Academic Excellence Scholars

The Academic Excellence Scholars (AES) Program is a three and a half day summer bridge experience immediately before August orientation and is intended to smooth your transition to Drew and enhance your experience in the fall. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with advisers, peer mentors, and other first-year students. You will become familiar with a wide-range of campus resources so that you can start to feel at home at Drew.

AES is open to incoming first-year students from New Jersey that are first-generation and/or Pell-eligible.

Mission

In conjunction with Drew’s overall mission to encourage knowledge, experience and service within our diverse community of learners, AES serves to support first-year, Pell-eligible and/or first-generation students in their transition from high school to university life. Through our summer bridge program, we seek to provide first-year scholars with the skills and confidence needed for overall college success.

AES Values

ACADEMIC. EXCELLENCE. SCHOLARS.

Academic | Support the transition of First-Year students from high school to higher education through academic resources, mentors, and connection to the Drew community.

Excellence | Encourage the diverse community of learners to be distinguished scholars demonstrating integrity and dedication in all areas of a student’s life.

Scholars | Promote student engagement in scholarly pursuits and help student connect their educational experiences to post-college goals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to participate?

Why attend?

What is the purpose of Academic Excellence Scholars?

Will I be required to attend mandatory sessions throughout the year?

Is there a cost or fee to participate as an Academic Excellence Scholar?

How do I apply or sign up?

Will living on campus affect my ability to participate in the AES program?

What is the timeline to join the AES program?

Upon submitting the AES form, the Student Success Adviser will reach out to students throughout the summer via phone, email and/or Zoom.

A virtual kick-off event will be held in late July to connect as a group prior to the start of the program.

AES will run in-person from Sunday, August 20 through Wednesday, August 23, right before August orientation for the entire first-year class. AES participants are invited to attend workshops/sessions throughout the fall/spring semester to enhance their skills in preparation for a successful year and remain connected to peers, mentors, and faculty/staff.