Focus Connections RAP

Undecided? This RAP can help you explore your options!

Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major.

When you join this RAP you will:

Enroll in a unique a 1-credit seminar designed to help you explore a wide range of majors at UMass.
Engage with an academic advisor to identify your interests, strengths, and values in order to pursue your academic goals.
Share your living-and-learning experience with other first-year students who have not yet declared a major. This gives all students in the RAP a chance to get to know each other and take some classes together. It's also a great way to make a successful transition to the academic and social life of the University.

Focus Connections is a great RAP for you if you think you are interested in a major such as Psychology, Sociology, English, or History. It is also a great choice if you have no idea what you may want to major in. The OASIS seminar provides you with an opportunity to confirm an idea you have or to explore and identify various other possibilities. The other classes connected to this RAP will give you an opportunity to learn about different options while completing pre-requisites for some of the majors, and making progress on your University General Education requirements.

In addition to living with students in your classes, all Focus RAP students participate in OASIS First-Year Seminar, a one-credit seminar taught by your academic advisor from the Undergraduate Advising office. In this class you will work closely with your advisor to explore various majors and determine how to best match UMass Amhersts' academic options with your interests and abilities.

The OASIS seminar helps you to identify and refine your personal approaches to learning in a college setting, so you can make efficient use of your study time and get better results. You will also be introduced to the wealth of resources on campus that can assist you with academic, social, and personal issues.

Be sure to visit the How to Join page on this website to learn about the process and important timelines you must follow to become a member of this fantastic program!

Students in a RAP

Classes

Students will enroll in the following classes:

Fall 2009

College Writing 112 in the residential area
A small Gen Ed class in the residential area*
Educ 125 - OASIS First-Year Seminar

*Holding a spot in a RAP guarantees you enrollment in ONE of the associated Gen Ed classes. Registration into the specific classes takes place during NSO and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Location

John Adams Tower in the Southwest area of campus.
General Education course choices (small lecture class in the residential area)

Human Nature - Anthropology 100 - Gen Ed SBG
Introductory Psychology - Psychology 100 - Gen Ed SB

Van Meter Hall in the Central area of campus. General Education course choices (small lecture class in the residential area)

Human Nature - Anthropology 100 - Gen Ed SBG
Race, Gender, Class & Ethnicity - Sociology 106 - Gen Ed SB

Home About RAP Complete List of RAPs BioTAP Careers in Education Careers in Law Careers in Public Health Communication Majors Computer Science Majors Connecting Arts & Society Emerging Scholars Engineering Majors English TAP Focus Connections Focus Enterprise Foundations Global Opportunities Investigating Democracy Health Sciences Literary Studies Nursing Majors Partners in Education RAP Performing & Visual Arts Politics Today Psychology Majors Sociology Majors RAP Social Justice & Activism Scientific Connections Sustainability FAQ RAP Facts & Features Contact Us How to Join Resources & Links Academic Support For Faculty & Instructors Thatcher Language House Focus Connections RAP Undecided? This RAP can help you explore your options! Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major. When you join this RAP you will: Enroll in a unique a 1-credit seminar designed to help you explore a wide range of majors at UMass. Engage with an academic advisor to identify your interests, strengths, and values in order to pursue your academic goals. Share your living-and-learning experience with other first-year students who have not yet declared a major. This gives all students in the RAP a chance to get to know each other and take some classes together. It's also a great way to make a successful transition to the academic and social life of the University. Focus Connections is a great RAP for you if you think you are interested in a major such as Psychology, Sociology, English, or History. It is also a great choice if you have no idea what you may want to major in. The OASIS seminar provides you with an opportunity to confirm an idea you have or to explore and identify various other possibilities. The other classes connected to this RAP will give you an opportunity to learn about different options while completing pre-requisites for some of the majors, and making progress on your University General Education requirements. In addition to living with students in your classes, all Focus RAP students participate in OASIS First-Year Seminar, a one-credit seminar taught by your academic advisor from the Undergraduate Advising office. In this class you will work closely with your advisor to explore various majors and determine how to best match UMass Amhersts' academic options with your interests and abilities. The OASIS seminar helps you to identify and refine your personal approaches to learning in a college setting, so you can make efficient use of your study time and get better results. You will also be introduced to the wealth of resources on campus that can assist you with academic, social, and personal issues. Be sure to visit the How to Join page on this website to learn about the process and important timelines you must follow to become a member of this fantastic program! Classes Students will enroll in the following classes: Fall 2009 College Writing 112 in the residential area A small Gen Ed class in the residential area* Educ 125 - OASIS First-Year Seminar Holding a spot in a RAP guarantees you enrollment in ONE* of the associated Gen Ed classes. Registration into the specific classes takes place during NSO and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Location John Adams Tower in the Southwest area of campus. General Education course choices (small lecture class in the residential area) Human Nature - Anthropology 100 - Gen Ed SBG Introductory Psychology - Psychology 100 - Gen Ed SB Van Meter Hall in the Central area of campus. General Education course choices (small lecture class in the residential area) Human Nature - Anthropology 100 - Gen Ed SBG Race, Gender, Class & Ethnicity - Sociology 106 - Gen Ed SB
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 UA&LC Units: Undergraduate Advising, Residential Academic Programs, Domestic Exchange Programs, Five College Interchange
Important Note for ALL students: Students who wish to join one of these communities but require accommodations due to mobility or other disabilities should contact Disability Services at 413- 545-0892 for assistance and additional information, as all such students must first register with Disability Services in order to qualify for services. Disability Services and the Housing Assignment Office will work with otherwise qualified students to accommodate their needs. The University has a practice of relocating programs and activities when necessary to make the programs and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. Web Hosting by GAIA Host Collective