Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Q. Is the
W&M Washington Summer Session the same as the W&M in Washington
Semester Program?
A. No - they are two different programs. Although both are held
in Washington, the W&M Washington Summer Session offers classes
during the Summer and W&M in Washington offers classes during the
school year. Also, the W&M Washington Summer Session has no
internship, residential, or alumni mentorship components - it's just
classes.
Q.
Why has W&M started this program?
A. During the summer there are roughly 1600 undergraduate students who
live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, and many others who work
at various internships across the region. The W&M Summer Session is
an opportunity for students on summer break to take the same rigorous
courses they can take on Campus while exploring the many learning
opportunities of Washington, DC. Also, many of the courses offered in
the W&M Washington Summer Session are popular GERs, providing
students the opportunity to take classes they can't get during the
school year.
Q. Why
should W&M students take these classes?
A. Unlike any other summer classes in DC, the W&M Washington Summer
Session classes count towards GER and major/minor requirements -- and
cost the same as classes in the Campus Summer Sessions. Also,
Washington Summer Session classes offer students who are in the
Washington, DC area for the summer the opportunity to take fun,
interesting classes from a William & Mary professor teaching
his/her academic specialty. Many of the professors leading W&M
Washington Summer Session classes will use the dynamic institutions and
vibrant culture and history of Washington to inform readings and
classroom discussion.
Q. How
does the W&M Washington Summer Session work?
A. The W&M Washington Summer Session is structured just like Campus
Summer sessions. W&M students register for classes through myWM during the summer registration
period. Visiting students, incoming first-year students, high
school students, and W&M alums register through the W&M Registrar's
office. Classes are filled on a first-come
first-served basis, with a one week preference in registration given to
W&M students. Students are NOT required to
work in an internship, although classes are held in late afternoons and
evenings to accommodate working students.
Q.
When is the W&M Washington Summer Session held?
A. The Washington Summer Session calendar is identical to that of
Summer Sessions on Campus. For 2009, these dates are June 1 to
July 3 for Session 1; and July 5 to August 7 for Session 2.
Academics
Q. Who teaches the W&M
Washington Summer Session classes?
A. For the 2009 Washington Summer Session, there are six W&M
professors in Washington.
Professor Ken Kambis, Kinesiology Department
Visiting Instructor Daniel Doherty, Government Department
Adjunct Professor Lee Rawls, Government and Thomas Jefferson Public Policy
Visiting Instructor Heidi Schneider, Art and Art History Department
Professor Marc L. Raphael, Religious Studies Department
Adjunct Professor Marty Paone, Government Department
Q. What courses will
be offered in Washington?
A. Please see the course descriptions page
Q. Where are the
W&M Washington Summer Session classes held?
A. Classes are held at the William & Mary Washington Office,
located in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Building at
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW in the Dupont Circle area of Downtown
Washington.
Q. How do I get to the
W&M Washington Office?
A. The William & Mary Washington Office is located about one block
from Dupont Circle South Metro entrance, on Massachusetts Avenue in
Downtown Washington. View our directions and parking
information page.
Q. When do classes
meet?
A. Classes meet in the late afternoon and evenings during the
week. For specific times, please see the course descriptions page.
Q. How many credits can
students earn?
A. Classes offered in the 2009 Washington Summer Session range from one
to three credits. Students may register for as many courses as
they wish. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q. How are grades
awarded? Can I take these classes pass/fail?
A. Grades are awarded in the W&M Washington Summer Session like any
course on Campus. Like on Campus, students may not take Summer
courses pass/fail.
Q. Does the Honor
Code apply to courses in Washington?
A. All policies and regulations contained in the Rights and
Responsibilities, the Student Code of Conduct, and the Administration
of Student Life Policies sections of the William & Mary Student
Handbook apply to all W&M Washington Summer Session courses.
Eligibility
Q. Who is eligible to take
a W&M Washington Summer Session course?
A. The W&M Washington Summer Session is open to all four-year and
two-year university students, as well as rising college freshmen and
academically qualified rising junior and senior high school students.
For 2009, courses are now open to W&M alums. Courses are
filled on a first-come first-served basis, with current, degree seeking
W&M students getting the opportunity to register for classes before
other students.
Q. I'm not a major in the
courses offered. Can I still participate?
A. Yes, the Washington Summer Session is open to students
in all majors and disciplines. In fact, course topics are
designed to reach the largest number of student interests.
Registration
Q. I'm a William
& Mary student -- how do I apply?
A. Current, degree-seeking William & Mary students register
for W&M Washington Summer Session courses through Banner at
mywm.edu, just like courses during the school year.
Registration for W&M students will open March 16, 2009.
Q. I'm a William & Mary alum -- how do I apply?
1. Complete the Summer Session Application and Registration Form (pdf) and send it to the:
The College of William & Mary
Office of the University Registrar
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
Fax Number: 757-221-2151
2. If you are a Virginia resident, and want to qualify for the Virginia tuition rate, complete the Application for In-State Tuition Privileges (pdf) and submit it with your application.
Please note that enrollment in summer session courses does not constitute admission to the College's degree-seeking programs.
Registration for W&M alums will open March 23, 2009.
Q. I'm a student at
another university -- how do I apply?
A. Visit the Washington Summer Session registration page for
detailed instructions.
You should obtain approval in advance from the appropriate official at your home institution if you seek to transfer credits earned at William & Mary.
Registration for non-classified students will open March 23, 2009.
Q. I'm an incoming
Freshman at William & Mary -- how do I apply?
A. Incoming Freshman need to complete the Summer Session Application and Registration Form
(pdf) and mail or fax it to:
The College of William & Mary
Office of the University Registrar
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795
Fax Number: 757-221-2151
Registration for non-classified students will open March 23, 2009.
If you have filed for in-state tuition rates in your admission application, you don't need to file another application. Simply attach a letter to your Summer Session registration form indicating that you have filed previously.
Q. I'm a high school
student -- how do I apply?
A. The College of William & Mary encourages highly motivated rising
juniors and seniors with strong academic records to enroll in its
Summer Session classes.
Please visit the Washington Summer Session registration page for detailed instructions.
Registration for non-classified students will open March 23, 2009.
Housing
Q. Where do students live
while in the W&M Washington Summer Session?
A. There is no residency requirement for the Washington Summer
Session. Students can live wherever they want. For
students looking for summer housing, we highly recommend the W&M
apartments at the Buchanan in Arlington, VA. You can find other housing information on the summer housing page.
Q. My parents live in
Northern Virginia. Can I live at home and attend classes?
A. Absolutely!
Q. Does the program
provide housing?
A. Yes! We do have a limited number of apartments at the Buchanan available
for W&M, located across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA.
These are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q. I'm going to take
classes in the W&M Washington Summer Session and rent an apartment
on my own in the Washington area. Where should I live?
A. You should live as close as possible to downtown Washington or
near a Metro station. Rent will be higher close to the city, but
commutes from areas outside the Capital Beltway can be extremely
difficult. Suggestions for finding apartments are provided on the summer housing page.
Financial
Q. How much does the
W&M Washington Summer Session cost?
A. Students pay regular Summer Session tuition and fees.
For the 2009 Summer Session, tuition is $225 per credit hour for in-state residents and $840 per credit hour for out-of-state residents. There is also a one-time registration fee of $25.00, and a one-time comprehensive fee of $50.00. These fees are non-refundable.
Q. Can I apply my
financial aid to the cost of the Summer Session?
A. Currently enrolled and matriculated W&M students can take out
student loans, or their parents can take out a PLUS Loan, to cover the
cost of Summer Session courses. Students must complete a FAFSA form to
apply for loans. Students must also complete a Summer Aid Application
(available in March 2009). For questions regarding this process, please
contact [[gjanderson, Ginia Anderson]] at the
W&M Financial Aid office.
Unclassified students (visiting students, incoming Freshman, and high
school students) are not eligible for financial aid for Summer Session
courses.
Q. I've registered
and paid my tuition, but now need to withdraw. What are my
options?
A. Contact the Registrar's Office for instructions.
Internships
Q. Are students required
to have an internship to participate?
A. There is no internship requirement for the Washington Summer
Session. However, classes are scheduled in the afternoon and
evening to accommodate students who are working during the day.
Q. Can the W&M
Washington Office help me find a Summer internship?
A. Competition is fierce for Summer internships in Washington, so you
need to give yourself plenty of time and put out plenty of
applications. Please work with the Career Center to
explore what resources they have available. If you need
additional guidance, feel free to call the office at 202-939-4000, or [[wmdcof, email us]].
