Late summer and early fall can be a stressful time for seniors who plan on going to college. However, this time can be important for sophomores and juniors as well. October 11, 2024 marks the day that applications for 2025 Summer Residential Governor’s School open.
Every summer for two to four weeks, students who are accepted into the Virginia Governor’s School pack their bags and head to a university to learn about their selected topics. The academic programs include World Language; Agriculture; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Marine Science; and Medicine Health and Services.
Students can also attend for Visual and Performing Arts. These programs include Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theater, and Visual Arts. Junior Dan Nguyen spent four weeks of her summer at Radford University for the Instrumental Music program. After two rounds of in person auditions, she was happy to find out that she was one of five pianists across the state that was accepted. “Practice your piece two months before because it’s pretty competitive, especially in the Loudoun County and Fairfax area,” Nguyen advised.
However, if looking to attend a World Language program, students must take an online test that consists of speaking and writing. “Go over some words you might need and make sure you’re working on being clear and concise on your thoughts. Don’t pause, just keep going. It doesn’t have to be good as long as you are trying and putting your words out there,” Senior Jillian Lewis recommended. Lewis attended Governor School’s German Academy at Washington and Lee University (WLU) this past summer. World Language is a full immersion program focused on helping students use their new language in a daily setting.
In order for students to maximize the immersion experience, the world language program requires students to leave their phones at home. They are able to send letters to friends and family in English, but the exposure to their first language stops there. “I honestly didn’t miss [my phone] at all…The other people at the academy also agreed that they don’t miss it. I just wrote down my phone number and my Instagram to give to people,” Lewis explained, reflecting on her time without the device that humans have become so dependent on. “My mother had to do my Duolingo every night. I had her continue my streak for me while I was gone. That was the only thing I was worried about.”
No matter which program students apply to, they have to fill out a form with their interests to get matched with a roommate. Since world language students must speak their language at all times, they are matched with someone who is also attending for the same language. “Be really honest about who you are…I was really honest, so I got a really good person for me,” Lewis suggested. Since the German Academy is a smaller program, she was able to stay in WLU’s sorority homes with around 15 other people. “Everyone [in my house] was so nice…We watched anime movies, we ate, and we played Uno. Uno is not in English, so we got away with that one,” Lewis shared.
Nguyen’s roommate was in the humanities program. The two of them stayed in Radford University’s dorms. “There was a kitchen in my dorm…But the food was not the best, so pack snacks,” Nguyen suggested.
Food quality seems to be campus-to-campus, as Lewis loved the food served at WLU. “The food was really good! They made a really good schnitzel…There were a bunch of different desserts you could eat. [It was] very bad for my health while I was there,” Lewis laughed.
Something Lewis did not enjoy was the race to the communal bathroom. “There were only two sinks and two toilets, so imagine all of these girls trying to get ready. We all had to brush our teeth in the sink, we all had to wash our face in the sink, so it took forever.” Lewis explained. “I was like a little speed demon running for the showers each day. I’ve never run so fast in my life.”
During non-learning hours, Governor’s School functions similar to a summer camp. “I was friends with three other instrumentalists, and we formed a group together and performed an open mic. It was really cool, because there were over 300 students watching us,” Nguyen shared. Open mic night is one of many things students can do during their free time on weekday evenings and Saturdays. They can also hang out with friends, participate in group activities, play games, sports, do karaoke, go to the gym, attend dances, and go on field trips.
“It was so busy. I wouldn’t get to my dorm until 9 p.m. and I left the building at 7. I didn’t even have time to think about being homesick,” Nguyen explained. “It was really fun, and it taught me a lot.”
“I didn’t get as homesick as I thought I was going to. I ended up adjusting and having a lot of fun,” Lewis agreed. “I would totally recommend [attending Governor’s school]. It gave me a really good feel for how things are done in college… I loved it. I would go back if I could.”
For students all over Virginia, Governor’s School offers the opportunity of a lifetime. Although the fine arts application deadline has passed, the academic program submissions are open until December 20. If you are interested in any of the academic programs, speak to Mrs. Hill in the career center to begin your Governor’s School journey.