As the American University in the Emirates (AUE) prepares to welcome students for the summer term of 2022, it has taken the unusual decision to offer applicants a generous 50% admissions waiver. Traditionally, students have a choice about whether to be physically present on campus during summer, with many students commonly deciding to take a break from their studies and prospective students waiting until the fall semester before putting in their applications.
“Starting in summer also allows students to shorten the period of their study programme and remain completely zoned into their studies.”
However, according to AUE’s Vice President for Enrolment Management & Student Services Ms Nisrine Rannak, the summer term is the best time to begin. “I understand why students think it makes more sense to wait until the fall before applying to university, but I think the opposite is true. In summer, the campus is quiet, there are no distractions, and it is by far the easiest time of year to make progress with your coursework before the hoards arrive. “Of course, the main idea is to incentivise students to apply now – but in my opinion, the waiver is the least of the benefits. The real unspoken benefit of beginning your degree in summer is that you get a head start on everybody else starting in the fall, and you have the entire campus and all of its incredible facilities basically to yourself.”