First-Year Support

Summer Program

Summer program courses meet Monday through Friday for two weeks in August. The summer program consists of three courses: mathematics, English composition and Dominican’s interdisciplinary Freshman Seminar. Students in the Aspire program are expected to attend all classes during the two-week session, and failure to meet this requirement can result in admission to the university being withdrawn.

In June and July, students in the Aspire program—along with all incoming freshmen at Dominican—attend a SOAR (Summer Orientation Advising and Registration) session. During SOAR, all students take placement exams in English and mathematics; students also meet with their first-year academic advisor to register for summer and fall classes.

Unless they place into advanced courses, Aspire students enroll in four-credit sections of English 100 and Math 120. In addition, all Aspire students enroll in a four-credit Freshman Seminar, which is taught by their academic advisor.

Our four-credit courses continue through the fall semester, for a total of 17 weeks. As a result, the summer program provides a bridge of ongoing support for Aspire students.

Fall Program

In the fall, all Aspire students continue in their section of Freshman Seminar. Students who enrolled in English 100 and/or Math 120 also continue in those courses.

Finally, in consultation with their advisor at SOAR, students choose one or two additional courses. For students who did not place into English 100 and Math 120 in the summer, this will include an English and math course at the appropriate level.

Spring Program

In the spring of freshman year, all Aspire students participate in workshops and gatherings with faculty and peers designed to continue strengthening their academic performance. All students meet with their academic advisors during the fall semester to choose the remainder of their courses for the spring.