My Summer Pre-College Program Experience

I arrived at the Morewood parking lot absolutely terrified, lugging around two suitcases filled to the brim with dorm essentials and everything else I needed to live independently for six weeks. It was a surreal moment, almost like a trial run of what was to come just over a year later when I moved in once more, but as a full time student, not just a visitor.

In the summer of 2023, I attended CMU’s Pre-College Summer Session, taking two courses during the school’s Summer 2 semester — Introduction to Nanoscience and Technology (a Materials Science Engineering course only offered to Pre-College students) and Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science (perhaps better known as 15-112). My Nanoscience course is what inspired me to pursue my minor in Materials Science Engineering, as well as my research this summer on photovoltaics (solar cells). Additionally, despite years of advanced programming experience, no class has impacted my understanding of computer science as deeply as 15-112, and none were as fun. The structure of college courses was refreshing, and that plus the increased independence — both academic and social — created an environment for immense personal growth.

I look back on my time at Pre-College so fondly. I explored Pittsburgh deeply, mastering the bus system through extreme trial and error; made connections I still maintain to this day; and learned what things I actually cared about when it came to my college process. Clearly, I liked this school enough to come back! And I arrived here my second time feeling much less apprehension, knowing I did have what it took, not only academically but also the life skills to navigate a new roommate, distance from home and full autonomy of my own work-life balance.

I recommend CMU Pre-College to any high-school student looking to get a taste of the college experience. The program advisors perfectly balance giving you your independence with ensuring your safety, providing just the right amount of supervision. Going through Pre-College was easily the most important part of my choice to attend Carnegie Mellon University and such a fun way to spend my summer.