Admission Requirements

Before you apply, please read the following information carefully:

Summer program applications open annually on December 1st.

Don’t make a mistake that may lead to your application not being reviewed! Applications MUST be complete with all supporting documents attached and submitted before the program deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are uploaded directly into the application system.

Please note: The following materials will not be accepted by email and must be submitted through the online application portal:

  • Official Transcripts
  • ACT/SAT scores
  • Report cards
  • Essays

Applicant materials (not including recommendation letters) submitted via email will not be reviewed. Please consult the table below for a list of required materials and deadlines by program.

*SOAR X recommendations ONLY may be submitted via email to summerprograms@xula.edu with the participant’s name in the subject line. Recommendations must come from the recommender, not from the applicant or parent.

Program

Items needed for application

Application Deadline

SOAR X
  • A SOAR X Recommendation Form submitted by a teacher, supervisor, or other non-familial figure familiar with the student’s work. Make submissions to summerprograms@xula.edu.
  • A copy of your official high school transcript (submitted electronically via online application).
  • Responses to short answer questions on students’ goals and personal experiences (prompts included in application).
  • Students’ answers will take the form of written responses and video essay responses.
  • ACT/SAT scores required for concurrent enrollment applicants and highly encouraged for all other applicants.

Priority Deadline:
March 2, 2026

Final Deadline:
April 27, 2026

MATHStar I,
MATHStar II, BIOStar,
CHEMStar, PHYSStar
Summer STEM Academy
  • A copy of your official middle/high school transcripts.
  • An essay not to exceed 500 words (prompt included in application).
  • One (1) letter of recommendation from your school counselor or from a current teacher.

May 1, 2026

Achieve
  • A copy of your official high school transcript sent to apply@xula.edu.
  • Official ACT/SAT scores sent to apply@xula.edu.
  • A letter of recommendation from your school counselor sent to apply@xula.edu.
  • Responses to short answer questions on students’ goals and personal experiences (prompts included in application).

Varies per semester,
see Achieve page

*SOAR X recommendations ONLY may be submitted via email to summerprograms@xula.edu with the participant’s name in the subject line. Recommendations must come from the recommender, not from the applicant or parent.

*SOAR X operates on a separate set of deadlines. Please refer to the table below for details.” See photo below:

Date

SOAR X Deadline

March 2, 2026 Priority application deadline
April 6, 2026 Accepted applicants: non-refundable $500 deposit due
April 27, 2026 Final application deadline – applications submitted after this date will not be considered
June 1, 2026 Final payments due
June 27, 2026 SOAR X move-in and orientation
July 24, 2026 SOAR X Awards Ceremony
July 25, 2026 SOAR X move out

Final application deadline: April 27, 2026 — Any application submitted after this date will not be reviewed or considered under any circumstances.

Age Eligibility

The Star Programs are designed for participants to enroll the summer before they take the corresponding high school course. Because each school’s course progression is different, there is no specific age or grade range for Star Programs. We trust participants and parents to select the program(s) most appropriate for them.

Summer STEM Academy is an introduction to robotics for middle school students. The program is open to rising 6th-8th graders. This program is best for students with no prior experience with LEGO robots or coding.

SOAR X is for rising 11th and 12th graders who are at least 16 years of age. Students cannot have yet earned a high school diploma.

Achieve Dual Enrollment is for current 11th and 12th graders, with 10th graders considered on a case-by-case basis. Students enrolling in the summer term may not have yet earned a high school diploma.

Location Eligibility

The Star Programs & Summer STEM Academy are open to students from anywhere! Room and board is not provided for Star Programs or Summer STEM Academy participants. Non-local participants must secure their own off-campus housing in the New Orleans area. Local students may be eligible for the Gilead Sponsorship. See Gilead page.

SOAR X is open to students from anywhere! SOAR X is our premier residential program, and all participants live on campus. Local students may be eligible for the Gilead Sponsorship. See Gilead page.

 Achieve Concurrent Enrollment is open only to students in the Greater New Orleans Area.

 

Program

Cost

MATHStar I
MATHStar II
$600
STEM Academy
Math Foundations
$600
STEM Academy
1 Week Courses
(Robotics/Engineering)
$325
BIOStar
CHEMStar
PHYSStar
$650
SOAR X
(Credit Bearing)
$2900
SOAR X
(Non-Credit Bearing)
$2300
Achieve Dual Enrollment Inquire With Office

All application materials must be submitted electronically with your application. Recommendations ONLY may be submitted via email to summerprograms@xula.edu with the participant’s name in the subject line.