Explore Engineering at AU

Registration is now open!

Come explore our unique intersections in ceramics, glass, renewables and materials.

Available Sessions:

  • Sunday, July 9 - Friday, July 14th, 2023
  • Sunday, July 16 - Friday, July 21st, 2023

REGISTER NOW!

The Program:
Come experience our maker culture for yourself and learn about our unique, one-of-a-kind engineering programs. Torch test ceramics made for hypersonics and space flight, melt glass, explore our suite of ceramic, metal, and plastic 3D printers, make and test a supercapacitor, learn how AI can optimize renewable energy systems, and explore materials at the microscopic and atomic scale.  Spend time with a dozen world-renowned engineering faculty and mingle with our graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Questions?  Email engineering@alfred.edu.

Tuition, Room and Board:
The program fee is $1080. This includes a non-refundable deposit of $100. This covers tuition, supervision, class materials, recreational activities, room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day.

The deposit must be submitted with the application.

Each participant is responsible for transportation, incidentals and extra nights or meals. If, for any reason, a participant must be sent home early, all expenses will be paid by the student/parents.

Who Can Attend? 
This program is open to students entering their junior or senior year of high school.

Tentative Schedule
Participants arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Sunday for registration and leave after lunch on Friday. Sunday registration is followed by orientation, dinner and welcome activities. Classes begin Monday morning.

Sunday
2-4 PM Registration, Meet the Staff, and Get Settled in the Residence Halls
4:30 PM Welcome/Orientation, followed by dinner, a campus tour and evening activities.

Monday-Thursday
Each day will have a morning and afternoon session.

Friday
There will be a morning session.
The Institute ends after lunch. Participants vacate residence halls by 2:00 PM.

Alfred University Admissions interviews are available by appointment on Friday afternoon. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Office of Admissions at 607-871-2115.


Summer Institute Directors will evaluate all applications and determine who will be accepted. Acceptance and non-acceptance notifications will be sent via email. Once participants are accepted they will be reminded by email from CampDocs to complete the required documents (parental permissions to attend as well as health records). Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. (If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.)

Supervision:
When participants are not in class, they are supervised by specially-trained Counselors who serve as positive role models, mentors and friends. In order to ensure everyone has a safe, healthy and enjoyable time on campus, summer participants are expected to abide by the University's summer programs rules & regulations.

Activities:

When not in class, students have lots of fun participating in recreational activities. Living, dining and learning together, participants have ample opportunity to get to know each other well and develop lasting friendships. Sample activities include:

  • Ice-breaker games on the first night to help everyone get acquainted
  • Movies in Nevins Theater
  • Outdoor games such as "Capture the Flag" and "Ultimate Frisbee"
  • Indoor games such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," "Project Runway," ping pong, board games, basketball, etc.
  • Social gatherings with refreshments & music in the Knight Club
  • Relaxing and socializing at a local coffee house
  • Farewell party on the last night

Housing:
Participants stay in secure University residence halls dedicated to summer institutes (2 per room) and must bring their own pillows and blankets. Bed/bath linens will be provided, but they can also bring their own (bed linens must fit the extra-long twin residence hall beds). Laundry facilities are available in each hall at no charge. Males and females are housed on separate floors. Our Counselors will be on-site in the residence halls at all times.

Meals:
Delicious, all-you-can-eat, cafeteria-style meals are served in the campus dining hall. Our Dining Services chefs do an excellent job in accommodating participants with food allergies and other special requirements.

Participants living locally who wish to attend this program as commuters may do so. The commuter rate, which includes tuition, supervision, program materials and lunch, is $790 (deposit: $100). Evening recreational activities are not included. Participants who wish to commute must check in at registration on Sunday and arrive on campus by 8:45 AM for classes Monday-Thursday. They must be picked up no later than 5:00 PM each day, except Thursday, when pick-up time is 1:00 PM. Please be sure to check the "Commuter" box on the application form.

Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available for participants attending this summer program.

"It was THE BEST week of my life. I still keep in touch with everyone I met there, and hope to come back next summer. The classes were excellent, and the whole experience was just unforgettable. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart." - Liz S., Ashley, OH

"This week was amazing! The best camp experience I've ever had, hands down. I loved being able to meet all of these people who share my interests (in a fun-filled environment, no less). Classes were fantastic - informative, creative and often laugh-out-loud funny. Activities were spectacular, food was decent, RAs and instructors were helpful and kind. What a week! Thanks for the memories, Alfred! This place ROCKS!! - Luke H., Haddon Township, NJ

"I think it was the perfect environment for learning. We had the perfect balance of instruction and freedom. Our classes were "laid back" enough to feel comfortable, but professional too, so we were able to learn to write to our full potential. I loved creating my character and hearing other people's ideas and writing. I also enjoyed (and will remember) the tips and advice I got from my teachers!"- Alexandra R., Scranton, PA

"The teachers were great! The classes were interesting and educational. The best thing about the institute was the experience of being at college!" - Bethany Z., Boscawen, NH

"It was not only a good pre-college experience and a place to learn more about what I love to do, but I made so many friends, and had one of the best weeks of my life! Thanks so much!" -Emily T., Hornell, NY

"I liked going to the coffee shop and creating characters because you could spend time with friends and make use of your imagination." - Caitlin M., Richburg, NY

"Meeting new people was refreshing. I could be myself and people accepted me." - Alli M., Fishers, IN

Alfred University is located in the peaceful village of Alfred in western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about a favorite subject and meeting other students who share your interests.

The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is located just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 miles north). Transportation to and from that airport can be provided for an additional charge   if we receive your request by the date indicated in your acceptance notification. After that date students must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.

The University may cancel any course or activity at any time because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Whether considering candidates for admission or financial aid, applicants for employment or the management of its policies and school-administered programs, Alfred University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, or disability. Alfred University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.