Pre-College Program Proposal Submission Requirements

Learn the guidelines submitting a program proposal for our Pre-College Summer Academy line-up for Summer 2027.

Proposal Requirements

To submit a complete proposal, you must address all of the following information.

• A. Program Overview (1–3 pages)

  1. Program title
  2. Purpose statement of how program meets the needs of rising junior / rising senior pre-college students 
  3. Identify preferred week(s) 
     • July 12-19, 2027
     • July 19-23, 2027
     • July 26-30, 2027
  4. Brief program description (250-300 words suitable for marketing)
  5. Academic overview (3-6 sentences response in each area)
     1. Central Theme or Guiding Question, consider any or all the following: 
        1. Clearly articulate the intellectual focus of the program. 
        2. What is the core problem, concept, or inquiry driving the week?
        3. What big questions will students explore?
        4. Why is this topic timely, important, or distinctive? 
     2. Disciplinary Context, consider any or all the following: 
        1. Situate the program within the broader academic field. 
        2. What subfields or theoretical frameworks are involved?
        3. How does this topic connect to current research, practice, or careers? 
        4. What foundational concepts will be introduced? 
     3. Scope & Depth of Content, consider any or all the following: 
        1. Clarify what students will actually study during the week. 
        2. Identify key concepts, readings, theories, techniques, or methods used.
        3. The intellectual progression across the week
     4. Academic Rigor & College-Level Expectations, consider any or all of the following: 
        1. Explain how the experience reflects college-level work while remaining developmentally appropriate. 
        2. Will students engage in scholarly debate, conduct experiments, analyze primary sources...?

• B. Learning Objectives

  • Identify 3–5 measurable learning outcomes
  • Description of final project or culminating experience

• C. Instructional Plan

  • High-level draft schedule for the week (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30)
  • Draft of syllabus that includes a pacing guide
  • Description of teaching methods (lab work, fieldwork, seminars, collaborative projects, etc.)
  • Will homework or group project time be needed in the evening hours, outside of formal class time? 
  • Assessment methods
    • If a non-credit program proposal, how are you assessing progression? If a for-credit program proposal, what are the assessments methods and grading structure?

• D. Budget

  • Estimated instructional materials and supply costs (if applicable)
  • Curriculum Development Description (if applicable)
  • Additional personnel requests (if applicable)
  • Special facility or equipment needs (if applicable)
  • Credit programs require an approval letter from Dean/Chair
  • Non-Credit programs require an acknowledgement letter from Dean/Chair/Supervisor

• E. Faculty Qualifications

  • Brief statement of relevant teaching and/or research experience
  • Prior experience working with high school students (if applicable)
  • Personal CV (curriculum vitae)

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on: 

• Academic rigor and intellectual coherence
• Engagement and hands-on learning opportunities
• Feasibility within a one-week format
• Alignment with institutional strengths
• Market appeal to high school students
• Budget appropriateness
• Instructor expertise and preparedness

Questions

Please direct all questions or requests to meet virtually to:

Barbara Rusen, Ed.D.
Director, Summer, Winter and Pre-College Summer Programs
Division of Undergraduate Education
brusen@rutgers.edu

We look forward to supporting faculty in creating transformative academic experiences for future college scholars!