Summer Scholars Program
The Summer Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for high-achieving students to get a jump start on their college career in an immersive, engaging environment. New Middle Georgia State University students will begin their college experience in a living-learning community, earning six hours of core curriculum credit through four weeks of online summer instruction and a month-long, high-impact campus experience, culminating in an optional travel opportunity to Costa Rica.
Benefits of the Summer Scholars Program
- Membership in an elite learning community
- Weekly travel to internationally significant sites in Georgia
- Optional international travel experience in Costa Rica
- Priority access to housing in Macon or Cochran
- Participation in honors courses with a gateway to the Honors Program.
Admission to the Middle Georgia State University Honors Program requires a High School GPA of 3.5 or higher and/or an 1100 minimum combined SAT, with a verbal score of at least 580 and/or ACT composite score of 24 or higher. However, students who gain admission to the Summer Scholars Program and successfully complete all coursework (a minimum of two classes) with at least a GPA of 3.0 can earn a seat in the Honors Program.
- Earn Experiential Learning credit for participation in undergraduate research and service-learning designated courses and activities.
- Ongoing living-learning community experiences planned for fall semester and beyond
Summer Scholars 2019: Global Georgia
Global Georgia will explore our connections to the world and to each other. Get to know your campus, your fellow Summer Scholars, and your faculty mentors as you work toward admission to the Honors Program. The program will begin online, then deepen the connection by moving into the classroom and beyond. You will benefit from weekly excursions to important sites around Georgia (tentative destinations include the Porsche Experience Center), advance introduction to MGA's academic and career resources, and evening activities to build community between you and your fellow students. The program culminates in an optional 5-day visit to UGA's Costa Rica campus/research facility for an authentic, immersive learning adventure featuring rainforest hikes, an organic farm tour, a cooking lesson, and more.
Locations
Macon and Cochran (limited seats available on each campus)
Dates
- Application deadline February 28, 2019
- Online components available May 28, 2019
- Residence hall move-in June 24, 2019
- Classes on campus, evening activities, and weekly excursions June 25 - July 23, 2019
- Optional international travel to Costa Rica July 24-30 (to be confirmed)
Curriculum
Choose two thematically related courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements; earn a place in the Honors Program upon successful completion.
Enrichment Activities
You will participate in evening activities and weekly excursions to enhance learning, discover campus resources, and get to know fellow participants and program staff.
Attendance at weekly excursions and evening activities is required, and optional events may be added based on students’ interest.
Participants will receive a complete schedule at the start of the program.
The Costa Rica Experience
As part of the the international travel experience in Costa Rica that culminates the program, you will fly to San Jose, Costa Rica on July 24 and travel onward to University of Georgia's Costa Rica research facility in Puntarenas. Over the next four days, you will enjoy and learn from
- guided hiking trips including a night hike and a visit to the Monteverde Reserve
- ecotourism experiences such as a tour of UGACR's organic farm
- presentations from experts on local plants and wildlife
- cultural activities including a cooking class and a dance class
The cost of the travel experience includes airfare, lodging, 3 meals a day while in Costa Rica, and program activities at UGACR. An optional ziplining excursion will be available at additional cost for students who wish to add to their adventure. All students traveling to Costa Rica must have valid passports.
Cost
The Summer Scholars program is financial aid eligible! If you receive the Hope and Zell Miller scholarships and/or Pell grants, plan to apply these resources to this program.
Program costs will include tuition and fees, housing, and a meal plan. Weekly excursions and after-hours activities are included in the program cost. The optional Costa Rica experience carries an additional cost to cover travel, room and board, and activities while in country.
Eligibility and How to Apply
- The Summer Scholars program is a highly selective program with very limited availability. Students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for the program.
- Admission to Middle Georgia State University for summer semester is required for participation in the program.
To apply, complete and submit the Summer Scholars application. For full consideration, students are encouraged to apply by February 28, 2019.
For more information, contact summerscholars@mga.edu.
