DU First-Year Student Programs

Overview

During the fall quarter of their first year at DU, incoming freshmen attend a seminar entitled, "First-Year Fundamentals: Surviving Your First Quarter." This ten-week seminar is designed to provide first-year students with: 1) a foundation of skills and knowledge as they begin and continue their college educations, 2) a support system, which consists of VIP students and staff, and 3) as a resource for information to use throughout their college education. During the seminar sessions, first-year students participate in large group discussions, collaborate in small groups, and utilize each other as resources of information. Examples of discussion topics include: professors' expectations, stress reduction, money management, and health/fitness. Now in its second year, the seminar includes students from Denver West, Abraham Lincoln, and Pinnacle Charter High Schools, and is coordinated by one graduate student facilitator, Ana Rodriguez, and three VIP student coordinators: Oswaldo Hernandez, Jessica Hopkins, and Serina Montoya.

—Anna Rodriguez

First-Year Testimonials

At the conclusion of the ten-week seminar, VIP's first-year students were asked to provide feedback about the seminar. The following comments were provided by first-year students who attended the seminar:

"I really liked working in a big group with students that shared my background."

"I think the most useful thing was the support system that helped you realize you weren't the only one going through the different components of the transition into college."

"I really enjoyed every day we met. I would definitely continue to participate and get involved with the VIP program. I learned a lot!!! It's a very helpful program."

Upcoming Events

Summer Link to College

August 5 - 9, 2008

Summer Link is a summer program for high school sophomores from partner schools who are going into their junior year. The program is a weeklong residential introduction to college life. Students attend a class each day taught by a University of Denver (DU) professor, as well as participate in educational and challenging workshops that motivate them to successfully complete high school and prepare them for the college application process. In addition, students volunteer for many community and cultural activities. The uniqueness of the program is in the follow-up activities, which continue until students graduate from high school.

Fall Interterm

August 15 - 31, 2008

Interterm is the period between quarters in which intensive on-campus, on-line and travel courses are offered in intensive formats to provide students with an alternative approach to learning. DU faculty create Interterm classes that are academically challenging and involve an experiential component. Most students who experience Interterm courses return for additional opportunities to enhance their experience. The courses may be taken for credit at current DU tuition rates. There are four Interterms each year, which are scheduled immediately after each quarter.

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