Autism Initiative at ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ (AIM) Academic Summer Programs
IGNITE Summer Program
The Autism Initiative at ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ (AIM) is pleased to announce the launch of IGNITE – a one-week summer program for rising high school sophomores and juniors, who are considering college among their post-secondary options. The program will run June 22-28, 2025, and held on the ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ University campus. Students will live in the residence hall, eat in the dining facilities, as well as hear from faculty, staff, and administration to gain a preview of life on a college campus. The program is at no cost for participants in 2025, thanks to a generous sponsor!
Applications are open for the IGNITE summer program. To apply, visit the link below! Applicants will be asked a few questions about why they’re interested in the program and asked to provide some documents such as IEP/504 and Neuro-Psychological evaluation. Please contact us at aim@mercyhurst.edu with any questions or troubles with the application form. The program is capped at 20 students for 2025 – so apply today!
CREATE Summer Program
The CREATE Summer Program is a program where students live in residence halls, dine in the dining hall, enroll in a three-credit course, and interact with fellow students in various educational and social activities to assist students in their potential acceptance into ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ University.Â
CREATE is a nationally acclaimed summer experience (by application only) designed to help potential students determine whether they are ready for the demands of college life. Students live in a ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ residence hall, eat in the college dining hall, enroll in a three-credit college course, and interact with fellow students in various social activities and settings. The students also participate in the College 101 Series and the Mini Lecture Series to familiarize them with college departments and expose the participants to different faculty and lecture styles. After completing the program, all students will receive a formal written assessment documenting their performance throughout CREATE. The report will highlight their strengths and/or weaknesses and make recommendations to support their transition to a residential college life as a full-time student.
The 2025 CREATE session is scheduled from July 7 to July 25, 2025. Apply today!
1. Prospective applicants apply to the CREATE program.
2. Applicants who apply to the program will be contacted by AIM staff to schedule an on-campus interview.
3. Applicants will be selected based on best fit for the CREATE program.
The CREATE program application is separate from the university admissions and AIM admissions application. Funding for the CREATE program may be available through your local vocational rehabilitation office. If you have questions, please reach out to the AIM Office at 814-824-2357.