MD colleges start programs to give high schoolers jump on campus life

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For Maryland’s high school seniors, the transition to college is beginning earlier than ever as the state emphasizes college readiness in its landmark education plan.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 10-year, multibillion-dollar reform package, encourages colleges to collaborate with high schoolers, allowing them to earn credits, build skills and explore campuses before their freshman year officially begins.

These initiatives from Maryland institutions are introducing students to college life early in an effort designed to not only give them a head start but also to encourage them to stay.

CCBC encourages early achievers

The Community College of Baltimore County launched its early college access programs in 2017 and now serves thousands of students annually.

“Our partnership with Baltimore County Public Schools provides a listing of courses from which those students can choose to earn dual credit—satisfying both high school requirements and earning transferrable college credit,” said Jaime Bell, director of the school’s early college access programs

The programs also offer students a financial incentive to excel. According to Bell, BCPS students who meet the Blueprint’s College and Career Ready status by the end of 10th grade are afforded the opportunity to enroll in up to two CCBC courses in the fall and spring of their junior and senior years for free.

“There is no cost for tuition, fees or books for those two courses.” Bell said.

CCBC is also reaching students even earlier. Gifted and Talented students can begin taking CCBC classes as early as eighth grade, Bell said.

Additional programs available to BCPS students include career exploration, which can include on-campus tours, meeting with academic departments, job site tours and industry-led talks.

Students at qualifying high schools may also participate in Federal Upward Bound TRIO programs, which provide free academic enrichment, college exploration and financial literacy resources.

A five-day business immersion at Loyola

Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management announced in February a five-day residential summer program designed to immerse high school students in business fundamentals. The Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy will take place July 6 to 10 on Loyola’s Evergreen Campus in Baltimore.

“Students attending the academy will gain familiarity with business terminology and protocol and attain the ability to use those tools to think critically about how business can positively transform lives and communities,” said Mary Ann Scully, dean of Loyola’s Sellinger School.

The program will enable students to connect with Baltimore-area business leaders and entrepreneurs through dedicated networking sessions.

Students will then receive a certificate demonstrating proficiency in business strategy, ethical leadership and entrepreneurship, “making it a valuable credential for college applications and career pathways,” Scully said.

The program is designed for high-achieving rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with a demonstrated interest in ethical leadership and sustainable business practices, which align with the values of a Jesuit institution, according to Scully.

Preparing students with disabilities for college life

McDaniel College, known for its disability-friendly services, has created a Summer College Readiness Program aimed at helping students with disabilities transition to higher education.

“The three-night, four-day experience helps students with disabilities to better understand the differences in expectations for college versus high school,” said Stacie Fogle, assistant director of student accessibility and support services.

During the program, the students will be enrolled in a one-credit college course to become immersed in the expectations of college-level academics while experiencing living on campus in a college residence hall with a roommate.

“Students will be evaluated on essential college readiness skills, including time management, independent life skills, engagement within academic and social settings, assignment completion, emotional regulation, dining hall navigation and self-advocacy,” Fogle said.

The new program is being offered for the first time this summer. Fogle said it “will benefit both students and their families by providing them with the opportunity to implement specific strategies and address any gaps in readiness over the course of the next year before they head to college in fall, 2027, whether that be at McDaniel or another institution.”

A shift toward early engagement

Collectively, these programs reflect a broader shift in higher education — one that prioritizes early engagement and experiential learning, along with the state’s priorities in the Blueprint.

By giving students a preview of college expectations, colleges aim to ease the transition from high school to their preferred institutions while strengthening their recruitment pipeline.

As competition for enrollment intensifies, initiatives like these signal that colleges are no longer waiting for graduation day but are interested in meeting students where they are.