Boot Camp takes place each summer the week before the semester start and is open to UMKC students enrolled in general biology, chemistry and math courses.
Participants experience real lectures, real homework and real exams. It is an opportunity to practice note-taking skills, identify your best tactics for study and review test-taking strategies.
For Fall 2025, the cost is $280. This covers all materials and supplies used to administer and run the Boot Camp, lunches and dinner, and includes a Boot Camp T-shirt.
Courses during Boot Camp will be determined by your major. Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science majors will take Biology and Chemistry during Boot Camp. Engineering, Computer Science, Math and Physics majors will take Chemistry and Calculus.
Yes, most SSE students will be enrolled in at least one of these courses, but all SSE students will take at least one for their degree.
Yes, you may apply to the Boot Camp any time. In fact, we recommend applying early as we have a limited enrollment capacity.
Yes, but you should be enrolled in Biol 108, Biol 109, CHEM 211, OR MATH 210 in the fall.
Yes, but the program is geared toward making the transition to college, so the Boot Camp may not be as helpful for sophomore students.
Campus housing is optional and only provided for students with a housing contract with the Residential Life Office. Please refer to the “Housing FAQs” link for all housing information.
If you have a fall semester Parking Pass, it will be good for the week of the Boot Camp. UMKC parking permits may be purchased online. If you do not have a parking pass and will be driving, there is off-street parking on the perimeter of the campus. UMKC parking options are described on the Parking and Transportation web pages.
No, this is an optional orientation program. No official UMKC credit will be given for the Boot Camp.
Yes, participants meals are provided at the University cafeteria during Boot Camp. Vegan/vegetarian options will be available.
No, you will have access to all necessary materials for the week of Boot Camp.
Technically, you will not be a student until the first day of class, but we have made arrangements so that you may use the campus health clinic during their normal hours, during the Boot Camp week.
If you are unable to use the campus health clinic, the nearest walk-in health care clinic is the Neighborhood Walk-in and Family Care, 5151 Troost, Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 816-237-1616. This clinic is separate from the campus health clinic and you will need to use personal insurance.
The Boot Camp fees will be posted to your UMKC student billing account, and you may pay the same way you pay your other university fees. For more information on payment options, contact the Cashiers Office at cashiers@umkc.edu.
Yes, we have a limited number of need-based financial aid scholarships that will cover 50% of the Boot Camp fee. Financial aid is only available to students who are majors in SSE. You will need to indicate on your registration form that you want to apply for the scholarship. You must have a completed FAFSA application submitted, and you need to qualify for financial aid by the university’s criteria. We begin informing students of their scholarship acceptance in July.
You may cancel your Boot Camp registration by emailing the program administrator at reedaw@umkc.edu. You will receive a full refund if you cancel before the August 1st deadline. Please note that you must officially cancel to have the charges removed.
Boot Camp Housing FAQs
Boot Camp Sample Schedule