The Philadelphia Center

Discover Your Direction in Life

Summer Program for Undergraduates

The Philadelphia Center’s 8-Week Summer Program for Undergraduates
May 26 - July 21, 2012

What Is It?
An 8-week internship and seminar experience that gives undergraduates a substantial and meaningful opportunity to learn the dynamics of work and to discover something about their personal and professional direction in life.  Led by TPC’s Summer Program Director, Dr. Mark Andrew Clark.

Mentored Internships—Students work at least 32 hours per week (4 to 4 ½ days a week) in an internship opportunity they choose and create individualized learning plans of action based on what they wish to achieve and learn while participating in the program.  The program director and workplace supervisor help facilitate and evaluate the learning.  Students interested in working in the following fields are strongly encouraged to apply early: advertising, investment banking, law, medicine, physical sciences, public relations, publishing, and sports.  Summer internships are highly competitive in these fields.  Please Note: Internships are NOT paid, since the focus of the work experience is on learning and academic credit.

A Brief Listing of Internships Available Include The Following: (and many others!)

Seminar—All undergraduate students are required to take the following seminar, which meets once a week in the morning or afternoon. The seminar integrates the learning in the internship and helps students make the most out of their TPC summer program experience.

Fitting-in at the Workplace: An Experience-Based Look at Relations: When you enter a work organization, the issue of “fitting in” becomes a major concern, so that an understanding of relations/ relationships is critically important.  What exactly does “fitting in” mean and what is involved?  How will the values, beliefs, and norms of the organization be a part?  What can you do to create meaningful, productive relations with others?  This course will offer you ways of thinking about relations/relationships (structurally, systemically, collectively, and individually) and will help you develop a method of critical reflection and a practice of critique.  Also, you will examine what you bring to the workplace table (assumptions, beliefs, values, attitudes, biases, behaviors, skills, etc.) in order to understand how your prior experiences have a key role in your ability to develop relationships with others at the workplace.

Urban Experience—Students will be able to explore one of the nation’s most historic locations.  Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods and offers participants a chance to experience a wide variety of interests from the Atwater Kent Museum to the Zoological Gardens.  For more detailed information about living in Philadelphia, please click here.

Who Can Attend?
Undergraduates across all majors and who are ready to learn and experience work.

When Is the Application Deadline?
The application deadline for the TPC’s 2012 summer program for undergraduates is March 15, 2012.  However, applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and because space is limited and summer internships are competitive, early application is encouraged.

Will I Receive College Credit?
Yes.  Hope College in Holland, Michigan is our managing institution.  Upon completion of the 8-week program, Hope College will award undergraduates 8 academic credits.  Students should check with their on-campus academic advisor and/or registrar to confirm that the credits will be accepted.

How Much Is Tuition?
For undergraduates, the cost is $5,400, plus a $500 non-refundable application fee. In addition, some institutions charge their own fees for processing summer program applications.  Please check with your off-campus study office.  Please Note: Students must contract to enroll in the seminar as a part of their overall summer program experience.

Why Is the Application Fee Non-Refundable?
As soon as you submit your application and deposit, The Philadelphia Center begins its work.  A faculty advisor will consult with you via phone and email about your interests in order to arrange phone interviews at a placement that is of interest to you.  Working with you and setting up the interviews require our time and resources. 

What Is the Tuition Payment Schedule?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $500 due with the application.  The first tuition payment of $2,700 is due March 31, 2012.  The second tuition payment of $2,700 is due April 30, 2012.  The total tuition cost is $5,900.

What about Housing and Food Costs?
New pricing for summer 2012!  The Philadelphia Center will subsidize housing for undergraduates.  Instead of the normal $2,500 undergraduates attending the 2012 summer program only have to pay $1,350 for housing.  We rent an apartment dormitory on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania where you will live with other students in the program.  Or you may choose to make your own living arrangements.  However, food, entertainment, and others costs are all at your own expense.

What Is the Payment Schedule for the Optional Housing Plan?
The first housing payment of $675 is due March 31, 2012.  The second housing payment of $675 is due April 30, 2012. 

If a student lives locally may he/she live at home and participate in the program?
Yes, of course.

Does The Philadelphia Center Offer Financial Aid?
We do not.  Please note most schools generally do not allow financial aid to transfer for a summer program.  Please consult with your school’s Office of Financial Aid for specific information.

Do I Need a Specific GPA to Attend This Program?
Each school maintains its own set of rules and regulations regarding off-campus programs, so please check with your school’s off-campus study office to ensure that you meet their GPA requirements.
   
Where can I download an application for The Philadelphia Center’s 8 Week Semester Program?
•Please click here to download a PDF of our application.   

How can I contact The Philadelphia Center?
•Click .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to email us.