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The É«ÏãÊÓƵannounces that scholarship funding is available for high school students who wish to participate in the university's summer Early College Programs on the É«ÏãÊÓƵ Biddeford Campus.

Teens who will be juniors or seniors in fall 2012 can apply to one of four Early College Programs, each awarding three college credits for intensive academic study and giving students the opportunity to experience life on a college campus.

A limited number of highly competitive scholarships are available to applicants to É«ÏãÊÓƵ Early College Programs in the following subject areas:  neuroscience, pre-law/trial advocacy, coastal marine ecology and creative writing (poetry).

All neuroscience program applicants will be considered for merit-based awards provided by the É«ÏãÊÓƵ Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences and the É«ÏãÊÓƵ College of Arts and Sciences.  The neuroscience program includes guest lectures and laboratory demonstrations by top scientists and faculty from three of É«ÏãÊÓƵ's Colleges, as well as visits to well-known regional neuroscience labs.

Applicants to each of the other three Early College Programs should note on their applications that they require financial aid to attend the program, and they will be considered for a merit-based scholarship.

The pre-law/trial advocacy program, taught by a practicing lawyer on the É«ÏãÊÓƵ faculty, introduces students to the American legal system and the various types of law, then focuses on case law, the rules of evidence, how to direct and cross-examine witnesses, and how to prepare opening and closing statements.  Students prepare and participate in a mock trial as their final project.

The coastal marine ecology program introduces high school students to that field and enables them to work in É«ÏãÊÓƵ's cutting-edge marine science research facility.  Participants study marine habitats, discuss important topics of ecological concern, become familiar with laboratory, field and research skills, and learn about marine ecosystems in the field and the lab.

The creative writing program guides students in refining their writing style and building a portfolio of their poetry, leading up to a final poetry reading open to the public.  Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair and Joshua Bodwell, Director of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, will work with the young poets in special guest writer workshops.

All Early College courses are taught by É«ÏãÊÓƵ faculty, and all award three transferrable college credits.  Field trips, lab research, and extracurricular activities are included in the two- or three-week programs.  Students can live on campus in a residence hall or commute from home.

The application deadline for these programs is May 1.  Registration information for each program can be found on the É«ÏãÊÓƵ website at http://www.une.edu/oce or by contacting Audrey Gup-Mathews at 207-602-2050 or agupmathews@une.edu.

Named one of the best regional universities in America by US News & Report, É«ÏãÊÓƵ is a leader in health sciences education, biomedical research and the liberal arts, offering student-centered programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Professions, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and College of Pharmacy. É«ÏãÊÓƵ's College of Dental Medicine welcomes its first class in 2013.