Academic Study Associates (ASA) Summer Programs

Precollege, Language Immersion, and College Admissions Programs in the U.S.A., Europe, and Costa Rica
U.S.A.: Berkeley, California; Princeton, New Jersey; New York, New York; and
Amherst and Boston, Massachusetts
Abroad: Oxford and Cambridge, England; Spain; France; Italy; and Costa Rica

For More Information, Contact
ASA–Academic Study Associates
375 West Broadway, Suite 200
New York, New York 10012
212-796-8340
800-752-2250 (toll-free outside New York State)
Fax: 212-334-4934
http://www.asaprograms.com
E-mail: summer@asaprograms.com

Type of Program: Academic enrichment, language immersion, and college admissions prep
Participants: Coeducational, students completing grades 9–12
Enrollment: Varies by program, rolling admissions
Program Dates: Programs run during the months of June, July, and August; for detailed information, students should visit http://www.asaprograms.com
Head of Program: Marcia E. Evans, President

Background and Philosophy

Since 1984, ASA has offered the finest educational opportunities for students in both the United States and Europe. ASA’s academic enrichment programs have an excellent reputation for providing students with an exciting and challenging educational experience as well as an environment in which they can sample the academic, social, and recreational aspects of college life and immerse themselves in an international culture.

Program Offerings

Summerfuel (precollege academic enrichment): Full access to the extensive academic, sports, and recreational facilities make the four-week ASA precollege summer programs a perfect way to study, make new friends, and enjoy an unforgettable summer. Students choose from five great campuses: the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Massachusetts Amherst; or Princeton in the U.S. and Oxford or Cambridge Universities in England. Students select one major and one elective from a large variety of courses in many academic disciplines, from math and writing to marketing and psychology. College credit courses are available at the University of Massachusetts. Enrichment courses are held in the format of a college seminar and incorporate interactive exchange between teachers and students. In addition to enrichment courses, students have the opportunity to take SAT Preparation, which is designed and taught by the Princeton Review. SAT classes are small and are tailored to students’ individual needs. The program at Princeton University offers an innovative leadership and community service curriculum.
Summersion (language and cultural immersion): Monthlong programs include dorm living in Nice, France; Florence, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain; homestays in Andalusia, Spain; and homestays with community service in Costa Rica. Daily language classes are taught by native speakers (Italian is not required at Florence), and there are electives and activities in everything from surfing and flamenco guitar to French cinema and cooking plus excursions to all the best sights in the area.
CAP (College Admission Prep): Students improve their SAT scores, write a personal statement, and get ready to apply for college. Students choose from three unique campuses—from West Coast to East, public and private, large or small. Each two-week ASA College Admission Prep experience provides the same curriculum, including visits to three other campuses.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

ASA programs take full advantage of local areas of interest and cultural attractions. In all programs, a wide range of optional recreational and social activities are organized in the afternoon and evening. These vary by location and include such activities as team sports like soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, and volleyball; intramural competitions; working on the yearbook; or working on a community service project. Evening activities include dances, movies, theater performances, ice skating, bowling, concerts, talent shows, and games.
Weekends are reserved for fully supervised excursions that allow students an opportunity to visit area attractions and nearby major cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, London, Seville, Granada, Cannes, or Rome. Students can often take advantage of guided tours and independent time to shop, eat, and explore. For a detailed list of activities and excursions, students should visit http://www.asaprograms.com.

Facilities

Residential Programs: All students are housed in residence halls at each campus and have access to many campus amenities, such as libraries, art rooms, athletic facilities, swimming pools, and coffee bars. Staff members live on each floor, and the dorms are the hub of many activities. Meals are provided in the dining rooms of the colleges.
Homestay Programs: The utmost care is given to selecting host families for ASA’s homestay programs. Most families have many years’ experience hosting international students, and all are carefully screened. Homes are often modest but comfortable, and ASA students live relatively close to their classes and to each other.

Staff

Marcia Evans, ASA’s founder and president, has a noteworthy educational background and wide professional experience as a teacher and educational consultant in England and the United States. Program administrative and supervisory staff members are all professional educators and graduate students from the finest schools in the United States and abroad. The program’s academic courses are taught by professors, teachers, and teaching assistants from leading colleges and schools. The residential and recreational components of the program are under the supervision of carefully selected college students, who attend an extensive training program before the summer begins.

Costs

Program fees vary by location. Students should visit http://www.asaprograms.com for detailed information about tuition and supplemental fees.
Fees include tuition, accommodations, three meals daily (two meals a day at Oxford, Cambridge, and Florence), use of most college facilities, all scheduled excursions (except optional trips), the scheduled afternoon and evening recreational program, and transportation from and to the local airports. Courses that carry supplemental fees are noted on ASA’s Web site. The fee for Spanish in España includes airfare.

Application Timetable

Initial inquiries are welcome at any time. Students should visit http://www.asaprograms.com to request a brochure or complete an application. ASA representatives are always available by phone to answer questions. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting in September, but students are advised to apply early to ensure placement in their first-choice courses, as class size is limited. In addition to the application, ASA requires a teacher recommendation before acceptance can be confirmed. A phone interview is required of homestay applicants. Students are notified of acceptance within fourteen days of receipt of all application materials.

Academic Study Associates (ASA) Summer Programs

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