Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply to the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program?

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school and incoming college freshmen who are in good academic standing and have no school suspensions are invited to apply.

When are the programs offered and how much do they cost?

2020 Summer Immersion Dates Overview

Can international students apply to the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program?

Yes, international students are encouraged to apply. Students are not required to submit a TOEFL score.

Because the Summer Immersion Program is less than 90 days, and students participate in non-credit courses for less than 18 hours a week, a student visa is not necessary. However, international students will likely need to apply for a visitor visa in order to enter the United States. A B-2 visitor visa or visa waiver program (VWP) is required of any individual who takes a non-credit course in which classes are held for less than 18 hours per week. Please refer to this website for more information: https://www.us-immigration.com/how-to/apply-for-us-tourist-visa/.

Can home-schooled students apply to the Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program?

Yes, home-schooled students are encouraged to apply.

Do students who completed the program last year need to reapply if they want to participate again?

Yes, both new and returning students must complete a new 2020 application with updated materials.

What are the application requirements?

To be considered for the Summer Immersion Program each student must submit an online application, as well as receive one recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or principal. Within the online application, students will list the name, phone number and email address of a reference who can speak to the student’s academic abilities and capacity to thrive in a college environment (the online recommendation cannot be requested from a family member, coach, religious leader or paid tutor). References will receive an automated email with a link to a form that asks questions about the student. A formal recommendation letter and high school transcript are not required to apply to the Summer Immersion Program.

When is the application deadline?

We accept applications on a rolling basis until space is filled in each institute. It is best to apply early since programs fill up quickly. We begin accepting applications on November 1, 2019. The scholarship application is a component of the online application for students in need of financial assistance and scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis.

How are students notified if accepted to a program?

Once a student’s application and recommendation have been received a decision will be made and the student will be contacted by email. Students will receive the message “An update has been posted to your application status page. You may access your status page here.” Students will be able to see their decision letter on their student status page which can be found here: slate.summer.wfu.edu/apply/status.

Once a student is admitted and registers for the program of their choice,  a non-refundable deposit of $550.00 is due to secure a seat in an institute. Payments are accepted online or submitted via check. Please mail all checks to Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program, 200 North College Street, Suite 150 Charlotte, NC, 28202.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Yes, students are encouraged to apply to all programs of interest.

Is it frowned upon to apply to more than one program?

Students are encouraged to apply to as many institutes as they desire and find interesting. The admissions decision is not based upon the number of institutes to which you apply.

Am I required to attend all five days of the program?

Students are encouraged to attend all five days of the institute to receive a certificate of completion.

Is there a dress code?

Dress is casual, but please dress appropriately for the activities scheduled for your institute. A packing list can be found on the student status page once a student registers for an institute.

Am I required to reside in Charlotte, NC to attend?

Charlotte Institutes: Students that live outside of the Charlotte area are welcome to participate in Charlotte institutes. Charlotte institutes offer a non-residential option in which students meet at the Wake Forest Charlotte Center. All non-residential students must have transportation to and from the Wake Forest University Charlotte Center each day.

Winston-Salem Institutes: Winston-Salem institutes are residential programs and students reside in the residence halls at Wake Forest University.

Is parking included in my tuition?

Charlotte: No, parking is not included in tuition, however, there are several parking options for students that are both close and affordable.  Parking is available in the Wake Forest Parking Garage attached to our building ($25 per day) or in surface lots located at 500 North College Street ($8.50 per day).  Students may also choose to ride the LYNX Light Rail to the Charlotte Transit Center/Arena station and walk one block to the Wake Forest Charlotte Center. Student fare on the LYNX is $2.20 for a round-trip ticket.

Winston-Salem: If a student is planning on driving to Winston-Salem and parking his/her car for the week, they must request a parking pass on the Travel and Transportation Survey. Students who drive to campus will have their keys collected, as students are not allowed to leave campus during their time at Wake Forest.

Is transportation to field trips included in my tuition?

Transportation to and from all off-site field trips is included in student tuition.

Are scholarship opportunities available?  If so, how do I apply?

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available by application. Applicants interested in scholarships are encouraged to apply early. The scholarship application is a part of the general application and will be reviewed upon submission. Scholarships will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

When is tuition due?

Students accepted into the Summer Immersion Program must register and submit the initial, non-refundable deposit of $550.00 to reserve a seat in the institute of their choice. Final tuition is due by April 17, 2020.

• Please note that due to the popularity of our programs, we cannot guarantee any admitted student a seat in his/her program until payment is made in full. Payments can be paid online or in the form of a check. Checks should be mailed to Wake Forest Summer Immersion 200 North College St., Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28202.

I have accepted my spot and cannot attend, will my initial deposit be refunded?

No, the $550.00 enrollment deposit is nonrefundable. Students who are unable to attend but have paid the deposit can defer their participation and use the deposit for the following summer.

Will there be a waitlist for students who want to attend programs that have been filled?

Yes, students who are unable to reserve a seat in the institute of their choice can be added to a waitlist. In order to be added to the waitlist, students must submit a deposit of $550.00 to hold their space should an opening become available. Students who don’t move off of the waitlist can transfer into another available institute or have the initial deposit refunded. Students will be notified via email regarding waitlist status.

Will participating in the Summer Immersion program help me get into Wake Forest?

Like all summer enrichment programs, participating in the Summer Immersion Program will make students more interesting and experienced college applicants. Improved skills and understanding of interdisciplinary thinking will prove beneficial as students apply to college. Although participation in the Summer Immersion Program will not afford any preferential treatment in the Wake Forest admissions process, it will add another dimension of hands-on experience to students’ college applications.

Which programs are non-credit?

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program is designed to enrich the student’s understanding of a particular career path or field of study. Students will select an area of focus for the one week program. All programs are non-credit.

Does Wake Forest University provide transportation to campus?

Charlotte

Non-residential: Wake Forest University does not provide transportation to the Charlotte Center. Students may be dropped off at the Wake Forest Charlotte Center as early as 8:45 am and picked up no later than 4:30 pm.

Winston-Salem

Residential: Wake Forest University will provide shuttle buses to/from the Piedmont-Triad International Airport (GSO) at the beginning/conclusion of the week.

The Wake Forest shuttle service will transport students to campus from GSO at 2:30 pm. Upon conclusion of the institute on Friday, shuttle buses will depart for the airport at 12:30 pm. Students are encouraged to book flights that depart after 2:00 pm to ensure smooth travel. Students are expected to complete the Travel and Transportation Survey prior to traveling to campus.

If a student is participating in a program in both Charlotte, NC and Winston-Salem, NC, it is their responsibility to provide transportation between the two campuses. Wake Forest University is not responsible for providing transportation to or from one campus to the other and does not provide housing over the weekend.

Charlotte Campus programming will begin at 9:00 am Monday and continue daily until 4:30 pm Friday.

Reynolda Campus programming will begin at 9:00 am Monday and continue daily until 12:00 pm Friday.

If I am participating in two programs, where should I stay over the weekend?

We have partnered with the Graylyn Hotel and International Conference Center to offer students and parents a discounted of $159.00 per night for a single or double room.

*If students are under the age of 18, they must have a parent accompany them throughout their stay.

*Parents and students are responsible for reserving their rooms. The Wake Forest Summer Immersion staff is not responsible for providing housing before or after programming. Students are not able to stay over the weekend in a Wake Forest University residence hall.

Will I be able to use the Wake Forest gym to workout during the Summer Immersion Program?

Wake Forest University policy states that minors under the age of 16 are not allowed to use the facility and those over the age of 16 must-have 1:1 adult supervision and be accompanied by a staff member. The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program staff is not able to provide 1:1 supervision for every student and therefore students will not be able to use the gym during their time on campus. In addition, a parent/guardian is not allowed to sign a waiver to relinquish supervision requirements.

Should I list my child as an unaccompanied minor when he/she flys to travel for the Summer Immersion Program?

No, the Summer Immersion Program will not be able to provide staff members to retrieve and drop-off students to/from the airline gate.

What should I pack in preparation for staying on campus?

Our 2019 Summer Immersion Program Packing List will be available on each student’s student status page.

I have additional questions, who do I contact?

Please contact Program Director, Betsy Schneider, via email at summerimmersion@nullwfu.edu or via phone at (980) 224-9298.