Summer Academic Challenge Application 2023

Program Dates: June 29 to July 27, 2023

Summer Academic Challenge is a tuition-free four-week enrichment program for students going into grades 7 to 12. With an innovative Project-Based STEAM curriculum, students explore themes in math, science, technology, art, and communication, and see how the subjects they study in school play out in the world around them. Classes are project-based and require teamwork and collaboration. In addition to time on campus, whether in the classroom, lab, outdoors, or in the library, students attend workshops on writing and oral presentation skills, and participate in field trips and special events. Students participating in the program gain confidence, expand their interests, and become better prepared to meet their long-term academic goals. 2023 Summer Academic Challenge themes will be: 7th/8th: Take the "C" out of Tacoma (Climate Change); 9th/10th: Salmon and Water Quality; and 11th/12th: STEM in Healthcare.

Eligibility:

• Students must be currently attending a public school.
• Students must be from underrepresented minoritized groups, first generation college students*, and/or from underrepresented socio-economic status as determined by the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program.

To learn more about the program and eligibility, visit the Summer Academic Challenge website.

Application
To fill out this application, you will need the following:

• Parent/Guardian contact information (email and phone)
• Reference contact information (email and phone for two or three people who would be willing to write a recommendation letter on your behalf; MUST be a core teacher, coach, advisor, and/or counselor)
• A digital copy of your transcript (high school students) or your most recent report card (middle school students) for uploading
• Your essay for uploading (see the essay questions at the bottom of the application)

Once you submit this application, your parent and your references will be asked to submit information as well. Make sure your references know they will be receiving email from us. Priority student applications are due February 15, 2023 and are guaranteed consideration. The final deadline for student applications is June 16, 2023. Parent Section of the Application and Reference Letters are due June 16, 2023. Both the student and parent sections must be submitted for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For more information contact the Access Programs Summer Academic Challenge office at 253.879.3927 or email us at achallenge@pugetsound.edu.

*First generation means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other siblings' or family members' level of education.