non-U.S. citizens* applying to the Three-Week Credit program. If you are already studying in the U.S., email a copy of your student visa and I-20 to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
Email your scores to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
* Applicants admitted to the Two-week Non-Credit Program do not require a student visa, however a TOEFL or IELTS score is still required for non-native English speakers.
12. Bank Sponsorship Letter
If you require an F-1 student visa (non-U.S. citizens applying to the Three-Week Credit Program), you will need to submit a bank letter on official letterhead stating that the person responsible for your living and personal expenses while studying at the University of Miami has a minimum of $8,500 in his/her account, or a recent bank statement showing a balance of $8,500. Send your financial letter of support to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
Download Sample Bank Letter
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about the application process, contact an Enrollment Advisor in partnership with Summer Discovery at (516) 621-3939.
Application Deadlines >
