The Freshman Experience Metro Atlanta’s colleges and universities pave the way for first-year students
By Susan Finch
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tlanta’s wealth of higher institutions attracts an eclectic mix of students from all walks of life, interests and backgrounds. With thousands of students enrolled in a single college or university, navigating the journey can feel overwhelming. That’s why Atlanta’s local universities and colleges offer programs, initiatives and opportunities designed with freshmen in mind.
Life University Life University’s orientation program welcomes rising freshmen with a comprehensive look at the campus and areas of study. A university advisor is assigned to individual Life students during the orientation program to maximize their potential during their college career. Incoming students are also encouraged to join Engage, an online portal connecting students to campus calendars, organizations and opportunities for social and academic enrichment. Life University is focused on student success and says that supporting data shows that students who live on campus benefit from all the resources available. In an effort to bolster their success, first-year students are required to reside in University Housing for one academic year. In return, students develop a greater sense of belonging and more reliable connections to students, faculty and staff.
Agnes Scott College Agnes Scott knows that college can be a difficult transition for many and prioritizes introducing students to the community before their college career kicks off. The entire campus, which is located in Decatur, also works together on move-in day to help students get their
items into their residence halls. New students take part in Orientation and Legacy, a two-part immersive leadership experience for incoming students. Activities during these two periods include a trip to the Center for Civil and Human Rights, a community fair that helps students get to know community spots in both Decatur and Atlanta and optional activities such as Braves games, tubing down the Chattahoochee River and more. “This is a huge transition time in your life, so don’t be afraid to use the support available to you,” says Faith Rashidi-Yazd, an Admission Experience Fellow. “There may be many different emotions that come up during this process, but there are others who are going through or have gone through the same experience. Be sure to reach out to others and ask for help if you need it!”
University of Georgia The University of Georgia (UGA) kicks off summer with a Freshman College Summer Experience to help bridge a successful transition from high school to college. Students enroll in two credit-bearing courses that include an academic discipline-based course and a service-learning course. At their completion, students also fulfill the University’s experiential learning requirement for most majors. During the Freshman College Summer Experience, students live in Russell Hall with their peers. The immersive, intimate experience allows students to get to know the campus and the city of Athens, KNOWAtlanta 35
