What is the deadline for the Carter Academy Application?
The application deadline is March 16. Candidate decisions will be made the week of March 24, with final cohort decisions announced by April 18.
Carter Academy offers a focused academic Summer Bridge program for engineering students before their freshman year, along with a supportive Living Learning Community (LLC) to guide them through their first two years at MSOE. Scholars will gain confidence in their academic and personal abilities, build a community of support, and access resources designed to empower them to persist and succeed. The academy consists of three required components:
5-Weeks Completed Online / 4-Weeks completed in-person during Summer Bridge
Scholars will participate in an asynchronous online course designed to provide a head start in math. The course will focus on reinforcing foundational math concepts while drawing connections to new topics scholars will encounter in the upcoming year. Expert math professors and Carter staff will instruct the course, helping scholars build a strong foundation for MSOE’s engineering calculus track. The hybrid math course will require approximately 8-10 hours of work a week to complete.
4 Weeks Completed on Campus
The Summer Bridge program is designed to ease the transition to college from high school by providing scholars with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed at MSOE. Scholars will engage with MSOE faculty in the classroom, learning through interactive, real-world applications. Scholars will continue their math course, explore engineering career paths, revisit fundamentals of physics and chemistry, and develop college writing skills.
Scholars will move-in early to the MSOE Residence Hall, connect with Carter staff and campus resources, build friendships with peers, participate in fun events, and establish a strong foundation for becoming successful students at MSOE.
Freshman and Sophomore Academic Year
Following the Summer Bridge program, scholars will transition into MSOE’s Carter Academy Living Learning Community. Scholars will continue to live in a close-knit and dynamic community with peers who are committed to academic success. The Carter LLC provides exclusive academic, personal, and professional programs and activities - both in and outside of the classroom - that focus on fostering growth and success at MSOE and beyond. Scholars have access to a dedicated success coach, faculty, peer mentors, tutoring, designated study spaces for collaboration, and social events to engage with the community.
Support for the Carter Academy
The Carter Academy is made possible thanks to an endowed gift from Dr. Gene Carter ’60, MSOE Regent Emeritus, and his wife Patricia.
The application deadline is March 16. Candidate decisions will be made the week of March 24, with final cohort decisions announced by April 18.
First 5 Weeks – Online, Self-Paced The first portion of the course is delivered online, offering students the flexibility to work at their own pace. This format allows scholars to complete coursework around their personal schedules, such as summer jobs or vacations. Expect to dedicate approximately 8-10 hours per week to coursework. MSOE’s expert math professors will be available to support you, ensuring a strong understanding of the material. Last 4 Weeks – In-Person, Structured Learning The final weeks of the course shift to in-person instruction on MSOE’s campus. During this time, you will be fully immersed in structured learning with expert professors leading the sessions. The in-person component is designed to replicate a full credit load, so you’ll be engaged throughout the week, with additional optional programming available on weekends. This segment requires full attendance, and flexibility is limited.
Yes! We welcome students taking AP Calculus, but we’re especially looking for students whose highest level of math is pre-calculus, or who feel their Calculus 1 or AP Calculus course did not fully prepare them for engineering calculus. Scholars in the program will start with either Pre-calculus or Calculus 1 during the summer and continue in that pathway during the fall semester. Once you are assigned to a pathway, it cannot be changed before the fall semester start date. The decision on your starting pathway is based on a combination of factors, including your test scores (such as ACT and ALEKS), math department recommendations, and faculty input. This process ensures that you are placed in the pathway that best supports your success in MSOE’s calculus track
Applicants to MSOE can transfer in credits as they normally would. However, if you transfer in math credits, you will not be eligible to participate in the Carter Academy. Scholars admitted to the program will begin either in Pre-calculus or Calculus 1 during the summer session and must continue along that specific math pathway during the fall semester. Once you are assigned to a pathway, it cannot be changed before the fall semester start date. The decision on your starting pathway is based on a combination of factors, including your test scores (such as ACT and ALEKS), math department recommendations, and faculty input. This process ensures that you are placed in the pathway that best supports your success in MSOE’s calculus track.
We’re looking for applicants who: (1) Are committed to the 5 week online and 4 week Summer Bridge program and the two-year Living Learning Community (2) Want to be part of an inclusive and supportive community (3) Have a STEM or leadership background (4) Demonstrate thoughtfulness and attention to detail in their application essays.
There are no additional costs to join the Carter Academy program! All aspects of the program, including the math summer hybrid course, the 4-week in person summer bridge (housing and meals included), and programming during the summer and academic year are completely covered by Carter Academy.
The Carter Academy partial housing scholarship helps cover your housing costs. The amount is determined based on your financial need, as reflected in your FAFSA. All students will receive a scholarship. All students do receive a scholarship, but some will receive more based on financial need.
Absolutely! We have many athletes in the Carter Academy program. While flexibility may be limited during the Summer Bridge program, we can accommodate athletic schedules during the academic year. If you're an athlete, it’s important to inform your coach right away about your participation in Carter Academy to coordinate scheduling.
Yes, you can work! However, you’ll need to adjust your work hours during certain components of the program, especially during the 4-week Summer Bridge and the academic year. We encourage students to engage in the summer weekend programming, as it’s a great opportunity to connect with your peers before the academic year begins.
You will live on the 7th and 8th floors of the beautifully renovated Viets Tower. Students typically stay in their same summer bridge room during their first year at MSOE.
The online math portion of the program is self-paced so you can attend that family vacation or graduation trip. Make sure you get ahead prior to your trip or put in extra time when you get back. You can also bring your laptop with you as long as where you are going has working internet you will be able to participate in the online math. It is highly recommended that your trip is not planned during the first week of the residential summer bridge program. This is a time when you are making the initial connections with your peers and learning how the stay on top of your courses. If you do plan to miss any of the summer bridge residential program, please connect with the Carter Academy Assistant Director.