FAQs
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Baylor Summer of Discovery for current students, incoming students and rising high school seniors. These FAQs will be updated as new information becomes available.
Student FAQs
5. Are payment plans available?
Yes, there is a payment plan option for Summer, which divides the total amount into two equal installments due on May 12, 2021, and June 30, 2021. There is also a nonrefundable setup fee of $24 to participate in the Summer Payment Plan. For more detailed information, you can visit
our webpage on payment plans.
9. What is the maximum number of hours a student can take?
Students can participate in both summer sessions, but the maximum number of hours that incoming freshmen can complete in the summer is 16 hours (8 hours per summer session). Current students may also participate in the May minimester and therefore can earn a total of 19 hours for all three terms.
10. Do any courses require prerequisites?
Students who wish to enroll in Chemistry 1301 must demonstrate either a 24 or higher ACT Math score, a 580 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 85 or higher.
Students who wish to enroll in Pre-Calculus must demonstrate either a 22 ACT Math score or higher, a 550 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 61 or higher.
Students who wish to enroll in Calculus must demonstrate either a 27 ACT Math score or higher, a 650 SAT Math score or higher, or an ALEKS exam score of 80 or higher.
Students who wish to enroll in a Modern Foreign Language course are encouraged to take the Modern Foreign Language placement exam.
Students will be able to access the ALEKS exam and get more information about how to complete it in their goBAYLOR account.
11. How will online classes work? Will I interact live with the professors and other students?
Online summer classes are taught using a variety of methods, depending on the type of course. Some courses may be synchronous, meaning the class meets on specific days of the week at a specified time; for example, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Courses may also be asynchronous, meaning class content delivery is not bound to a specific daily or weekly schedule. Other classes may be a hybrid. For example, a course could include pre-recorded lectures that are accessible to students and also have a standard class meeting time for discussion between students and the professor. No matter how the course content is delivered, all Baylor online classes provide students with a rich academic experience, the opportunity to engage with top-notch faculty and a chance to form relationships with other Baylor students.
Your academic advisor will provide you with guidance on what courses would be best for you to take based on your goals and interests. Specific information about how a course will be taught, as well as the professor's expectations and requirements for the course, will be provided to you in the course syllabus.
17. How do my Summer of Discovery, AP, IB, and dual credit courses count in the Honors College?
Your Summer of Discovery courses, as well as any AP, IB, or dual credit accepted by Baylor, will be noted on your transcript.
Click here to learn more about how these courses will be considered in each program in the Honors College (Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, Honors Program, Great Texts, and University Scholars), and speak with an advisor before selecting your courses.
18. I want to participate, but I'm uncertain if medical schools prefer in-person classes, especially in math and science?
Historically, medical schools have greatly discouraged applicants from taking online math and science courses. However, each medical school is different, and it will depend on the medical school and how they view 2020 courses. Medical schools have made an exception for spring 2020 courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely continue to do so for Summer 2020 as most universities are offering only online options. Other online courses such as History, Religion, English and many of the social sciences are generally accepted by medical schools and health-related programs. These are also good options for students to consider as they provide additional opportunities for potential minors, certificates and secondary majors.
19. As an incoming student or transfer student participating in Summer of Discovery, what Baylor services are available to me?
In order to ensure compliance with state laws regarding consent to treatment, the reduced student fees payable for the online summer session by non-degree-seeking students, incoming freshmen, and transfers do not permit access to Baylor Health Services or Counseling Center. Academic counseling, applicable academic accommodations for disabilities and other academic services are available for online non-degree-seeking students, incoming freshmen, and transfers. Online students who are present in Waco, may use University Libraries, McLane Student Life Center and other facilities that are open to students. All facilities are subject to closure at any time per government order or at Baylor's discretion.
21. Can I do an in-person Line Camp and Summer of Discovery at the same time?
Unfortunately, since Summer of Discovery requires internet access and connectivity, you cannot enroll in the summer session that you will be attending an in-person Line Camp. At Line Camp, you will not have access to technology.
You can take a different summer session from which your Line Camp is in. If you attend in-person Line Camp in June, you may enroll in Summer 2 and visa versa.