About SummerStart

SummerStart is an exclusive opportunity for incoming first-year students to get ahead prior to starting their fall semester at Syracuse University. Easing the transition to college life, students will get ahead by earning credits toward their degree, making friends, experiencing all that campus life has to offer, and connecting with faculty and staff — all before the fall semester has started!

  • Application opens: May 1, 2024
  • Application deadline: June 15, 2024 (International students: TBA.)
  • Program Dates: TBA
  • Arrival and Orientation: TBA

All students should be moved in by TBA.

All SummerStart students will live in Ernie Davis Hall during the six-week program, offering an opportunity to build community, make friends and acclimate to the residential living experience.

Skilled professional and student resident hall staff will live with students and provide guidance and support, host programming, and build community within the residence hall. Staff are trained to provide a supportive and secure environment that encourages a sense of community conducive to study and relaxation. The majority of rooms are double occupancy and roommates are randomly assigned.

Dining facilities are conveniently located within Ernie Davis Hall. A full meal plan is included in your program cost and is available seven days a week. The meal plan offers options that include deli, grill, salad and a dessert bar. Vegetarian and kosher selections are available. Students receive 114 meal swipes during SummerStart. We recommend students  stick to 19 meal swipes per week. Most students will use 3 meal swipes during Monday through Friday and 2 swipes on Saturday and Sunday.

Temporary housing is available for students who need to remain on campus between the end of SummerStart and beginning of the fall semester for an additional cost of $144/week for housing + $225/week for the 19 meals per week plan. Students must apply for temporary housing.

College life is about both academic and social integration. This involves becoming an active member of the Orange community. Through SummerStart you will:

  • Make friends and establish a social network
  • Become a campus leader and increase your self-confidence
  • Enjoy recreational and social activities offered by the Barnes Center at The Arch, student activities, and various cultural centers
  • Explore the campus and learn about the resources Syracuse University has to offer, including campus libraries, writing center, and computer labs

Learn more and take the Virtual Campus Tour today!

Through the SummerStart program, you will take foundational courses that help complete required coursework early and classes tailored to your program and interests. You will receive personalized attention from faculty in a small and supportive classroom setting. Your schedule will consist of two courses (3 or 4 credits each) and the required one-credit SummerStart seminar.

During the summer, you will meet with academic advisors and receive support from the Office of Retention and Student Success. Into the fall, you can expect continued support, including special events and referrals to programs.

Tentative Summer Course Offerings Include:

  • ANT 111 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
  • ANT 121 Peoples & Cultures of the World (3 credits)
  • ARI 200 Selected Topics, School of Art (1-6 credits)
  • CLS 100 SummerStart Seminar (1 credit- required)
  • EAR 105 Earth Science (3 credits)
  • EAR 111 Climate Change Past and Present (3 credits)
  • ECS 109 Engineering Student Seminar (1 credit)
  • ENL 207 Advanced Integrated Skills for Non-native Speakers of English (3 credits)
  • MAT 121 Probability and Statistics for the Liberal Arts (4 credits)
  • MAT 193 Algebra-Infused Precalculus (4 credits)
  • PSC 121 American National Government and Politics (3 credits)
  • PSC 123 Comparative Government and Politics (3 credits)
  • PSC 124 International Relations (3 credits)
  • PSY 205 Foundations of Human Behavior (3 credits)
  • WRT 105 Practices of Academic Writing (3 credits)
  • Other course options (TBD)

SummerStart 2023 Rates

The cost of the program is substantially discounted compared to the cost of a typical summer session at Syracuse University.  The comprehensive fee for the 2023 six-week program is $7,518, which includes tuition, housing, meals and program activities. The breakdown is as follows:

  • Tuition $5,054
  • Program fee $2,464 (includes housing, meals and program activities)
  • Total cost: $7,518

Please also remember that the cost of textbooks and educational supplies is estimated to be an additional $200–$250.

Financial Aid 

Limited scholarship support may be available for SummerStart 2023. Students not  participating in the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) or Student Support Services Program (SSSP) should contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at 315.443.1513 or finmail@syr.edu.

Students in the HEOP or SSSP should contact their program with any financial aid questions.

To join the SummerStart program, students must be incoming first-year full-time students for Fall 2024.

International students must apply by TBA and students for whom English is not their dominant language must register to take the ELAE (English Language Assessment Exam), which will be offered on TBA through Blackboard, to be considered for admission to SummerStart. Students will have from 12:00am to 11:59pm EDT on TBA to complete the exam. It must be completed in one sitting once started. Instructions will be sent TBA to applicant's syr.edu email address.

Students in the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Student Support Services Program (SSSP) are required to enroll in the SummerStart program.

View Student Testimonials