By Abigail Piotrowicz, UConn Pre-College Summer Program Assistant
Deciding what comes next after high school can be a daunting task. With so many potential paths to take, from college to careers to personal passions, the choices often feel endless. With ten years under our belt since we first opened our doors to students, we at UConn Pre-College Summer, (PCS) understand the challenges these questions pose when students are considering their future. 
That’s why we offer a unique opportunity for high school students from around the world to experience college life, explore new interests, and connect with a vibrant academic community all on the Storrs campus.
At UConn PCS, our mission is to provide students with an exploratory experience that helps them engage with college life while reflecting on which path might be right for them. To support this mission, in the last year we have focused on implementing additional program resources for students and families that are committed to providing a range of opportunities to guide students on their journey toward success.
One measure of how we aim to provide our students the greatest number of resources is by offering the most courses our program has offered in its history. This past summer, we offered a total of 29 different courses spanning over several topics and subjects ranging from Agriculture, Health, & Natural Resources, Fine Arts and Digital Media, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy and Pre-Med.
Alongside the vast number of courses offered last summer, UConn PCS offers exploratory workshops for students to engage in during the week to further explore and navigate academic, extracurricular and leadership sources. A few examples of workshop topics offered were “Breaking Down Barriers: You CAN Study Abroad!”, “Leading the Way to Getting an A”, “Promoting Mental Health”, “Nutrition for College Students”, “Mirroring in Communication”, “The Art of Crafting a Compelling College Essay”, “Professor! I Need to Get an A in My Class!”, “Personal Leadership Plan”, “UConn Campus Tour and Information Session”, “Who Am I? The Power of Me?”, “Using Your Voice: Self-Advocacy in College”.
Prior to the start of the summer program, UConn PCS introduced its first-ever Open House event in March! Open House was designed to give prospective students and their families a closer look at the program and UConn campus. Attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with UConn PCS instructors, program administrators and former summer residential staff to better understand what participating in the program would encompass.
Open House began with a brief presentation for families about the program in Lawrence D. Mchugh Hall, followed by a community Q&A session where participants could submit questions for our team to answer. Afterward, families were invited to have lunch at Israel Putnam Refractory to experience the dining halls where students dine during the summer. Finally, we concluded with a guided tour of the UConn campus, so families could get an insider perspective at the spaces students utilize during their time in the program.
In conjunction with our open house event, we were pleased to debut our Career Fair, which brought together program participants, UConn staff, faculty, and professionals from a wide range of fields. This event provided students with valuable career insights, expert advice, and the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders. It also allowed students to explore potential career paths and gain a clearer understanding of the professional landscape across various disciplines. By interacting with professionals from diverse industries, students acquired practical knowledge and guidance that will support their career development.
Each year, UConn PCS is dedicated to helping students discover their passions and reach their full potential. By immersing students in UConn’s campus and academic community, we’ve created a supportive environment for students to grow, explore and discover the possibilities of tomorrow.
If you are interested in learning more about UConn Pre-College Summer visit pcs.uconn.edu, call our office at 860-486-0149 and or email us atpcs@uconn.edu
