When is YSSS 2024?

The program will run from July 8, 2024 to July 26, 2024.

What are the different types of mentorship sites?

This year the YSSS program is offering 2 distinct types of modalities for the mentorship sites. Mentors chose the modality at their own discretion.

Mentorship sites will either be in-person or hybrid.

In-Person: Scholars will go to the mentorship site from 9:00 AM to 3:00/4:00 PM Monday through Friday throughout the program.

Hybrid: Scholars will join go to the mentorship site from 9:00 AM/10:00 AM to 3:00 PM/4:00 PM two to three days per week throughout the program. On days scholars are not in-person at their mentorship site, they will complete site work independently in an area provided to them by the program. Scholars will meet with their mentors daily for a short amount of time (up to an hour) virtually.

What does a typical day look like?

Each day you will spend 6-8 hours each workday at your chosen mentorship site working with your mentor, other researchers, and fellow YSSS participants or completing independent work. At some sites students will spend most days working closely with a faculty mentor. At other sites, students will work in labs with teams of researchers and develop closer relationships with graduate student mentors. You will experience the excitement of discovery resulting from hard work and careful attention in research and creative activities. Please note that most sites host a small group of students but there may be some that host only one.

Students will be allowed to explore their interests further through exposure to fun, engaging activities designed to inspire an enhanced enthusiasm for learning during the evening activities. Each evening you may choose to participate in one of a variety of planned activities including team building adventures, sports, games, arts and crafts, and a video yearbooks club. Or you may continue to invest time working on your project for your mentorship site.

Field trips and community building activities will be planned for the weekend. However, there will be amble opportunities for much needed down time, relaxation, catching up on laundry, and time to work on your site project. Family members may also visit on weekends if the schedule permits.

You will get a glimpse of some of the experiences of a college student as you take responsibility for getting yourself to your site and all required activities prepared and on time. You will live in a residence hall, eat in a dining hall, and walk to and from your site, meals, and other activities. In addition to having site mentors, you will also be assigned to an academic counselor who will meet with your site group daily and help you navigate the entire experience.

This is an example of a typical day at YSSS:

Please note that at the mentors' discretion, students may work on a slightly different schedule, and some mentorship sites may require homework to be completed during the afternoon and evening hours. Each mentorship site is distinctive and activity is determined by the project(s) and mentor(s).

Where will I stay?

The experience of living in a residence hall prior to attending college is an invaluable one. YSSS scholars will reside on-campus in an air-conditioned UConn suite style dormitory with a roommate that has been assigned to them. The suites include 2 large two-person bedrooms connected by a semi-private bathroom. All bed linens will be supplied.

If you are attending with a friend, you may request to room together on the Status Portal. Each student must submit a request indicating there is a mutual interest to be placed in the same room at the time of enrollment. It is important to note that roommate request will be considered, but are not guaranteed.

Additionally, you will be provided with 3 meals a day that you will choose from menu selections at a dining hall on campus.

Can I earn college credit for YSSS?

Yes! We are so excited to be able to offer three (3) college credits to all scholars participating fully in mentorship site activities. Each faculty, staff, or graduate student mentor will give you a "grade" at the end of the three-week mentorship program and the UConn Registrar's Office will officially place three college credits, labeled as UNIV 1999, on your UConn transcript. You can then transfer these credits to the college or university of your choice, as long as the other institution accepts it. You can find specific instructions on how to request your transcript here.