Sophomore Cipriana Woods experience in West Virginia Universitys Seamless Transition Program helped her to succeed in some of her most difficult classes.
Without the networking I did with professors, I think I would have failed chemistry. My fall semester, I was in my professors office every day of the week getting help, even on Sunday,said Wood, a chemistry major from Mechanicsburg, Pa.
During the three-week summer program, students take a two-to-four-credit introductory class in chemistry, human nutrition and foods, humanities, mathematics, music or psychology. They also complete a three-credit freshman-orientation class.
The program, designed as a bridge from high school to college, helps students to get acquainted with classroom expectations, learn time management and study skills, network with professors, make friends and get a head start on major requirements and credits toward graduation. They also get to know the WVU campus.
Participants in the program attend classes for several hours a day and are required to attend study blocks in the evenings. Class sizes are smallsome with as few as five students.
The Seamless Transition Program is designed to be less structured than high school, but more structured than college. It really helps students to figure out their priorities,Coordinator Catherine Golden said.
While completing the program, the students live in a WVU residence hall. Resident assistants in the halls also serve as tutors to help participants through their classes.
When not studying, the students can participate in a variety of activities at the Student Recreation Center . This year, students in the program will also take a trip to watch a performance at the West Virginia Public Theatre.
Anyone accepted to WVU can participate in the program. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. For more information, visit http://www.finaid.wvu.edu .
Underrepresented students who are majoring in a science or math field may qualify for full coverage of tuition, room and board, lab fees and books for the program. For more information on the WVNano Initiative/Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation assistance program, visit http://wvnano.wvu.edu/lsamp .
For more information or to register for the transition program, visit http://stp.wvu.edu or call Golden at 304-293-9480.