Eight days after about 550 high school juniors and seniors arrive on campus for Cornell's Summer College program, 150 high school sophomores will check into campus residence halls as the inaugural class of the Summer Honors Program for High School Sophomores, which begins June 30.

Cornell officials weren't sure just how many teens to expect for the sophomore program -- but they didn't count on 150. "We're delighted at the response, but not surprised," said Abby Eller, director of the program.

Eller said she knew the program would be popular, after receiving over 500 inquiries about it since last August.

Though information about the program was distributed primarily on the East Coast, students are coming from all across the United States. Thirty states are represented, along with Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Panama.

Students in the program will take "Freedom and Justice in the Western Tradition," an introduction to political philosophy, a popular course regularly offered to Cornell undergraduates. Students will receive a letter grade and, depending on whether they pass or fail, earn college credits.

The class, taught by Isaac Kramnick, the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government, is a survey of the development of Western political theory from Plato to the present. In addition, students will be able to participate in a discussion seminar on "Leadership in American Society," in which they will examine the qualities, characteristics and values of leaders.

Visiting students will live in a residence hall, eat meals in campus dining centers and have full access to the university's academic and recreation facilities. The three-week stay at Cornell -- including tuition, room and board -- totals $2,800.