Slide Show: Summer Scholars dive into college life

The innovative Bates Summer Scholars program is aimed at academically superior incoming students whose backgrounds may not have prepared them for aspects of college life that may be old hat to families with college histories.

The scholars live on campus and take one math and one science course, each the equivalent of an academic-year course — but compressed into six weeks. Mastering the course work and labs involves evening and weekend study, and intense, one-on-one collaboration among the scholars and with faculty.

The program teaches time-management skills and study practices, and introduces students to laboratory environments and to such insider information as course registration tactics.

And the program instills confidence that the Summer Scholars carry into the start of the academic year. “I felt comfortable enough to ask questions,” says Akinyele Akinruntan, a 2009 Summer Scholar from Memphis, Tenn.