Residential governors schools - make a difference in college apps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a grind or do the kids have fun?

My son went in 2022. He had fun, but it was jam packed from morning until about 9 at night. There was little to no downtime to just chill in the room or read a book. They had classes every day and other academic activities. They do go on field trips, play games, etc, but it's not like camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Irrelevant and a waste of time. Whatever happened to just being a teenager? Summers should be for lifeguarding and chasing chicks.

Virginia has had summer Governor’s School programs for almost 50 years.

If you put a bunch of HS teenagers in college dorms for a month they will “socialize.”

[Anonymous]

It is fun and a great learning experience-my smart kid had fun finding his tribe and the month flew by!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is fun and a great learning experience-my smart kid had fun finding his tribe and the month flew by!

I’m the PP who had 3 attend summer governors academies. My 3 had a great time and made some very good friends and yes they were very busy with little down time.

[Anonymous]

Do kids get grades at governors school or just pass/fail or just attendance? Do colleges just see that a child attended governors school or do they see grades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do kids get grades at governors school or just pass/fail or just attendance? Do colleges just see that a child attended governors school or do they see grades?

No grades or any kind of assessment in our experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't hurt. I know a woman who entered UVA with many governor's schools with so many credits she entered as a second-year student. She graduated in only three years. Now in law school. I believe her GPA (via the governor's schools program and college courses she took as a high school) was 6.0+. Not FCPS

I’m not sure what Governor’s schools you are talking about but a kid can only do one VA summer residential governor’s school and there are no credits awarded.

[Anonymous]

My kids did Governor’s school last summer. Loved it. But it was scheduled 7am to 10pm every day. Very busy. Plenty of socializing though. Just highly scheduled. More downtime on weekends. Believe me, plenty of typical teenage romance/drama/antics.

[Anonymous]

I went to one in the early 90s focused on marine biology and it was an incredible experience. We spent two weeks learning in a classroom and then traveled to Chesapeake Bay to get hands on experience working as a marine biologist in the field. I don't know if they've changed, but it was super impressive back then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to one in the early 90s focused on marine biology and it was an incredible experience. We spent two weeks learning in a classroom and then traveled to Chesapeake Bay to get hands on experience working as a marine biologist in the field. I don't know if they've changed, but it was super impressive back then.

In VA do most kids go as juniors? Summer after junior year?

[Anonymous]

Are these only open to in-state kids? What about kids that live in DC? Any similar options? Looking for the future

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Irrelevant and a waste of time. Whatever happened to just being a teenager? Summers should be for lifeguarding and chasing chicks.

It’s the chasing chicks guy! Reminds me of Roll Tide guy. Love ‘em both. 👋

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to one in the early 90s focused on marine biology and it was an incredible experience. We spent two weeks learning in a classroom and then traveled to Chesapeake Bay to get hands on experience working as a marine biologist in the field. I don't know if they've changed, but it was super impressive back then.

Looking on website, sounds like same program now- 4 weeks total with hands on for last part. Question to poster that went, had you already had marine biology internships? Curious what gets a student nominated to show/prove interest? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to one in the early 90s focused on marine biology and it was an incredible experience. We spent two weeks learning in a classroom and then traveled to Chesapeake Bay to get hands on experience working as a marine biologist in the field. I don't know if they've changed, but it was super impressive back then.

Looking on website, sounds like same program now- 4 weeks total with hands on for last part. Question to poster that went, had you already had marine biology internships? Curious what gets a student nominated to show/prove interest? Thanks!

My experience was literally 30 years ago. You should find a more recent participant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to one in the early 90s focused on marine biology and it was an incredible experience. We spent two weeks learning in a classroom and then traveled to Chesapeake Bay to get hands on experience working as a marine biologist in the field. I don't know if they've changed, but it was super impressive back then.

Looking on website, sounds like same program now- 4 weeks total with hands on for last part. Question to poster that went, had you already had marine biology internships? Curious what gets a student nominated to show/prove interest? Thanks!

The program I did was hosted at Fox's Island, but they closed that research center in 2019 because of rising sea levels due to global warming. It was magical place. Hopefully they've found a new site that's comparable.

Google it if you're curious. There are some excellent articles.