Frequently Asked Questions

Every year the First Year Experience Program accepts over 800 new first year students! We make every effort to thoroughly review every application we receive. Only students who complete all steps to joining the program will be considered for review.

 

Although we do not use your high school grades to accept you into the program, we use them to determine into which FYE learning community/cohort to place you. For example, if you are eligible to take English 1A at El Camino College, then you would be placed into a cohort with English 1A.

 

Learning communities/cohorts involve the intentional creation of class pairs around a common theme. Learning communities are a great way to connect with a network of supportive classmates, teachers and counselors. Classroom activities, tests, assignments, field trips, research projects, and educational technology are used to engage students in their own learning. Research indicates learning communities promote student achievement, retention, and progress toward degree completion.

 

Yes. If you are admitted into FYE, you will be added to one of our learning communities, which is usually a combination of an English class and a CSU and or UC transferable course (both courses would be required if admitted).

 

Although FYE expands every year, we cannot accept every student who applies. The sooner you complete all required steps, the better your chances of getting into the program. Please note that if you are accepted, we will contact you via email. If you do not respond, then your spot is given to the next student on the list.

 

Not necessarily. We admit students based on the available learning communities/cohorts. We offer a large variety of cohorts across different math and English levels so being admitted is largely based on whether the level into which you placed still has available spaces. Please note that English 1A learning communities/cohorts tend to fill the quickest, so the earlier you complete all required steps, the better the chances of being admitted.

 

Below is an example of one of our FYE learning communities/cohorts:

Sample
Subject	Day	Time
English 1A (Reading and Composition)	Monday / Wednesday	10:15 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
American Studies 7 (History of American Popular Culture)	Monday / Wednesday	1 - 2:25 p.m.

 

Yes. All students admitted into the FYE program are required to be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 units). 

 

Yes! FYE has learning communities/cohorts specifically for STEM students.

 

Definitely! We encourage you to seek out as much support as is available. For example, you can be in FYE and EOPS, FYE and MESA, etc. However, there are a few exceptions. There are other learning community/cohort programs on campus (such as Puente and Project Success) that may require you to be enrolled in specific courses that may interfere or overlap with FYE classes. Work closely with one of our advisers who will explain the differences between these programs to help determine which program is best for your needs. You can reach us at 310-660-6936. 

 

Yes. FYE offers two honors courses (English 1A and English 1C) to help you satisfy your HTP honors course requirement for the semester. FYE also offers regular counseling support to help you with your transfer-related questions, which includes one-on-one assistance with university admissions applications.