RAP - Residential Academic Programs

Join a RAP and....

  • Become part of a community of students who share a common interest.
  • Take classes with students who live in your residence hall.
  • Connect easily with classmates for study groups and class projects.
  • Receive support and assistance with academic decisions.
  • Enroll in a General Education class in your residential area.
  • Make the large university feel like a smaller place.

Click on the links below for information on each specific program:

  • read a full program description
  • learn the specific classes and residence halls connected to each RAP

RAPs for ANY First-Year Student

TOPIC RAPs:

Topic RAPs are designed for students who want to live with students who share an interest, either related to their area of study or personal interests. Topic RAPs usually include:

  • A small section of a General Education class 
  • A one-credit RAP seminar

Both classes are usually taught in the residential area.

These RAP seminars are designed to:

  • Unify the RAP group
  • Provide a structured environment to explore the RAP topic and
  • Smooth the transition to university life.

Check out the great variety of Topic RAPs available to students entering declared in any major or undeclared:

Careers in Education
Careers in Law
Connecting Arts & Society
Connecting Science & Society
Connecting Self & Society
Exploring the Arts
Exploring Society
Global Opportunities
Impact! Service Learning
Literary Studies

Politics Today

Scientific Connections
Social Justice & Activism
Sustainability

FOUNDATION RAPs

Foundation RAPs are designed for students who want to have a class in common with other students who live in their residence hall. Foundation RAPs area available in a variety of residence halls. They do not include a seminar.

All Foundations RAPs include a General Education class. It may be a seat in a Main Campus lecture with a designated discussion section for students who live in the same residence hall, or a small section of a class taught in the residential area.

Foundations - Health Sciences RAP

This RAP is specifically designed for students in a variety of science related majors.

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RAP group photo

Follow the steps for How To Join.

RAP Sign-up is now OPEN!

Check out how many spaces are still available in each RAP.

Follow the steps for How To Join.

RAPs are located in First-Year Residence Halls across campus. View a chart of RAPs by Location for Fall 2012 to see specific placements (revised 4/26/12).

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RAPs for Specific Groups of Students

RAPs for Undeclared Students 

Focus RAPs are designed for students entering UMass Amherst without a declared major.

Focus Connections
Focus Enterprise
Focus STEM

RAPs for Declared Majors

Communication Majors
Computer Science Majors
Engineering Majors
Nursing Majors
Perf & Visual Arts Majors

RAPs for Commonwealth Honors College Students

Honors RAPs

RAPs by Invitation or Application

BioTAP
Emerging Scholars
Isenberg Fellows 
Partners in Education (PiE) 
Psychology Majors

 

 

Pamela R. Marsh-Williams, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost & Dean

This website is part of Undergraduate Advising & Learning Communities. We provide undergraduate students a variety of opportunities and services designed to facilitate the best academic experience possible. 609 Goodell Building, UMass Amherst.

UA&LC Units: Undergraduate Advising, Residential Academic Programs, Domestic Exchange Programs, Five College Interchange