Parent_Orient

What is the Virtual University Initiative
How can my child participate in the Virtual University Initiative?"
How can I get my child's school involved?
How will participating in the VUI help my child?
Can you tell me more about the college level mini-courses?
Do you offer any mini-courses for parents?
Will assignments and homework in the mini-courses interfere with my child's regular school work?
Does my child need a state of the art computer to complete the mini-courses?
Can the VUI help me purchase a computer?
Can my child get high school credit for completing mini-courses?
Can you tell me a little more about the VUI admissions process?

What is the Virtual University Initiative?
The Virtual University Initiative is a web based academic enhancement program designed to improve
high school students' success potential. The program offers students' opportunity to participate in
mock college admissions activities, complete college-level mini courses, discover individual learning
styles and preferences, explore career options, and engage in the type of critical reading and writing
activities required in higher education.

How can my child participate in the Virtual University Initiative?
Your child can join the Virtual University Initiative through this website. The Virtual University Initiative
staff and faculty appreciate the importance of your child school's acknowledgement of its students'
extracurricular academic activities. Therefore, the VUI corresponds with your child's school
summarizing Initiative activities.

How can I get my child's school involved?
The VUI may enter into agreement with individual schools or student groups. Discuss the Virtual
University Initiative at the next Parent Teacher Association meeting. Call the guidance or college
office and ask them to visit our website. Talk to the principal about school participation in the Virtual
University Initiative.

How will participating in the VUI help my child?
Participating in the VUI will familiarize your child with college expectations. The mock admissions
process is designed to prepare students for the actual process. The mini courses are designed to
bolster academic skills. By taking advantage of the online research assistant, writing laboratory, and
other academic support features, students will be better prepared for higher education success.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tell me more about the college level mini-courses
The VUI offers a series of college level mini-courses. These courses are developed and taught by
faculty members at various colleges and universities as well as other educational specialists. The
courses are four weeks in duration and narrow in scope. Courses typically "meet" once weekly in the
evening via web confererencing. Customized YouTube resources and provided reading assignments
round out the academic experience.

Will assignments and homework in the mini-courses interfere with my child's regular school
work?
By starting mini-courses at the beginning of the academic semester we try to minimize interfering with
your child's regular school work. When possible the VUI will work with your child's high school to
coordinate academic efforts.

Do you offer mini-courses for parents?
The Virtual University Initiative may from time to time offer full mini-courses for parents. However, the
VUI does offer individual webinars to help parents understand college admissions and success.
These webinars are designed to provide parents with helpful tips on how they can participate in
facilitating their children's higher education success.

Does my child need a state of the art computer to complete the mini-courses?
No. At a minimum you will require a device that can access a stable internet connection. For
enhanced interactivity it is recommended that students use devices with full conferencing capabilities
(microphone and web cam). However this is not absolutely necessary. Students can view the
professor and visual aids from their screen and hear the lecture and fellow students through their
device audio system. .

Can the VUI help me purchase a computer?
If you do not have a computer/tablet in your home and want to participate in the VUI, the ETL
Education Foundation may be able to assist. If available, the ETL Foundation may be able to loan
you a computer for use during the four week semester. ETL Foundation may also be able assist in
making available discounted computer purchase prices from partner retailers. For further information
about these programs please use this website to contact us by email.

Can my child get high school credit for completing VUI courses?
Maybe. If the VUI has an agreement with your school, then elective credit may be provided assuming
that all terms and conditions have been met.

Parent Orientation

Below you will find some answers to questions most
frequently asked by parents. If you do not see the answer to
your question, simply click here and submit your question.
We will promptly respond.

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Can you tell me a little more about the VUI admissions process?
The VUI admissions process is designed to mimic the actual college admissions process. It includes
the completion of an online application. The application includes a series of narrative short essays
similar to the types that might be found in real applications. The admission process also requires
students to participate in an admissions interview with VUI personnel. This interview is conducted via
the internet using a web conferencing format. Applicants must also arrange to have an official copy of
their high school transcript forwarded to the VUI Admissions Office. It should be noted that
admissions essays are carefully reviewed and each applicant is provided feedback and tips on how to
improve or maximize effectiveness.

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