• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Accelerate
  • About
    • Accelerate
    • Accelerate2Baylor
    • FAQs
  • How to Apply
    • Application Process
    • Key Dates
    • Next Steps
  • Course Offerings
    • Summer 2023 Courses
    • Spring 2023 Courses
    • Fall 2023 Courses
  • Affiliate Schools
    • British International School of Houston
    • Laurel Springs School
  • Resources
    • ALEKS Placement Exam
    • Baylor Email
    • BearWeb
    • Canvas
    • Navigate
  • Apply Now/goBAYLOR
Baylor BU Accelerate About FAQs
  • Accelerate
  • Accelerate2Baylor
  • FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

To help find your answers, we have prepared answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Click below to skip to that section of the FAQs.

FAQs

  • Applying to Baylor as a Freshman
  • Costs, Financial Aid & Billing
  • General Accelerate
  • Summer Accelerate
  • Technology

 

Applying to Baylor as a Freshman

1. What application should I use to apply to Baylor?

Since you already have a goBAYLOR account through participating in Accelerate, we suggest that you apply using the Baylor web application. If you apply with the CommonApp or through ApplyTexas, it could create a duplicate record that may cause you some headaches!

2. If I completed the Accelerate2Baylor admissions challenge, do I have to apply to Baylor as a freshman?

Yes, Accelerate2Baylor students will complete the freshman application like other students who apply to Baylor. Accelerate2Baylor students may choose whichever admission plan they like regardless of their participation in Accelerate2Baylor. Accelerate2Baylor students who accomplished a 3.0 GPA and apply early will be reviewed in the first round of admissions reviews. Admissions decisions should go out in early October!

3. After I complete Accelerate2Baylor, do I need to mention it on my Baylor application?

You do not have to let us know that you participated in Accelerate or Accelerate2Baylor on your application. If you would like to mention your participation in Accelerate, you can do so in your short essay answer. You may also list it on your SRAR, if you complete one.

4. What happens if I do not meet the Accelerate2Baylor challenge (if I earn lower than a 3.0 GPA)?

For admissions purposes, your Accelerate grades will not impact your decision if you earn lower than a 3.0 GPA from Baylor. However, it is important to remember that Accelerate courses result in a college transcript, and doing poorly in your Accelerate classes will affect your college GPA.

5. Do I need to submit my Accelerate transcript with my freshman application?

For your Baylor application, you will not need to include your Accelerate transcript. If you are applying to a different university, you may order an official transcript through BearWeb. Once you login to BearWeb, you will go to Student Academic Services - Student Records - Transcripts. You will have the chance to view your unofficial transcript or order an official one via Parchment.

BACK TO TOP

Costs, Financial Aid & Billing

1. What is the cost of Accelerate?

Courses are $750 per credit hour. Most courses are 3-4 hours of credit, so the Accelerate courses are between $2,250-3,000 a class. Other potential costs include textbooks or additional lab fees.

2. When is payment due for Accelerate?

Once you are registered for a term, the student (and any designated Authorized Users) will receive an email from the Student Accounts Office as soon as the official billing statement becomes available. NOTE: You will only receive one official billing invoice per term, so be certain to record the due date at that time. Further information can be found on the One Stop Student Financial Services website.

3. How can I pay my bill?

You can view your bill in Baylor’s E-Bill System and either pay in full or enroll in a payment plan (for Fall or Spring terms only). Students may pay online through an electronic check from a checking or savings account, a wire transfer or with a major credit card. Other options include mailing a personal check or paying your bill in person.

4. What is an Authorized User?

Authorized Users receive email notifications when statements are made available online. They may log into the E-Bill System using their own valid email address to view statements and make payments. We strongly recommend granting a parent or guardian access to view your statements and 1098-T tax statements, as well as make payments to your online student account. Visit the One Stop Student Financial Services website to learn more about Authorized User Access.

5. Is there financial aid for Accelerate?

Since the Accelerate courses are already heavily discounted, we do not offer financial aid for Accelerate courses. Courses are $750 per credit hour. Most courses are 3-4 hours of credit, so the Accelerate courses cost between $2,250-3,000 a class: a savings of $1,300 per hour!

6. Is an enrollment deposit required to begin the Accelerate program?

Yes, all accepted students must pay a $100 deposit by the specific deadline stated in the student's goBAYLOR account. Once the deposit is processed, students can access their next steps in goBAYLOR. The deposit will count toward your semester bill. The enrollment deposit is refundable if a request for a refund is submitted by the student's specific deadline in the student's goBAYLOR account. Deposits are not transferable to future semesters. 

BACK TO TOP

General Accelerate

1. What are the benefits of pre-college through Baylor University's Accelerate program?
  • Accelerate allows participants to get a head start on their college courses while in enrolled in high school
  • Participants begin earning Baylor courses at a great value
  • Accelerate prepares students for the rigor of Baylor and other college classes
  • Accelerate courses, if completed successfully, will demonstrate students' ability to perform in college-level courses
  • Some research shows that when students are exposed to college coursework while in high school, it is more likely that they will attend college and persist through to graduation.
  • Baylor's Accelerate students are investing in a valuable transcript from a private, Christian research University with an international reputation for academic excellence.
2. What is the difference between Accelerate and Accelerate2Baylor?

Accelerate is the general pre-college program that allows high school students to take Baylor classes online while they’re still in high school. Accelerate2Baylor is a special program for students who want to earn freshman admission to Baylor. Students have two track options to earn admission: the summer before their senior year and their junior year + summer before their senior year. To learn more about the two tracks and what is required to earn admission, go to the Accelerate2Baylor page.

3. What are the risks of entering a pre-college program like Accelerate at Baylor University?
  • Pre-college grades are part of a students' permanent college record and if not successful may hurt a students' college admission opportunities
  • If Accelerate students choose to not attend Baylor, courses are not guaranteed to transfer to other universities
4. Are there resources to help students navigate the online, pre-college environment?

College courses may seem intimidating, but Baylor has a wealth of resources to help you adjust quickly to thinking like a college student. Now is the time to review the following links so that you can hit the ground running on day one of classes.

  • Time Management
  • Video: How College Differs from High School
  • Study Strategies - Academic Support
5. Does Baylor offer academic support if I need help with my classes?

As a Baylor student, you may access the services of our Paul L. Foster Success Center where you'll find tutoring and learning labs as well as writing help in all areas of writing and composing. You can learn more about these resources at:

  • Baylor Learning Lab
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Support Programs
6. How does a school become a Baylor Accelerate Affiliate School

We would love the opportunity to work with you and your students as they prepare for college. If you would like to discuss how your school might become an affiliate school, contact Kristy Brischke at Kristy_Brischke@baylor.edu. 

7. What should I expect in my Accelerate class?

Taking Accelerate courses gives high school students a taste of how college courses are structured through lecture, small group discussion, and other class assignments. Students will be taught online by Baylor faculty in a friendly and flexible environment.

8. As an individual student wanting to take Accelerate courses, how long will it take for me to get a decision on my Accelerate application?

You should receive your decision within a few weeks of submitting your application.

9. How will online classes work? Will I interact live with the professors and other students?

Online summer classes are taught using a variety of methods, depending on the type of course. Some courses may be synchronous, meaning the class meets on specific days of the week at a specified time; for example, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Courses may also be asynchronous, meaning class content delivery is not bound to a specific daily or weekly schedule. Other classes may be a hybrid. For example, a course could include pre-recorded lectures that are accessible to students and also have a standard class meeting time for discussion between students and the professor. No matter how the course content is delivered, all Baylor online classes provide students with a rich academic experience, the opportunity to engage with top-notch faculty and a chance to form relationships with other Baylor students.

Your academic advisor will provide you with guidance on what courses would be best for you to take based on your goals and interests. Specific information about how a course will be taught, as well as the professor's expectations and requirements for the course, will be provided to you in the course syllabus.

10. How much out-of-class time should I prepare for in Accelerate courses?

Generally speaking, faculty recommend students plan to use 2-3 hours for preparation and study outside of class time for every one-hour of credit they take. So, if a student is taking 6 hours of coursework a week, the recommendation is that they plan for 12 hours to study and prepare.

11. Does Accelerate require me to reapply every semester?

Students who participate in the program continuously through the fall and spring semesters, or do not attend only the summer semester, need not reapply. Students who do not attend a fall or spring semester will need to submit a new application upon returning to the program.

12. Will Accelerate courses transfer to other Universities?

Most Accelerate courses will transfer to other universities. During advising, students can discuss their future plans to ensure they enroll in courses that will be more likely to transfer. Students can also do their own homework by using the Course Equivalency Tool to research other institutions & transferable courses.

13. What is the maximum number of hours a student can take during the fall and spring semesters?

Accelerate students may enroll in no more than 9 hours during the Fall and Spring terms. Self-paced Online Courses (SPOCs) are open to Accelerate students, but students are limited to one SPOC per term.

BACK TO TOP

Summer Accelerate

1. Are rising high school seniors who take 9 or more course hours and achieve a 3.0 or better GPA in SUMMER Accelerate guaranteed admission?

If a rising high school senior earns a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better while completing at least 9 Baylor course hours in the SUMMER prior to their senior year, and their school record demonstrates good academic standing throughout high school, they will be considered to have met the academic requirements for admission. They may be admitted early to Baylor after completing a Fall 2024 application (available in August). Admission is contingent on a review of additional information covering behavioral and conduct issues.

2. When will Summer Accelerate 2024 application be available?

The Summer Accelerate 2024 application opens on February 1, 2024.

How to Apply

3. When will the Summer Accelerate course schedule be released?

The Summer Accelerate 2024 course schedule is coming soon. Please check back for updates.

4. For Summer Accelerate, will all classes be taught in both Summer 1 and 2 or will some only be offered for one of the sessions? If so, how do I know what session it will be offered in?

Most often, similar courses are offered during each summer session; however, there might be specific courses only offered during one session. When you are exploring your course options, if you click on the course number, you can see when the course is offered. Also, your academic advisor will be able to help you make selections.

5. What is the maximum number of hours a student can take?

Students can participate in both summer sessions, but the maximum number of hours that Accelerate students can complete in the summer is 11 hours and a limit of 7 hours per summer session. You will meet with your advisor for your course selection. It is recommended that you not take a heavy load at first to get a better understanding of college-level rigor. 

6. When is payment due for Summer Accelerate courses?

Bills for Summer are available on May 1 and due by May 31. If a student registers after May 1 for summer, their bill will be available the following business day and the due date for payment is the last day of the following month. Further information can be found on the One Stop Student Financial Services website.

BACK TO TOP

Technology

1. What computer-related technology will I need to participate in the online classroom environment?

Consider these recommendations if you're planning to purchase a laptop for school. Using the right technology will help you succeed in the classroom. If you have any questions, please contact Baylor University's Help Desk at 254-710-4357.

Form Factor Laptop
Operating System* Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.15*
Processor Intel Core i5 or i7
Memory 16 GB RAM
Hard Drive 500GB+ SSD
Graphics Integrated Video
Screen Resolution 1920x1080
Accessories Webcam and microphone-equipped headset
Warranty An extended warranty is recommended.
2. Are there applications or special software programs needed for the online program?

There may be class-specific software and applications needed based on the courses you are taking, but all students should get familiar with Canvas. Canvas is how most professors communicate assignments, homework and grades with their classes throughout the semester. Professors publish content to Canvas at their own paces; some classes will be posted sooner than others. You will want to log into your Canvas account to familiarize yourself with the layout and content before the semester begins. You can also download the Canvas app using these links:

  • Google Play
  • Apple App Store

BACK TO TOP

Still Have a Question? 

If you still have questions, please reach out to us at accelerate@baylor.edu. 

Baylor BU Accelerate About FAQs
  • About
    Back
    • Accelerate
    • Accelerate2Baylor
    • FAQs
  • How to Apply
    Back
    • Application Process
    • Key Dates
    • Next Steps
  • Course Offerings
    Back
    • Summer 2023 Courses
    • Spring 2023 Courses
    • Fall 2023 Courses
  • Affiliate Schools
    Back
    • British International School of Houston
    • Laurel Springs School
  • Resources
    Back
    • ALEKS Placement Exam
    • Baylor Email
    • BearWeb
    • Canvas
    • Navigate
  • Apply Now/goBAYLOR
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give Light
  • Give to Baylor
  • Illuminate
  • News
  • Pro Futuris
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Accessibility
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Report It
  • Title IX
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678