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Summer Transition Program

Verification Forms and Disability Guidelines

Summer Transition Program
Eighteenth Annual Summer Transition Program for College-Bound Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD/ADD, or Autism/Asperger's.

June 14–July 10, 2009

Why Should You Attend?

College life can be a bit of a puzzle for any student. Being away from home, meeting new friends, more demanding classes—they all take some getting used to.

Students with learning disabilities often face extra challenges meeting the academic demands of college. To be successful, you may need to develop proper compensation skills, such as time management, note taking, textbook reading, and exam preparation. It is also important to know about support services and accommodations that may be available, such as tutoring, extended time on exams, and books in alternative format.

If all this sounds like a lot to learn during your first semester, don’t be discouraged. To help you adjust to the many academic and personal challenges of college, St. Ambrose University has developed the four-week Summer Transition Program. This program is designed to help students with learning disabilities develop skills for a successful college career. With a head start from the Summer Transition Program, you’ll be amazed how well all the pieces come together.

Putting it all Together

Breakfast
Monday through Friday from 7 to 7:45 am

Small Group Reviews
Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 am
These informal review sessions, led by staff members from the Services for Students with Disabilities office, assist students with writing assignments and preparation for quizzes and tests, and encourage development of study skills

Introduction to Psychology
Monday through Friday from 9:40 to 11:45 am
This 3 credit course (Psychology 105) represents an introduction to the essential characteristics of life in society and provides an overall perspective of the field of sociology. This class fulfills a SAU general education requirement. Credits are also transferable to other colleges.

Lunch
Monday through Friday from noon to 1 pm

Study Skills and Tutoring Sessions
Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3 pm
During tutoring sessions, staff members from the Services for Students with Disabilities office assist students in applying  learning skills to their Psychology 105 coursework. Students receive instruction on note taking, textbook reading, memorization strategies, test preparation and other study skills.

Career Exploration
Every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:15 pm
Students are introduced to the FOCUS (Career Interest Inventory) and will develop individual career plans which allow students to establish clear goals and purpose for their college experience.

Academic Orientation and Self-Advocacy Seminars

Monday and Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:15 pm

Orientation seminars help students identify and access university and community resources that facilitate their adjustment and success in college. Students meet one-on-one with faculty, giving them a personal introduction to academic advising, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss college transition issues. The advisors help students learn how to select courses that lead to career goals.

Self-advocacy seminars assist students in achieving greater self-confidence and independence in college life. These sessions include structured simulations that help students develop skills to choose and fully utilize the most beneficial accommodations for their learning disability.

Dinner
Monday through Thursday from 5 to 5:30 pm

Recreational and Additional Learning Opportunities

Social and recreational activities are a very important part of the summer picture, because they provide an informal opportunity to learn more about the university and the community. Students will participate in weekly study breaks with faculty and/or staff. On campus, students have access to volleyball, basketball, tennis, racquetball and a weight room. Off campus, students can cool down at a water amusement park, ride a river boat, or attend a Blues Fest on the Mississippi River.

Housing

To receive the full benefits of the program, students are encouraged to live on campus in one of the university’s residence halls. Quad City area students who prefer to live at home may request an exemption from on-campus housing.

Admissions Requirements

• Completion of junior year of high school

• Documented learning disability, ADHD, Asperger's

• Strong desire to be successful in college

• Completion of an application form

You do not need to be admitted to St. Ambrose to participate in this program. Completion of the program does not guarantee admission to St. Ambrose. Academic credits earned may be transferred to other institutions.

Deadline for applying to the program is Friday, May 29, 2009.

*Final cost to be determined February 2009

Upon acceptance, a $400 deposit is required to hold a spot in the program. The deposit, which is refundable up to May 30, is applied toward the total cost. 

For more information, contact Ryan Saddler, Director of Student Disability Services at 563/333-6275 or email SaddlerRyanC@sau.edu