Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) recently concluded its 9th Summer College Preview Programme (SCPP) in which 76 high school students, 58% of them Qataris, took part in a month-long university preparatory course. About 10% of this year’s participants are  expected to enrol at CMU-Q.
This year CMU-Q recorded the highest number of students 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 programme as more focused, and academically driven, students.”
During the programme, students were also provided an opportunity to undertake interactive practical projects within one of the CMU-Q majors of their choice including biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems. Carnegie Mellon Qatar staff, students and SCPP alumni 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 she 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.”