Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

• What are the requirements for a student to enroll?
  Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be entering the 10th, 11th, 12th grades or be graduating seniors. We do not have an audition process and do not request recommendations or grades. What we do require is that students come with an open mind and a readiness to explore the study of their subjects in a challenging and thought-provoking way. Students should be willing to try different approaches and take part in class discussions.

• What is the average age of the students?
  Most students are either in or entering the 11th grade.

• What are conferences?
  Conferences are a unique component to the Sarah Lawrence College high school summer program experience. Each student meets with his/her faculty member at least twice to discuss his/her personal motivations and interests in the field of study. The faculty can help the student learn more about his/her specific goals and advise him/her on where to look to continue the learning process. These are one-on-one sessions between the faculty member and student. It is a chance for students to really explore their own interests and goals. Conferences are scheduled between the instructor and the student when classes begin.

• Is there college or high school credit available?
  No. We do not offer high school or college credit for these classes.

• Will I need to purchase books for the classes?
  There are no books to purchase for the classes. Instructors may have handouts that students will need to read as homework and be ready to discuss for the next class. Also, faculty may have a suggested reading list for students but it is not a reading list of books that the students must purchase for the class.

• I’m registering for the Writer’s Village program. What should I include in my five page manuscript?
  Your manuscript can be any of your writing. Whether it’s all poetry; a short story; a chapter of your novel; a personal essay or any combination of the above.

Housing

• I live locally.  Do I need to stay on campus?
  No. Our programs are residential for only those students who wish to stay on campus.
• Will I have my own room?
• Each student will have his/her own room. There are shared common areas and bathrooms.
• Is the housing co-ed?
  No, the housing is same gender by house.
• Do the students’ rooms have phones?
  No. Students should come with their own cell phone and have it charged and on at all times.
• Can I get on the wireless network from my room?
  Yes. Students can access the campus’s wireless network by pre-registering their computer. Check your registration packet for directions to pre-register.
• What do the students do at night and on weekends?
  Students will have time in the evening and on the weekends to do their homework, practice or work on their projects with their fellow students. Additionally, the Housing Summer Staff coordinates evening and weekend activities for students staying on campus. Residential Counselors and the Housing Coordinator develop programs and events for the students. Evening activities mostly happen on campus. These can range from karaoke, film viewings and dances to other social activities. Weekend activities involve going to the City for museum visits, parks and visiting local neighborhoods (such as Coney Island, Chinatown, Little Italy, etc.). Students are able to go to Bronxville and New York on their own, should their parents give their permission.
• Are students supervised on campus?
  Students are looked after by a caring and professional staff of residential counselors. Counselors are either current Sarah Lawrence College students or recent graduates of the college. Additionally, there is a live on housing coordinator (also an alum of Sarah Lawrence College) who oversees residential life on campus during the summer.
• What should I bring with me?
  It is recommended that students bring an extra pillow and blanket, though we do provide linens (2 sheets, cover, pillow/pillowcase, towel, hand towel and washcloth) and students will be able to exchange these for new ones on a weekly basis. Students should also bring their own hygiene supplies and an alarm clock. Additionally, students may also want to bring a fan, swimsuit, good pair of walking shoes, cell phone (must be turned off for class), comfortable clothes to move around in (for theatre students), sketchbook (art students), and extra spending money. Students may want to bring laptop computers with them, if they wish, though the Library is open for students to use the computer labs there, print out assignments and make copies of their work for their classes.
• What amount of money is recommended for students to bring with them?
  Students should bring enough money with them for laundry, snacks and for any outings they will be taking. If they are going on trips arranged by the Housing Summer Staff, they can plan on each of the events ranging from $10-$25 and that these trips will be planned for 2-3 times a week. So for these trips, an outside amount would be $225 for the entire three weeks. Anything additional would be up to the parent/s and student.
• I’m arriving from far away, may I arrive early?
  Students who arrive early can stay at local hotels that are near Sarah Lawrence College. More information can be found at http://www.slc.edu/about/Area_Accommodations_and_Restaurants.php

Transportation

• Can I bring my car with me?
  Yes. There is free parking available for the summer students. Students may park in the North Lot, Andrews Parking Lot, or Kober.

• What is the closest airport to Sarah Lawrence College?
  The closest major airport is Westchester Airport but the College is also not far from LaGuardia Airport, JFK and Newark Airport.

• Is there transportation provided from the airports to campus on opening day?
  No. We do not provide transportation to and from the airports. We do provide the names and contact information for several trusted car services who are familiar with the College. The average cost of travel from LaGuardia is $65-$70. We recommend the following car services:  Green World Transport (914-636-1380 or www.greenworldtaxi.com), Legend Limo (917/232-0005) and Eastchester Trip Service (914-337-3727).

• How far away is New York City? Is transportation provided to the City?
  We provide transportation for student trips associated with class trips and for any evening and weekend activity planned for the residential students. We also provide transportation for commuter students who are going to the Metro North station in Bronxville. For residential students who are going to the City on their own, we do not provide transportation to the local Metro North commuter line nor to the City. There is a local cab company (Bronxville Taxi Service) which is conveniently located at the Metro North stop in Bronxville and will pick up students and take them to campus as well ($5).

Policies

• What is your policy regarding alcohol and drug use?
  We have a no tolerance policy regarding alcohol and drug use. Any student found participating in alcohol or drug use will be sent home immediately.

• Is there a curfew?
  Yes. Curfew is in place to help make sure the students get enough rest for their classes. We require all of the students to be in their dorms by 11 pm Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday night, curfew is 1 am. It is important for the students to arrive to class well-rested.

• What is the policy if I want my child to visit friends or family who live locally?
  Parents may give their child permission to visit friends and family in the registration materials provided once we receive your application. There are two different options that parents may choose from: 1) Permission to leave the campus at any time (students must be back by curfew); 2) Student does not have permission to leave the campus on his/her own. Student must be with a group when leaving campus.

• I’m okay with my child visiting the City on his/her own. Is this okay?
  Yes. This is fine. We just ask that students who have their parents’ permission to leave the campus on their own let their Residential Counselor know when they are leaving and that the student must be back by curfew.

Meal Plans

• What is included in the residential meal plan?
  The meal plans include breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week while students are living with us.

• Is there a meal plan available for commuter students?
  We will offer a “lunch only” meal plan or students may purchase lunches day-by-day.

• I’m a vegetarian, will the meals be vegetarian friendly?
  Meals are provided by the campus caterers, AVI Fresh. In the registration materials we ask students to provide us with any special dietary needs and among those are vegetarian diets and vegan diets, which we relay to food services.

Campus Facilities

• Is the Library open for student use?
  Yes, the library is open for student use. Students have access to the computer lab and also have borrowing privileges and duplicating privileges. Students who bring computers with them can get assistance with them from Academic Computing, located in the basement of the Library as well. Though they will not be able to fix your computer, you can get help with gaining wireless access and problems you may have gaining access.

• Is there a place I can buy snacks or other supplies on campus?
  Yes. The Campus Bookstore is open in the summer for student use. Besides college paraphernalia, they also sell snacks, hygiene supplies, along with books and other items.

• Are there laundry facilities?
  There are laundry facilities located in Andrews Annex for students staying in Andrews Court.

Computer Access

• Are there computers available for student use?
  Yes. Computers are available in the Library for student use.

• Is the campus wireless?
  Yes.

College Admissions Questions

• I’m interested in attending Sarah Lawrence.  Will I have an opportunity to meet with an Admission Counselor?
  Yes. The Admissions staff is on hand during the summer. There are two general information sessions that are set up for the summer students to attend. Additionally, students are able to set up individual sessions with the Admissions Office while they are with us by stopping by the Admissions Office and setting up a meeting. The Admissions Office is located in Westlands, the main administrative building on campus. Students may use part of their lunch break (1 ½ hour break) to arrange to have this meeting.