Application Process
What are the dates for the 2019 Summer Scholars Program (SSP)?
July 6 – July 26. Students arrive on Saturday, July 6. All students, residential and commuter, attend a mandatory student orientation on Sunday, July 7. Classes begin on Monday, July 8. The program concludes on Friday, July 26, at noon.
When is the deadline for applying?
The application reveiw period is from September to June. Applications are reviewed when all application materials are received. An admission decision is sent within 7-10 business days of reciept of all application materials. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early to reserve space in their preferred program.
The application deadline schedule is as follows:
- Early Action – December 1
- Priority – February 1
- Scholarship – March 1
- General – April 30
- Applications are accepted and reviewed in May and June for open academic tracks
What are the application criteria?
Students who are interested in this program have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale), submit the online application, two essays, a teacher recommendation, a guidance counselor recommendation, official high school transcript(s), and non-refundable application fee.
Can international students apply?
International students are welcome and encouraged to apply. International students are required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score with their application. Applicants must score the University minimum to be eligible for the Summer Scholars Program.
Can students commute or must they live on campus?
Yes, students can commute. Those who choose this option should have a Florida residence located in either Miami-Dade or Broward counties. It is recommended that commuter students reside with family or family friends who are over the age of 21. Commuter students are no longer the responsibility of the University of Miami once they leave campus (unless traveling on a program sponsored activity – departing from and returning to campus).
Where should I send the application materials?
- Teacher and Guidance Counselor recommendations are part of the online application. Enter the contact information for your Teacher and Guidance Counselor in the application. Once the recommendation request has been submitted, the recommendors will receive an email with a link to fill out the recommendation form online. Responses will be sent directly to our office.
- High school transcripts should be mailed to the Summer Scholars Program office to the address below. High school counselors may email transcripts directly to the Summer Scholars office at ssp.docs@miami.edu.
Summer Scholars Program
University of Miami
111 Allen Hall
5050 Brunson Drive
Miami, FL 33146
Attention Counselors: transcripts must be sent directly to the Summer Scholars Program office; they should NOT be sent to the University of Miami Office of Admission – as this is a separate office.
- Supplemental documents for international students, including passport ID page, bank letter and TOEFL report, should be emailed to ssp.docs@miami.edu.
When will my file be reviewed for admission to the program?
A file will be reviewed once all documents have been received by the program office (essays, transcript, teacher recommendation, guidance counselor recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS score). Allow 7-10 business days for review once the complete application has been received in the office. Admission decisions will be sent by email.
Will students be notified of missing application documents?
The purpose of our application process is to acquaint students with the college application process that they will experience soon. Though SSP staff sends courtesy emails to inform the student when a document is received, ensuring the application is complete is the responsibility of the students and parents. Students should log into CaneLink to track their application documents and progress.
When are students notified of their acceptance?
The application will be reviewed when all required documents are received by the SSP office. Allow 7-10 business days for an admission decision. Students will be notified of the admission decision via email.
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Academics
What school supplies should students bring?
Students should bring supplies that they would use during the normal academic year like paper, pens, pencils, backpacks, and folders. Specialty items may be needed, however this information will be communicated to the students prior to their arrival on campus.
Will students need to purchase textbooks for class?
No – textbooks are provided to students by the program.
Do students earn academic credit?
Students enrolled in the Summer Scholars Program earn college credit and their grades will be part of their official record at the University of Miami.
What does the student's official record consist of at the University of Miami?
The student record includes classes taken, grades earned, and grade point average (semester average and cumulative average). This information is part of the student's permanent record at the University of Miami. The grades earned during the program will be included in the calculation of the student's overall academic record should they gain entrance to the University as an undergraduate student.
Can this credit be used at other colleges?
Yes, students can petition to use this credit at other universities and colleges. Students must request an official transcript (fee applies) from the Office of the University Registrar to be mailed to the institution that will apply the credit. Transcripts can be ordered through the CaneLink student portal. It is the student's responsibility to keep course syllabi and graded work, as the receiving institution will often request these materials. It is the sole discretion of the receiving institution to accept and apply the credit. For assistance ordering transcripts in Canelink visit Student Center Help.
Can this credit be used as high school credit?
The University of Miami issues undergraduate college credit for the Summer Scholars Program. For information about high school credit, students should contact their high school guidance counselor as the policy varies from high school to high school.
How can students access their grades after the program?
Students can access their grades and unofficial transcript on CaneLink. For students attending in Summer 2019, grades will be available on August 14. Official transcripts (fee applies) must be ordered through the Office of the Registrar. Students can order transcripts online from the Office of the University Registrar by clicking on "Alumni and Former Students," or via the student's CaneLink account. It is recommended to request official transcripts one month prior to the application deadline of the college/university to which they are applying.
Will attending the program help students if they apply to the University of Miami?
The University of Miami welcomes Summer Scholars to apply as undergraduates; however, attending the program does not guarantee admission nor is special consideration given to Summer Scholars Program alumni. For information on the undergraduate application process visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Who can I contact if I have questions about applying to UM as an undergraduate?
Please contact your regional UM admission counselor for questions about how to apply to the University of Miami as a freshman. Click here to find your regional admission counselor.
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Tuition
What is the cost of the program?
The 2019 Residential Program Fee is $8,187 (tuition $5,990 + program fees $2,197) and the Commuter Program Fee is $6,957 (tuition $5,990 + program fees $967).
I am a University of Miami employee, can I use my tuition benefits?
University employee dependents are welcome to apply to the program. Tuition remission is available for eligible employees. Students may attend as either a resident or commuter. The benefit is applied to the tuition portion ($5,990). Please note program fees are not covered by Tuition Remission. Contact HR - Benefits Administration to inquire about eligibility. Please note, dependents must be registered with HR - Benefits Administration.
What does the program fee include?
The Residential Program fee includes: tuition, housing, meals on campus, text books/printed materials, access to the campus fitness facility and the UM Student Health Service, evening activities, and weekend field trips.*
The Commuter Program fee includes tuition, lunch on campus, textbooks/printed materials, access to the campus fitness facility and UM Student Health Service, evening activities, and weekend field trips.*
*Excludes the dolphin encounter and shark tagging excursions, which are optional for an additional fee.
Are there any additional costs?
Please note the $75 application fee is additional to the program fee and non-refundable. Fees not included are transportation to and from campus, meals off campus, shopping, spending money and medical expenses.
Commuter students may purchase a parking permit if they wish to park on campus. Students enrolled in the Marine Science program will be required to submit a $325 Marine Science Exploration fee. Optional Workshops (for non-marine science students) include shark tagging for $225 and a dolphin encounter in Key Largo for $175.
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Limited scholarship funding is available to eligible applicants. Click here for scholarship information. Financial aid is not available for the Summer Scholars Program.
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Campus Life
Can students select their roommates?
Students will complete a Roommate Questionnaire before arrival to campus, and will be matched based on gender, program and compatibility.
Is airport pick-up available for students flying to Miami?
Airport pick-up is available for students arriving to and departing from Miami International Airport (MIA). Students will be greeted by program staff members. Students arriving via Ft. Lauderdale Airport (FLL) or by other modes of transportation (bus or train) will need to provide their own transportation to and from campus.
Will commuters enjoy the program in the same manner as residential students?
The Summer Scholars Program is designed for the enjoyment of all participants. Commuters are encouraged to participate in evening and weekend activities to gain a fuller sense of campus life. Activities provide students with the opportunity to bond outside of the classroom and develop mature interpersonal relationships with a diverse group of students.
What is the class schedule and how are classes structured?
Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:20 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4:10 p.m.; and consist of lectures, tests, quizzes, projects, homework, and a final exam. The program is structured around hands-on experience, which may consist of guest lecturers, open discussion, lab work, and field trips.
Are students chaperoned?
The safety of our Summer Scholars is our primary concern, yet there is still a great deal of independence given to participants. SSP staff reside in the residence hall and chaperone on- and off-campus activities. Students leave campus for SSP organized activities only. Parents and guardians should note that students will need a high level of maturity and self-responsibility for this program.
What steps are provided to ensure safety on campus?
- The University of Miami Police Department (UMPD) is dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the University community who study, research, work, and live on the Coral Gables Campus.
- Public Safety services are available should students need assistance at any time. Security at UM operates 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. For more information visit Campus Safety & FAQS.
- The Department of Housing and Residential Life prioritize student safety and security. Housing and Residential Life Security staff consists of security supervisors and security assistants, who provide overnight services to residents between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Living areas in the residence halls are only accessible by University issued ID cards.
- Non-program participants are not permitted beyond the lobby of the residence hall except for move-in and move-out day.
- Residential students are not permitted to bring cars to campus nor are they allowed to be in the vehicles of commuter students.
- All campus sponsored field trips are chaperoned by SSP staff.
Do students have a curfew?
Yes, residential students must be on the Summer Scholars floors by 10 p.m., on their own floor by 11:00 p.m. and in their rooms by midnight. Commuter students must depart campus by 10 p.m.
Should students bring their computer?
Bringing a computer is at the discretion of the student; some students choose to take class notes on a laptop. All SSP students have access to the University of Miami Richter Library, however many students prefer to complete course assignments in their room.
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Entertainment and Travel
Do most parents accompany students to campus on the first day of the program?
Families who live within a four to five hour drive of UM usually bring their son or daughter to campus; residential students are not permitted to bring a vehicle to campus. Out-of-state and international students typically fly unaccompanied to Miami. SSP staff will meet unaccompanied students flying to Miami International Airport (MIA) on arrival day and provide transport to MIA for their return flight. Students flying to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) airport must make their own transportation arrangements to campus and back to FLL for their return flight.
Is transportation provided for commuter students to campus for class?
Transportation to and from campus is not provided for commuter students. Commuter students may drive to campus, however they will be required to purchase a parking permit. For off-campus program activities, commuter students must use the SSP sponsored transportation which departs and returns to the Gables campus.
How will students get around during the program?
University sponsored transportation will pick-up students from the airport (MIA) on the day of arrival, take participants to and from program activities, and take students to the airport (MIA) on the day of departure.
What do students do in their free time?
Students may use their free time to work on class assignments, study at the library, swim at the campus pool, exercise at the Wellness center, explore campus, and join evening and weekend activities.
Are there scheduled activities?
Yes! The program provides a variety of evening and weekend activities. Weekend activities include: snorkeling in Key Largo, touring the Everglades, attending a Marlins game, touring Miami Beach, going on shopping outings, and earning community service hours. All activities are chaperoned by program staff.
Students can enroll in workshops for an additional fee: dolphin encounter and/or shark tagging experience. Space is limited; workshops are reserved on a first come first served basis.
Are televisions available for students to watch?
There are no televisions in the residence halls, however students may bring their own. CableTV is provided in each residential room.
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Visit Campus
Is it possible to visit campus before the program?
You are welcome to visit campus. Click here to schedule a campus tour through the Office of Admissions. To meet with the Summer Scholars Program staff, please call us at (305) 284-4000 or email us at ssp@miami.edu.
Who can I contact if I have questions about applying to UM as an undergraduate?
Please contact your regional UM admission counselor for questions about how to apply to the University of Miami as a freshman. Click here to find your regional admission counselor.
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Grades and Transcripts
Where can I view my grades? I am unable to view them in Blackboard.
Blackboard is an online tool used by students during their course to access course documents and track grades. At the conclusion of the Summer Scholars Program, students will access their grades and their unofficial transcript in CaneLink. Grades will be available to students attending in Summer 2018 on August 15. For assistance viewing grades in CaneLink visit Student Center Help.
How can I order a transcript to send to another university?
Official transcripts (fee applies) must be ordered through the Office of the Registrar. Students can order transcripts online from the Office of the University Registrar by clicking on "Alumni and Former Students," or via the student's CaneLink account. It is recommended to request official transcripts one month prior to the application deadline of the college/university to which they are applying. For assistance ordering transcripts in Canelink visit Student Center Help.
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CaneLink
How do I access CaneLink?
Click here to access CaneLink. For assistance with CaneLink visit Student Center Help.
Who can assist me if I cannot remember my Cane ID or my password?
If you are having difficulty with your CaneID or password, please contact the University of Miami IT Department at (305) 284-6565, select option 1.
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