What to Expect

The program consists of a Summer Residency Component followed by a School Year Component.

Summer Residency Component: July 5-17, 2026

Rising high school seniors will live and study on Stony Brook University’s campus for two weeks. 

During the Summer Residency, students will work closely with Dr. Tracey Walters, a Professor of Literature and Africana Studies, to engage with challenging texts about democracy and civic engagement. Students will put these texts in conversation with each other and current events. Students will also be mentored by the Academy’s Teaching Assistants, who will lead discussions and hold office hours in order to give students additional academic support and help them transition to life and learning on a college campus.

For two weeks, students will live on Stony Brook's campus, free of charge. Students will be provided with dining cards to buy food from campus retailers and will live in Stony Brook University Campus Housing. 

School Year Component: September 2026–May 2027

Students will attend two afternoon meetings per month throughout their senior year of high school, in addition to occasional field trips.

During this time, students will receive college application mentorship and support. They will work together to workshop personal statements and other college application materials. In addition, they will also discuss different application strategies.

Students will also work in groups to plan and carry out meaningful community-engagement projects in their communities. Students will work with commissioners from the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission, who will provide students with support and guidance. At the end of the year, students will present their project to the SCHRC. 

 

Summer residency schedule at a glance

The Summer Residency Schedule follows SBU’s Pre-College Summer Residential timeblocks. You can see their schedule here, Residential Experience | Pre-College Summer Program.

 

Academic School Year Sample Schedule from Fall 2024