For many high school students, college begins with orientation or move-in day.

The Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) at The University of Akron is changing that.

Launched in 2023, the BCAS College Overnight Readiness Experience (CORE) invites rising juniors and seniors to spend three consecutive days in June living, learning and connecting on campus before they ever begin their first semester.

As director of community engagement and strategic partnerships for BCAS, Donray Bennett developed CORE around a simple idea: students should begin practicing the habits that lead to college success long before they arrive on campus.

"There are strategies that have been proven to help first-year college students succeed,” Benett said. Rather than waiting until students arrive at college to learn those strategies, we want them to begin practicing them while they're still in high school."

That philosophy shapes every part of the experience.

Preparing for more than admission

During the CORE summer session, students entering their junior and senior years of high school live in UA residence halls, eat in campus dining facilities, are mentored by BCAS student ambassadors, work alongside faculty and explore potential majors through hands-on learning. Rather than simply touring campus, participants experience the academic, residential and social aspects of college life firsthand.

CORE introduces students to the breadth of academic opportunities within BCAS while encouraging them to discover new interests.

This summer’s academic tracks included producing original podcasts with faculty in the School of Communication, conducting environmental field research at The University of Akron Field Station at Bath Nature Preserve, exploring biological sciences through laboratory activities and learning how sociology can inspire community change through partnerships with local government.

"A lot of times students change majors because they don't really understand what they're getting into," Bennett said. "The more exposure we can give them earlier, the more informed decisions they can make about their future."

Guided by Zips

One of CORE's defining features is the opportunity for participants to learn directly from current UA students. Throughout the three-day program, BCAS student ambassadors serve as mentors, sharing their college experiences, answering questions and helping participants feel at home on campus.

Leading this year's team of student mentors was Cassidy Ballew, a BCAS ambassador who served as CORE's lead counselor after three summers with the program.

"You develop a bond," Ballew said during an interview on WZIP-FM's “Zips Unlimited” podcast. "It's just a really nice experience."

Participants said experiencing college before their first semester changed how they viewed the transition.

One participant said CORE provided an honest look at what lies ahead.

• "It gave me realistic expectations for college and better taught me what to expect, how to prepare and what to look at when choosing a college."

Another student said the experience made college feel more attainable.

• "I liked how much it feels like a college. It really made me want to go to college."

Another participant appreciated CORE's honest approach.

• "They set realistic expectations. They don't sugarcoat it. They don't pretend it's easy. They give you a realistic idea of what college is going to be like and help you figure out what it has to offer."

College readiness doesn't end in the summer

Although the summer residential experience is the most visible part of CORE, it is only one part of BCAS' year-round approach to college readiness. Participants can continue engaging with BCAS through additional overnight experiences, class shadowing, workshops, student organizations and campus events that reinforce both academic and social readiness.

For Bennett, the success of CORE isn't measured simply by how many students eventually enroll at the University. It's measured by how prepared they are to thrive wherever their college journey takes them.

"We hope they choose UA," Bennett said. "But wherever they go, we want them to be successful."

Story by Lisa Craig
BCAS Director of Communications & Marketing