The First Step to College Success summer program provides an excellent opportunity for students to begin their college experience. The summer program is a Monday through Friday program with classes beginning June 23 and ending on July 25, 2008. Classes, tutoring, and guest lecture forums begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. each day. Evening study tables and mentoring sessions are available Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students participating in the program must attend an orientation session prior to June 23. The orientation will include placement testing, scheduling summer courses and registration for Fall 2008 classes.
The First Step to College Success program was established to address the needs of students admitted to EKU with identified developmental needs in the core areas of writing, mathematics, and reading. Developmental needs are defined by the university as an area in which the student has an ACT sub-score less than 18 for English, mathematics, or reading or students with SAT total scores (verbal/critical thinking and Mathematics) less than 870. Students who have participated in the First Step to College Success program have shown unprecedented success and have a significantly higher one-year retention rate and higher GPAs than students not participating in the program with similar needs. The program is noted for its importance in helping students build the academic skills needed for a successful college experience.
The program provides intensive instruction in writing, reading, and mathematics. All courses in the program integrate study and test-taking skills with an orientation to the resources offered by the University. Extensive tutorial support is an integral part of the program. Students admitted to the program study together to form a collaborative learning community characterized by mutual assistance and encouragement. Upon successful completion of the program, students begin taking college-level courses that will lead to academic degrees while completing developmental requirements, if they are needed.
Students are selected for the program based on developmental needs. The program has been specifically designed for students entering the University with two or more developmental requirement areas and students admitted to the University in the Special Admission category. Students take nine hours of course work that include a transition-to-college course, required developmental courses, and depending on developmental needs, an introductory level sociology course. Students are placed in courses based on their levels of proficiency in writing, reading, and mathematics as determined by the ACT, SAT and University placement test scores. Sample placement tests are available by going to the Practice Placement Test link.
Students participating in the program may qualify for financial assistance. Students are encouraged to participate in cultural and social activities available at the University. Financial aid, housing, and program cost information will be sent to all First Step to College Success applicants. If you plan to attend the summer program, you must complete and return a program application. Applications for the summer 2008 program must be received by June 5, 2008.
