UW-Parkside First Year Experience
Fresh Start
Purpose: The purpose of Fresh Start is to support the under-prepared first year student. Under-prepared students are defined as students whose ACT Scores place them into developmental skills courses. For more detailed information on ACT score placement, click here.
Process: Students receive a letter with their admissions packet welcoming them to UW-Parkside and the Fresh Start program. The program has three program options from which to choose. Students should contact the program they are interested in prior to attending Ranger Day (summer orientation). During Ranger Day you will meet with an academic advisor from one of the programs. All three programs serve incoming students in different ways to enhance student’s success in the 1st year.
Rationale: ACT is a national organization which establishes benchmarks for college success within the first year of college. ACT’s benchmarks define college readiness as an ACT composite score of 21 or higher. Students who have scores below 21require additional skill development for college.
78% of all college freshmen in the U.S. are under prepared
70% of Wisconsin college freshmen are under prepared
Eligibility: Eligibility for Fresh Start is based upon your ACT score. However, the three program options may have additional eligibility requirements.
Program Options
A US Department of Education TRIO sponsored program for either low-income, first generation students and/or are students with a documented disability. A summer for credit, non-residential bridge program and an academic year program are available. Students who qualify will be contacted directly by SSS staff. If interested, contact Chris Zanowski at 262-595-2726 or email: Zanowski@uwp.edu
The Summer Scholars program is a four week, for credit residential bridge program designed to assist incoming underrepresented students with their transition to the University. Students who qualify for this program will be contacted directly by OMSA staff. If interested, contact Damian Evans at 262-595-2731 or email damian.evans@uwp.edu.
All Fresh Start students who are not participating in either of the above programs will participate in a Success Academy. Participants enroll in several of the same core classes and move through their schedule as a cohort during their first year at UW-Parkside. Success Academy classes are designed to be smaller in size. Advisors and peer mentors are integrated into the classroom experience. If you have questions about this program, contact Mary Louise Edwards at 262-595-2477 or email: edwards@uwp.edu.
