Instead of enjoying their last summer after high school, a number of Lincoln University's incoming freshmen already are on campus - and hitting the books.
Lincoln this year launched a new "Freshman Academy Summer Institute," giving some of the brightest incoming students a chance to get a jump-start on their goals of pursuing medical or science-related careers.
"Our scholars are typically interested in nursing and medical school or related professions," Kevin Thomas, LU's coordinator of Academic Living-Learning Communities, told the News Tribune last week.
"Freshmen Academy is a rigorous program that equips students for academic success by enhancing and cultivating the principles of undergraduate learning - Core Communication; Critical Thinking; Integration and Application of Knowledge; Intellectual Depth; and understanding of Society, Values and Ethics."
Thomas said the group of students attending the Freshman Academy have an average incoming grade point average of 3.5 and an average ACT score of 23.
"We refer to them as scholars," Thomas added. "Our scholars are very serious about their academics.
"So they're willing to sacrifice their summers, to earn the eight credits that they need to be ahead in the fall."
Five of the academy's students were interviewed after being recorded by LU's University Relations office for a video the university will use in future marketing efforts.
All five said they chose the Freshman Academy over a more relaxing summer as an opportunity to get a head-start on their college education.
"I'm very determined, and I feel like I want to get where I want to be in my career before I get to be a certain age," said Terica Kelly, Memphis, Tennessee, a nursing major who turned 17 on Friday.
"Then I can excel and still have time to have fun and be in my prime."
Dalyla Jordan, 18, of Topeka, Kansas, is planning on a psychology major and a criminal justice minor, and said, "I know that education is important (and) was raised to think education is important.
"Education always came first, because if I wanted to get far in life, I would need an education.
"So, yes, I wanted my "senior summer,' but coming to Lincoln University was a better choice for me."
Several noted the Freshman Academy Summer Institute provides a chance to earn eight credit hours - for free.
"An education is worth a lot these days, and it's not really cheap," said Darrius Spencer, 17, Memphis, Tennessee, who is majoring in pre-med. "Sometimes people go in debt just trying to get a quality education, and I'm getting a quality education for free."
Successful students eventually could be a part of the Honors College program LU also is starting this year, Thomas said.
Like LU's open admissions mission to provide an education for those whose previous academic background may not have been stellar - and which, officials have said, account for only about 10 percent of Lincoln's total student body - the Freshman Academy and Honors College are an effort to expand the school's reputation for academic quality.
"The key word is "opportunity.' Lincoln wants to give every student an opportunity," Thomas said. "But it's also important as a university to have outstanding students to attend.
"I think it's important to build the program's academic brand."
The academy classes include freshman-level biology and biology lab, English, statistics and the University Seminar.
"My courses are very intense, because we go through about three chapters each class," biology/pre-med major Jeremy Garrett, 17, Memphis, Tennessee, said.
"And we test every week."
Garrett originally thought about becoming a pharmacist, but now hopes to be an anesthesiologist.
But being away from home has been a challenge.
"The biggest change for me is not having my family on speed-dial, not having my family here all the time," Garrett said. "But they've definitely been supporting me, regardless of the distance."
Chandler Cunningham, 18, Kansas City, Missouri, also is majoring in biology and pre-med, and hopes to become a physical therapist.
"When I first came, I was shy and didn't talk to anybody but, as the summer went on, I've become more outspoken," she said, adding she's most enjoyed "the relationships I've built with my peers and my professors."
Thomas noted the academy has included some social events, mainly on weekends - and all five students spoke about their recent bus trip to see a Royals game in Kansas City.
There have also been some field trips, including a visit to the state lab and to a nursing simulation.
"That experience was weird, but it was kind of great," nursing student Kelly said.
She wants to be a neo-natalogist or a neo-natal nurse practitioner.
"They had dolls that were lifelike, and it was cool," she said. "And it gave me a feel for what it would be like in the hospital."
Thomas said one of the important goals for the academy, Honors College and all of Lincoln's classes is: "Our theme is developing a global student, (with) inter-disciplinary learning, so students can leave Lincoln University and be able to adapt in New York City or New Jersey, Atlanta or San Francisco."
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