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Forty high school students from 22 different high schools in Qatar, representing 15 nationalities, have completed four weeks of intensive preparation for university life through Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q)’s fifth annual Georgetown Pre-College Summer programme (GPS). |
The series of full-time classes, which are taught completely in English, covers a full range of topics necessary for university success, including reading, writing, note-taking, research, presentation skills, two levels of math classes that include a focus on applying mathematical knowledge to solving economics problems, and library and research skills training and career counselling.
“GU-Q’s uniquely inclusive preparatory programme is for students who seek a competitive edge in the university application process as they move into their final years of high school. It’s open to all of Qatar’s future university students, not only those interested in attending Georgetown, and this year we had the most applicants ever, with 96 applications for only 40 spots,” said Jacqui Snell, a student development officer at GU-Q and this year’s GPS co-ordinator.
Practical preparation for SAT standardised testing, a requirement for admission to Georgetown University as well as other top universities in Education City and worldwide, is another important element in the GPS programme.
Snell notes that participating students see a marked improvement in their SAT test score through this programme, saying, “We test the students at both the beginning and at the end of the four weeks, so we can track just how beneficial this pre-college training is for these promising students.”
The GPS programme also allows high school students to get a taste of a GU-Q education by participating in a mini seminar, a class taught by Georgetown staff that introduces students to the majors offered at GU-Q: Culture and Politics, International Economics, International Politics and the newly launched International History degree.
Former GPS student Kareem Malas decided to enrol in GU-Q after taking part in a GPS programme. “I was sceptical about whether to go to GPS or not. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend my summer at some college prep institution. But when I did, it turned out to be one of the most exciting experiences of my life.”
Kareem also learned a lot about university admissions through workshops, presentations and individual coaching that gives students insights, skills and resources necessary to prepare for admission and success at top-calibre American or international universities.
Since starting GPS in 2009, 240 local students have taken part in the annual programme.
