First Year Experience
Summer Ready
Summer Ready is a one-week residential summer bridge program for newly admitted TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) program participants attending the University of Colorado Boulder. Summer Ready provides participants with the knowledge to get a jump start on their CU-Boulder career.
Students are prepared for a successful first-year experience by becoming familiar with campus resources, registering for classes, receiving highly individualized academic advising, sampling a college class, receiving financial aid assistance, engaging in peer-mentoring activities, building a supportive community, and becoming familiar with college life!
The transition from high school to college is challenging for all new students. Summer Ready provides a unique experience to preview the campus and prepares students for the demands of the CU experience. Summer Ready is a first step in a building a successful first-year experience and a meaningful CU career. After Summer Ready, students will transition into a structured first-year experience that is designed to maximize their strengths and construct a highly academically rewarding experience.
Fall Gateway - During the week prior to the start of fall courses students participate in an extended new student welcome event and academic intensive to further prepare them for the academic transition to the university.
First-Year in TRiO SSS
Individualized Academic and Personal Support
TRiO SSS scholars' first-year journey continues with an Academic Specialist and Graduate Mentor who follow their progress and support their success at CU.
Peer Mentoring
Peer mentors who are first in their families to attend college assist with academic skill development and a smooth transition to university life.
Inclusive and Collaborative Learning
Students have priority enrollment in small courses that meet major and graduation requirements. Students also have choice enrollment in a course that assists them as they transition to university life.
Education 1500 (1 Credit) - Success Strategies in Higher Education
Introduces students to learning theories and a range of college success strategies to deepen their engagement with their academic work. Students learn metacognitive practices to identify the values and aims driving their academic ambitions and craft their most successful path through their undergraduate experience. Fulfills elective credit.
Beyond the First Year
Students will receive on-going support, services, and programs to help them build upon their strengths; engage in other opportunities to spark their intellectual curiosity; uncover their passions; develop leadership skills; and advance their academic and research skills while preparing them for graduate/professional school or a career.
As a federally-funded TRiO program, we serve students who are of limited-income; first-generation college students (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree); and students with a documented disability. We also serve non-traditional student and military veterans. Students who are former foster care youth may be eligible to participate in the Guardian Scholars program.