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As an incoming freshman, you have the option of participating in a First-Year Interest Group (FIG). FIGs create opportunities for intellectual exploration, friendship, and connection in smaller communities where students can more easily get to know their peers and professors. FIGs -- some of which include a shared residence hall -- consist of a cluster of courses taken together by a cohort of students. The courses are linked together by theme (professors collaborate to present an interdisciplinary approach) or major.
Research suggests that students who participate in first-year programs tend to earn higher grade-point averages, report higher levels of satisfaction with their educational experiences, and return for their sophomore years at higher rates than do the students who forgo these opportunities.
When you sign up for a FIG, you get to:
- Register early and have a partial schedule made prior to your orientation session.
- Enroll in some of our most popular courses.
- Interact with professors who excel at connecting with first-year students.
FIGs with a residential component are living-learning communities where students live together in a residence hall and take take one to three courses together.
- First-Year Initiative (FYI). Open to all first year students, FYI students live together in Esopus Hall and take one or two courses in common the first semester. FYI includes in-hall programs, field trips, Resident Mentors, and opportunities for community service.
- Art Program. For students who have been pre-accepted into the Art Department. Students take two to three art foundation courses in common and live together in Lenape Hall.
- BS/DO Program. For students who have been pre-accepted into the BS/DO program. Students take three art foundation courses in common and live together in Lenape Hall.
- Honors Program. For students pre-accepted into the Honors program. Students take two courses in common and live together in Lenape Hall.
- Scholar’s Mentorship Program (SMP). For students invited to participate in the SMP program. Student take Issues in the Education of Underrepresented College Students and live together in Shango Hall.
FIGs without a residential component are made up of cohorts of students who take two courses in common, linked by theme or major:
- Business Pre-Major FIG. For students pre-accepted into the Business Department. Students take Comp I and two business courses together.
- Art Pre-Major FIG. For students pre-acccepted into the Art Department. Students take two to three art foundation courses together.
- Thematic/GE FIGs. Each year new thematic/GE FIGs are offered that explore topics and provide unique perspectives through an interdisciplinary approach while helping students fulfill General Education requirements.
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