Pre-freshman program begins next week

Upperclassmen may be surprised to see large packs of starry-eyed students roaming around campus on Sunday -- over a month ahead of the official freshman move-in date. These 110 members of the Class of 1998 are enrolled in the University's Pre-Freshman Program, a four-week program that gives them a head start on their college careers. Program Dorm Manager and College junior Dana Lynch said the Program tries to "help students succeed at Penn." "We provide [the students] with an introduction to college life," he said. "We prepare them for the rigorous academic life -- as well as give them an up-close view of Penn's resources that most students don't usually realize are there until their junior year." According to Lynch, the students generally follow a faculty-prescribed curriculum, attending one English course and one interdisciplinary science course -- either math, physics, chemistry, biology or psychology. He added that the small class sizes enable the incoming freshmen to interact one-on-one with professors and meet their classmates. Delores Hill, assistant director of the Pre-Freshman Program, said the program also includes a "Successful Penn Seminar," which teaches students college survival skills and studying tips. Hill said that although the program is academically focused, there are also many social activities planned for the students -- including road trips to Hershey Park and Ocean City, New Jersey. The program also introduces the Class of 1998 members to the city of Philadelphia. Pre-freshmen will visit such local hot spots as the Art Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, Camden Aquarium and Franklin Institute. There is even a semi-formal planned for the end of August. The pre-freshmen will live in Stouffer College House, although the last few years they stayed in the High Rises. Lynch said that the University made the change because "Stouffer has a much more communal feel than the High Rises." Living among the freshmen will be ten Undergraduate Peer Advisors. These sophomores and juniors will help the freshmen adjust to the University's academic and social life. Both the students' courses and room and board are free. During the week, they eat at Dining Services, and on weekends they receive a $30 stipend for food. Juanita Allen, a Philadelphia native and incoming College freshman, said she is eager to begin college. "I'm excited about attending the program," she said. "I hope to gain a feel for college before it starts, and also make some friends. I'm a little scared about the work load, but that's about it."