1. Who's eligible for CSSI?

Eligible students for the Summer Science Institute are in either their Sophomore or Junior year of high school (rising Junior or Senior while CSSI is in session).  Applicants must also demonstrate the academic ability, maturity, and intellectual curiosity necessary to undertake college-level work.

2. What is the application deadline?

• Scholarship Application Deadline:  April 1, 2013

• General Admission Application Deadline:  April 30, 2013

3. What's the CSSI Cancellation/Refund policy?

All cancellations must be made in writing and be received in the Summer Academic Programs Office on or before May 23, 2013.  Students who are not extended an offer of admission will be granted a full refund of their $500 tuition deposit. 

Students whose written withdrawal is received on or before May 23, 2013 will be entitled to a refund of any fees paid over and above the $250 nonrefundable deposit.  

Students whose written cancellation is received between May 24 and June 3 will be charged $500.  Students whose written cancellation is received between June 4 and June 24 will be charged $1,850.  Any written cancellation received on or after June 25 will be charged the full cost of tuition.

Any participant who is dismissed for any reason or who voluntarily withdraws from the Summer Science Institute will be responsible for their full tuition and forfeit all voluntary fees paid

4. Do you offer scholarships to CSSI?

The Summer Academic Programs Office offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships.  Please read the Scholarship Application Instructions for eligibility details, application deadlines, and application instructions.

5. I'm really interested in one CSSI Research Group, do I have to rank all of the research group choices?   

Past experience with CSSI and our other programs tells us that the 2013 applicant pool will be highly competitive.  We strive to place applicants in either their first or second choice research group.  With this information in mind, we strongly encourage all applicants to indicate second and third choice research groups.  While not a guarantee, indicating an alternate research group choice may increase your chances of being admitted.  Also, in accordance with Carleton College's Liberal Arts tradition, all CSSI participants experience significant class time exploring all of the research group subject areas offered.

6. When will I hear if I'm admitted to CSSI?

Admissions decisions are sent out via US Mail starting in the middle of April.

7. My residence hall assignment wasn't in my acceptance materials, when will I know where I'm staying and who my roommate is?

One of our goals is to provide participants with the opportunity to meet new people and build new friendships.  With this goal in mind, you will learn who your roommate is and your residence hall assignment when you arrive on campus.  We do not provide this information in advance because we have found that roommate relationships are most positive and successful when they begin with face-to-face interactions.  We realize this may be a temporary inconvenience, but experience tells us that this is the best way to handle roommate assignments.

When determining housing assignments, our staff tries to pair participants who have similar schedules and study habits, share some common interests, and have differences that may enable them to learn from one another.  For example, participants from Minnesota are likely to be paired with participants from other states and participants who are active in may of the same high school activities are not likely to be paired together.  

8. What kind of supervision do participants receive at CSSI?

The goal of CSSI is to provide a college-like, residential, academic and social learning community where participants can manage their own academic responsibilities and social activities.  Men and women live in separate residence halls with one to two full time, residential Dorm Counselors per floor.  CSSI participants are required to attend all class meetings and excursions.  Participants also have a variety of optional activities to choose from every day.  Participants are encouraged to bring any concerns they have to their Dorm Counselor, the Director of Activities and Residence Life, any member of the CSSI Faculty or academic staff, or any Summer Academic Programs staff member they feel comfortable with.

9. Can I get high school or college credit for CSSI?

The goal of CSSI is to help participants demonstrate academic excellence and provide a unique opportunity for participants to develop important skills in a college-like residential learning community.  While CSSI is not meant to replace high school or college course work, participants will be evaluated on their work.  Upon successful completion of CSSI, participants receive a certificate of attendance and official transcripts will be sent to their home address.  Credit will be earned on a Satisfactory/No Credit (S/N) basis.  Participants who successfully complete all elements of the program will earn 6 Carleton term credits (approximately equal to 3 semester credits).  These credits are typically transferable to other higher education institutions; however, it is at the sole discretion of an individual institution to determine the acceptability of these credits.

10. Who should parents contact if they have questions during CSSI?

Please contact the Summer Academic Programs office with any questions or concerns while your student is on campus.

11. I want to apply for more than just CSSI, do I need to complete a new application for each program?

Yes, you will need to complete a new application for each program for which you would like to apply. 

If you are applying for multiple programs, please email the Summer Academic Programs Office with your name, Application ID for each application you have completed, and your first choice program.

General Admission Applicants applying to multiple programs need only submit ONE $500 tuition deposit and high school transcript.