Summer at Drexel

Drexel's summer academic programs are open to highly motivated high school students who wish to explore what a university-level program is all about. Workshops are led by Drexel faculty and utilize Drexel's labs, facilities, and the city of Philadelphia's many resources.

Pre-College Programs Offered

Camp Business – A Competitive and Fun Introduction to Business

This enriching summer program is designed to give rising high school juniors and seniors an intensive introduction to collegiate business education — and show them business can be both fun and exciting! Students work closely with outstanding LeBow faculty and staff to examine the disciplines of accounting, marketing, finance, and management, and learn the core concepts of business including leadership, professional image, etiquette, team building, and strategy.

Dates July 9 – 19, 2012 (non-residential), July 23 – 27, 2012 (residential)
Residential See dates above
Cost $500 (non-residential), $800 (residential)
Eligibility Rising high school juniors and seniors. Admission to LeBow Summer Institutes programs is competitive. Preference is given to students with outstanding GPAs, exceptional standardized test scores (PSAT or SAT are considered), and active involvement in extracurriculars or community service activities.
Deadline The final deadline for applications is Friday, June 1, 2012 — students will be admitted on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.
More Info Visit the LeBow Summer Institutes website or contact Lisa Feden, Recruitment Coordinator, at lisa.k.feden@drexel.edu or 215-571-3767.

Summer Economics Institute – Exploring the Real Deal Behind Markets and Policy

Economics is everywhere — from the impact of the financial crisis on the global economy to the pricing decisions related to the morning cup of coffee at Starbucks to the success of social networking sites such as Facebook. The LeBow College of Business Summer Economics Institute introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to a world of discovery where they will see the underlying connections across varied phenomena. Students will experience how firms maximize profits by participating in a simulation where they will compete with others in running a company and in making decisions that will lead to increased profitability.

Dates July 23 – July 27, 2012
Residential No
Cost $500
Eligibility Rising high school juniors and seniors. Admission to LeBow Summer Institutes programs is competitive. Preference is given to students with outstanding GPAs, exceptional standardized test scores (PSAT or SAT are considered), and active involvement in extracurriculars or community service activities.
Deadline The final deadline for applications is Friday, June 1, 2012 — students will be admitted on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.
More Info Visit the LeBow Summer Institutes website or contact Lisa Feden, Recruitment Coordinator, at lisa.k.feden@drexel.edu or 215-571-3767.

ASM International Materials Camp℠ (Philadelphia Liberty Bell Chapter of ASM)

This week-long commuter academic camp features highly interactive, lab-based, and hands-on activities to introduce students to materials science and engineering. Industry tours and a group project enhance the experience.

Dates June 25 – 29, 2012
Residential No
Cost There is no charge for students accepted to this program.
Eligibility Rising high school juniors and seniors
Deadline April 13, 2012
More Info Visit the Materials Camp℠ website.

Summer Music Technology Program

The Summer Music Technology (SMT) program at Drexel is an innovative educational experience for 20 selected high school students. The goal of SMT is to introduce high school students to the technology of digital music to reveal the influence and importance of engineering, science, and mathematics in music performance, recording, and listening. Many high schoolers are already experienced users of music technology (they can organize and share their music, transfer it to their portable players, and even re-mix or "mash-up" music into new creative works).

By engaging students' interest in music, we hope to catalyze curiosity in science and technology. In particular, we wish to attract students from backgrounds underrepresented in the fields of engineering, math, and science who may not have considered it previously.

Dates To be decided
Residential No
Cost To be decided
Eligibility Preference will be given to rising high school sophomores and juniors
Deadline April 1, 2012 (decisions will be made by May 1)
More Info Visit the Summer Music Technology program page.

MSE Summer Institute

The Drexel University Materials Science & Engineering Summer Institute will give aspiring scientists and engineers the chance to learn about how atomic elements arrange themselves to form the materials that are all around us. Through hands-on science and engineering activities, students will gain an understanding of how materials impact the fields of energy, biotechnology, and electronics.

Dates July 23 – 27, 2012
Residential No
Cost $795
Eligibility Entering college freshmen or rising high school juniors or seniors
Deadline May 15, 2012
More Info Visit the Materials Science & Engineering Summer Institute.

Drexel University Computing Academy (DUCA)

DUCA is a five-week, residential summer learning program at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Students who participate in DUCA share an authentic college experience, exploring information technology, business, digital arts and media, and computer science through interactive classes, group projects, and labs while living in a residence hall, eating at the University's dining hall, exploring Philadelphia, and making new friends. If you've ever wondered how a Google search really works, the ins and outs of computer software and hardware, and what goes on behind the scenes of game design — DUCA is for you.

Students who successfully complete DUCA and subsequently enroll at Drexel University will receive a $3,000 renewable scholarship.

Dates June 24 – July 28, 2012
Residential Yes
Cost $4,500 (includes tuition, room, board, instructional materials, and program activities)
Eligibility Rising high school juniors and seniors
Deadline May 1, 2012
More Info Visit the DUCA website or call 215-895-2474.

Mock Trial Experience

An intensive, five-day program to introduce high-ability students to mock trial and trial advocacy. Students will begin by learning the basics of trial procedure, courtroom decorum, and the rules of evidence and objections. Students will then divide into teams and work on writing direct and cross examinations, as well as opening and closing remarks. Students will practice their roles throughout the week. The Mock Trial Experience will conclude with two trials on the final day. Parents are invited to witness the final trials. Students will also receive an overview of the college admission and financial aid processes, as well as the BS/JD program.

Dates June 25 – 29, 2012
Residential No (some evening sessions may be required)
Cost $625 (a limited number of scholarships are available)
Eligibility Rising high school juniors and seniors
Deadline April 23, 2012
Fax your completed application form and essay to Veronica Finklestein at 215-861-8618 or mail your completed applications materials to:

Veronica Finklestein, Camp Director and Adjunct Professor of Law
3201 Arch Street, Suite 250
Philadelphia, PA 19104
More Info Contact Veronica Finklestein, Camp Director and Adjunct Professor of Law at vjf25@drexel.edu or 215-861-8598.

Mini-Med Summer Camp®

The Mini-Med Summer Camp is a five-week program that provides an opportunity to experience what it's like to be in medical school and beyond. You'll attend lectures by Drexel University College of Medicine faculty and participate in hospital rounds with attending physicians, residents, and medical students. You'll leave with a sense of the daily life of a physician and gain a stronger insight into what it will take to achieve your goals. Some of the specialties included in rotations are surgery, emergency medicine, anesthesia, and internal medicine.

Dates July 9 – August 10, 2012,  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residential No
Cost $3,100 (includes $500 registration fee)
Eligibility Entering college freshmen or rising high school juniors and seniors
Deadline All eligibility requirements are due by March 1, 2012 for application to be included for consideration
Application Process
  • Refundable application fee
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Class ranking
  • High school transcripts
More Info Visit the Mini-Med Summer Camp® website or call 215-762-6800.

Discovering Architecture

For two intensive weeks, live on campus and experience what it's like to study architecture in college. You'll attend classes taught by Drexel faculty members in studios and computer labs used by Drexel architecture students. You'll go on field trips to significant architectural sites, hear lectures by distinguished speakers, and, working closely with an instructor, you'll try your hand at architectural design.

Dates July 8 – 21, 2012
Residential Yes (proof of immunization/vaccination is required)
Cost $2,800
Eligibility Rising high school seniors (must be at least 16 years old)
Deadline Rolling admission
More Info Contact architecture@drexel.edu or 215-895-2409.

Exploring Design and Merchandising and Fashion

For two exciting weeks, come live on our campus and explore, "hands-on," the fields of fashion design and design and merchandising. You will attend classes taught by Drexel faculty in the studios and labs used by our very own design students. In studios you will spend valuable time designing products, projects, fashion, and more. Field trips will give you an insider's look at top retailers, design boutiques, and yes, even upscale merchants to discover where fashion, products, and merchandising meet. You will even get to create the beginnings of your own personal design portfolio that can play an important role in applying to college.

Dates July 8 – 21, 2012
Residential Yes (proof of immunization/vaccination is required)
Cost $2,800
Eligibility Rising high school seniors (must be at least 16 years old)
Deadline Rolling admission
More Info Email westphal.admissions@drexel.edu or call 215-895-1834

Discovering Interior Design

This is a two-week residential program designed to expose talented and motivated high school students to a range of career possibilities in the field of interior design. You'll attend classes taught by Drexel faculty members in studios and computer labs used by Drexel interior design students. You'll go on field trips to significant sites, hear lectures by distinguished speakers, and working closely with an instructor, you'll try your hand at designing a retail space. Even formal presentations will be given to a professional jury.

Dates July 8 – 21, 2012
Residential Yes (proof of immunization/vaccination is required)
Cost $2,800
Eligibility Rising high school seniors (must be at least 16 years old)
Deadline Rolling admission
More Info Email amt42@drexel.edu or call 215-895-2409.

Music Industry Summer Program

Our summer program is designed to introduce you to the music industry as a whole — through a one-week intensive workshop of audio technology and business. The courses offered are based upon the degree curriculum and are taught by faculty of industry professionals. Through the classroom, hands-on studio experience in our recording lab facilities, performance opportunities, lectures, and guest speakers, you will gain valuable insight into, and practical knowledge of, this dynamic field. You'll get an insider's view into the most current issues in the music industry.

Dates July 15 – 21, 2012
Residential No (commuter program only)
Cost $1,300
Eligibility Rising high school seniors (must be at least 16 years old)
Deadline Rolling admission
More Info Email westphal.admissions@drexel.edu or call 215-895-1834.

Behavioral Health Careers Summer Academy

If you have ever thought about a career in the helping professions such as counseling, social work, psychology, or psychiatry, then you might be interested in our Behavioral Health Career Summer Academy. Our five-day Summer Academy provides hands-on learning experiences that will broaden your knowledge and understanding of careers in the mental health and addiction treatment fields.

Days will be filled with site visits to treatment agencies, guest speakers, and role-play workshops in our state-of-the-art counseling simulation lab.

We will be running the Summer Academy on two separate weeks this summer, so you can choose the week that best fits your schedule.

Dates June 25 – June 29, 2012 and July 9 – July 13, 2012
Residential No
Cost $250 (includes all meals and transportation)
Eligibility Preference will be given to rising high school juniors or seniors.
Deadline Friday, June 15, 2012
More Info Visit the Behavioral Health Counseling website.