Seawolves F1rst Program

Sonoma State

Seawolves F1rst!: Jump Start Program

Sonoma State’s Seawolves F1rst Initiative provides incoming first-time first-year (FTFY) students support opportunities to smoothly transition from high school to college and successfully complete their English and math coursework requirements in their first year. *This initiative replaces the previous California State University’s Early Start Program.

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Apply to the Jump Start Program

Want to get a "jump start" on your academic success at SSU? Apply to join other first-year students and come to campus early as part of our Seawolves F1rst! Jump Start program.  Learn the keys to academic success, participate in pre-term workshops, meet other first-year students, and get adjusted to campus before the semester event starts. Room and meals and all necessary supplies are provided to all participants.

Move-in day for accepted participants will be Monday August 12th.  Jump Start programming starts on the evening of Monday, August 12th and continues Tuesday, August 13th and Wednesday, August 14th.  (Non Jump Start students will officially move-in on August 15th prior to the start of orientation.)  Upon acceptance to the program, participation in ALL Jump Start programming is required.

To apply to participate in the Jump Start program, please complete the application below for the Fall 2024 SSU Jump Start program. In early June, all incoming first-year students will receive an email and hard copy invitation to apply as well. NOTES: Applying to the program does not guarantee admittance. Students participating in Summer Bridge may not participate in Jump Start.

Complete this Google Form to apply to the Jump Start program:

Google Form to Apply to Jump Start Program

Due Dates

  • The last date to apply to the Jump Start program is: June 20, 2024
  • Accepted participants will be notified via email: June 25, 2024
  • If accepted, students must commit to attendance by: July 3, 2024

 

What do past students say about the Jump Start Program?

The overwhelming majority of past Jump Start participants said Jump Start helped them:

  • learn their way around campus
  • be prepared for the first day of class
  • understand how to access and use support services like tutoring and advising
  • gain confidence for communicating with their professors
  • acquire effective strategies for studying and managing their time

Questions or want more information before applying? Email academicprograms@sonoma.edu 

 

First-Year English and Math Courses

In mid-June, incoming first-year students will receive a hard copy and email notification about their English and math courses for the upcoming year and next steps in their academic journey at Sonoma State, including course selection and academic advising. 

Multiple assessment methods are used to determine a student’s math and English courses during their first year at SSU. These methods include evaluating test results, high school GPA, high school math GPA, high school coursework, and any college coursework completed or self-reported. Students will be pre-enrolled in English and/or math coursework as described in the section on Fall 2024 Pre-Enrollment.

Students can sign up for appointments or attend open Zoom drop-ins about their English and math courses with our Early Assessment Program Coordinator, Karoline Gaitan. Appointments and drop-in office hours are Wednesdays and Fridays starting June 12 through August 23.  To book an appointment click on this link or feel free to drop-in on our Zoom sessions at: https://SonomaState.zoom.us/j/84331036625.

You can also learn about the criteria the CSU utilizes to determine students’  first-year GE English and Math courses by visiting the links below:

  • Multiple Measures for GE A2 (English)
  • Multiple Measures for GE B4 (Math Non-STEM)
  • Multiple Measures for GE B4 (Math-STEM)

Mrs. Gaitan can be contacted directly with questions by email at: reynagac@sonoma.edu.

 

First-Year Learning Communities

The First-Year Learning Communities (FLC) program offered through First- and Second-Year Transition (FAST) Programs consists of year-long academic courses that meet General Education requirements and are only offered to first-year students. These courses embed transition curriculum into General Education courses to help students transition to academic and student life at SSU. FLC’s allow students to get to know their faculty and classmates and engage in meaningful dialogues. Students who participate in FLCs have been found to have higher GPAs, have a higher persistence to the second year, and gain a sense of community on campus that leads to greater satisfaction with their college experience!

Through our events, programming, and courses, you will have all the resources and connections you need to achieve your goals at SSU! To learn more about our program visit our website or follow our programs instagram to stay connected! 

Any questions? Contact us at fastprogram@sonoma.edu 

 

Fall 2024 Pre-Enrollment

Students will be pre-enrolled, in fall and/or spring, into English and math courses as determined by multiple measures (described in detail below). Specific course enrollments in fall and spring semesters will be determined based on a student’s major requirements. Students may also be pre-enrolled in a first-year learning community (FLC) based on their major department's recommendation. Placement categories may change as SSU receives additional information about a student’s previous academic history. Students will learn more about FLCs and additional English/math coursework options based on self-placement during Orientation for First Time Students when they meet with an academic advisor to register for remaining fall coursework.