High School Programs

Freshmen Outreach

Freshman Programs

Freshman Programs, a branch of the VIP program, has activities throughout the year to guide freshmen students from our partner high schools into a successful first year. Our purpose is to emphasize the opportunities for involvement in the program and also the importance of maintaining good grades while planning for college or a career.

Throughout the school year, we have mentoring sessions for the freshmen having attendance, academic and behavior problems. DU students meet regularly with them to discuss areas of concern and tutor in difficult subjects. We explain to them how important it is to stay in school and get involved.

At the beginning of the second semester, DU VIP students spend a day at West visiting with the new freshmen. We give a presentation about what students need to be thinking about and doing in order to have a successful high school career and prepare for college.

During the presentation, we emphasize the importance maintaining good academic standing. We also explain what a transcript is, how important it is to have a good transcript, and the importance of being involved in extracurricular activities. We give this presentation annually so that freshmen learn about the High school requirements, transcripts, and how the VIP Program can help them throughout high school.

DU VIP students use the time we spend with the high school students as a tool to guide students in the right direction, and open doors to many opportunities for these students.

During the fall and spring, we welcomed all 9th graders from our partner schools to the DU campus. The freshman spend a day at DU participating in many different activities. They first take part in a mini-interactive lecture from a professor to give them a glimpse of a real college class. Then they talk to Study Abroad representatives, who introduce them to the possibility of studying in another country. Many of the DU VIP students who have studied abroad talk about their personal experiences.

Afterward, there is a panel of VIP students who talk to the freshmen. During the panel discussion, the DU VIP students talk about the challenges of getting to college and the rewards of earning a degree. At the end of the day, students eat lunch in the residence halls and then receive a campus tour. The on-campus visit gives freshmen an opportunity to experience a college campus environment and have any questions they may have about college answered.

—Alberta Hernandez

Upcoming Events

Summer Link to College

August 5 - 9, 2008

Summer Link is a summer program for high school sophomores from partner schools who are going into their junior year. The program is a weeklong residential introduction to college life. Students attend a class each day taught by a University of Denver (DU) professor, as well as participate in educational and challenging workshops that motivate them to successfully complete high school and prepare them for the college application process. In addition, students volunteer for many community and cultural activities. The uniqueness of the program is in the follow-up activities, which continue until students graduate from high school.

Fall Interterm

August 15 - 31, 2008

Interterm is the period between quarters in which intensive on-campus, on-line and travel courses are offered in intensive formats to provide students with an alternative approach to learning. DU faculty create Interterm classes that are academically challenging and involve an experiential component. Most students who experience Interterm courses return for additional opportunities to enhance their experience. The courses may be taken for credit at current DU tuition rates. There are four Interterms each year, which are scheduled immediately after each quarter.

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