Academic Advantage Program

On this page:

• Overview and Dates
• Why should I sign up?
• What will I learn?
• Program Costs and Scholarships
• Sample Schedule
• AAP Sponsors

Overview and Dates

August 12-16, 2024

The Academic Advantage Program (AAP), is a one-week pre-college boot camp offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS). By refreshing your math knowledge using real-world engineering examples, you can improve your math placement level, acquire the skills you need for all college courses, and get to know some of your professors and fellow students.

Important Dates:

• Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 25th (no refunds will be given after this date.)
• Campus Housing Move-in for AAP: Sunday, August 11 (move-in instructions to be provided in August)
• Program Check-in: Monday, August 12, 8:00 a.m.
• Program Dates: August 12-16, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Watch your Wright State email account for more information about the program.

For questions about AAP, email Marissa Wynn at marissa.wynn@wright.edu.

Why should I sign up?

The purpose of the Academic Advantage Program is to help entering engineering and computer science students succeed by easing the transition from high school to college. University education, in general, is a challenging endeavor, and the study of engineering or computer science, in particular, can be rigorous and demanding. Having the right skills upfront—the kinds of skills provided by the Academic Advantage Program—will make meeting the challenge of higher education much easier.

Math Placement Testing

You will also have the opportunity to test into a higher math class. Wright State's Math Placement Level Policy includes an option to take the ALEKS math placement test as one method of determining your math placement. During AAP, you will have the opportunity to retest at the end of the week (if applicable). After retaking the placement test you will have the opportunity to talk to an academic advisor and revise your fall schedule as necessary. Testing into a higher math class can save you time and money!

A math placement score is not required to attend AAP, but taking the ALEKS math placement test in advance is encouraged. All students without an ALEKS math placement test score will test Monday morning as a baseline.

Campus and Community

AAP is a great opportunity to meet other new students before the hustle and bustle of classes begins. Whether you're sitting together at lunch, working through a math problem as a group, or joining in on the evening social activities, you'll have plenty of opportunities to start getting to know each other. Upperclassmen engineering and computer science students will join you throughout the week as your Teaching Assistants (TAs) and for various social activities in the evenings. Whether you have questions about getting involved in clubs, need help finding the quickest path across campus, or are looking for a few study tips, these students are a great resource as you learn to navigate life as a Raider.

What will I learn?

The focus of the program is to provide you with three distinct advantages:

1. Math Skills
   • The focus of this instruction is to review the math skills you need most during your first year of college. Multiple math sections will be offered with the instruction tailored to your specific math skill level. Problem-solving sessions will reinforce fundamentals and build your confidence. Instructors are CECS faculty members. Whether you need an algebra or trigonometry refresher or already have a calculus background, you will benefit from the instruction.
   • Regardless of your math placement level, whether it's college algebra or Calculus II, you will be challenged.
   • Students at Wright State are automatically placed into a default math placement level based on multiple measures. For more information visit the Math Placement Level Policy website. One of these measures is the ALEKS math placement assessment to determine what math class you should start with. Many students are not satisfied with their current math placement because it may mean additional math courses. This program gives you a math refresher and the opportunity to take the ALEKS math placement test. You can't go down in placement, so there is no risk in taking the ALEKS. Your math placement level determines which math course you will start with.  Your math placement level also affects courses in computer science, engineering, and various science courses. 
2. Study and Success Strategies
   • The Academic Advantage Program teaches you the most important academic skill of all—how to learn. The math review will stress how to listen, take notes, and understand difficult concepts more efficiently and effectively.
3. Social Interaction
   • You will interact with our CECS faculty and students, in and out of the classroom. We provide many opportunities to talk about Wright State college life and how to be a successful student. There will be evening activities as well.

Program Cost and Scholarships

• $200 Program fee
  • $200 Completion Scholarship is awarded to all students majoring within the College of Engineering and Computer Science who complete the program. 
  • Final cost to you: FREE
• (Optional) $150 Early move-in fee
  • Students who are living in campus housing for fall semester have the option to move in early for AAP. Alternatively, these students may commute to campus for AAP (if feasible based on home address) and move in to campus housing during the regular move-in dates.
  • Commuter students who are not living in campus housing for fall semester will also commute to AAP. 

Sample Schedule

Day and time	Activity
Sunday, Time TBD	Residence hall move-in Dormitory move-in for those students who plan to live on campus. Move-in instructions to be provided in August.
Monday, 8–8:30 a.m.	Check-in
Monday, 8:30–9 a.m.	Orientation
Monday, 9 a.m.–noon	Mathematics class/Math placement test, if needed
Monday, noon–1:30 p.m.	Lunch break
Monday, 1:30–5 p.m.	Mathematics class
Monday, 5 p.m.–?	Optional activities
Tuesday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–noon	Mathematics class
Tuesday–Thursday, noon–1:30 p.m.	Lunch break
Tuesday–Thursday, 1:30–5 p.m.	Mathematics class
Tuesday–Thursday, 5 p.m.–?	Optional activities
Friday, 9:30 a.m.–noon	Mathematics class
Friday, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.	Lunch will be provided
Friday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.	Math placement re-test and course changes as needed with academic advisors

 Sponsors