RAP Frequently Asked Questions

For Fall 2009:

What is a RAP?
How does participation in a RAP ease transition to college?
What are the benefits of joining a RAP?
What is a RAP seminar?
Which RAPs include RAP seminars?
Which RAPs have faculty as instructors?
Which RAPs can I join?
Am I required to join a RAP?
Can I join more than one RAP?
Why are there so many choices?
Where are RAPs located?
Why are Focus RAPs the best choice for students who enter the university without a declared major?
Will my roommate be another student in the same RAP?
How many students participate in RAPs?
How many students are in each RAP?
Will I meet other students outside of my RAP?
Will all of my classes be in the residence hall where I am living?
Can I join a RAP in the spring semester?
How can I join a RAP? Do I have to wait until summer orientation (NSO)?
Create you own question

ANSWERS:

1. What is a RAP?

A RAP is a community of students with similar academic interests or majors who in their freshman year (fall and spring semesters):

live together in a residence hall and

have a few classes in common, some of which are taught in the residential area.

2. How does participation in a RAP ease transition to college?

Joining a RAP enables students to:

Be part of a small community on a large campus

Live and study with a group of students who have a common passion, major or interest

Develop relationships with faculty and instructors

Connect easily with classmates for study groups and class projects

Receive support and assistance with academic decisions

3. What are the benefits of joining a RAP?

Students report that when they live and study together they do better academically, form lasting friendships, and have a more satisfying college experience!

At UMass, RAPs have the following benefits:

Ease of Registration: Each RAP includes specific courses for students to enroll in. This provides students with between 3-7 credits. Students then work with their advisor to choose additional classes on Main Campus to complete their course load (full load is 12-15 credits).

A Smooth Transition: You can build a solid foundation on which to begin your academic and social exploration of the university, by enrolling in common classes with students in your RAP, attending classes within your residential area, and exploring learning opportunities outside the classroom through theme based activities in your hall.

A Supportive Community: You can learn how to form study groups and work cooperatively with peers who share similar interests, and get extra assistance from Peer Mentors-undergraduate students who live in your halls and are trained to provide academic support.

Additional Academic Opportunities: You can choose a RAP that offers added features, such as faculty teaching RAP classes, a RAP seminar or reserved seats in popular lecture classes.

4. What is a RAP seminar?

A RAP seminar is a one-credit (usually pass/fail) class that is designed specifically for the students in a particular RAP. In the RAP seminar students discuss the topic of the RAP together and explore ideas and opportunities relevant to the specific RAP.

Many RAP seminars:

Are taught by faculty or have faculty come as guest speakers

Include introductions to academic departments

Provide opportunities to participate in special projects

Include transition to college and college success activities

Have advising components built in

5. Which RAPs include RAP seminars?

For Fall 2009 the following RAPs have required seminars:

BioTAP

Careers in Education RAP

Careers in Public Health RAP

Communication Majors RAP

Computer Science Majors RAP

Emerging Scholars RAP

Fellows RAPs

Focus Connections RAPs

Focus Enterprise RAPs

Global Opportunities RAP

Nursing Majors RAP

Partners in Education RAP

Psychology Majors RAP

Scientific Connections RAP

Social Justice & Activism RAP

Sociology Majors RAP

Sustainability RAP

6. Which RAPs have faculty as instructors?

The following RAPs have faculty teaching one of the classes or as leaders of the seminar:

BioTAP

Careers in Education RAP

Careers in Public Health RAP

Computer Science Majors RAP

Nursing Majors RAP

Psychology Majors RAP

Scientific Connections RAP

Sociology Majors RAP

Sustainability RAP

7. Which RAP can I join?

Most RAPs are open to all 1st-year students. Some RAPs are restricted to students who are admitted to UMass in specific majors, or as undeclared students. Additional RAPs are available to certain students based on an invitation or application process. Refer to the RAP index to see the criteria for each RAP.

8. Am I required to join a RAP?

NO- participation in a RAP is completely voluntary, but all entering first-year students are encouraged to explore the RAP opportunities. You can read about the specific programs on this website and check out our page on Facebook to ask questions and hear what other students have to say.

9. Can I join more than one RAP?

NO-you can only join ONE RAP. Participation in a RAP is a "package deal" which includes specific courses and a designated residence hall. If you are attracted to more than one program, carefully review all elements of the packages to determine which RAP is the best fit for you.

Please remember that joining a RAP does not exclude you from being able to participate in other academic and non-academic opportunities at the University. You are encouraged to explore various ways to get involved academically and socially at UMass.

10. Why are there so many choices?

RAP recognizes that UMass students come from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of interests. We offer a variety of options so that students have opportunities to choose a program that best fits with their academic interests, lifestyle goals, and on-campus living preferences.

When considering which RAP is the best match for you read the descriptions of the different RAPs to get a sense of what is offered. Think about your own interests and goals e.g.:

What did you enjoy studying in high school?

What types of majors are you interested in learning more about?

What is important to you, what are you passionate about, what interests you?

Look carefully at the additional features that accompany different RAPs. For example,

Do you like the idea of a first-year seminar and the opportunity to work closely faculty or with an academic advisor?

Do you want to connect with a group of students around a common interest or are you just interested in having a few small classes in the residential area?

Once you have selected a RAP that interests you, check out where the RAPs are located, as many of the programs are offered in more than one residential area, presenting you with several options about where to live.

11. Where are RAPs located?

RAPs are available in four of the residential areas on campus-Central, Northeast, Orchard Hill, and Southwest. Most are located in Residential First-Year Experience halls. The different residential areas at UMass have unique characteristics, which you can read more about on the UMass Housing and Residence Life website

12. Why are Focus RAPs the best choice for students who enter the university without a declared major?

There are a number of reasons that we suggest undeclared students look closely at the Focus Enterprise and Focus Connections RAPs:

Focus RAPs have the special feature of the OASIS First-Year Seminar taught by the advisors in Undergraduate Advising

Students in OASIS work closely with an academic advisor to explore how their personality, interests, and abilities match with possible majors and careers.

Students learn to improve academic success strategies (i.e. study skills and time management) and navigate the people and offices on the UMass campus.

Students have an opportunity to connect with other students who are exploring majors, small group activities enable students to learn from and assist each other.

13. Will my roommate be another student in the same RAP?

Yes, students enrolled in the following RAPs are required to be roommates with others in their program:

All Commonwealth College Honors RAPs

All Isenberg School of Management Fellows RAPs

BioTAP

Computer Science Majors RAP

Engineering Majors RAPs

English TAP

Ernst & Young Partners in Education (PiE) RAP

Global Opportunities RAP

Nursing Majors RAP

Performing & Visual Arts Majors RAP

Psychology Majors RAP

MAYBE, students who join the following RAPs may request to room with another student in the same RAP or a student in a different RAP in the same residence hall. If the student does not request a roommate he/she will likely be assigned a roommate from the same RAP.

Please know that although you are not required to room with another student in your RAP, the rooms for RAP students are clustered together in the residence halls. If you room with a student from a different RAP, you may not live on the corridor with the other students in your RAP.

Careers in Education RAP

Careers in Law RAP

Careers in Public Health RAP

Communication Majors RAP

Focus Enterprise RAP

Focus Connections RAP

Health Sciences RAP

Literary Studies RAP

Politics Today RAP

Scientific Connections RAP

Social Justice & Activism RAP

Sociology Majors RAP

Sustainability RAP

For additional questions about roommates please visit the Housing Assignments website.

14. How many students participate in RAPs?

Approximately 43% of incoming students joined a RAP for Fall 2009.

15. How many students are in each RAP?

RAPs vary in size. Some RAPs have as few as 24 students, whereas others can accommodate up to 90 students. The specific number of spaces for each program are posted on the program description page on the RAP website.

16. Will I meet other students outside of my RAP?

YES. While a RAP is intended to foster a sense of community among its participating students, it is not designed to isolate you from other students at the university. In fact, there are many opportunities to connect with other students at UMass-including students who live in your residence hall but are not affiliated with your RAP, as well as students you meet in your classes on the main campus.

You are encouraged to explore different ways to get involved academically and socially at UMass-talk with your Resident Assistant (RA) or a Peer Mentor to find out about the many opportunities that UMass offers!

17. Will all of my classes be in the residence hall where I am living?

NO. Please refer to the details of the specific programs to determine where your RAP classes will meet.

Courses affiliated with your RAP may be in the hall where you live, or they may be in another building within the same residential area. Some classes may meet on the main campus.

Also, the courses you enroll in as part of your RAP only fulfill a portion of your required credits for the semester. During New Students Orientation in the summer, you will be working with an academic advisor who will help you enroll in additional main campus courses.

All students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits - most RAPs provide between 3-7 credits.

18. Can I join a RAP in the spring semester?

NO. You can only join a RAP in the fall semester of your freshman year. You continue to live in the same room for the entire academic year.

19. How can I join a RAP? Do I have to wait until summer orientation (NSO)?

NO. In fact, you can hold a spot in a RAP as early as May 18th. Please carefully read the section on How to Join a RAP for procedures and deadlines. ISOM Fellows have an application process with a different timeline - be sure to refer to their website for details.

20. Create you own question

If you have a question we did not answer, please contact our program offices.

Home About RAP Complete List of RAPs FAQ RAP Facts & Features Contact Us How to Join Resources & Links Academic Support For Faculty & Instructors Thatcher Language House RAP Frequently Asked Questions For Fall 2009: What is a RAP? How does participation in a RAP ease transition to college? What are the benefits of joining a RAP? What is a RAP seminar? Which RAPs include RAP seminars? Which RAPs have faculty as instructors? Which RAPs can I join? Am I required to join a RAP? Can I join more than one RAP? Why are there so many choices? Where are RAPs located? Why are Focus RAPs the best choice for students who enter the university without a declared major? Will my roommate be another student in the same RAP? How many students participate in RAPs? How many students are in each RAP? Will I meet other students outside of my RAP? Will all of my classes be in the residence hall where I am living? Can I join a RAP in the spring semester? How can I join a RAP? Do I have to wait until summer orientation (NSO)? Create you own question ANSWERS: 1. What is a RAP? A RAP is a community of students with similar academic interests or majors who in their freshman year (fall and spring semesters): live together in a residence hall and have a few classes in common, some of which are taught in the residential area. 2. How does participation in a RAP ease transition to college? Joining a RAP enables students to: Be part of a small community on a large campus Live and study with a group of students who have a common passion, major or interest Develop relationships with faculty and instructors Connect easily with classmates for study groups and class projects Receive support and assistance with academic decisions 3. What are the benefits of joining a RAP? Students report that when they live and study together they do better academically, form lasting friendships, and have a more satisfying college experience! At UMass, RAPs have the following benefits: Ease of Registration: Each RAP includes specific courses for students to enroll in. This provides students with between 3-7 credits. Students then work with their advisor to choose additional classes on Main Campus to complete their course load (full load is 12-15 credits). A Smooth Transition: You can build a solid foundation on which to begin your academic and social exploration of the university, by enrolling in common classes with students in your RAP, attending classes within your residential area, and exploring learning opportunities outside the classroom through theme based activities in your hall. A Supportive Community: You can learn how to form study groups and work cooperatively with peers who share similar interests, and get extra assistance from Peer Mentors-undergraduate students who live in your halls and are trained to provide academic support. Additional Academic Opportunities: You can choose a RAP that offers added features, such as faculty teaching RAP classes, a RAP seminar or reserved seats in popular lecture classes. 4. What is a RAP seminar? A RAP seminar is a one-credit (usually pass/fail) class that is designed specifically for the students in a particular RAP. In the RAP seminar students discuss the topic of the RAP together and explore ideas and opportunities relevant to the specific RAP. Many RAP seminars: Are taught by faculty or have faculty come as guest speakers Include introductions to academic departments Provide opportunities to participate in special projects Include transition to college and college success activities Have advising components built in 5. Which RAPs include RAP seminars? For Fall 2009 the following RAPs have required seminars: BioTAP Careers in Education RAP Careers in Public Health RAP Communication Majors RAP Computer Science Majors RAP Emerging Scholars RAP Fellows RAPs Focus Connections RAPs Focus Enterprise RAPs Global Opportunities RAP Nursing Majors RAP Partners in Education RAP Psychology Majors RAP Scientific Connections RAP Social Justice & Activism RAP Sociology Majors RAP Sustainability RAP 6. Which RAPs have faculty as instructors? The following RAPs have faculty teaching one of the classes or as leaders of the seminar: BioTAP Careers in Education RAP Careers in Public Health RAP Computer Science Majors RAP Nursing Majors RAP Psychology Majors RAP Scientific Connections RAP Sociology Majors RAP Sustainability RAP 7. Which RAP can I join? Most RAPs are open to all 1st-year students. Some RAPs are restricted to students who are admitted to UMass in specific majors, or as undeclared students. Additional RAPs are available to certain students based on an invitation or application process. Refer to the RAP index to see the criteria for each RAP. 8. Am I required to join a RAP? NO- participation in a RAP is completely voluntary, but all entering first-year students are encouraged to explore the RAP opportunities. You can read about the specific programs on this website and check out our page on Facebook to ask questions and hear what other students have to say. 9. Can I join more than one RAP? NO-you can only join ONE RAP. Participation in a RAP is a "package deal" which includes specific courses and a designated residence hall. If you are attracted to more than one program, carefully review all elements of the packages to determine which RAP is the best fit for you. Please remember that joining a RAP does not exclude you from being able to participate in other academic and non-academic opportunities at the University. You are encouraged to explore various ways to get involved academically and socially at UMass. 10. Why are there so many choices? RAP recognizes that UMass students come from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of interests. We offer a variety of options so that students have opportunities to choose a program that best fits with their academic interests, lifestyle goals, and on-campus living preferences. When considering which RAP is the best match for you read the descriptions of the different RAPs to get a sense of what is offered. Think about your own interests and goals e.g.: What did you enjoy studying in high school? What types of majors are you interested in learning more about? What is important to you, what are you passionate about, what interests you? Look carefully at the additional features that accompany different RAPs. For example, Do you like the idea of a first-year seminar and the opportunity to work closely faculty or with an academic advisor? Do you want to connect with a group of students around a common interest or are you just interested in having a few small classes in the residential area? Once you have selected a RAP that interests you, check out where the RAPs are located, as many of the programs are offered in more than one residential area, presenting you with several options about where to live. 11. Where are RAPs located? RAPs are available in four of the residential areas on campus-Central, Northeast, Orchard Hill, and Southwest. Most are located in Residential First-Year Experience halls. The different residential areas at UMass have unique characteristics, which you can read more about on the UMass Housing and Residence Life website 12. Why are Focus RAPs the best choice for students who enter the university without a declared major? There are a number of reasons that we suggest undeclared students look closely at the Focus Enterprise and Focus Connections RAPs: Focus RAPs have the special feature of the OASIS First-Year Seminar taught by the advisors in Undergraduate Advising Students in OASIS work closely with an academic advisor to explore how their personality, interests, and abilities match with possible majors and careers. Students learn to improve academic success strategies (i.e. study skills and time management) and navigate the people and offices on the UMass campus. Students have an opportunity to connect with other students who are exploring majors, small group activities enable students to learn from and assist each other. 13. Will my roommate be another student in the same RAP? Yes, students enrolled in the following RAPs are required to be roommates with others in their program: All Commonwealth College Honors RAPs All Isenberg School of Management Fellows RAPs BioTAP Computer Science Majors RAP Engineering Majors RAPs English TAP Ernst & Young Partners in Education (PiE) RAP Global Opportunities RAP Nursing Majors RAP Performing & Visual Arts Majors RAP Psychology Majors RAP MAYBE, students who join the following RAPs may request to room with another student in the same RAP or a student in a different RAP in the same residence hall. If the student does not request a roommate he/she will likely be assigned a roommate from the same RAP. Please know that although you are not required to room with another student in your RAP, the rooms for RAP students are clustered together in the residence halls. If you room with a student from a different RAP, you may not live on the corridor with the other students in your RAP. Careers in Education RAP Careers in Law RAP Careers in Public Health RAP Communication Majors RAP Focus Enterprise RAP Focus Connections RAP Health Sciences RAP Literary Studies RAP Politics Today RAP Scientific Connections RAP Social Justice & Activism RAP Sociology Majors RAP Sustainability RAP For additional questions about roommates please visit the Housing Assignments website. 14. How many students participate in RAPs? Approximately 43% of incoming students joined a RAP for Fall 2009. 15. How many students are in each RAP? RAPs vary in size. Some RAPs have as few as 24 students, whereas others can accommodate up to 90 students. The specific number of spaces for each program are posted on the program description page on the RAP website. 16. Will I meet other students outside of my RAP? YES. While a RAP is intended to foster a sense of community among its participating students, it is not designed to isolate you from other students at the university. In fact, there are many opportunities to connect with other students at UMass-including students who live in your residence hall but are not affiliated with your RAP, as well as students you meet in your classes on the main campus. You are encouraged to explore different ways to get involved academically and socially at UMass-talk with your Resident Assistant (RA) or a Peer Mentor to find out about the many opportunities that UMass offers! 17. Will all of my classes be in the residence hall where I am living? NO. Please refer to the details of the specific programs to determine where your RAP classes will meet. Courses affiliated with your RAP may be in the hall where you live, or they may be in another building within the same residential area. Some classes may meet on the main campus. Also, the courses you enroll in as part of your RAP only fulfill a portion of your required credits for the semester. During New Students Orientation in the summer, you will be working with an academic advisor who will help you enroll in additional main campus courses. All students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits - most RAPs provide between 3-7 credits. 18. Can I join a RAP in the spring semester? NO. You can only join a RAP in the fall semester of your freshman year. You continue to live in the same room for the entire academic year. 19. How can I join a RAP? Do I have to wait until summer orientation (NSO)? NO. In fact, you can hold a spot in a RAP as early as May 18th. Please carefully read the section on How to Join a RAP for procedures and deadlines. ISOM Fellows have an application process with a different timeline - be sure to refer to their website for details. 20. Create you own question If you have a question we did not answer, please contact our program offices.
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