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SSPeaking about
Course Selection and Academic Advice
Taking a course through the Secondary School Program (SSP) can be a rewarding experience, especially if you select your course(s) carefully.
College courses generally demand more of students than do high school courses. And Harvard Summer School courses may surprise you because they cover a semester’s worth of college material in 7 weeks. Furthermore, exams in college courses can be quite different from those high school students are used to.
Eight-credit courses are intensive. It is generally better to select two 4-credit courses, rather than one 8-credit course.
Course selection tips
Here are some pointers to keep in mind when selecting the course or courses that are right for you. Please note: if you enroll in the residential program, you must register for a total of 8 credits.
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Carefully read the course description and syllabus for the courses that interest you. Syllabi will be linked with course descriptions as they become available.
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Pay attention to any prerequisite listed in the course description, and do not register for any course for which you have not taken the proper prerequisites.
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International students: The writing course, EXPO S-C Cross-Cultural Expository Writing, is highly recommended for students who wish to improve their English-language skills.
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Go to the first class meeting, listen carefully, and at the end of class, tell the instructor you are a high school student.
Check the course textbook.
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Get some advice on your course choices. Feel free to call our office. Or, once you arrive on campus, come to the SSP office in Straus Hall, and discuss your course selection with your assistant dean. This is especially important if you are enrolled in an 8-credit or restricted course.
The first week of the summer term does not necessarily represent the full intensity of a Harvard Summer School course.
Read the limited enrollment and waitlist tips.
Get academic advice and support
Academic support is available to you from several different sources:
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Teaching staff: the course instructor, teaching fellows, and teaching assistants (when applicable). Be sure to note the office hours of course instructors and assistants.
For residential SSP students: your proctor and your assistant dean.
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For commuting SSP students: the assistant dean for commuting students.
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The SSP office, Holworthy 18: the SSP staff, including the assistant director and director, are eager to assist you.
Academic tutors
Tutors are full-time students or alumni of Harvard College who are available each day to assist students with specific content and general concept questions regarding the material covered in Summer School classes. Each tutor holds regularly scheduled weekly walk-in office hours, scheduled individual sessions, and study group meetings.
