Edge Summer
College Program
The Edge summer college program offers academically talented and motivated rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world an opportunity to live and learn on one of the most engaging college campuses on the East Coast.
Why Edge?
The UD Edge summer college program prepares high school students moving into their junior or senior year for a future as a successful college student. By emphasizing academic excellence, practical skill building and student leadership, Edge offers you the challenge, independence and excitement of a learning experience that can only be found at a top national university.
You will:
- Live with other talented Edge students from around the world in a residence hall located on UD's beautiful Newark campus
- Take 1–2 college-level courses of your choice, taught by UD faculty members, for up to six transferable credits
- Participate in a college readiness workshop led by experienced college admissions professionals, where you will gain insight into the college application process, including how to create a competitive college essay
- Engage with UD staff and undergraduate students to learn from their stories of personal growth, resilience, leadership and success
- Take part in a variety of cultural experiences that allow students to build friendships and understand the value of living in a diverse academic community
The Edge Summer College Program will run from July 20-August 9, 2025. We will launch the application and more information about this summer on December 1, 2024.
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the Edge summer college program is competitive and selective. Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the program:
- Be a rising high school junior or senior by summer of 2025
- 3.0+ cumulative GPA
- Demonstrates strong academic potential, good judgment and maturity, and the ability to succeed in a highly structured environment by submitting a letter of recommendation and transcripts
PROGRAM FEES
The Edge program fee covers tuition for your courses, housing, a daily meal plan (including breakfast and dinner), library privileges, lab fees, and all group recreational costs. It does not include the cost of books, cost of lunch or other meals, or spending money.
During Edge, you will take one of the following Edge-exclusive courses. These courses are only offered to Edge students and have a maximum enrollment of 25 students. You will be learning from highly engaging and experienced instructors each weekday. In addition to your Edge class, all Edge participants are required to take the Edge seminar class.
AGRI 100: Organic and Sustainable Farming (3 credits)
An introduction to sustainable food systems for students with little or no background in agricultural sciences. In this course, we will explore one of the world’s grand challenges: producing enough food for a growing population while conserving the earth’s natural resources. We will learn about key factors such as history, common practices, economics, nutrition, and the environmental impact of the agriculture industry. Students will grow crops organically to develop a fuller understanding of the challenges and opportunities of organic farming.
ART 267: Drawing & Design—Portfolio Preparation (3 credits)
Explore your passion while developing and expanding your range of skills and your visual vocabulary through immersive experiences in drawing and two-dimensional design.
CISC 101: Principles of Computing (3 credits)
Introduces students to the central ideas of computing and computer science including programs, algorithms, abstraction, the internet, and information systems. Instills ideas and practices of computational thinking and engages students in activities that show how computing and computer science change the world. Explores computing as a creative activity and empowers students to apply computational thinking to all disciplines including the arts, humanities, business, social and physical sciences, health, and entertainment.
HDFS 203: Racial Identity, Bias, and the Self (3 credits)
Provides students with an understanding of racism, other social frameworks, and their individual and systemic effects. Students will explore cultural practices around the world, their own racial identity and cultural biases during the course. Students will learn self-awareness techniques and cultural competence training.
KAAP 167: Introduction to Clinical Medicine (3 credits)
While exploring critical thinking skills and cognitive biases, students are introduced to the processes of patient engagement, history taking, diagnostic methods and medical decision making. This seminar will introduce relevant physical exams and clinical signs, highlight disease detection, discuss actual and relevant patient cases, review abnormal X-rays, learn basic EKG features, and teach basic splinting/suturing skills. With the assistance of the UD Healthcare Theatre’s Master Class FreezeFrame format, students will learn better communication skills with a “Meet the Human” session. “Nuts and bolts” student presentations will enhance research and presentation skills, while educating their classmates.
LEAD 100: Leadership, Integrity, and Change (3 credits)
Introduces students to the challenges of leadership. An experiential practice-based change project will give students hands-on experience in applying the skills and practices of effective leadership to create positive change.
NSCI 100: Psychology and Brain Science (3 credits)
Covers topics studied by both psychologists and neuroscientists: biological bases of behavior, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, and psychopathology.
SPTM 210: Introduction to Sport Management (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide you with an overview of the structure of the sport industry, as well as issues facing sport organizations and the management techniques that can be applied to solve business problems. A description of career opportunities in sport will be presented with special interest in developing a professional presence. The development of effective communication skills will be emphasized throughout class assignments.
UNIV 101: Edge Seminar (0 credits; pass/fail)
All Edge students are required to take this Edge seminar. The course is designed to assist you with the transition from high school to college, to help you acquire the skills necessary to take responsibility for your educational experience and become a self-directed learner. You will be introduced to the college admissions process and topics focused on leadership, career exploration, goal setting and time management.
Residence Halls
Edge students stay in an air-conditioned residence hall within walking distance of academic buildings and other amenities. Trained Edge mentor staff provide a community environment in the residence halls that promotes respect for individual differences while supporting personal growth and academic success. Available facilities include a study room, laundry room, kitchenette and a large common lounge.
Rooms
Students share a fully furnished, double-occupancy, air-conditioned room. Once students have accepted the offer of admission to the Edge program and have submitted the $100 program deposit, they will have the opportunity to either request a roommate or to be matched with a roommate who aligns with their interests, personality, and preferences.
Dining
All Edge students have a two-per-day meal plan (breakfast and dinner) included with the program fee. Students can purchase lunch at a local Main Street eatery or dining options on campus such as the Trabant University Center, Perkins Student Center or Pencader Dining Hall. Students can also purchase university Flex points, which will allow them to buy food and snacks both in and outside of our dining halls as well as at some locations on Main Street.
Campus Facilities
There are many recreational facilities on the UD campus that can be used by Edge students without charge. Basketball courts, large grassy areas, beach volleyball courts and tennis courts are all available on campus. The Carpenter Sports Building can also be used by students wishing to play basketball, swim, do yoga, lift weights, use exercise machines, etc.
Edge Program Contacts
Tim Danos, M.P.A.
Director of Pre-College Programs
Amber Thompson
Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs
Raul Gomez
Admissions Counselor
Lorena Trujillo
Admissions Counselor
Address: 210 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716-7202
Phone: (302) 831-8123
Fax: (302) 831-6905
Email: edge@udel.edu