Freshman Intensive StudiesFreshman Intensive Studies"A Unique Freshman Experience for Motivated Students!""A Unique Freshman Experience for Motivated Students!"

Information SessionInformation Session

Winter 2008Winter 2008

Goals of Today’s ProgramGoals of Today’s Program

To learn about the FIS program and To learn about the FIS program and its academic requirementsits academic requirements

To answer questions about the To answer questions about the program content and deliveryprogram content and delivery

To help you determine if FIS is right To help you determine if FIS is right for youfor you

What is FIS?What is FIS?

A provisional admissions A provisional admissions program for students with the program for students with the potential to succeed in college, potential to succeed in college, providing highly structured providing highly structured academic support during a academic support during a student’s first year at FDUstudent’s first year at FDU

FIS Mission StatementFIS Mission Statement FIS seeks to foster the intellectual and FIS seeks to foster the intellectual and personal development of our students personal development of our students

through a comprehensive array of advising through a comprehensive array of advising and learning services designed to aid and learning services designed to aid

students as they make the transition from students as they make the transition from high school to college. Through a high school to college. Through a

supportive network of faculty, staff and supportive network of faculty, staff and advisors, students are encouraged to advisors, students are encouraged to

become self-advocating, active learners become self-advocating, active learners able to adapt to the increasingly complex able to adapt to the increasingly complex

global marketplace. global marketplace.

FIS is not….FIS is not….

A program for students whose learning A program for students whose learning disabilities require the specialized services disabilities require the specialized services provided by the Regional Center for LD studentsprovided by the Regional Center for LD students—(ex. Accommodations requiring more than extended time for tests)—(ex. Accommodations requiring more than extended time for tests)

A program for students who are not fully A program for students who are not fully committed to academic achievement and committed to academic achievement and successsuccess

A program with different academic standards A program with different academic standards and expectations than the rest of the universityand expectations than the rest of the university

History of FISHistory of FIS

Began in 1984 at the College at Began in 1984 at the College at FlorhamFlorham

Expanded to the Metropolitan Expanded to the Metropolitan campus in the 1990scampus in the 1990s

Over 1500 students have come Over 1500 students have come through the FIS program in the past through the FIS program in the past 24 years24 years

The FIS Academic ProgramThe FIS Academic Program All students enter as Undeclared majorsAll students enter as Undeclared majors A reduced credit load during the first semesterA reduced credit load during the first semester FIS-only courses in disciplines such as English, FIS-only courses in disciplines such as English,

Math, Political Science, Psychology and SociologyMath, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology An additional hour of instructional support weekly An additional hour of instructional support weekly

in FIS coursesin FIS courses Mandatory and Optional Individual and Group Mandatory and Optional Individual and Group

Learning Assistance, Study Groups and Academic Learning Assistance, Study Groups and Academic Skills WorkshopsSkills Workshops

Frequent Testing and Mid-Term Grade ReportingFrequent Testing and Mid-Term Grade Reporting

Special Features of the FIS Special Features of the FIS ProgramProgram

Close collaboration and contact between Close collaboration and contact between FIS faculty and staffFIS faculty and staff

Personalized Academic AdvisingPersonalized Academic Advising Academic Skills Development and Study Academic Skills Development and Study

Strategies provided by the FIS Learning Strategies provided by the FIS Learning SpecialistSpecialist

One-on-one learning assistance, study One-on-one learning assistance, study groups, and workshopsgroups, and workshops

FIS-only Freshman SeminarsFIS-only Freshman Seminars

Additional Highlights of the FIS Additional Highlights of the FIS ProgramProgram

Two (2) Tuition-Free courses (6 Two (2) Tuition-Free courses (6 credits) during the 1credits) during the 1stst Summer Summer Session 2009 at FDU Session 2009 at FDU (Fees and housing not (Fees and housing not included)included)

$2,000 annually renewable grant for $2,000 annually renewable grant for students who successfully complete students who successfully complete the FIS programthe FIS program

Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions What is the difference between FIS and the Regional What is the difference between FIS and the Regional

Center?Center?

FISFIS Regional CenterRegional CenterOne-Year ProgramOne-Year Program Four-Year ProgramFour-Year Program

80 new students each year80 new students each year 30 new students each year30 new students each year

Support Services provided as Support Services provided as needed; Learning Specialist needed; Learning Specialist provides general academic provides general academic skills development skills development (Learning HOW to be a college (Learning HOW to be a college

student)student)

4 hours of required structured 4 hours of required structured support each week, including support each week, including 30 minutes of academic 30 minutes of academic counseling; Learning counseling; Learning Disabilities Specialists provide Disabilities Specialists provide strategies which directly strategies which directly address a diagnosed learning address a diagnosed learning disabilitydisability

Student to Staff Ratio of ~ Student to Staff Ratio of ~ 25:125:1

Student to Staff Ratio of 4:1Student to Staff Ratio of 4:1

Students register with all Students register with all other freshmenother freshmen

Students given priority Students given priority registrationregistration

FAQsFAQs

Is FIS strictly a remedial program?Is FIS strictly a remedial program?

No. All FDU students (FIS and non-FIS) are No. All FDU students (FIS and non-FIS) are placed into English, Math and Reading placed into English, Math and Reading courses based upon Placement Testing. courses based upon Placement Testing. Students needing remediation in a specific Students needing remediation in a specific area will receive it during their FIS year. area will receive it during their FIS year. Where remediation is not required, it is not Where remediation is not required, it is not given.given.

FAQsFAQs

What is the FIS Contract?What is the FIS Contract?

The FIS contract formalizes a The FIS contract formalizes a student’s agreement to abide by the student’s agreement to abide by the terms of the FIS program and its terms of the FIS program and its expected standards of performance expected standards of performance in and out of the classroom. in and out of the classroom.

FAQsFAQs

What grades must I earn to continue my studies at What grades must I earn to continue my studies at FDU?FDU?

All FDU students are expected to earn at least a All FDU students are expected to earn at least a 2.0 grade point average ("C") each semester.2.0 grade point average ("C") each semester.

If the student’s GPA in their FIS-supported classes falls below a 2.0 at If the student’s GPA in their FIS-supported classes falls below a 2.0 at mid-term grade reporting, students are placed on FIS Academic Alertmid-term grade reporting, students are placed on FIS Academic Alert

If the cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 at the end of the freshman year, If the cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 at the end of the freshman year, the student is subject to suspension from the University the student is subject to suspension from the University

2.0

FAQsFAQs Will FIS students be able to graduate in Will FIS students be able to graduate in

four years?four years?Fall SemesterFall Semester Winter Winter

SessionSessionSpring Spring SemesterSemester

Summer 1 Summer 1 (optional)(optional)

10-13 10-13 credits credits earned *earned *

Not Not PermittedPermitted 12-16 12-16

credits credits earned **earned **

6 credits 6 credits earnedearned

* Based upon the number of pre-requisite courses required, if any.

Students can earn between 28-35 credits during their first year; students with 32 credits are considered sophomores.

** Credit limits determined based upon fall semester academic performance.

FAQsFAQs

Can I receive need-based Can I receive need-based financial aid as an FIS student?financial aid as an FIS student?

YES! All courses taken during the FIS YES! All courses taken during the FIS year meet federal and state year meet federal and state guidelines for financial aid.guidelines for financial aid.

Additional Considerations….Additional Considerations….

Most FIS student schedules require 5 Most FIS student schedules require 5 days per week of classroom days per week of classroom attendance.attendance.

We strongly encourage students to We strongly encourage students to limit outside employment to no more limit outside employment to no more than 15 hours per week.than 15 hours per week.

If selected for FIS, students should If selected for FIS, students should deposit ASAP to ensure their place in deposit ASAP to ensure their place in the class.the class.

What if I have What if I have questions…?questions…?

AdmissionsAdmissions 973-443-8907 (Ms. Paula Mensch) 973-443-8907 (Ms. Paula Mensch)For questions related to Paperwork, Document For questions related to Paperwork, Document Submission, Transcripts, Prior College Credits, Submission, Transcripts, Prior College Credits, Test Scores, Admissions Decision TimeframesTest Scores, Admissions Decision Timeframes

Student LifeStudent Life 973-443-8570 (Ms. Sarah Azavedo) 973-443-8570 (Ms. Sarah Azavedo)For questions related to New Student For questions related to New Student Orientation during the summerOrientation during the summer

FISFIS 973-443-8715 (Mr. Mark Sapara) 973-443-8715 (Mr. Mark Sapara)For questions related to the FIS academic For questions related to the FIS academic program and structureprogram and structure

FIS Web site: FIS Web site: http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=1061http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=1061

Final Thoughts….Final Thoughts….

“ “Your attitude, not Your attitude, not your aptitude, will your aptitude, will determine your determine your altitude.”altitude.”

--Zig Ziglar, Motivational SpeakerZig Ziglar, Motivational Speaker