Thirtynine high school students from Qatar and abroad recently completed Georgetown University in Qatar’s (GU-Q) fourth annual Georgetown Pre-College Summer (GPS) programme,  a three-week course that prepares future college students for university life.
The programme  covers a full range of topics necessary for university success. It helps students develop reading, writing, and research skills, and includes a review of mathematics and economics. Practical preparation for SAT standardised testing, a requirement for admission to Georgetown University as well as other top universities in Education City, and worldwide, is another important element in the GPS programme. Career counseling, CV writing skills and interview training are also covered in the course.
The GPS programme also introduces high school students to Georgetown academics through sample courses taught by Georgetown faculty, and introduces students to the International Affairs majors offered at GU-Q such as International Politics, International Economics, Culture and Politics and International History.
For many students, the GPS programme is the first opportunity to experience university life, and to begin taking the steps of what can become a very competitive admissions process. Dimaa, a high school senior from Qatar, said: “Not many people notice that the transition between school and university is really huge and this has really prepared me for university. It was not easy. It was not that programme where I come back home and leave my books aside. I had to get my books out, study, and do the research.”
The intensity of the programme can be an eye-opener for university-bound students about the  work ethic and workload in the universities.  For the peer tutors involved in the programme such as Mariam, a GU-Q second year student who taught advanced English classes to the participating students, the learning works both ways. “GPS is a great experience because it develops leadership and team building skills, community development, and also helps you learn more about yourself as well as other students.”
While all of the students who enrolled in the summer programme sought a personal competitive edge in the pursuit of higher education, many students expressed a broader understanding of the rising importance of academics in the region.