FAQs

1. What is the LEAD Summer Academy & how do I accept my offer?

• The LEAD Summer Academy is an exciting in-person UTSA program for selected first-year students who will begin their college career during the summer with an enriching experience. The program provides opportunities for students to “take a LEAD” by enrolling in two courses, connecting with a peer mentor, developing strong academic skills, and learning about resources on campus.
• To accept your LEAD Summer Academy offer, you must submit your LEAD agreement online using the link included in your offer letter   no later than  April 1 . Space for this program is limited , so there is the potential for the program to fill prior to the date noted .
• For further information about the program email lead@utsa.edu, visit our website: www.utsa.edu/lead, or you can reach a LEAD representative at (210) 458-6529. 

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2. Why was I offered LEAD Summer Academy?

• You have been offered conditional admission to UTSA through the LEAD Summer Academy. Conditional admission means that you did not meet the guaranteed admission requirements which takes into consideration your high school class rank and SAT and/or ACT scores.

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3. How do I successfully complete the LEAD Summer Academy and gain full admission to UTSA?

• Successfully complete your two summer courses in Good Academic Standing (minimum 2.0 GPA).
• Attend & participate in the weekly mandatory LEAD events that will occur during the duration of the program: July 2nd - August 6th, 2025.

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4. What are the benefits of being in the LEAD Summer Academy?

• You will be admitted to UTSA and become a Roadrunner!
• You will be assigned a peer mentor in the summer and fall. You will meet with your peer mentor regularly who will guide and support you.
• You will start taking courses in the summer and get a head start before other freshmen begin the fall semester.
• You will meet UTSA staff and administrators from across the campus who will support you through your first year at UTSA.
• You will make friends with other students in the program and have fun attending LEAD sponsored events and activities.
• You will be introduced to numerous campus resources and support services.
• You will have the opportunity to form study groups, have access to tutors, and interact with student leaders.
• You will start taking college level courses, putting you ahead in your academics.

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5. What happens if I DO NOT accept or decide not to be in the program?

• You will not be considered for admission to UTSA in the fall.
• You would need to meet the UTSA transfer admission requirements found at Future Student Admissions  and apply for a future semester .  

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6. If I accept to be in the LEAD program and do not do well academically this summer, will I still be able to attend the fall semester?

• We anticipate that you will succeed as a result of the academic and social support you will receive while in LEAD. However, if you fail one or both courses, withdrawal completely, or do not maintain adequate attendance at the LEAD required event, you will need to request special permission through an appeal process to continue into the fall term. 
• Petitions are considered on a case-by-case basis, and are not guaranteed.
• Although, uncommon, there is a possibility that unsuccessful completion of the LEAD Summer Academy will restrict you from continuing into the fall term.

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7. Why am I only allowed to take between 9-11 college credit hours in the fall?

• Taking fewer classes in the fall will allow you to ease into the fall semester and increase your chances for academic success.
• You will still be on track regarding course completion since you will have earned college credits over the summer.

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8. When will the LEAD Summer Academy occur and in which courses will I enroll?

• The LEAD Summer Academy will occur July 2 - August 6, 2025.
• You will be enrolled in a total of 6 hours, which is equivalent to two courses.
  • One course you will be enrolled in is the Academic Inquiry and Scholarship, which is a core curriculum course required of all UTSA students.
    • The additional course will be one of the following: US History: Civil War Era to Present (HIS 1053), US History: Pre-Columbus to Civil War (HIS 1043), Intro to American Politics (POL 1013), Intro to Sociology (SOC 1013), or Freshman Composition I (WRC 1013).
• If you already have college credit in every course listed above or anticipate having an Associate’s degree by the time you graduate from high school, you will need to contact a LEAD representative as soon as possible to further discuss this situation. Students that have completed these courses may not be suitable for this program.

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9. What does it cost to participate in the LEAD Summer Academy?

• LEAD students will take 6 hours of coursework. Your cost is the tuition and fees for these 6 hours.
• The cost for two summer courses is approximately $2,600 in tuition and fees. Textbooks, housing, meal plans, and other miscellaneous costs, are not included in the tuition and fees.

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10. I did not expect to attend college in the summer. Is there financial aid available?

• You must also complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA for this upcoming summer.
• Based on your FAFSA submission, various options may be available, so it is important to fill out the application as soon as possible to increase your chances in receiving 2025 summer aid.
• There is no guarantee grant funding will be available. However, students can qualify for federal loans if this option becomes necessary.
• Please note that the 2025-2026 FAFSA for fall/spring is separate and it will not affect your financial aid for summer.

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11. Why am I being admitted as an Exploratory Studies major and what does Exploratory Studies mean?

• Many times brand new freshmen have not been exposed to the various majors and minors available at UTSA, so all LEAD students will be admitted as Exploratory Studies in order to have the opportunity to explore their options. Based on their academic progress, LEAD students may qualify to move into their intended major by the end of the fall term.
• Exploratory Studies provides an opportunity to explore various majors and career options through courses you will take and academic advisors who will provide guidance towards your academic goals.
• LEAD students who earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher by the end of their first fall term will be eligible to enroll full-time for the subsequent spring term and also declare their intended major.
  • Please note, any additional requirements for your intended major must be met in order to declare. You will be able to discuss this step further with your academic advisor throughout the semester(s). 

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12. Is UTSA orientation mandatory for LEAD students? How do I sign up?

• Yes, completing the UTSA Orientation Online Module is mandatory for ALL freshmen including students participating in LEAD.
  • You must sign-up via ASAP: https://future.utsa.edu/orientation/freshman
  • The orientation sign-up portal will open in early March.
  • You will be asked to pay your non-refundable orientation fee by credit card in order to confirm your orientation at time of sign up. PELL-eligible students will have an option to defer their orientation fee at the time of orientation sign up.
    • For more information about orientation fees, please visit https://future.utsa.edu/orienation/fee/.
• Please note, a lthough your Orientation requirement is online, there are additional in-person experiences you can sign up for at no additional cost! When you sign up for Orientation, select an in-person date for a one-day experience taking place on UTSA Main Campus.
• For general information regarding orientation, please visit the Orientation and Family Programs website at https://future.utsa.edu/orientation/freshman/.

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13. I need information about on-campus housing. Who can I contact to plan my summer LEAD housing?

• Living on-campus for the summer is optional, and not a mandatory part of the program.  If you have access to transportation to campus Monday-Friday during the LEAD Summer Academy, you do not need to live on campus.  
  • Please note, all summer academy programming will be on-campus.
• You can contact the UTSA Housing & Residence Life office at 210-458-6200 or email studenthousing@utsa.edu. Please mention your participation in the LEAD Summer Academy.
• Housing is a separate cost from tuition and fees.
• To apply for housing click on the following link:  https://housing.utsa.edu/ 

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14. What do I need to accomplish before summer classes begin in July?

• The LEAD Summer Academy deadline to complete your Rowdy Ready checklist is June 1 0, 2025 .  
• Visit www.utsa.edu/rowdyready for your Rowdy Ready “to-do” list. The following are very important tasks to complete & should be done by the above LEAD deadline:
  • Submit your Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment scores or prove an exemption. For additional questions regarding testing, contact Testing Services at (210) 458-4125 or visit their website at https://future.utsa.edu/ready/tsi-assessment.
  • Upload your meningitis immunization record to the Med+Proctor portal. For additional information how to upload your vaccination record and for additional information, visit the https://future.utsa.edu/ready/meningitis-immunization/
  • Sign up for orientation: https://future.utsa.edu/orientation/freshman 
  • After online orientation is complete, meet with your academic advsior. See FAQ #14 for more information on the Academic Advising appointment steps.
  • Incoming students need to submit their final transcripts before they start classes at UTSA. While final transcripts are not required to complete orientation, it does impact registration for future terms.