Comments from students who have participated in the Freshman Summer Academic Program

Bradley Matherne
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

OK, like any kid who just graduated high school, the last thing that was on my mind was more classes. I signed up for FSAP expecting it to be a bore. All my friends were going to be at home partying nonstop, and I was going to be the nerd of the group and go to school. I only went because I expected to get a leg up in my studies, make some friends and being a small-town Wisconsin boy, familiarize myself with the whole "big-city" thing. I assumed everyone there was going to be the reclusive stereotypical nerd (because, come on, no one with friends would be likely to give up their summer, right?).

Well, I did get a leg up on my studies and I did make some friends (about 90 of them, actually). Every other assumption that I made was wrong. FSAP was quite possibly the best 5 weeks I ever spent anywhere, and that is the honest truth. It was tough; don't think the professors here are going to sugar-coat anything for you (in the words of my professor, "What did you expect when you came to one one the best universities in the country?"). The skills you will learn will prove invaluable to you freshman year. I can't imagine how much more difficult freshman year would have been for me had I not done FSAP.

But, none of this is what made it the best 5 weeks ever. It was the friends that I made that made FSAP so worthwhile. The majority of my friends now I either met at FSAP or I know them through an FSAP friend. I found out that I was friends with three people on my floor for the fall semester before anyone else knew who their roommate was. WE also did many fun activities including the City Museum, the Amazing Race, Demo Ball, comedy clubs, roller skating, and so much more. There is never a second to be bored, and that really gives you a flavor of what freshman year will be like. In fact, the only thing I didn't like about FSAP was that it only lasted 5 weeks. IT GOES FAST! And when its over, all you do is miss it.

Monique Childress
Chicago, Illinois

1. The best thing about FSAP is the friendships that are made during the 5 weeks. It's amazing how close you all become. I met my two best friends there!

2. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I'd sign up in a heartbeat. What more could anyone ask for; you get six college credits and a chance to live in a dorm, meet a good number of your classmates, and get to know Wash U and St. Louis before the school year starts.

3. If you want to know if Wash U is the right choice for you, FSAP will definitely give you the answer. You'll adjust quickly to the classes, food, dorms, and living with others before everyone else does. Why not get a head start?

4. Sign Up!

Margaret Kim
Manduluyong, Phillipines

1. I loved getting to know so many other JProgs and students before college had even started! The program assured me that Wash U was the place where I belong, and that I had made the right choice. Not only did I meet amazing people at the program, but I really got a taste of what college classes would entail and what college life was really like.

2. I am so happy that I decided to participate, it really was an amazing experience and one of my best summers yet. I grew so much as a person through the program and I am so different and more confident as a person after the five weeks.

3. Anyone should definitely participate in FSAP! It is a great opportunity to meet fellow incoming freshmen, and really get to see what Wash U is like! I was so lucky and I found an incredible group of friends from FSAP and I know I'll be friends with them forever. It also prepared me for the classes at Wash U and allowed me to become comfortable around the campus and become familiar with the many opportunities they offer for the students like Cornerstone, etc.

4. Seriously, the best program ever! It will change your life, I promise! It really was the most exhilarating five weeks of my life and I would do it all over again in a flash if I had the chance!

Alex Hoogland
Frostburg, Maryland

1. My favorite part of FSAP was the opportunity to get a feel for what college live would be like before the fall semester began. I had plenty of time to relax between the end of FSAP and the beginning of the semester, and because I had been through FSAP and knew what to expect out of college I was able to enjoy the rest of my summer much more than I would have otherwise. Instead of being nervous, I couldn't wait to get back! Meeting people was a lot easier in FSAP than it has been during the fall. Because there was such a relatively small group of students, I got to know them all quite well, and they remain some of my closest friends.

2. I'm extremely glad that I participated in FSAP, I met a lot of good friends, got a general idea of what college was going to be like, and I had a great time!

3. It may seem difficult to sacrifice five weeks of you summer to take classes, but you'll learn a lot about campus life, your fellow students, and yourself. It's just as challenging as regular college, but you'll also have plenty of free time. The Residential Advisers plan fun activities every weekend and there's plenty to do during the week as well.

4. Just because it's over the summer doesn't mean it's easy. FSAP courses are just as challenging as the classes you'll take in the fall semester but concentrated into a 5 week period. if you decide to attend FSAP, prepare to work hard, but also prepare to have a lot of fun.