Choose the program that's right for you!
St. John's University is proud to offer two programs for secondary school students interested in learning more about higher education in the US: EducationUSA Academy and EducationUSA Academy Connects.
EducationUSA Academy offers an on-campus experience for teenagers who want to learn more about higher education in the US and what opportunities suit them best—all while experiencing the greatest city in the world!
EducationUSA Academy Connects is an online opportunity that gives teens their first taste of higher education in the US, allowing them to explore their interests and the opportunities available to them from the comfort of home.
Learn more about both programs, and see which one is right for you!
EducationUSA Academy Connects
Experience US higher education from the comfort of your home. In this online program, students are encouraged to explore what their interests are, what options are available to them through US higher education, and what pursuing a degree in the US means: educationally, financially, socially, etc. Through conversations with faculty, deans, administrators and students, program participants will benefit from a variety of perspectives and experiences to help them make important decisions about their futures.
Registration is now open for 2024. Apply Now.
EducationUSA Academy Connects Program Details
Workshops on Academic Topics
- Finding the Right Institution
- An Overview of the College Application
- Writing for Academic Purposes
- Choosing a Major
- An Overview of Standardized Test Requirements
- Spotlight on SJU: discussion with deans and faculty
Individual Advisement
- 1:1 Academic Writing Review
- 1:1 Academic Advising
Virtual Campus Visits
- Sessions with two institutions
Activities with International Students at SJU
- International Student Panel
- Virtual Networking
Click here for a sample schedule. (Please note that the schedule is a sample, and times/days, etc. are subject to change.)
Session Dates and Times:
July 8 - August 7, 2024 (Classes Monday and Wednesday), 4 p.m. EST
July 9 - August 8, 2024 (Classes Tuesday and Thursday), 10 a.m. EST
Program location: Online (all sessions live)
Program cost: $300
Total hours: 18
Scholarships: Students may be eligible for a 50% scholarship. The scholarship application can be found here.
EducationUSA Academy Connects Program
EducationUSA Academy
The in-person EducationUSA Academy will NOT be offered in 2024. Please see above for information on our 2024 EducationUSA Academy Connects program, offered online.
Experience New York City from our secure, residential campus while you hone your English conversation skills and get to know other ambitious students from around the globe. Located just a short train ride from the heart of Manhattan, St. John’s University spans 100 acres in the borough of Queens, the most diverse borough in New York City. Our helpful team will be with you every step of the way, and they will make sure you get the best out of your time on and off campus. You will leave the program improved in academic and conversational English, more familiar with various colleges in the area, and you will take the memories of the amazing experiences that only New York City can offer. Special events off campus include Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, American Museum of Natural History, Major League Baseball, Times Square, Central Park, and more!
EducationUSA Academy Program Details
Academic Program Features
- University readiness and test preparation courses
- Weekly sessions on writing a personal statement for college applications
- Workshops on US academic institutions and the application requirements and process
- Academic service-learning project
- Visits to four colleges/universities in New York City
- One-on-one college advisement
Sample Activities
On-campus
- Movie night
- Game night
- Sports night
- Barbecue
- Ice cream social
Off-campus
- Central Park
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
- Times Square
- The Statue of Liberty
- Circle Line Cruise
- Mini-golf on the Hudson River
- The Bronx Zoo
- The American Museum of Natural History
- NY Mets baseball game
Program dates
The in-person EducationUSA Academy will not be held in 2024, and we are not currently accepting applications for the in-person Academy. The online EducationUSA Academy Connects program will be held in 2024. Details can be found above on this page.
Program location
St. John’s University, Queens Campus
8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439
Program cost: $3,675 per session (2019 cost)
Price includes
- Tuition and materials
- Housing on campus
- Meals
- Local transportation
- Entrance fees to off-campus activities
- Health insurance
Airfare and US visa costs are not included.
Scholarships
Eligible applicants may be selected for up to a 50% scholarship to the 2021 EducationUSA Academy at St. John’s University.
Requirements
- 15–17 years old
- Current high school student
- All levels of English proficiency accepted
- Online interview
- Completed online application
- B1/B2 visa; Visa Waiver; J1 visa (only for sponsored students)
Safety and Security
- 24-hour supervision on- and off-campus