Academic Development Program
(ADP)

West Chester University

Contact Info
Lawrence Center 222
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3274
Fax: 610-436-2600
adp@wcupa.edu

ADP Summer Session

Welcome to the Academic Development Program's Summer Session!

Important information for all new ADP Students:

All new ADP students received the ADP Student Handbook at Placement Testing. Students should read their handbooks thoroughly and bring them to campus for the summer session.

Click here for the online copy of the ADP Student Handbook

All new ADP students received the ADP Guide to Residential Living at Placement Testing. Students should read their guides thoroughly and bring them to campus for the summer session.

Click here for the online copy of the ADP Guide to Residential Living

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What courses will I take this summer?

2. What is a typical day during the summer session?

3. How will the Academic Development Program help me in the fall semester?

4. Can I be dismissed from the Academic Development Program?

5. May I have a job during the summer session?

6. Will I have the same roommate in the fall?

7. May students go home on weekends?

8. How are my classes scheduled for the fall?

9. Are there any recreational activities during the summer session?

10. Is the Academic Development Program over after the summer session?

11. Should I bring a computer?

1. What courses will I take this summer?

All students will take two courses for a total of six credits. One of those courses will be either developmental English or mathematics, depending on which one the student appears to be stronger. The second course will be in Reading.

2. What is a typical day during the summer session?

All students are in class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Monday through Friday. The afternoon schedule will vary, depending on the individual student’s schedule for tutoring, mentoring, or other activities. Much of the time in the afternoon may be used at the student’s discretion: studying, sleeping, recreation. The evening hours are primarily devoted to studying and preparing assignments for the next day’s classes.

3. How will the Academic Development Program help me in the fall semester?

When you return in the fall, you will be returning with approximately 160 friends, many of whom will be in your fall classes. You might also have a professor in the fall that you had during the summer. Furthermore, you will know the campus geography—where to go for what purpose. You will already be familiar with residence hall living—its environment, rules, and staff. You will also be familiar with the staff and services of the Academic Development Program and the ways we can continue to help you. Perhaps the major advantage will be that you will already have completed those courses that you would normally have taken in the fall if you had not come in the summer. In all these ways you will be ahead of all other first-year students who are starting in the fall. You may even realize other advantages.

4. Can I be dismissed from the Academic Development Program?

Yes, but we expect that virtually 100% of our summer students will continue into the fall; indeed, that has been our history in past summers. In fact, we would not have admitted you to the Academic Development Program if we felt that you were the kind of student we would have to dismiss. However, there are some circumstances in which dismissal is possible. One is that if, in the opinion of the summer faculty and staff, a student is not making academic progress, especially because of lack of effort, that student, actually in his/her best interest, will have admission in the fall cancelled. Another reason for being dismissed is violation of residence hall regulations, such as the visitor policy or possession of alcohol, drugs, or firearms in the residence hall. Another possible reason is violation of the Academic Development Program attendance policy for class, tutoring, mentoring, and other required activities. A final reason is if a student is a severe discipline problem. But, as stated above, we do not expect any of these issues to occur.

5. May I have a job during the summer session?

Yes, but students are not excused from the program to attend work hours during the week. However, students may certainly work on weekends when they go home. A word of caution, though, is that these students are still responsible for completing their assignments; working on the weekend is not an excuse for not being prepared for classes Monday mornings. Another strategy that students employ is to negotiate with their employers to work additional hours before and after the summer session, thus making up for those hours they couldn’t work during the week days of the summer session.

6. Will I have the same roommate in the fall?

That depends on you. Many students request the same roommate for the fall. Others might wish to room with someone else whom they met during the summer. Others may wish to room with a high school friend who is not in the summer program. Others, still, are satisfied with having the university assign them another roommate for the fall. Roommate requests may be made through the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services.

7. May students go home on weekends?

Yes. Students are cautioned, however, to be sure to complete their weekend academic assignments. Furthermore, it is advisable that students return by 7:00 p.m. on Sunday to assure that all assignments are completed in good form for Monday classes.

8. How are my classes scheduled for the fall?

First-Year students do not get to choose their class schedule for the fall semester. Your academic advisor will finalize your fall schedule by mid-August.

9. Are there any recreational activities during the summer session?

While your major goal during the summer should be successful academic achievement in your courses, the Program also tries to develop the whole student through recreational opportunities. In addition to those already listed on the Academic Development Program calendar, the staff has planned several optional activities that hopefully will appeal to a wide-range of students. Students should participate in these optional activities as their schedules will allow; their studies should come first. Participating in the recreational activities is not an excuse for mediocre academic performance in class or on examinations. One of the crucial academic survival skills we hope that every student will develop is responsible time management: schedule your time so that you can achieve both academic excellence as well as participation in recreational activity. It shouldn’t be either/or; with good time management, it can be both.

10. Is the Academic Development Program over after the summer session?

The Academic Development Program definitely continues into the fall semester and beyond. In the fall, students proceed to take required courses complete with required tutoring and advising services. Other services may be available or required. All ADP students will have ADP advisors in their first academic year and until they officially declare a major. ADP personnel also are available to help all program students to navigate through university procedures. In summary, the ADP staff is available to all program students as long as they are enrolled at the university.

11. Should I bring a computer?

All residence halls, including McCarthy Hall, have Internet/network connections for computers so you may bring a computer, if you wish. However, there is really no reason to bring a personal computer for academic use since 350 computers for student academic use are located in 50 computer labs, in all residence halls, in all classroom buildings, and in popular study areas, all accessible to pertinent university business and e-mail. A word of caution: if you are the type of student who is easily addicted to video games, Internet surfing, Facebook, and other connections that might distract you from studying, you might be better-served by leaving a personal computer at home.