University Connection (UniConn)

Concentrations

• Academic Admissions Concentration
• Academic Intensive Concentration
  

Academic Admissions Concentration

The Academic Admissions Concentration is designed for students who plan to study in the US but need to improve their English language proficiency, to improve their test scores (SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) and to learn more about US higher education and the application/admissions process.

Academic Admissions Package (3 sessions)

This 6-month option provides you with a comprehensive and customized program to help you apply to colleges and universities in the United States or other English speaking countries. 

Components:

• Intensive English preparation (15-20 hours/week) 
  - Courses include "Applying to US Universities" and "Writing University        Application Essays"
• Up to 8 hours of one-on-one counseling per session with a professional college counselor
• Test preparation courses:
  1. TOEFL Academic Skills
  2. TOEFL Test Strategies
  3. SAT/ACT (Includes individual tutoring)
  4. GRE
  5. GMAT
• One-on-one academic advising
• Orientation to US higher education and university culture
• Extracurricular events and enrichment services

Academic Admission Session (Session by Session)

If you are unable to commit to the full three-session Academic Admission Package, you can enroll in an abbreviated version of the program on a session-by-session basis.  Each session is two months long.

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Academic Intensive Concentration

The Academic Intensive Concentration is designed for students who plan to study in the US, or who have been accepted into a degree program in the US, but who need to improve their language proficiency and academic skills before beginning their degree.

Academic Intensive Concentration

If you have reached the intermediate (600) level in the Intensive Program, you are eligible to enroll in the Academic Intensive Concentration, where you will take a range of courses that are designed to develop proficiency in English for Academic Purposes.  

Features:

• Academic English electives include: 
  • Academic Reading and Writing
  • Listening to Lectures
  • Writing Research Papers
  • TOEFL Preparation
  • Academic Vocabulary                                                                   
• ELP/LPS Sheltered courses: You will have the opportunity to enroll in non-credit academic content courses offered exclusively to ELP students.  You will also receive additional support and tutoring with a Language Specialist to reinforce course content. (Sheltered academic courses require an additional fee).

English for Academic Purposes Certificate (2 or more sessions)

If you plan to study at the undergraduate or graduate level in the United States, this option is designed for you.  This certificate allows you to demonstrate your readiness for academic study at a US university, through testing, advanced-level English for Academic Purposes coursework, and university-level content coursework. 

In order to be eligible for the English for Academic Purposes certificate, you need to:

• pass the advanced placement test
• successfully complete at least one session of advanced (900) level courses in the ELP
• successfully pass an academic credit course offered through Penn's College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS)   
  • LPS Non-degree Credit Courses: Once you reach the 800 level, you will be eligible to apply for admission to non-degree study at LPS (semester-length credit courses).  This is a unique opportunity to experience the demands and expectations of academic study at an Ivy League university, and to earn academic credit, while being supported in advanced level ELP courses.        

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