First-Year 51ÁÔÆæ
__________ _First-year students, welcome to 51ÁÔÆæ!
_We&), Fall Convocation, and programming throughout the year, New Student Programs provides the foundation for your first year and helps you get started with confidence.
Fall Student Convocation – Thursday, August 27, 2026
Fall Student Convocation is a traditional ceremonial event designed to inspire, connect, and induct first year students to the College. During the formal presentation, first year students are greeted by the College President, other senior administrators, faculty, and the president of the  The celebration continues throughout the day with additional events as part of Weeks of Welcome.
First-Year Seminar (FYS 1000)
FYS 1000 is a required, one-semester course for all incoming first-year students. Each week alternates between a faculty-led lecture and a small group session with Peer Mentors.
- Lecture Session: Multiple FYS sections come together to explore big ideas through a disciplinary lens, modeling how scholars think, ask questions, and approach complex problems.
- Recitation Session: Small group discussions led by trained Peer Mentors, focused on community-building, skill development, reflection, and academic planning.
Throughout the 12-sessions of FYS, first-year students will complete a Learning Journey Project that encourages reflection on past, present, and future – who you are, where you’re headed, and the experiences that have shaped you. Along the way, students will explore their goals, campus resources and develop strategies that support their success.
What Else You’ll Do:
- Campus Resource Exploration
- Academic Advisement Brightspace Module
- FOCUS 2 Career Assessment
- Experiential Learning in NYC