Level Up Academics Summer Program

TRANSLATE THIS PAGE

Level Up Academics is a Leadership or STEM and academic writing enhancement program for high school students

Spend 3 weeks improving your college readiness skills while learning about U.S. culture!

LEVEL UP ACADEMICS is a fun, skill-building short-term program that combines high-quality instruction with leadership, STEM, presentation, research, and college entrance essay writing skill development. If you study in an IB high school program, you have the possibility of working towards your CAS requirements!

LEVEL UP ACADEMICS includes several excursions, allowing students to visit important cultural and historical sites on the East Coast of the U.S.

All students are protected under UD’s Protection of Minors Policy.

What do LEVEL UP ACADEMICS students do every day?

All students take 2 courses in the morning: a Leadership and an academic writing/college entrance essay course. These courses meet from 8:15 a.m. until approximately 12:10 p.m. each day (Monday to Friday). Every afternoon, students have programming from approximately 2 to 5 p.m. that may include the following:

There are also many other local activities that students could do while in Delaware, such as:

Visits to local attractions
Afternoon train ride to historic Philadelphia

Delaware Beaches
Shopping trips to the mall (Delaware has no sales tax!)

ACTIVITIES:

ELI activities could include these structured/guided activities: Pool party, Movie-viewing party to prepare for a weekend cultural excursion, Picnic, Team building challenges, Ice-Cream Making, Trail hiking, Painting Party (step-by-step painting instruction), Guitar Club/American music, Intro to Photography, Downtown Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Activities around campus: Gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, or the Hen Zone (UD Student Center which has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis, QuadAi

Requirements

Students must have intermediate-advanced levels of proficiency (5.0 or higher on the IELTS or a 55 TOEFL). If students place lower, they can participate in the Language Adventure USA program.

Level Up Academics is meant for high school students, 15 to 17 years old. If you are older than 18 years, we encourage you to enroll in Intensive English Program or our English and American Culture program.

| Back to top |

Program dates and duration

Summer 2025

Dates	Duration
July 19–August 9, 2025	3 weeks

Price

Summer 2025

Duration	Price
3 weeks	US $5,495*

*Scholarships may be available upon request.

*NOTE: Chaperones are responsible for their own costs unless prior arrangements are made with ELI.

What is included in the price?

Coursework	Students attend Academic Writing every day from 8:15 a.m. until 12:10 p.m.
Course materials	Books and handouts.
Certificate	Students in good academic standing will receive a certificate that verifies that they have completed the program. They will also receive a transcript (grade report) showing the grades earned in each class.
University student ID card	Provides students with access to the University’s facilities, including the gym, pool, library, computer labs, sporting events, etc.
Housing	Students will live in UD Residential Halls.
Meals	Students will receive a meal plan for UD dining halls.
Airport transportation	Transportation is provided to/from the Philadelphia International Airport for groups of students arriving/departing at the same time.
University health clinic	Free consultation, treatment, and prescriptions provided by medical doctors and nurses.
Health insurance	Health insurance is included (USD $135 value).
Excursions	Saturday bus trips may include New York City, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Hershey Park Amusement Park, or Ocean City. Optional train/bus trips may also be available.
Activities	Afternoon and evening activities include hikes, picnics, tournaments, concerts, and sports games.
Writing Skills Acquired	Students who complete their writing course will either have a completed college entrance essay or a digital project they could include in a portfolio to show the research writing skills they have acquired.

What is not included in the price?

Visa fee: Citizens of countries that participate in the US Visa Waiver Program will pay an ESTA fee to U.S. Customs and Border Protection of approximately US $21.
Airfare: Students are required to pay for their plane ticket to travel to/from Philadelphia.
Spending money: Remember, Delaware has no sales tax on most purchases.

Where future leaders get their start!

US President, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965.

About Delaware

The University of Delaware is considered to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in the USA and is currently ranked #38 among public institutions by the US News and World Report, 2022.

The English Language Institute

The English Language Institute (ELI) is an academic unit of the University of Delaware’s College of Arts and Sciences and has a long tradition of providing high-quality intensive English programs to international students and professionals from around the world

Location

Our location is perfect for a short-term stay in the USA! The City of Newark is located 45 minutes from Philadelphia, 2 hours from New York City, and 2 hours from Washington, D.C.

Cultural Excursions

Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA

New York City

Philadelphia

Washington D.C.

Delaware Beaches

Accommodation

Level Up Academics students can live on campus in the University of Delaware residence halls (dormitories). The rooms are comfortable, furnished, and air-conditioned. Linens are included. By living on campus, you can experience college living just like an American student. Staff is available to help with problems and arrange cultural programming. American students live on your floor, but your roommates will be other ELI students.