Last month, we announced some exciting opportunities to study in the US this summer, including at Harvard and Yale Universities.

This blog answers all your questions about the Harvard opportunity. For further information about Yale, please visit this blog.

Remember: you may apply for a place on both the Harvard Summer School and Yale Young Global Scholars Programme (YYGS) but you will only receive Seren funding for one of these, should you be successful.

For students who apply for both: places for Harvard will be announced before YYGS.  Therefore, if you are successful in being offered a place at Harvard and YYSG you will automatically be discounted for Seren funding for the YYGS programme. You may still attend YYGS if successful but will need to fund this yourself as this will be outside of the YYGS Seren partnership.

Seren applicants to both Yale Young Global Scholars and Harvard Summer School in 2019 will need the following forms:

1. Sign Up Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programme Workshops
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/feLnI5
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/JxZKwL
2. Question Submission Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/cB3obD
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/j6TceX
3. Scholarship Application Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/Y5jKHN

Overview

The Seren Network has established a scholarship with the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program at Harvard University, USA.

In 2019, the Seren Network will support up to 5 Seren students to participate in the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program at Harvard University, USA.

For five Seren students, the Welsh Government will provide a scholarship worth $4,700 per student.

The Harvard Pre-College Program is an immersive, collaborative, and transformative residential experience.

Alongside peers from around the world, you’ll thrive in a dynamic and supportive academic environment.

Through the Harvard Pre-College Program, you’ll be introduced to college life as you attend challenging classes, live on campus, and enjoy fun excursions and activities.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn without limits, live at Harvard and thrive outside the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find out more about the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program? 

To find out more about the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program please click on the following link:

https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program

2. How do I apply to the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program?

All students should follow the application process on the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program website. Please click on the following link:

https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program/admissions

To be eligible for the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship you must also complete the Seren International Summer Programme Scholarship Application Form at the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d

3. What is the deadline for applying to the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program?

The closing date for applications to the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College program 2019 is Friday, February 1, 2019 at 5pm GMT.

To apply, go to:

https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program/admissions

4. What if I miss the deadline?

If you miss the application deadline, your application to Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program will not be considered.

All parts of the application must be complete for consideration for admission.

5. Who should apply to the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program?

Harvard Summer School Pre-College 2019 program is open to applications from anybody who meets the eligibility criteria described on the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program website.

Please see the following link for details:

https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program/admissions

However, the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship is only available to Seren Network students currently in Year 12 or the first year of A Levels at college if attending a further education college.

The application process is highly competitive so only the strongest applicants will be offered admission.

The Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program is designed to challenge top performing high school students with fast-paced, university-level material. Prior to arriving at Harvard, students are required to do preparatory reading and during the program will spend the majority of each day in lectures, seminars, and small-group discussions.

The academic work in the program is intense and each session covers a wide variety of material in two weeks. Students must also be mature and able to engage respectfully and civilly in discussions over controversial intellectual, moral, and political issues.

6. How long is the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program?

The Harvard Summer School Pre-College program is two weeks long, with sessions commencing from mid-June through to the end of July.

7. Would I be travelling to Harvard independently or would someone be with me?

The 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program has different start dates ranging from mid-June through to late-July.

As a result, there will not necessarily be a designated party of Seren Network students or representatives travelling together.

Students applying should be prepared to travel independently and this should be a consideration before applying.

Of course, any Seren students admitted to the same session are welcome to travel together and Seren will endeavour to help facilitate this where possible, but this cannot be guaranteed.

8. What does the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship cover? 

Tuition for each session of the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program is $4,700 USD (including $100 for health insurance).

The scholarship includes all programme costs.

This includes your instruction, housing on one of Harvard’s historic residential colleges, three meals per day, programme-related activities, and health insurance.

Travel is not included in program tuition.

9. How likely is it that my traveling costs will be covered?

The $4,700 USD Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship does not cover traveling expenses.

The Seren Network, will work with successful students to raise funds to support travel costs.

10. As a Seren student, will I be guaranteed a position in the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program?

No, Seren cannot guarantee the success of any individual application to Harvard Summer School.

Harvard Summer School’s application process is highly competitive.

Whilst the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship is available for up to five Seren students in 2019, the standard of applications must still be high enough to be worthy of an offer of admission independently of the scholarship, so only the strongest applications will be offered a space.

Applications will be considered by the Harvard Summer School admissions team and final decisions for admission to Harvard Summer School’s Pre-College Program will be made by the Harvard Summer School.

11. How will the Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program know that I’m a Seren student and how do I notify them?

You must complete the Seren International Summer Programme Scholarship Application Form at the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d

You must also inform your Seren hub coordinator of your application to YYGS. Your coordinator is required to provide a final list of applicants from their hubs. This final list will be submitted to YYGS as the final list of Seren-eligible applicants for the YYGS summer school.

You should also mention your membership of Seren within your application.

As well as demonstrating an applicant’s success in gaining admission to this exclusive network, this will draw an application to the attention of admissions staff at Harvard Summer School who are expecting applications from Seren students.

12. When will I be notified whether my application to the 2019 Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program has been successful or not?

Applicants will be notified electronically of admissions decisions by 25^th February 2019.

13. Can students who are not members of The Seren Network apply?

Harvard Summer School is open to applications from anybody who meets the eligibility criteria described on the Harvard Summer School website.

Please see the following link for details:

https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program/admissions

However, the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship is only available to Seren Network students who are successful in their applications to the Harvard Summer School’s Pre-College Program in 2019 and who have NOT previously attended a paid summer school in the US as part of a Welsh cohort. Students who have benefitted from a scholarship, or supported financially by their unitary authority, or the welsh Government are not eligible for funding for 2019.

The application process is highly competitive and so only the strongest applicants will be made an offer of admission. 

1. Do I need to apply for financial aid portion in my application to Harvard Summer School?

 No.

Seren Network applicants do not need to apply for financial aid as part of their application to Harvard Summer School’s Pre-College Program to be eligible for the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship which will be given to up to five successful applicants from the Seren Network in 2019. 

14. How do I pay the $75 application fee? Is this covered by the scholarship?

Ordinarily, all applicants must pay the $75 application fee.

Harvard Summer School will waive the application fee if it would constitute a significant financial burden for the student’s family.

All Seren applicants to the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship in 2019 must complete the Seren International Summer Programme Scholarship Application Form at the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d

In order to gain a fee waiver, you must indicate that the fee would constitute a significant burden to you or your family.

Then, you will receive an Application Fee Code to include in you Harvard Summer School application in the same section where you indicate your membership of Seren.

Students and families who can afford the $75 application fee should not indicate that they need an application fee waiver.

Applicants must not share Application Fee Codes with other applicants.

Applicants found to be doing so could be automatically disqualified from being eligible for the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship in 2019.

15. I have more questions relating to Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program, where should I go?

Applicants should look out for information from their Seren hub coordinators and the Seren Network Facebook page about in-person and Facebook Live information sessions and workshops about 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes happening in January 2019.

Please see the following link to sign up to a workshop about the international summer programmes supported by Seren in 2019:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/feLnI5

If you’re a Seren student, please submit all questions relating to the Seren-Harvard Summer School Scholarship in 2019 via the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/cB3obD

If an applicant has any technical difficulties, they should email:

precollege@summer.harvard.edu

(and cc liam.rahman@aya.yale.edu on the correspondence)

You can also email – Liam Rahman, at liam.rahman@aya.yale.edu or – Manon Charles, at manon.charles@equal.international.

Applicants can also seek guidance from their school’s university guidance counsellors and Seren hub coordinators.

We do, however, advise that guidance in this FAQ document and from the Harvard Summer School website is followed and prioritised above other advice you might receive.

Last month, we announced some exciting opportunities to study in the US this summer, including at Yale and Harvard Universities.

This blog answers all your questions about the Yale opportunity.

For further information about Harvard, please visit this blog.

Remember: you may apply for a place on both the Harvard Summer School and Yale Young Global Scholars Programme (YYGS) but you will only receive Seren funding for one of these, should you be successful.

For students who apply for both: places for Harvard will be announced before YYGS.  Therefore, if you are successful in being offered a place at Harvard and YYSG you will automatically be discounted for Seren funding for the YYGS programme. You may still attend YYGS if successful but will need to fund this yourself as this will be outside of the YYGS Seren partnership.

Seren applicants to both Yale Young Global Scholars and Harvard Summer School in 2019 will need the following forms:

1. Sign Up Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programme Workshops
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/feLnI5
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/JxZKwL
2. Question Submission Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/cB3obD
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/j6TceX
3. Scholarship Application Form for 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes
   • English: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d
   • Cymraeg: https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/Y5jKHN

Overview

The Seren Network has extended and expanded its unique partnership with the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program at Yale University, USA.

In 2018, 16 Seren students were admitted to Yale Young Global Scholars and received full funding to participate in academically rigorous two-week programmes on campus at Yale University in the USA.

For 2019, The Seren Network aims to support up to 30 Seren students to participate in the (YYGS Summer Program that will take place in New Haven (USA) and Beijing (China), providing a scholarship worth $6,250 per student co-funded by Welsh Government and YYGS.

YYGS is a summer academic enrichment and leadership program for outstanding high school students from around the world.

Each summer, students from over 100 countries participate in one of nine interdisciplinary sessions and immerse themselves in a global learning community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find out more about the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) programme?

 To find out more about Yale Young Global Scholars, please click on the following link: https://globalscholars.yale.edu/   

2. How do I apply to the YYGS summer 2019 programme?

All students should follow the application process on the YYGS website. Please click on the following link: https://apply.globalscholars.yale.edu/apply/

3. What is the deadline for applying to the YYGS summer 2019 program?

The closing date for applications to YYGS summer 2019 is 04:59 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 7^th February 2019. To apply, go to: https://apply.globalscholars.yale.edu/apply/

4. What if I miss the deadline?

If you miss the application deadline, your application to YYGS will not be considered. All parts of the application must be complete for consideration for admission to YYGS.

5. Who should apply to the YYGS summer 2019 program?

YYGS summer 2019 program is open to applications from anybody who meets the eligibility criteria described on the YYGS website. Please see the following link for details: https://globalscholars.yale.edu/applying/eligibility-requirements.

However, the Seren-YYGS Scholarship is only available to Seren Network students currently in Year 12 or the first year of A Levels at college if attending a further education college. The application process is highly competitive so only the strongest applicants will be offered admission.

The YYGS Program is designed to challenge top performing high school students with fast-paced, university-level material.

Prior to arriving at Yale, students are required to do several hundred pages of preparatory reading and during the program will spend the majority of each day in lectures, seminars, and small-group discussions.

Participants also complete a major writing and presentation assignment in which they are asked to collaborate with a team of students.

The academic work in the program is intense and each session covers a wide variety of material in two weeks.

Students must also be mature and able to engage respectfully and civilly in discussions over controversial intellectual, moral, and political issues.

A student in the program must have:

• An excellent academic record
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A desire and ability to work cooperatively with peers
• A good work ethic
• An ability to read, analyse, and reflect on large quantities of difficult material in English
• High standards of personal and professional conduct

6. How long is the YYGS summer 2019 program?

YYGS is two weeks long, with sessions commencing from mid-June through to the end of July.

7. Would I be travelling to YYGS independently or would someone be with me?

YYGS summer 2019 has different start dates ranging from mid-June through to late-July.

Sessions are also delivered in different locations (New Haven, USA and Beijing, China).

As a result, there will not be a designated party of Seren Network students or representatives travelling together.

Students applying should be prepared to travel independently and this should be a consideration before applying.

Any Seren students admitted to the same session (in the same location and with the same start date) are welcome to travel together and we will endeavour to help facilitate this where possible. 

8. Can I apply to the session in Beijing?

Yes, Beijing is definitely one of the options.

9. What does the Seren-Yale Scholarship cover?

Tuition for each session of the 2019 Yale Young Global Scholars Program is $6,250 USD. The scholarship includes all programme costs

It also includes your accommodation in one of Yale’s historic residential colleges in New Haven or a hotel conveniently located near the Yale Center Beijing in China, three meals per day, and optional health insurance.

Travel is not included.

10. How likely is it that my travelling costs will be covered?

The Seren-Yale Scholarship does not cover traveling expenses.

The Seren Network, will work with successful students to raise funds to support travel costs.

11. As a Seren student, will I be guaranteed a position in the YYGS summer 2019 program?

No, Seren cannot guarantee the success of any individual application to YYGS. YYGS’s application process is highly competitive.

While the Seren-YYGS Partnership has identified up to 30 places that can be funded for Seren students in 2019, the standard of applications must still be high enough to be worthy of an offer of admission independently of the partnership, so only the strongest applications will be offered a space.

Applications will be considered by the YYGS admissions team and final decisions for admission to YYGS will be made by the YYGS admissions team.

12. How will YYGS know that I’m a Seren student and how do I notify them?

You must complete the Seren International Summer Programme Scholarship Application Form at the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d

You must also inform your Seren hub coordinator of your application to YYGS. Your coordinator is required to provide a final list of applicants from their hubs. This final list will be submitted to YYGS as the final list of Seren-eligible applicants for the YYGS summer school.

You should also mention your membership of Seren within your application.

13. When will I be notified whether my application to YYGS 2019 has been successful or not?

Applicants will be notified electronically of admissions decisions by late March/ early April 2019.

14. Can students who are not members of The Seren Network apply?

YYGS is open to applications from across the world who meets the eligibility criteria described on the YYGS website.

Please see the following link for details:

https://globalscholars.yale.edu/applying/eligibility-requirements

However, the Seren-YYGS Scholarship is only available to Seren Network students who are successful in their applications to the YYGS summer 2019 program, and who have NOT previously attended a paid summer school in the US as part of a Welsh cohort.

Students who have benefitted from a scholarship, or supported financially by their unitary authority, or the welsh Government are not eligible for funding for 2019.

The application process is highly competitive and so only the strongest applicants will be made an offer of admission. 

15. Do I need to complete the financial aid portion of the application? 

Yes, all applicants to the Seren-Yale Scholarship for YYGS summer 2019 must complete the financial aid portion of the application to be considered for this scholarship.

Students who do not apply for financial aid will not be eligible for the Seren-YYGS scholarship and should therefore also pay the application fee.

Please note that any admitted students who do not apply for financial aid will need to raise funds to cover their tuition independently of the Seren-Yale Young Global Scholars 2019 Partnership. 

16. How do I pay the $60 application fee? Is this covered by the scholarship?

Ordinarily, all applicants must pay the $60 application fee.

YYGS will waive the application fee if it would constitute a significant financial burden for the student’s family.

If this is the case, the 2019 Application Fee Waiver Form in the following link must be submitted with the financial aid portion of your Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) summer 2019 online application submission:

https://globalscholars.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/2019_Fee%20Waiver%20Form.pdf

You must also indicate if you require an application fee waiver in the Seren International Summer Programme Scholarship Application Form at the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/fyoq5d

17. I have more questions relating to YYGS, where should I go?

Applicants should look out for information from their Seren hub coordinators and the Seren Network Facebook page about in-person and Facebook Live information sessions and workshops about 2019 Seren International Summer Programmes happening in January 2019.

Please see the following link to sign up to a workshop about the international summer programmes supported by Seren in 2019:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/feLnI5

If you’re a Seren student, please submit all questions relating to the Seren-YYGS 2019 Partnership via the following link:

https://equaleducation.typeform.com/to/cB3obD

Year 13 Seren Students and YYGS alumni from 2018 will be more than happy to help you and talk you through the process. Please contact your hub coordinator to be connected with the YYGS students from your hub.

You can also email Liam Rahman, at liam.rahman@aya.yale.edu or – Manon Charles, at manon.charles@equal.international

Applicants can also seek guidance from their school’s university guidance counsellors and Seren hub coordinators. We do, however, advise that guidance in this FAQ document and from the YYGS website is followed and prioritised above other advice you might receive.

With the Christmas break fast approaching, The Seren Network is delighted to announce an early surprise for 2019.

Next summer, Seren students who are currently in year 12 will have the choice of three fully funded summer schools to attend at some of the most elite institutions in the world.

These include:

• The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program – at Yale University
• The Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program – at Harvard University (NEW!)
• The Seren Summer School – at Jesus College, Oxford University

These fantastic opportunities will be fully-funded* and as such, places are limited.

The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Programme – at Yale University – read FAQs here.

What is it?

A two-week summer programme held at the Yale University Campus in New Haven, Connecticut with the option of also choosing a place at the Yale Centre in Beijing, China.

Students can choose between nine academic streams covering a range of topics such as; applied science & engineering, international affairs & globalization and biological & biomedical science.

Students then choose seminars and activities once they have been accepted into a stream.

Around 1,700 students attend the summer school from across the world.

When does it take place?

There are three cohorts over the summer. These are:

• June 16-29
• July 7-20
• July 28-August 10

How many funded* spaces are available?

There are up to 30 funded* spaces available.

What is the application process?

Remember: Don’t start your application yet as we’ve not published the full details of the Welsh Government funding and funding provided from Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS).

The application consists of administration and registration steps, supplying examples of your work and grades, teacher recommendations, questions about your interests as well as a section on essays. These are: 1 x 500-word essay, 2 x 200-word essays.

Here’s a sample application for reference. https://globalscholars.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/2019%20YYGS%20Application%20-%20SAMPLE.pdf 

You can find out more here: https://globalscholars.yale.edu/admissions

In January, we will also be hosting Facebook Live Q&A sessions with Yale Alumni Schools Committee member, Liam Rahman, who will help guide you through your application.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline is 7^th February 2019 at 04:59 AM GMT (6^th February 2019 at 23:59 EST)

Applicants will be notified electronically of admissions decisions by late March or early April.

What’s it like?

Earlier this year, 16 Seren students attended the YYGS programme.

You can watch a video about their experience here: 

You can also read several blogs about the students’ experiences:

• We take a look back at the first two weeks of the Yale Young Global Scholars Programme… 
• My experience at the Yale Young Global Scholars program (YYGS) 
• Meet Joseph, whose love of engineering encouraged him to apply to the Yale summer school 
• We hear from Cassie, Tom, Carys, Joe and Yousuf all about their first week at Yale University… 
• Meet Yousuf, whose dream is to set up his own tech company in Silicon Valley. He’s one of the first cohort on the Yale summer school 
• Meet Carys: the Welsh athlete who is one of the first cohort on the Yale summer school

The Harvard Summer School Pre-College Program – at Harvard University – read FAQs here

What is it?

This is a brand-new opportunity for Seren students to take part in.

Following the success of Seren’s Yale partnership established this year, we’re pleased to announce another US programme for Seren students in summer 2019.

It’s a two-week academic course which covers a semester’s worth of work in two weeks. All sessions are taught by Harvard affiliated staff and around 1,600 students from across the globe attend each year.

Students are expected to attend seminars and workshops around their chosen subject – there are more than 104 to choose from this year including creative writing, legal studies and anthropology & archaeology.

There are also compulsory ‘college life’ modules to attend which include trips outside of campus, including the chance to see the world famous Red Sox in their home stadium in Boston.

When does it take place?

Like Yale, this summer school takes place across three cohorts.

These are:

• June 23–July 5
• July 7–July 19
• July 21–August 2

How many funded spaces are available?

There are up to 5 funded* spaces available.

What is the application process?

Remember: Don’t start your application yet as we’ve not published the full details of the Welsh Government funding.

The application process consists of administration and registration steps, supplying examples of your work and grades, questions about your interests, teacher recommendations and a section on short essays.

You can find out more here: https://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/pre-college-program

In January, we will also be hosting Facebook Live Q&A sessions with Liam Rahman, who will help guide you through your application.

When is the deadline for applications?

The deadline is 1^st February, 17:00 GMT – to be considered for funding support, you must apply by the Early application deadline

What’s it like?

As this is a totally new opportunity for Seren students, we don’t have any Seren testimonials but you can check out the Harvard website for more information.

This includes most commonly asked questions (please ignore all funding related questions here as Seren scholarship information will be provided separately in January)

You might also want to watch some YouTube video diaries of former Harvard students:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP8tshZaab0

The Seren Summer School – at Jesus College, Oxford University

What is it?

The Seren Summer School is a unique collaboration between the University of Oxford and the Welsh Government’s Seren Network.

You’ll get the chance to live and work with Oxford academics and students for a week in the late summer.

The 2019 programme is around the theme of Earth’s Future and will feature a number of lectures, seminars and unique tutorial sessions to help coach students through an essay piece to be handed in during the summer school.

Topics will include; inter-planetary colonisation, climate, biodiversity and habitat change and world order in the age of Trump and Putin.

When does it take place?

It takes place 19^th – 23^rd August 2019

How many funded spaces are available?

There are up to 75 funded spaces available.

What is the application process?

Students will need to submit their personal information along with an admissions essay to be decided nearer the application opening time.

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications aren’t open yet, but we’ll be announcing their opening in May/June 2019.

What’s it like?

This summer school has been running for two years now and you can watch a video summarising it here: 

You can also read a selection of blogs about it here:

• Dr Tomos Brodie from Jesus College Oxford
• Seren students at Jesus College
• Julie Elliott: My first day at the Jesus College summer school
• “I’m so glad that I decided to just go for it, because Oxford has so much to offer”: Why you should apply for the Jesus College summer school for Seren students
• Elin Roberts: My Seren summer school experience

We’ll be back in early 2019 with more details, Live Q&A sessions and FAQ blogs to answer all your questions about these three amazing opportunities.

In the meantime, we wish you a Merry Christmas / Nadolig Llawen from the Seren team!

*Payment for the courses will be covered by The Seren Network via the Welsh Government. Flights and transfers will be funded through private sponsorship which has not yet been fully confirmed, as was the case for Seren students who took part in the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) programme in 2018.