DOHA: Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar recently concluded its ninth Summer College Preview Program (SCPP) in which 76 high school students, 58 percent of whom were Qatari, took part in the month-long university preparatory course.
This year Carnegie Mellon Qatar recorded the highest number of students participating in SCPP, which is an experience designed to academically strengthen student’s basic knowledge of university preparation. This is done through Mathematics, English and SAT/ACT college admission exam preparation courses held in conjunction with the Kaplan Corporation from the United States.
“The exposure to the academic excellence on offer at Carnegie Mellon that SCPP participants receive is something that most of them are not familiar with, but they leave well-aware of the work ethic needed to succeed in higher education,” said Damian Dourado, manager of pre-college programmes.
“Additionally, parents are thrilled when their children complete the program as more focused, and academically driven, students. The SCPP also sets students apart from the thousands of applicants we receive each year, as it indicates that they chose to spend part of their summer vacation productively,” said Dourado.
During the SCPP students were also provided an opportunity to undertake interactive practical projects within one of the Carnegie Mellon Qatar majors of their choosing, including biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems.
Carnegie Mellon Qatar staff, students and SCPP alum were also on hand to tutor and counsel the school students with their coursework, their preparations for the university admissions process, and questions about student life at Education City.
Having taken part in the SCPP for the first time this year, Essa Al Sulaiti said, “My sister recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon Qatar and it was her who inspired me to attend SCPP since she believes it will add value to my college application experience and ease my transition into university after graduation from high school.”
With 10 percent of this year’s participants expected to enroll at Carnegie Mellon Qatar, the SCPP concluded with a student showcase at which course participants presented their work to family and friends, followed by an Iftar.
The Peninsula
