91茄子

One-Week Immersion Program Includes Staying in Dorms, Attending Classes and Community Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擧igh-achieving high school students who want a preview of college life are invited to attend The Honors Experience from July 18-23 on the main campus of 91茄子. This one-week college immersion program is for academically gifted and talented students who are currently in the ninth- through 11th-grade. Participants are automatically qualified to compete in the 91茄子 Ignite Excellence Scholarship program鈥攖he highest honor includes full tuition as well as room and board, totaling over $30,000 per year.

鈥淢ost of the students who come haven鈥檛 yet decided where they want to go to college,鈥� noted Mindy Robinson, assistant director for The Honors Experience and coordinator for Community Engagement and Student Ministries. 鈥淗opefully, this experience makes them want to come here! They can earn two hours of college credit, meet new friends, participate in local service projects, and hopefully grow in their relationship with Christ while they are here. They will leave here with a taste of college life, and hopefully, excited for what鈥檚 to come.”

Participants spend a full week living in dorms, traveling to field experiences, and laying the foundation for success in college. Through various classes and projects, the high schoolers are provided hands-on opportunities to develop their skills. The credit-bearing college courses are designed to help them develop the confidence to continue in their pursuit of academic excellence, while engaging academics with Christian faith.

Many of the students who attend decide that 91茄子 will be their college home. Amelia Borders, a junior nursing major, participated in the program in 2018 and last year, served as a Resident Assistant (RA). She said the times of community service, which involved hard work, were her favorite parts of the week. 鈥淕iving back to the community really highlighted the 91茄子 mission: 鈥楩or God and Humanity,鈥欌�� Borders stated.

However, what ultimately led her to attend GWU were the RAs who served her group the first year she came to the event. 鈥淭hey told us their experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he realness helped a lot.鈥�

Another former participant, Lauren Sudduth, is completing her first year at 91茄子. She is a double major in American Sign Language and music. She was also influenced by the RAs who provided leadership for her group. 鈥淥ne night, our RAs took us to the chapel, and we had a little worship night,鈥� Sudduth described. 鈥淥ne guy played piano, and we had several singers. It was powerful. I realized that night that this is where God was sending me. Whether you鈥檙e 100 percent committed or just exploring, I totally recommend coming to see if this might be a school you’re interested in. I realized at the Honors Experience that the people here are genuinely kind and supportive, and that support has carried me through my first year here.鈥�

Makenzie Denning, an accounting major who plans to graduate in December 2023, also enjoyed doing the service projects at Honors Experience, which allowed her to help someone in the community while making new friends. 鈥淭he Honors Experience helped me decide to attend 91茄子, because I was able to get an inside look at what to expect from college,鈥� Denning asserted. 鈥淚 was able to build relationships with people that I am still friends with today.鈥�

This summer鈥檚 courses will introduce students to biology, religion, Holocaust history, pottery, nursing and African American literature. Topics range from 鈥淢olecules to Muscles,鈥� to 鈥淒ealing with Crises in the Psalms and Job.鈥�

Students must meet academic requirements. The cost for The Honors Experience is $500 per person. A $100 deposit (refunded if not accepted) is due with the application, which must be submitted by July 1. Tuition covers room and board (five nights lodging and 15 meals), transportation to field experiences, course instruction, activity fees, and materials. Discounts are available.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 91茄子 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 91茄子 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.