TSSP Summer Program: FAQ

Q: When do applications open?
A: Online applications opened in January, 2018.

Q: When are applications due?
A: The first application deadline was March 31, 2018.  Applications are still open for all courses except Neuroscience, Psychology, and Materials Science. The application will remain open until each course reaches maximum capacity.

Q: What do I need to turn in for my application?
A: The application process involves filling out our online application, which includes uploading a brief essay as well as a copy of your school transcript and a teacher recommendation. We ask that the teacher use a recommendation form that we have developed which gives us some at-a-glance information. We will send the form out once we have received your online application. More information about the requirements can be found on our How to Apply page.

Q: When will the decision about acceptance be made?
A: You will hear from us in April, 2018. If you have applied after this date or completed your application after this deadline, you will hear from us soon after your application is complete.

Q: Where will my class be held?
A: All TSSP courses will be held in the science and engineering buildings on Tulane's campus, which are between Freret St. and St. Charles Ave.  A map of Tulane's campus can be found here. Most of the courses will be located in buildings 15 and 19 near Freret St. All students will hear final details from us about where your class is located in addition to the attire for your class as it gets closer to the start of your course. The Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life (building 29 on the map) across Freret St. has food (see FAQ about lunch below).

Q: Will I get a Tulane ID?
A: On the first day of your class, you will go to the Splash Card office in the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life (building 29 on the campus map) to get your picture taken for your student ID. You can put money on your card to be used for food on campus (in addition to food at Loyola) and copies and printing at the library. There are no refunds for money left on your Splash Card.

Q: If I'm from out of town, can I live on campus? If I'm from the area do I have to live on campus?
A: We will be offering on-campus housing. More details can be found here. Many of our applicants have family or friends in the New Orleans area and opt to stay with them. No one has to live on campus. Most local students choose not to live on campus but are welcome to participate in any extra-curricular activities that are scheduled, however, they will have to pay for their own admission.

Q: Will there be tests and homework?
A: All of our summer courses are worth 3-college credits, so there will be course work including homework, quizzes and/or tests. Each course is designed by the Tulane faculty member teaching the course. All courses have been approved by the Tulane School of Science and Engineering curriculum committee. At the beginning of your class, you should receive a syllabus that will outline the expectations and dates for homework, tests, and quizzes for the duration of the class. As in a college course, for every hour spent in class, the student is expected to spend 2-3 hours outside of class each week.

Q: Is lunch provided?
A: Generally speaking, no, lunch will not be provided to students. However, at least twice a week and sometimes three times, we will arrange a luncheon where we will have a featured speaker or panel. On those days, we will provide lunch. An example of the scheduled activities from Summer 2017 can be found here. Otherwise, students will need to plan for their own lunch. There are a number of places to eat within walking distance of campus, on Tulane's campus, and on Loyola University's campus right next door. A map of all of the food that is located on both Tulane and Loyola's campuses is here. Not all locations are open in the summer but some of them are with reduced hours. The hours of operation for July and August for both Tulane and Loyola dining will be posted here as soon as they are available. Food/Activities within Walking Distance (within a mile) of Campus - This is by no means a comprehensive list: Interactive Google Map or PDF.

Q: Are there other activities planned besides the course itself?  Are there activities scheduled every minute of the day?
A: We do plan some additional activities for students, however do not plan every minute of the day. Students are taking rigorous, college-level courses and often have 3-4 hours of work to complete outside of class time each day. This program allows high school students to experience what college life is like and manage their own time outside of class. Planned activities include an orientation after the first day of class, a campus tour, lunch-n-learns (where we will have a featured speaker or panel and lunch will be provided) 2-3 times a week, and lab tours in Science and Engineering research labs that are not hosting a TSSP course. An example of the scheduled activities from Summer 2017 can be found here.

Q: What if I'm not accepted to my 1st choice?
A: We ask applicants to choose a 2nd and 3rd choice just in case they are not accepted to their first choice class. Some of our classes are very popular and we have many more applicants than seats available. In those cases, we generally give rising seniors their first choice because they will not be able to attend again. We do our best to accommodate all requests.

Q: One of my parents is a Tulane faculty or staff member, are there tuition waivers?
A: No, all of our scholarship money is used for high-need students. Unlike other Tulane courses, we do not receive any funding from the university to provide tuition waivers to relatives of faculty and staff members.

Q: How do I get a copy of my transcript?
A: All TSSP students are registered Tulane students so all transcript requests go through the registrar's office (registrar@tulane.edu). If you want to request a copy of your transcript, please go here. If you have difficulty, you can reach out to us at tssp@tulane.edu and we will investigate further.