Frequently Asked Questions | Senior Program
The following is a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive from students prior to arriving at the Senior Program. These questions address a wide range of potential concerns from living accommodations and dining options to medical needs and internet availability. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact our admissions office.
Below is a list of articles and resources available on the Exploration site that may have particular interest for parents:
>> The Exploration Difference: What Makes Explo Unique
>> The History of Explo: More than 30 Years in the Making
>> Exploration's Approach to Teaching
>> Every Moment is a Teaching Moment: About Our Remarkable Staff
>> Do You Have to be Gifted to go to Explo?
Frequently Asked Questions
| General |
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| What is Exploration's mission?
Exploration Summer Programs creates a dynamic environment of intellectual inquiry, responsible decision making and spirited adventure. Led by enthusiastic teachers, our students are encouraged to respect the differences that make us individuals and to find the common ground that makes us a community. At its heart, Exploration inspires students to challenge themselves, discover the world of people and ideas, and experience the joy of learning. |
| Why is a summer at the Senior Program a particularly good investment for this age group? The time before college is a time to explore. It is a time to discover who you are, what your interests are, and where you might want to go with your life. A summer at Explo is a chance to do just this — to open oneself up to the world. With more than 150 course and mini-course offerings, students can pursue a developing interest or try something completely new. With weekend trips throughout New York and New England, students will have a chance to see things and have experiences unlike anything they have seen or done before. And the Senior Program's balance of structured and unstructured time ensures that students will be able to experience all of these things in an environment that replicates the types of choices they will have in college. Finally, with a student body from more than 40 states and 50 countries, students will have the chance to become friends with people from across the globe, and will be exposed to new ideas and new perspectives on a daily basis. |
| Is Exploration more like a school or a camp?
Learning is central to Exploration's mission. We believe that learning occurs throughout the entire Exploration day—both inside and outside of the classroom—and our staff strives to create moments of learning for students in all facets of life at the Program. We recognize the value of teaching within a classroom and provide extensive professional development for instructors in curricular design and best practices in teaching. We also recognize that learning occurs outside the classroom—during impromptu conversations in the dorms, on trips, and during a pick-up game of soccer. As such, Exploration is a unique program that combines the best of school and the best of adventure camp, fusing interactive teaching within the classroom with opportunities for fun and social engagement outside of it to create a dynamic environment of learning. |
| What experience does Exploration have running summer programs?
Founded in 1976, Exploration has been a leader in educational enrichment for over 30 years and has expanded to three campuses. Our Programs have always reflected a dedication to the best practices in education and student life. Members of Exploration's senior leadership are often asked to consult with schools and other organizations on topics spanning the range in education today. |
| Is Exploration the only summer program offered on the campus of Yale University? While Exploration is not the only summer program offered at Yale, it is by far the largest and most extensive. In addition, Exploration has exclusive use of the Old Campus dormitories and is the only program that uses the Old Campus for the majority of its activities during the day. After the gates close each evening, the Old Campus quad is used only by Exploration. Several of the classroom buildings are shared with a variety of other programs, conferences, and guests, and facilities such as the gymnasium are open to other members of the Yale community, but from the student perspective, there is minimal interaction with other Yale-based programs. |
| Will my experience at Exploration help me get into college?
Good question! And it's not a short answer. In highly competitive college and university admissions, simply attending any three week summer program is not going to make the difference in admission, regardless of what any program tries to tell you. |
| What should a student do for weekly spending money?
Students are discouraged from bringing large amounts of cash to the Senior Program. Debit cards and traveler's checks are a better option, and there is a secure ATM located in the Student Activities Center, for exclusive use by Exploration students. Families may also want to check with their own banks, as many banks now offer a variety of options for teenagers, such as declining balance debit cards and other products. |
| Day Students |
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| What are the hours of the day program?
Day students arrive each weekday for their Living Group meeting at 8:45 am, and classes begin at 9:10 am. The "regular" day for day students ends at 5:30 pm, which is the conclusion of our afternoon activity period. However, our day students are welcome and encouraged to stay later to attend our Main Event and to socialize with friends. |
| How early can day students arrive, and how late can they stay? Are there additional costs? At the Senior Program, there is not a formal Day Student arrival time prior to the advisor meeting at 8:45 am. There is no charge for arriving early, unless a student wishes to eat breakfast at the Program. In that case, the student must let the Main Office know the day before, so that arrangements can be made and the cost for breakfast ($10) can be deducted from the student's Miscellaneous Account. |
| Are there opportunities for day students to spend the night on campus? Absolutely. Day students may stay overnight up to three nights per week, and are welcome to sleep either in a friend's room or in a designated day student suite. There will be an additional charge for these overnight stays to cover meals, custodial services, and related costs. The charge is $25 for weeknights, and $35 for weekends. |
| Can day students participate in evening and weekend trips?
Definitely. Day students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of life at Exploration and will have exactly the same opportunities as residential students to sign up for and participate in weekend trips and evening events. |
| How is the day program at Exploration different from most day programs? Our day program is different from most in that the Senior Program is about 95% residential. Because of this, there are terrific opportunities for day students to become completely immersed in everything we do, and in the diversity of students, faculty, and programming we have across the board. Day students are always staying late to experience all we have to offer, and even when they go home for dinner, it seldom feels like they are leaving Explo behind. Although not technically boarders, our day students are an integral part of our residential program environment. |
| Do day students belong to a group?
Yes. Day students will be placed with a Living Group of their own gender and grade. In the group, day students have the opportunity to meet students and to have a "home base." |
| Where do day students go during the day if they don't have dorms?
When not in class or taking part in a planned activity, day students have a variety of spaces at their disposal. In addition to the gym and the computer labs, which are open throughout the afternoon, day students often frequent our Student Activities Center, an indoor co-ed space with a variety of resources for the students. Day students may also visit the suites of residential students, provided they are of the same sex. |
| Where do day students keep their belongings during the day?
Day students are welcome to leave personal belongings (sports equipment, musical instruments, etc.) in their Living Group Common Room or in the Main Office. |
| For students commuting by train, how does the Union Station shuttle service work? Every morning, an Explo faculty member will be at Union Station to meet students arriving by train. The shuttle will leave Union Station at 8:30 each morning, in order to be back on campus for the 8:45 advisor meeting. At the end of the day, the shuttle will leave campus at 5:45. Students staying late will need to arrange for other transportation, as there are no train station shuttles in the evenings. |
| What are your policies regarding cell phones and electronics?
Cell phones and other electronics are allowed at the Senior Program, though we greatly discourage their use, as they tend to isolate students from the community at large. Cell phones may not be used during class periods, living group time, check-ins, and other formal meeting periods, and students are expected to use all technology responsibly. |
| What is the food like at Yale?
All meals at Explo are cooked and prepared by Yale Dining Services, and include a wide variety of options at every meal. Meals are served buffet-style, and attendance at meals is optional (as there are also several popular restaurants in the area). There are always several hot entrees to choose from, in addition to a full salad and sandwich bar at lunch, and both salad and pasta bars at dinner. All meals include vegetarian and vegan options, and all foods are labeled with ingredients, including common food allergens. |
| If parents have any concerns during the summer, who would they contact? How? The Dean's Office staff live at the Program and are available for students and parents. Residence Directors who oversee student groups (including the day students) and regularly check in with Day and Residential Advisors. For concerns with all day student issues, parents should contact these Residence Directors through our Main Office. |
| International Students |
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| Why have so many international families chosen Exploration over the years? There are a lot of reasons why international families continue to choose Exploration. We've been told by many of these families that our long history with international students has made them comfortable trusting Exploration. At the Program, international students enter into a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that incorporates them into the activities, athletics, classes, and trips of Explo while also being open to the cultures of all of our international students. For these students, it is an exciting opportunity to get to come to America and meet students from the United States — as well as students from all over the world. |
| Do international students really get to experience authentic American culture at Exploration? The culture of the Senior Program is akin to an authentic American college experience. Living in the dorms at Yale University and taking courses taught predominately by American instructors, Exploration students are exposed to the cultural diversity of their peers and their teachers who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. The historic campus of Yale and the urban environment of New Haven offer a unique experience of life in an American college town. In addition, our 15+ weekend trip offerings — including trips to New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., and visits to college campuses in the northeast — allow international students to experience popular American sites first-hand. |
| How many students are international students?
About 20-25% of the student body at the Senior Program is composed of international students who come from over 50 countries around the world. |
| How does your Program approach cultural differences, either between a student's home culture and American culture or two non-American cultures? Because of the cultural diversity of the Senior Program's student body, many of the discussions and activities that take place in the dorms surround learning from cultural differences. Our faculty is trained to act as a resource for students around issues of cultural difference and to mediate and help resolve any issues that may arise as a result. International students are required to attend a meeting on the first day of the Program that introduces them to the resources we have available to them at the Senior Program. |
| What level of English proficiency is necessary to attend Explo?
Because all of our courses, activities, and correspondence with students are conducted in English, it is crucial that students have at least an intermediate or advanced level of English proficiency to attend Exploration and to take advantage of everything the Program has to offer. |
| Does Explo offer ESOL classes?
Yes. The ESOL class is a full course designed for international students to practice their English and learn more about American culture. If international students wish to take the ESOL class, they must register for the class on their online application. Students may sign up for the ESOL class as one of their morning courses. |
| Does Explo require international students to take ESOL classes?
Explo does not require international students to take ESOL classes. We do, however, require that students have an intermediate or advanced level of English proficiency to attend the Program, and encourage international students to speak in English during check-ins, courses, and activities. |
| What kind of visa do I need for Explo?
International students need to acquire a B-2 visa for a short visit. The B-2 visa is normally obtained at the United States embassy in your home country. |
| Will my insurance work in the U.S.? If not, how do I enroll in Explo's insurance? International students are required to carry American accident and health coverage, which may be purchased through Exploration. International participants and others without this coverage will be billed each session for a short term accident/health policy. |
| What is the best way to get payment to you?
Payments may be made by check or international wire. Credit cards are accepted for online deposits only, not for final payments. All payments, including deposits, tuition, and cash advances must be made in US funds. We will not accept checks drawn on a foreign bank. |
| How do you coordinate travel to and from the Program on arrival and departure days? Exploration provides transportation to and from Bradley International Airport to the Yale campus on arrival and departure days during designated times. If students choose to fly in to other airports, they are responsible for coordinating and covering the cost of their travel to Yale's campus. One of Exploration's travel partners is BostonCoach, a trustworthy livery service that can be hired to arrange travel to Yale from airports other than Bradley. In order to help families make travel arrangements for their children, Exploration has partnered with Colpitts World Travel. Colpitts is a leader in international travel assistance and is capable of helping families plan safe, full-service travel arrangements to and from Exploration. By booking through Colpitts, you can quickly determine how many other Exploration students are already on a flight and whether the flight arrives during our regular airport pick-up hours. If it does not, Colpitts can book travel between the airport and campus through BostonCoach. Colpitts negotiates discounts with the major airlines and therefore, their pricing is very competitive. |
| Health Care + Medical Issues |
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| What medical facilities are on campus?
The Senior Program has its own Health Office right on the Old Campus, staffed 24 hours a day. Nurses in the Health Office are available to answer health questions, dispense medication, examine medical concerns, and schedule medical, physical therapy, and other types of appointments. In addition these services, our Health Office coordinates with both Yale University Health Services — a full-service health clinic with radiology, urgent care, and a pharmacy only 4 blocks from the Old Campus — and Yale-New Haven Hospital. |
| How are medications distributed to students?
All medications are dispensed by the nurses in our Health Office. Our Health Office has regular office hours from 7:00 am - 11:00 pm daily, and students are responsible for going to the Health Office at the appropriate times to get any necessary medication. With very few exceptions (e.g., Epi-pens), students are not allowed to have any medications, including over-the-counter medications, in their rooms/suites. On days where students are away from campus on trips, arrangements will be made for chaperones to distribute necessary medications. All students who use prescription medication will need to come to the program with their prescriptions filled by Andrews Pharmacy. Once a student is accepted into the program, additional information about Andrews Pharmacy will be sent home. |
| What is the procedure when a student is ill?
When a student feels ill, he or she should go to the Health Office. Our nurses will help to address the students' medical concerns and provide basic treatment/care, and will determine if a doctor's visit is necessary. If the student feels too sick to go to the Health Office, the student may inform his or her Residential Advisors, who will help the student seek appropriate medical care. |
| How do you accommodate students with food allergies?
Yale Dining Services is extremely helpful and accommodating when it comes to providing meals for students with food allergies. All foods are labeled with ingredients, including common food allergens, and registered dietitians are on hand to answer and address all food questions and concerns. For students with more sensitive food allergies, we can make additional accommodations (e.g., peanut-free living suites, etc.). |
| Is my child required to be covered by U.S. health insurance?
Yes. All students are required to have coverage from a U.S. based accident and health insurance provider. International participants and others without this coverage will be billed each session for a short term accident/health policy. |
| How do I enroll with your insurance provider for the summer? What is the cost? You may indicate a desire to enroll with our insurance provider on the online application. If you mark this selection, the Registrar will send a brochure with detailed policy information. The cost for the policy is $50 per student. |
| Safety + Supervision | ||||||
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| How is safety and security handled at the Senior Program?
Safety and security are our top priorities, and inform all of our rules and procedures at the Senior Program. All students and faculty are required to wear Exploration lanyards and IDs at all times, so that students can quickly and easily identify who is part of our Program and who is not. In addition, we have strict boundaries at the Program, to ensure that students are only traveling in areas that we feel are absolutely safe for high school students. Each evening, we close the gates to our main quad on the Old Campus, so that only those affiliated with the Program can access our space at night, and all student dormitories are locked at all times, accessible only by electronic keycard. Finally, we have a close relationship with Yale Police and Security, and officers not only patrol the area day and night, but are experienced in working with Exploration. | ||||||
| What is the staff-student ratio?
At the Senior Program, the staff-student ratio is approximately 1:6. What is the hiring process for summer faculty?
| We recruit at many of the top colleges and graduate schools throughout the country, looking for energetic, caring, and accomplished faculty who are passionate about teaching and caring for adolescents. Our faculty go through a rigorous application and interviewing process, including comprehensive background checks, and we are extremely selective in whom we hire. In addition to this hiring process, all of our faculty work hard throughout the winter and spring, preparing curricula for their classes under the guidance of experienced teachers, mentors, and experts in their particular fields. We also work with faculty throughout the spring and during our Faculty Orientation on the non-teaching components of their jobs, ensuring that everyone who is charged with caring for our students has the tools to respond to the variety of student needs and concerns that arise throughout the summer. How do you ensure that all students receive personal attention?
| Because of the small faculty-student ratio, personal attention is the rule at Explo, rather than the exception. Each student is part of a living group of approximately 15-25 students, and each group has two Residential Advisors who are directly responsible for addressing the needs of their students. In addition, each dorm has two Residence Directors, to see to larger needs and concerns. What is supervision like around male-female interactions?
| At the Senior Program, all of our dormitories are single-sex spaces. Students are not permitted to be in the entryways, hallways, rooms, or any other part of the residential space of a student of the opposite sex. There are a variety of indoor co-ed spaces on campus for students to socialize, such as our Student Activities Center. Are students allowed to go wherever they want at the Program?
| We have designated certain areas of New Haven and the Yale campus as being "in bounds," and these boundary lines are clearly marked on all campus maps. These boundaries are there for students' safety, and are informed by our determination of spaces we feel absolutely comfortable having students go on their own. Is New Haven a safe area for high school students?
| We would never consider hosting the Senior Program in a location in which we had any question about our ability to ensure students' safety. Our home on the Old Campus and the spaces we use surrounding campus are at the center of a bustling college town, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and other businesses in the many blocks surrounding Yale's campus. Yale has hosted high school students on its campus during the summer for many years, and both Yale and New Haven Police boast an exceptional safety record. Our rules and procedures are implemented with student safety as the top priority, and we are excited by the opportunity to hold our Program in such a vibrant, exciting, and resource-rich environment. How are trips supervised?
| Each weekend trip includes a team of chaperones, who will supervise students throughout the day. Some trips, such as our adventure trips (whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and others), also include trained professional guides. Most trips include a detailed itinerary and set activities, though some also include a degree of free time (for example, lunch in Central Park following a museum visit, shopping in Harvard Square, etc.). Whatever the specifics of the trip, our chaperones will require regular student check-ins and will set clear boundaries and expectations for the students, just as we do on campus at Yale. |
| Residential Students |
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| Where do students live on campus? What does a student room look like? What are the suites like in residence halls? The Senior Program uses student residence halls on the Old Campus, each with multiple entrance doors or "entryways" facing the central quad. Access to entryways is by programmed card keys, and each suite has its own key. Inside the suites are a furnished common room and single and double bedrooms. Each residence hall has a unique floor plan, but all are equipped with student suites for anywhere from 2 to 9 students. (The vast majority of suites house 4-6 students.) Some suites have a bathroom within them for shared use by the suitemates, while others share a bathroom with another suite. Yale provides a bed and a dresser for each student and at least one desk and desk lamp per room. A closet is also provided, as is a pillow. |
| How do living groups function?
Each living group has about 20 students (3-4 suites) and 2 Residential Advisors. Residential Advisors live in the dorms with residential students and are students' primary contact throughout the Program. Advisors will periodically check in with students, both formally and informally, throughout the day and serve as a liaison between students and the Dean's Office. Most students come to Explo not knowing other students, so the intimate living group structure helps students get to know a small group of people very quickly. In addition, all students participate in afternoon living group time activities every Monday-Thursday, which are led by Residential Advisors. Ranging from discussions to games, these activities are a way for students within living groups to get to know one another and to encourage teamwork within the group. |
| Do boys and girls live in the same dorm?
All of our dorms are single-sex. In order to respect each other's privacy, students must adhere to our single-sex policy which states that students may not be in any part of residence halls of the opposite sex at any time. |
| How does the housing/rooming situation work at Explo? Can my child pick a roommate or are they assigned? A housing questionnaire will be made available online in the spring, on which students can request that one person be assigned to their living group. We make every effort to honor living group requests when they are made in writing on this form, as long as (1) the requests are mutual, (2) both are received prior to the spring deadline, and (3) the students are in the same grade. Most students who come to the Program do not know other students and will be assigned to suites and rooms based on sex, grade, and geography. We also take into account living preferences designated on the housing questionnaire. |
| How does the laundry service work? How do students do their laundry? What if a student doesn't know how to do laundry? Students are responsible for doing their own laundry. There are single-sex laundry facilities right on the Old Campus, which are available for students to use during their free time. Residential Advisors will distribute laundry cards at the beginning of the session. To use the laundry machines in the dorms, students will need to add money to their laundry card using the machines in the laundry facility. We understand that for many students, this may be the first time they will be doing laundry on their own. Residential advisors are available to assist students in this process. |
| This is my child's first time away from home. How do you handle homesickness at the Program? Students will have two Residential Advisors who will check in with them every day. Because of the small size of living groups, our Residential Advisors are able to focus on the needs of each individual student, and quickly act upon and support those needs. In addition, our Residential Advisors are trained to address issues of homesickness that may arise during the Program. |
| What are your policies regarding cell phones and calling home?
We discourage frequent cell phone usage, as it tends to isolate students from the rest of the Exploration community. If students do choose to bring a cell phone to the Program, be advised that they may use the phone only during free time (not during courses, mini-courses, check-ins, main events, trips, living group time, or workshops). We provide free local phone service to a single phone line in each student suite. Students must provide their own phone and will need to have a calling card to access long-distance services. |
| What are your policies regarding laptops and other electronics?
Students do not need a personal computer at the Program, as we de-emphasize homework and have two computer labs with internet access on the Old Campus. (The exception is for students enrolled in HS2C: The College Writing Concentration. Those students are strongly encouraged to bring laptop computers.) Generally, we discourage bringing expensive electronics to the Program. |
| How can I tell if my child is ready? What should we do to prepare?
Many different types of students have had successful summers at Exploration. It is important for parents to understand, however, that Exploration might not be a good match for some students. Students at Exploration need sufficient energy, concentration, and stamina to get through a full, busy, and structured schedule. We expect a lot from our students in their ability to handle the choices and responsibilities they are given with an appropriate level of maturity. |
| Is there internet access for students?
Students can check and send email, do research for a class project, and surf the Web in the computer labs right on the Old Campus. Our computer labs have open hours and are staffed during these hours in case you need any help. |
| What is the food like at Yale? How do you accommodate special dietary requirements? All meals at Explo are cooked and prepared by Yale Dining Services, and include a wide variety of options at every meal. Meals are served buffet-style, and attendance at meals is optional (as there are also several popular restaurants in the area). There are always several hot entrees to choose from, in addition to a full salad and sandwich bar at lunch, and both salad and pasta bars at dinner. All meals include vegetarian and vegan options and foods are well-labeled. If your child keeps Kosher, there are always options that will meet his/her needs. Please contact our office (at senior@explo.org or 781.762.7400) if your child has any special dietary needs or restrictions. |
| How do you coordinate travel to and from the Program on arrival and departure days?
All students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the Program. Though not required, we recommend families consider using Exploration's travel partner, Colpitts World Travel. Residential students must fill out arrival and departure forms online in the spring so we know how and when each student plans to arrive and depart from the Program. Exploration will provide transportation between Yale and Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT from 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm on arrival day and 8:00 am and 1:00 pm on departure day. In addition, Exploration will provide transportation between Yale and Union Station in New Haven between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm on arrival day and between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm on departure day. |
| Does Exploration offer any assistance in planning travel to and from the Program? In order to help families make travel arrangements for their children, Exploration has partnered with Colpitts World Travel. Colpitts is a leader in international travel assistance and is capable of helping families plan safe, full-service travel arrangements to and from Exploration. By booking through Colpitts, you can quickly determine how many other Exploration students are already on a flight and whether the flight arrives during our regular airport pick-up hours. If it does not, Colpitts can book travel between the airport and campus through another Exploration transportation partner, BostonCoach. Colpitts negotiates discounts with the major airlines and therefore, their pricing is very competitive. |
| Is there flexibility around arrival and departure days?
Because an Explo session lasts for only three weeks, it is important that students are able to attend the entire session before they commit to attending Explo. If a student needs to arrive early or depart late from the Program, they are responsible for making their own arrangements for accommodation, as we are unable to house students in Yale's facilities before or after the dates of the Program. |
| Can I visit my child or sign out my child during the Program?
Yes. Visitors designated by families on the authorized visitor form may visit students at the Program during non-mandatory activities in the late afternoon and early evening on weekdays. In addition, students may be signed out of the Program for an afternoon, evening, or overnight visit following afternoon classes. In the event that a student is signed out of the Program overnight, he/she must be back on campus for the 8:45 advisor meeting. Students may also be signed out of the Program for a weekend visit, but may not be visited or signed out on trips. |
| For residential students attending both sessions, what happens on transition weekend between the two sessions? On the last Saturday of first session residential students will be leaving, and new residential students will arrive the next day. Parents or friends may want to sign out six-week students Saturday. We take all six-week students remaining on campus on an extended Saturday trip, featuring dinner and evening entertainment. |
| Who would parents contact if they have any concerns during the summer? How? The Dean's Office staff live at the Program and are available for students and parents. Each residential building has its own Residence Directors who oversee student groups and regularly check in with Residential Advisors. For concerns with all residential issues, parents should contact Residence Directors during the Program. Residence Directors can be reached by phone through our Main Office. |
| Activities, Trips, + Main Events |
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| When students are not in class, what do they do?
Afternoons at the Senior Program offer a number of activities which mirror the extracurricular environment students will find when they get to college. With plenty of options and the ability to choose what they will participate in, the extracurricular programming at the Senior Program gives students the chance to make each day different. During Open Time, students can take full advantage of all that Yale and New Haven have to offer, from the variety of shops and restaurants, to the enormous Payne-Whitney Gymnasium, to the campus computer labs, and more. Students remain free during Activity Period, when they can also choose from a variety of staff-led discussions, sports, movie screenings, and other activities. At night, students can opt to go to the Main Event (a performance, theme night, or other type of show that changes nightly), and will also have time to relax and socialize at the end of a busy day. In addition to all of this, Explo's own Student Activities Center, with a variety of games, arts supplies, and other resources, remains open throughout the afternoon and evening. |
| How much unstructured time do students have at the Senior Program? The Senior Program contains a balance of structured and unstructured time similar to what students will find in college. All class periods (two morning courses, and either a mini-course or Princeton Review in the afternoon) are required, as is daily living group time and four check-ins per day. However, the bulk of the afternoon and evening, beginning at 3:00 pm, includes an array of options, with no specific required activities. During this time, students may choose from a variety of activities and a different Main Event each evening, and will have ample time for visiting the gym, using the computer labs, taking advantage of our Student Activities Center, and informal socializing. |
| Are students required to participate in activities?
At the Senior Program, students are not required to participate in activities, though they are strongly encouraged to do so. There are a wide and ever-changing variety of offerings each day, and we always encourage students to explore things they have not yet tried (as well as enjoy those activities they know they like!). |
| What athletic options do you have available for students?
The athletic options at the Senior Program change daily, as faculty offer different athletic activities each day. In addition to these planned activities, there are daily shuttles to the fields and tennis courts, and the Payne Whitney Gym, with a fitness center, squash courts, and basketball courts, is open throughout the afternoon. The Senior Program also offers a variety of athletics mini-courses, along with a golf clinic and sailing clinic on the weekends. |
| Is there a daily free swim?
Yes. Yale's indoor exhibition pool is open and supervised 4:30-5:30 pm each weekday for exclusive use by Exploration. |
| What are evening Main Events?
Main Events occur each evening at the Program, and include a variety of performances, concerts, theme nights, and other special events. In the past, main events have included cover bands, dance troupes, a Carnival Night, a Casino Night, and the ever-popular Club Night, an Explo-only dance party at New Haven's legendary rock club Toad's Place. Attendance at Main Events is optional for students. Those who do not attend may remain on the Old Campus to spend time in our Student Activities Center, take advantage of the computer lab, or just visit with friends on the quad. |
| What types of trips do you offer?
Weekend trips are focused on cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, including sight-seeing, theatre trips, and outdoor adventures throughout the New York and New England area. On any given weekend, we offer up to 30 different trips to choose from, including trips to Broadway shows, visits to museums in New York City, whitewater rafting and rock climbing trips, visits to college campuses, and many more. We also offer overnight trips to Boston and Washington, D.C. and an extended day trip to Newport, Rhode Island; students interested in these must sign up in advance on their application. |
| How and when does trip selection occur?
With the exception of the overnight trips, the Newport day trip, and our golf and sailing clinics, sign-up for all weekend trips occurs at the Program. Students will go over the upcoming weekend's trip choices in their living groups at the beginning of each week, and will select their top three trip choices. Students will then be assigned to a trip based on those choices, and trip lists will be published toward the end of the week. |
| Will I always get my top request for trips?
It is rare that a student will not get one of his or her top three requests, given the number and breadth of trip offerings each week. In the unlikely event that that occurs, the student will have the option to choose from among the open trips, and we will make every effort to ensure that the student gets one of his or her top requests on subsequent trip days. Throughout the summer we keep track of all student assignments, and our system is designed not only to give students their top requests whenever possible, but to give preference to students who have not gotten their top requests on previous trip days. |
| How are trips supervised?
Each weekend trip includes a team of chaperones, who will supervise students throughout the day. Some trips, such as our adventure trips (whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and others), also include trained professional guides. Most trips include a detailed itinerary and set activities, though some also include a degree of free time (for example, lunch in Central Park following a museum visit, shopping in Harvard Square, etc.). Whatever the specifics of the trip, our chaperones will require regular student check-ins and will set clear boundaries and expectations for the students, just as we do on campus at Yale. |
| Student Body |
|---|
| What kind of student is a good fit for Explo?
At Exploration, we are looking for bright, curious, and interesting people. They are young people eager to try new things, meet new people, and actively participate in the Exploration community — both inside and outside the classroom. Because of the diversity of personalities and interests of our students Exploration, almost all of our students will find their niche. |
| How many students attend the Senior Program each session?
The Senior Program hosts approximately 650 students each session. |
| How many students stay for the full six weeks?
At the Senior Program, 30-35 students tend to stay the full six weeks. Given the range of options at the Senior Program, students who stay the full six weeks are able to partake in new courses, activities, trips, and living groups second session. |
| Geographically, where do most of your students come from?
Senior Program students come from all over the country and all over the world. Students come to Exploration from more than 40 states and 50 countries—from urban areas, small towns, and rural areas. |
| How many boys and girls are at the Senior Program?
About 60% of our student body is female and 40% male. |
| Do most students come to Explo alone or do they come with a friend?
The vast majority of students come to Explo not knowing other students, and small living groups help students get to know a group of students very quickly. Year after year, many of our students tell us that the best part of Explo was all the new friends they made, many of whom they stay in touch with after the Program ends. |
| Are students at Explo cliquey? What do you do to ensure that all students feel included?
Because of the diversity of our student body and of our Program's offerings, many types of students are attracted to Explo. For this reason, all kinds of students are able to find their niche at the Program. Countless opportunities are available to meet new people every day — through courses, activities, main events, living groups, and trips. Small class sizes and living groups, along with our low student/staff ratio ensure that students feel included and are able to receive individual attention. |
| How does your Program approach cultural difference?
Because of the diversity in cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs of the Senior Program's student body, many of the discussions and activities that take place in the dorms surround learning from cultural differences. Our residential staff is trained to act as a resource for students around issues of cultural difference and to mediate and help resolve any conflict that may arise as a result. |