As a participant of the FYSP program you will:

• Be paired with an Academic Advisor
• Work closely with faculty
• Have access to Peer Mentors
• Meet with Peer Learning facilitators from the Undergraduate Writing Center
• Begin to create your UCLA network
• Receive the Clifton Strengths Assessment along with a personalized evaluation
• Start crafting your UCLA academic & engagement plan
• Receive membership and access to the Academic Advancement Program (AAP)
• Receive up to $150 in textbook reimbursements per quarter upon completion of the program

You will also gain skills and experiences that will help set you up for success at UCLA, as outlined in the FYSP Student Outcomes.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in a program whose students have consistently outperformed their peers in terms of GPA and completion of units toward graduation.

For additional information on FYSP assessment findings please refer to the CAAC Assessment page.

FYSP scholars will participate in the year-long UCLA Cluster Program. Students will have three Cluster options to choose from:

• Cluster M1A Food: A Lens for Environment and Sustainability
• Cluster 10A Data, Justice, and Society
• Cluster 20A Race and Indigeneity in the U.S.

See an overview of the Cluster course offerings HERE .

Additionally, all students will enroll in the 3-quarter series, University Studies 15, intentionally designed for FYSP scholars to connect and explore a variety of topics ranging from academic to professional and personal development. Fall enrollment will be facilitated by the New Student Academic Programs (NSAP) during the UCLA New Student Orientation. Winter and Spring enrollment will be facilitated by FYSP.

There will also be a variety of social activities, events with faculty, and academic advising and peer mentoring one-on-one appointments, in which FYSP students will participate each quarter.

UNIV ST 15A, 15B, and 15C are specifically designed for the First Year Scholars Program (FYSP). This 3-course series gives you the opportunity to connect with a group of scholars and explore a variety of topics ranging from academic to professional and personal development.

Our curriculum has been crafted to help integrate themes being explored in your other academic courses and emphasize the topics of civic and community engagement, service learning, and social change. Through this framework and project-based assignments, this course series provides time to reflect on your transition and adjustment to UCLA. We will explore the type of impact you want to have at UCLA and how you want to engage during your 4 years at the university. You will cultivate actionable steps to achieve these goals.

Additionally, campus partners, alumni, advisors, and guest lecturers will join us to talk about everything from how to write an academic paper, to leadership and professional development, to imposter syndrome or how to address microaggressions, and everything in-between.

By the end of the academic year, students have created a legacy project intended to support future FYSP students. Please click on the links below to see some of the cohorts’ final projects.

First Year Scholars Program, University Studies 15C Legacy Projects (Cohort 5, 2023-24)

As part of FYSP you will be partnered with an academic advisor.  Academic advisors will reach out to you at least 3 times each quarter during the program, and will meet with you at least twice in Fall and at least once in Winter and Spring.  Academic advisors can help you plan your degree at UCLA by working with you to create a strategic and balanced plan that include your interests, such as studying abroad, internships, career readiness, research, leadership and campus involvement, preparing for graduate school, and much more.  Academic advisors collaborate with you to foster your academic, personal, and professional development. You are encouraged to continue working with your academic advisor throughout your UCLA career.

As an FYSP Scholar, you will partner with a team of trained undergraduate FYSP Peer Mentors who will support you as you navigate and craft your first-year experience. Peer mentors will meet with you one-on-one every quarter, plan and host socials and study sessions, and provide tips and insights on how to thrive at UCLA as a first-year student. They are also trained on the campus resources and academic procedures, and can answer your questions about getting involved on campus, joining clubs, making friends, planning your classes, balancing your academics with campus involvement, and much more. Peer mentors will be present during many of the University Studies 15 sessions to share insights on their student perspective.

• Space in FYSP is limited and participation is by invitation only. If you have any questions, please contact the FYSP Coordinator, Ana Karen Reis, at  areis@college.ucla.edu.