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Summer of Discovery
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Baylor BU Summer of Discovery FAQs

FAQs

Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Baylor Summer of Discovery for current students, incoming students and rising high school seniors. These FAQs will be updated as new information becomes available.

1. As an incoming freshman, when is my deadline to change my entry term for Summer of Discovery?

The deadline to change your entry term for courses in Summer 1 or 2 is April 21, 2023. Keep in mind that if you decide to take all your courses in a single summer session, you will only be able to take up to 8 hours total.

2. Will I need to pay the $500 enrollment deposit for incoming freshmen to take Summer of Discovery courses?

Incoming Baylor students must submit a $500 enrollment deposit, whether they intend to start in the summer or the fall. This enrollment deposit will serve as a credit towards their first bill. 

3. Can student scholarships or outside scholarships be used towards Summer of Discovery?

If you plan on graduating in fewer than 8 semesters, you may qualify to use your Baylor academic scholarship. Go to our webpage on scholarship appeals to learn more. Please note that your scholarship amount is limited to your tuition charge. Furthermore, outside scholarship eligibility requirements are determined by the awarding source. While we will certainly accept outside scholarships, those agencies will determine if the student is eligible, not Baylor.

4. As an incoming freshman, is financial aid available for summer if you've already filed your FAFSA?

Financial aid information cannot be moved from one academic year to another.  This summer falls into the 2022-2023 year, and students must file the 2022-2023 FAFSA, complete verification (if selected) and receive a 2022-2023 award package based on summer enrollment. You would have until June 30 to complete your FAFSA, but it is recommended that you complete it sooner.

5. Will all classes be taught in both Summer 1 and 2 or will some only be offered for one of the sessions? If so, how do I know what session it will be offered in?

Most often, similar courses are offered during each summer session; however, there might be specific courses only offered during one session. When you are exploring your course options, if you click on the course number, you can see when the course is offered. Also, your academic advisor will be able to help you make selections.

6. Are all courses Monday through Friday?

Generally yes, class meeting times will be during the week. However, class times depend on the professor's availability, so there is a possibility for variation.

7. Could I register for just one summer session?

Yes, a student can register for a course bundle of up to 8 hours in a single summer session.

8. What is the maximum number of hours a student can take?

Students can participate in both summer sessions, but the maximum number of hours that incoming freshmen can complete in the summer is 16 hours (8 hours per summer session). Current students may also participate in the May minimester and therefore can earn a total of 19 hours for all three terms.

9. Do any courses require prerequisites?

Students who wish to enroll in Chemistry 1301 must demonstrate either a 24 or higher ACT Math score, a 580 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 85 or higher. 
 
Students who wish to enroll in Pre-Calculus must demonstrate either a 22 ACT Math score or higher, a 550 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 61 or higher.
 
Students who wish to enroll in Calculus must demonstrate either a 27 ACT Math score or higher, a 650 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 80 or higher.
 
Students who wish to enroll in a Modern Foreign Language course are encouraged to take the Modern Foreign Language placement exam.
 
Students will be able to access the ALEKS exam and get more information about how to complete it in their goBAYLOR account.

10. How will online classes work? Will I interact live with the professors and other students?

Online summer classes are taught using a variety of methods, depending on the type of course. Some courses may be synchronous, meaning the class meets on specific days of the week at a specified time; for example, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Courses may also be asynchronous, meaning class content delivery is not bound to a specific daily or weekly schedule. Other classes may be a hybrid. For example, a course could include pre-recorded lectures that are accessible to students and also have a standard class meeting time for discussion between students and the professor. No matter how the course content is delivered, all Baylor online classes provide students with a rich academic experience, the opportunity to engage with top-notch faculty and a chance to form relationships with other Baylor students.

Your academic advisor will provide you with guidance on what courses would be best for you to take based on your goals and interests. Specific information about how a course will be taught, as well as the professor's expectations and requirements for the course, will be provided to you in the course syllabus.

11. How much out-of-class time should I prepare for with the Summer of Discovery courses?

Generally speaking, faculty recommend students plan to use 2-3 hours for preparation and study outside of class time for every one-hour of credit they take. So, if a student is taking 9 hours of coursework a week, the recommendation is that they plan for 18 hours to study and prepare.

12. I wanted to take a specific class, but it looks like it is already filled. Will more seats open up?

We continue to open more class options frequently. Your academic advisor will work with you to help you enroll in the courses you need.

13. When will I be advised for the Summer of Discovery courses?

Students will be advised late April or the beginning of May.  Students should check their Baylor email as an academic advisor will reach out to schedule an advising appointment. Please make sure you complete your Advising Questionnaire by April 26th.

14. As an incoming freshmen, will the Summer of Discovery GPA affect my Baylor GPA and academic scholarships?

While the grades you earn in summer 2023 as an incoming freshman will be calculated into your Baylor cumulative GPA, we will not review grades for incoming students until spring 2024 (which will also include Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 grades), and therefore scholarships will not be affected until that time. 

15. Will Summer of Discovery courses show as online courses or as normal classes on my transcript?

The transcript will not mark these courses as online courses. However, a professional school (e.g. medical school) might ask students to indicate their online courses on their application for admissions. 

16. How do my Summer of Discovery, AP, IB, and dual credit courses count in the Honors College?

Your Summer of Discovery courses, as well as any AP, IB, or dual credit accepted by Baylor, will be noted on your transcript. Click here to learn more about how these courses will be considered in each program in the Honors College (Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, Honors Program, Great Texts, and University Scholars), and speak with an advisor before selecting your courses.

17. I want to participate, but I'm uncertain if medical schools prefer in-person classes, especially in math and science?

Historically, medical schools have greatly discouraged applicants from taking online math and science courses. Other online courses such as History, Religion, English and many of the social sciences are generally accepted by medical schools and health-related programs. These are also good options for students to consider as they provide additional opportunities for potential minors, certificates and secondary majors.

18. As an incoming student or transfer student participating in Summer of Discovery, what Baylor services are available to me?

In order to ensure compliance with state laws regarding consent to treatment, the reduced student fees payable for the online summer session by non-degree-seeking students, incoming freshmen, and transfers do not permit access to Baylor Health Services or Counseling Center. Academic counseling, applicable academic accommodations for disabilities and other academic services are available for online non-degree-seeking students, incoming freshmen, and transfers. Online students who are present in Waco, may use University Libraries, McLane Student Life Center and other facilities that are open to students. All facilities are subject to closure at any time per government order or at Baylor's discretion.

19. Would I be able to graduate early from Baylor?

By taking courses in the Summer of Discovery, you can advance toward your academic goals and potentially graduate a little earlier from Baylor.

20. Can I do an in-person Line Camp and Summer of Discovery at the same time?

Unfortunately, since Summer of Discovery requires internet access and connectivity, you cannot enroll in the summer session that you will be attending an in-person Line Camp. At Line Camp, you will not have access to technology. 

You can take a different summer session from which your Line Camp is in. If you attend in-person Line Camp in June, you may enroll in Summer 2 and visa versa. 

Baylor BU Summer of Discovery FAQs
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