Taste of College (grades 11-12)
For over 20 years, the TOC program has been offering students the opportunity to get a jumpstart on their college careers by taking courses for credit.
- Taste of College courses are taken alongside our own undergraduate students and offered during the traditional University semesters.
- A residential component of this program is available for high school students for four weeks over the summer.
- Earn college credit, which can be transferred to most colleges and universities.
- Grow confident in your ability to perform at a college level.
- Explore subjects that are not offered in your high school.
- Study with top-notch faculty and students who are interested in the same topics you are.
Program Overview
The University of Rochester's Taste of College program provides high school juniors and seniors from the greater Rochester area the opportunity to take classes on a part-time basis for intellectual enrichment. These are regularly scheduled undergraduate courses that are offered during the fall, spring, and summer.
Please note: First-time students are only permitted to take one TOC course.
The program offers you the chance to:
- Study with top-notch faculty and students
- Earn college credits now and get a head start on college
- Gain valuable experience in a college classroom before enrolling full-time
- Clarify the next steps in your educational plans
- Explore topics not offered in your high school or continue studying a subject at a higher level
Program Schedule
Classes are offered during the University semesters:
- Fall 2012: August 30 - December 22
- Spring 2013: January 16 – May 13
- Summer 2013 (four weeks): July 8 – August 2*
- Summer 2013 (six weeks): July 1 – August 9*
- Fall 2013: September 3 - December 22
- Spring 2014: January 15 - May 12
* Residential housing is available for both four-week and six-week Taste of College summer sessions.
View course schedules and descriptions
Tuition and Fees
Learn more about tuition and fees
Please note: For the fall and spring semesters, 50% of tuition is due at the time of registration. For the summer sessions, 100% tuition is due at the time of registration.
Employees: If you are a University of Rochester employee, your children may be eligible for tuition benefits. Learn more.
Forms and Information Available to Download
Student Application Process
- Submit the completed TOC application at least 30 days before the start of class.
- Schedule an interview with the Pre-College Programs office.
- Allow up to 14 days for the application to be reviewed. Decisions will be sent via mail or email.
- Admitted students will submit payment in the form of a credit card, check, or tuition waiver.
- Attend orientation.
TOC Orientation
Newly admitted TOC students must attend an orientation offered by the Pre-College Programs office. During orientation, students will be given a tour of campus, including their classroom location, and be taken to the ID office, parking office, and bookstore. For further information, please note the links below:
Obtaining an ID card: Your ID card will allow you to check books out of the library, attend campus events, etc. Learn more.
Parking Pass: All parking on campus requires a parking pass. Learn more.
Books: Most classes require books. These can be purchased in person at the bookstore or online.
Dropping/Adding Courses
The deadline for dropping a course or adding a new course is the end of the fourth week of classes. All of these changes must be submitted on an official Drop/Add form to the Office of Pre-College Programs. Students must obtain the instructor's signature for all courses added after the first day of classes. Courses dropped during the first four weeks of classes will be deleted entirely from the official record; however, you will be financially responsible following the refund schedule below.
Any additional tuition for an added course is to be paid at the time the change is made. The deadline for withdrawing from a course is the last day of the eleventh week of the semester. Courses from which non-matriculated students withdraw will appear on the grade report and transcript with a "W" and the week of withdrawal.
Tuition Refund Schedule:If you are dropping or withdrawing from a course, you may only be refunded a portion of the tuition paid. Learn more.
