ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

The first week of ASA - Princeton is proving to be a memorable one. The dormitory halls are buzzing with excitement as the new students meet each other and explore the Princeton University campus.

In addition to learning about campus housing rules and orientation to the ASA program, students are engaged in first introductions to the classes they will be attending this summer. They have met the ASA - Princeton lecturers and become involved in the interactive learning style of a pre-college seminar.

The students are eagerly anticipating the weekend's excursions to Six Flags and New York City. Saturday's excursion to Six Flags will be packed with opportunities for students to explore the park rides and games. Sunday's NYC excursion will offer students the choice of group trips to Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Big Onion tours.

This week has set a wonderful tone for the summer. Everyone at ASA - Princeton is looking forward to next week’s classes, trips, and activities!
– Pam, RA

I arrived at Princeton University around ten days ago. For the first five days, Tiffany, Whitney, Chris, Lee, Neha, Pam, Pat and I worked as a team to organize the first ever ASA Princeton program. During this time I learned that the young people attending ASA here were arriving from all around the world! I was excited that the group was diverse and wondered how the group dynamics would evolve. On their first day here, most of the young people were a little bit shy. However, after a few icebreakers and fun events that we planned, we began to see interesting personalities emerge. This diverse group amazes me each day! I’ve noticed small things such as one young man helping several of his new friends how to fix a plate of nachos or a young lady telling another how to complete her assignment. Being the only ASA program focused on civic engagement, I am able to see how our young people are living their own lives with the principles of community building and fellowship. I truly believe that over the course of the next three weeks, we will have together become a cohesive community, a family away from home. -- Elsen, RA

For your reference, here is a list of all the materials you should have sent in. You can check if they’ve been received through your MyASA account. (Be advised it takes 24-48 hours for MyASA to update). Please be sure to complete any outstanding materials and send them in as soon as you can.

Checklist:
Application Form
Parent-Student Agreement (for online applications)
Community Engagement Questionnaire
High School Transcript
Teacher's Recommendation
Medical Form
Copy of Insurance Card
Housing Form
Rules & Regulations Form
Travel Information Form (even if being dropped off by family)

Also be sure to download and read the ASA Princeton Handbook from MyASA. The Handbook has guidelines for all aspects of the program, including travel, packing, etc.

In the next six to eight weeks, as you finish up your school year and prepare for your journey to Princeton, ASA staff will be preparing too. As staff put finishing touches on course syllabi and add last details to excursion plans, they will keep you posted about details that you'll need to know by adding an entry to the 'News & Updates' feature on the ASA website. Before you travel to Princeton entries to 'News & Updates' will be informational with details like your mailing address, program phone number, driving directions etc. Once you arrive at Princeton the section will take on quite a different feel as your program director and senior staff post program updates with photos of you and your friends, your instructors and your adventures. Please make sure you subscribe to 'News & Updates' now so as not to miss any pre-program details. Encourage grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends to subscribe before the summer so that they can see all that you're busy with in Princeton.

Look for a new post each week. Keep working to complete your pre-program forms and don't forget to visit the 'Forms Download' section within MyASA to get a program packing list, pre-program handbook and other valuable materials.