First-Year Seminar

Let's face it — classes, homework and tests in college are nothing like high school.

We realize this is often a shock for new students, so we offer a First-Year Seminar program, where you can get a feel for the rigors of college academics in a way that emphasizes small-class instruction, group discussion and college writing.

Professor working with students on computers

You begin by choosing a First-Year Seminar course for the fall term. Pick an area you’re already fascinated by, or select one that’s totally new to you.

Three students studying at a table

All of the First-Year Seminar courses are Writing Emphasis courses, meaning a number of writing exercises will be incorporated into your class.

We offer a number of courses covering a range of subjects for your choice of First-Year Seminar — from Art and the Creative Process to Economics and the Public Interest, from Probability: A World of Chance to Introduction to Cinema Studies. We’re sure one of them will pique your interest.At the end of the term, you will have the opportunity to put together a portfolio of your best papers, which will be read by two faculty members from different departments. From this, you will experience cross-disciplinary standards for college-level writing and receive further recommendation for writing courses based on this evaluation of your portfolio.