Overview
This course will delve into the key elements of the Young Adult novel, including character development, world-building and conflict, with a particular focus on plot structures. We will analyze common plot frameworks in Young Adult fiction, discussing their mechanics and effectiveness. By examining excerpts from recent YA bestsellers, such as Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, Karen McManus's One of Us Is Lying and Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End, we will identify the elements that resonate with readers and learn how to incorporate them into our own writing.
Our goal is to create original material while understanding the stakes in our stories and the unique perspectives we bring as authors. This summer course is perfect for anyone struggling to start a story that has been brewing in their mind or seeking to organize the structure of a long-term project. Students will workshop during the week and showcase it on the last day with an open invitation to family and friends.
At the end of this program, you’ll walk away with:
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A comprehensive understanding of various plot structures that you can apply to your current stories and use to kickstart new projects.
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A developed protagonist profile, along with a clear understanding of other characters and their dynamics with the protagonist.
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A toolkit of world-building exercises that you can utilize in all future writing endeavors.
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A deeper understanding of the expectations within the Young Adult genre and the unique aspects of crafting stories for young adult audiences.
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Program Dates
July 28, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Participation Requirements
Participants must be current high school students. Typically, participants are between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age at the start of the program.
Equipment and Materials
Quinnipiac University will provide all required materials, including laptops, for students within this program. Students are welcome to bring their own laptops or other devices for use outside of instruction periods or with the approval of their instructor.
Program Costs
Option 1: 1-week overnight program from Sunday to Saturday. Includes full room and board as well as evening and weekend activities: $1,680
Option 2: 1-week on-campus commuter program from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Includes lunch daily: $1,400
All options include:
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One week of faculty-designed and delivered programming, administered online or on campus with educational support staff and program materials
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Technology and software support
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A Quinnipiac T-shirt
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A digital badge for use on social media, resumes or portfolios
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Access to special Quinnipiac Admissions events
How to Register for Summer Programs
We've recently launched a new application and registration system for summer programs, camps and courses. Each new student must create an account in order to access this system. If you already have an account and are a returning student, please sign in using your credentials from the main page. If you plan to attend multiple programs, please use the same account, although courses will need to be purchased individually.
Take the Next Step
Students must declare if they plan to attend for either the residential (overnight) experience or the commuter experience at the time of registration. We are currently offering a $100 discount for early bird registrants who register and pay in full before January 15, 2025.
Register and Pay: Early Bird Residential
Register and Pay: Early Bird Commuter
Minimum Required Deposits
If you are not paying in full at the time of registration, you must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit to reserve your spot for 30 days. Any student who places the non-refundable deposit must pay the full remaining cost of the program within 30 days from the date of deposit to be enrolled in the program.
Deposit Only: Residential
Deposit Only: Commuter
Payment Methods and Refund/Cancellation Policy
Discounts and Financial Aid
Partial financial support may be available for those who indicate the need for financial assistance in their online application. Financial support awards are based on a combination of financial need and academic merit.
We are pleased to offer a 15% discount on all summer camps and experiences to current Quinnipiac employees, Quinnipiac alumni and employees of our corporate partners. Please contact summerprograms@qu.edu to request your discount code.
Our faculty are recognized as creative powerhouses
Bessie Zaldivar's debut YA novel, Libertad, was released in august and recognized by Publisher's Weekly as one of the best young adult books in 2024. The work also received a mention in the New York Times' Sunday Review of New Books in late September.
Learn more about Libertad
Jason Koo was recently selected as this year’s Connecticut Poetry Circuit Poet. Koo, a second-generation Korean American poet, educator, editor, and nonprofit director, joins the ranks of distinguished poets who have represented the Circuit, including Pulitzer Prize winners and National Book Award finalists.
Learn more about Jason Koo
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions among prospective students and families regarding our summer programs. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to chat.
Review all FAQ's
Accommodations
Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.
Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.
Rules & Regulations
Read Quinnipiac University’s Summer Camp and Pre-College Program Policies
