An On-Campus Summer Workshop for College-Bound Students Who Learn Differently
June 20 – July 2, 2025
Students who learn differently often find themselves navigating their college experience without a map — and feeling alone.
It leaves students feeling overwhelmed, unable to keep up with assignments, and disconnected from professors and classmates. And too many students ultimately drop out of college — dissatisfied with their college experience and their confidence shaken.
The College Edge provides students with a supportive environment to experience the rigorous demands of college — with coaching and workshops designed to build their college readiness skills.
How It Works
Beacon’s College Edge is a highly interactive, on-campus residential experience. Students participate in three focused workshop days, followed by four days of immersive college-level courses. All activities, counseling, and instruction target self-awareness and skill-building in areas critical to college success: academic, executive functioning, and social and emotional well-being.
Through practical exercises and immediate feedback, students learn how to improve their college-level skills — and successfully apply these critical strategies to their future college environment.
Workshops
Leading faculty and experts direct workshops in:
- Executive functioning
- Critical thinking, reading, writing
- Social integration and emotional well-being
Each workshop includes interactive surveys, brief lectures, and experiential learning activities. Students build confidence in these areas and concrete strategies to execute these vital college skills.
Academic Courses
Each student participates in three mock-college courses to help build familiarity with the elements of college academics. Students experience syllabus review, lecture-style courses, projects and peer collaboration, and more. Courses are general education-style to provide students with a wide understanding of disciplines and explore their interests.
Accuplacer Testing
Common in college and university environments, the Accuplacer Test in reading helps us make specific recommendations for each student at the beginning of the program. Students also experience and practice a campus-wide assessment and a standardized test they may encounter during their college transition.
College-Living Labs
Students participate in hands-on, college-living labs to build executive functioning, social, and independent living skills. Topics include:
- Living with roommates
• Financial management
• Making social connections
• Understanding college regulations
Social Activities
One of the most difficult transitions in college is the balance of academics, social life, and self-care. The College Edge helps students build confidence and awareness around these important decisions. Students are provided a range of on- and off-campus activities to choose from, including nearby theme parks!
Program Costs
The College Edge’s all-inclusive cost is $3,450. This includes all on-campus programming and expenses including meals, housing, and activities. Single-person rooms are available for an additional $750. Students are responsible for their travel to and from Beacon College for the program. Scholarships are available for accepted students with demonstrated need.
Scholarship ApplicationWho Should Attend
- Current high school seniors graduating before this year’s program
- Students who have taken a gap year after high school
- Current college students aged 18–22 (who have ideally earned fewer than 30 credits
- Current college students preparing to transfer Begin Your Online Application
Center for College Readiness
Do you have a question? Get in touch with the Center for College Readiness at summerprogram@beaconcollege.edu, or call 855-220-5376 (toll-free).