CRAM FAQ's

Q: Are there any important forms I need to bring?

Yes. If you are accepted, you'll be sent a packet of information that includes two medical release forms. One is a general medical release form, in case we needed to provide you with any medical attention while you were here. The other is a release form for Taylor's ropes course on campus. Both forms must be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to us, either through mail or with you when you come to the program. Both forms can also be printed off below.

CRAM Medical Release Form
ETR Ropes Course Release Form

Q: Are there any special events my family can attend?

Yes. On the night of Thursday, July 1, a closing banquet for the students, parents, faculty, and staff of CRAM will include good food and student-led entertainment! Families are strongly encouraged to join us for this culminating event. Students are free. Seating is available for a limited number of guests (family & friends) at $9 per person. Please contact Christa in the Admissions Office to RSVP.

Q: How many college credits will I receive?

Students will earn three college credits. God, Humanity, and Knowledge is a 2-credit course that all CRAM students take. Students also choose between The Contemporary World and Chaos and Fractals for their third credit. Click here to read course descriptions.

 

Q: How much does the program cost?

The application fee is $30, and room and board charges (lodging and food) are $870. Every student in the program is given a full tuition scholarship.

 

Q: How much spending money should I bring?

You only need spending money for toiletries, snacks, and an occasional outing. Conservative spenders are encouraged to bring around $50 to cover extra expenses, although this amount is not required.

The bookstore will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. You can purchase school supplies, film, Taylor clothes, toiletries, and snacks. Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery is also available. ATMs (cash dispensing only) are provided on campus in the Dining Commons, Student Union, and Administration Building (Plus System, Cirrus Network, and most other major ATM networks).

Q: Is there anything I shouldn’t bring to CRAM?

• Car (not allowed)*
• Television
• VCR / DVD player
• Play Stations / Nintendos / other gaming systems

*Exceptions are made for students who are driving themselves to CRAM. However, you will not be allowed to drive your car during the program.

Q: I’m flying in – how do I get from the airport to campus?

Airport van service is provided for a small fee. We will pick you up at either the Indianapolis or Fort Wayne airport on Saturday, June 12 between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon and return you to either airport by 10:00 am on Friday, July 2 for a roundtrip fee of $60 for Indianapolis and $30 for Fort Wayne. It is very important that your flight lands by noon on Saturday in order for you to arrive on campus in time for the Orientation Session. Please contact Christa Siegelin in the Admissions Office with your flight information or for any questions.

Q: What can I wear?

Casual dress is the guideline for class attendance, residence hall and dining hall activities. However, "casual" is not meant to include seductively form-fitting or revealing clothing. Dress and grooming standards should respect personal boundaries and should not be distracting or attention grabbing. Walking shorts are permitted in class; however, athletic shorts are not. You should also bring a pair of athletic shoes, clothing appropriate for outdoor recreation and service projects, and a modest swimsuit (no Speedos or bikinis). You will also want to pack some clothing appropriate for church and for the closing banquet (dressy, not formal).

Q: What kind of supervision will there be?

CRAM is staffed to provide the appropriate supervision for all participants. Personnel Assistants will live on each floor. These positions are filled by highly qualified upperclassmen Taylor students who have previously held or currently hold leadership positions on our campus. There will also be a full-time Residence Hall Director living in Swallow Robin Hall. This staff member will fill the exact same position as our Residence Hall Directors do throughout a typical school year with college students. His job is to supervise the Personnel Assistants and deal with emergency and discipline situations that may arise. Taylor faculty and administrators in turn supervise the Residence Life staff.

Q: What should I bring to CRAM?

• Pillow, lightweight blanket, twin sheets, towel, & other linens
• Sleeping bag for overnight service project
• Toiletries
• Casual clothes
• Dress clothes for church
• Swimsuit - no Speedos or bikinis allowed
• Bible & devotional materials
• Pens, pencils, paper, etc. (School supplies will not be provided but can be purchased in the campus bookstore)
• Computer*
• Hangers
• Laundry bag / clothes hamper
• Laundry detergent
• Camera (you'll want to record this historic experience)
• Posters, pictures or rugs to make you feel at home
• CD player / MP3 player (optional)
• Iron (optional) -- ironing board provided in the hall
• Jump drive (optional) -- to save your work
• Tennis, racquetball, or other sports equipment (if you plan to play)
• Musical Instruments (optional)

*If unable to bring your own computer, please contact Kristi in the Admissions Office at 800.882.3456 or krbaker@taylor.edu to discuss other options.

Q: What type of activities will I be involved in?

During the week, CRAM students will be involved in dynamic small groups led by Taylor students. In these groups, students will explore the impact their identity in Christ demands on their lives, their community, and their world. There will also be social and service-type activities on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. You will also have access to the Student Union which has pool tables, ping-pong tables, video games and foosball.

Q: When are applications due?

We have two application deadlines - the Early Deadline is March 1 and the Priority Deadline is April 15.

Q: When do I arrive and where should I go on campus?

You should arrive for the orientation program on Saturday, June 12 at the Recital Hall in the Smith-Hermanson Music Center. A reception with light refreshments will begin at 2:30 pm with the orientation starting at 3:00 pm. Dorm rooms in Swallow Robin Hall will not be open until after orientation, but early arrivals may leave their luggage in the downstairs lounge area. You are expected to be at orientation. Your parents and family are encouraged to join us as well and to help you settle into the residence hall afterwards.

Note: Day-early arrivals are charged an additional $50 for housing.

Q: When do I need to leave campus?

You may check out after the closing banquet on Thursday evening, July 1, or you can stay overnight and check out on Friday, July 2. You must leave campus no later than 10:00 am on Friday, July 2.

Q: When is CRAM?

CRAM 2010 will begin on Saturday afternoon, June 12 and end on Thursday evening, July 1.

Q: Where will I be living during the program?

You'll be living in Swallow Robin Hall and will be sharing your room with two roommates. The air-conditioned rooms include desks, beds, closets and a couple of dresser drawers per student. Coinless laundry facilities are available in the hall.

Q: Why do I see payment due for tuition on my bill?

You'll receive billing information that will list tuition and room and board costs. The tuition will be paid by the University but we wait until we see who actually attends before we make the payments just in case someone can't make it. This means it will show up on your bill even though you will not need to pay any portion of it. Room and board charges ($870.00) are the responsibility of the student with payment due the first Monday of the program. You may want to arrange a means to make this payment with your parents. If you prefer, you can pay the room and board charges earlier by contacting the Taylor University Controller's Office at 7655.998.5123.

Q: Will my friends or family be able to visit me during the program? Or will I be able to go home at all?

You will be very busy during the CRAM program and will not actually have a great deal of free time, although you will have some each day. CRAM cannot accommodate visitors during the three-week program and students are not allowed to leave campus on their own.

Q: Will there be set times to study?

The library will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Fridays. It is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Study times are planned (and strongly encouraged) for most weekday evenings.

Q: Will this be “just like college”?

Not totally - but close! Since most of the students attending are younger than eighteen, there are some rules that apply to CRAM students that do not apply during our regular school year. For example, we observe a local curfew ordinance - CRAM students will be required to be in the residence hall before 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday nights and before midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. The CRAM program includes regular college classes, identical residence and food service facilities, and a Taylor experience that is typical in most ways. You will be expected to participate in all activities scheduled for your CRAM experience.