Level Up Academics Summer Program
Level up your skills
Leadership and academic writing enhancement program for high school students
Spend three weeks improving your college readinessÌýskills while learning aboutÌýU.S. culture!ÌýHosted by the English Language Institute at the 91Ô´´, Level Up Academics is a fun and skill-building short-term program that combines high-quality instruction with leadership, presentation, research, and college entrance essay writing skill development. If you study in an IB high school program, you have the possibility of working toward your CAS requirements! Level Up AcademicsÌýincludes several excursions, allowing students to visit important cultural and historical sites on the East Coast of the U.S.
All students are protected under 91Ô´´â€™sÌý.ÌýTo learn more about Level Up Academics or for help with the admissions process, please contactÌýeli-admissions@udel.edu.
Requirements
Students must have intermediate-advanced levels of proficiency (5.0 or higher on the IELTS, a 55 TOEFL or 85 or higher on Duolingo). If students place lower, they can participate in theÌýLanguage Adventure USAÌý±è°ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹³¾.
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 inÌýIntensive English ProgramÌýor ourÌýEnglish and American Culture program.
Program Dates and Duration
Summer 2026
| Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| July 19–August 7, 2026 | 3 weeks |
Price
Summer 2026
| 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.Ìý
Included | Details |
|---|---|
| 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 91Ô´´ residential halls. |
| Meals | Students will receive a meal plan for 91Ô´´ dining halls. |
| Airport transportation | Transportation is provided to/from the Philadelphia International Airport for groups of students arriving/departing at the same time. |
| 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. |
| Not Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | Citizens of countries that participate in the US Visa Waiver Program will pay anÌýÌýto 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. |
| Health Insurance | Health insurance is not included through the ELI or 91Ô´´.ÌýIf you need medical support, there are well-staffed urgent care teams in the area that you can access for a fee. |
| Spending money | Remember, Delaware has no sales tax on most purchases. |
What do Level Up Students do every day?
Morning schedule
Level Up Academics students takeÌýtwo 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).
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:15 – 12:10 p.m. | Two classes |
| 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Activities at English Language Institute, 91Ô´´ and Newark with 91Ô´´ mentor |
| 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Evening activities with all high school summer programs at 91Ô´´ |
| 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. | Student study and break time |
| 11:00 p.m. | Lights out |
Activities
A variety of activities are available to English Language Institute students:
- Optional Hub Programs:ÌýExtensive reading books, conversation couch, e-game stations and tutors.
- ELI Activities: Structured or guided activities in the afternoons and evenings, including International Coffee Hour, hikes, concerts, local attractions, pool party, movie-viewing party, picnic, team-building challenges, ice-cream making, trail hiking, painting party (with instruction), guitar club/American music, intro to photography, downtown photo scavenger hunt.
- Activities around campus: gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball and volleyball. The Hen Zone at 91Ô´´'s has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis and Quad Air Hockey.
Cultural Excursions
Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA, which may include New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the Delaware beaches.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The English Language Institute coordinates housing for students in short-term programs like Level Up Academics.
Apply
Applying for Level Up Academics is easy! Simply follow these instructions. Questions? Contact ELI admissions at eli-admissions@udel.edu:
- Complete our .
- Pay the non-refundable US $300 tuition deposit. .
- Send a copy of your passport to ud-eli@udel.edu.
About the English Language Institute
The English Language Institute (ELI) is an academic unit of the 91Ô´´â€™s College of Arts and SciencesÌýand has a long tradition of providing high-quality intensive English programs to international students and professionals from around the world.Ìý
The 91Ô´´ is considered to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in the USA and is currently ranked #44 among public institutions by theÌýUS News and World Report, 2025.
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91Ô´´ Capture Video: Welcoming students waving on the balcony of a building at the 91Ô´´: https://capture.udel.edu/media/1_m7sjx33v/