<p>I thought that I would share this from last year's form, with some editing.</p>
<p>When deciding on a college, it is possible to find many schools which offer First Year Experiences. But it is important to note that there is a big difference in what these programs really encompass on the various campuses. Where SLU truly succeeds in its First Year living-learning community is in its ability to connect with curriculum and provide a full credit bearing program. To read more
<a href="http://www.brevard.edu/fyc/instofexc.../narrative.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.brevard.edu/fyc/instofexc.../narrative.htm</a>
or
<a href="http://www.collegesofdistinction.com...27&st=students%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegesofdistinction.com...27&st=students</a></p>
<p>Also to learn more about the goals of the living learning communties, read Vince Tinto, a nationally recognized expert.
<a href="http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fsd/c2006/docs/learningbettertogether.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fsd/c2006/docs/learningbettertogether.pdf</a></p>
<p>While college rankings are always subject to question, but for those who may be interested, SLU has been in the USNEWs rankings, most recently 2004 in two lists "First Year Experiences" and "Living Communities". <a href="http://www.petersons.com/collegerankings/default.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.petersons.com/collegerankings/default.asp</a></p>
<p>Sorry folks, the above links don't seem to be directing to the correct articles</p>
<p>This will provide you specifics on what is going on this semester for course offerings in the FYP. Remember, EVERY freshman has to select one of these offerings.</p>
<p>My s has been taking Hong Kong Film Culture and Chinese National Identity this semester and has a very challenging research project to write. He has had excellent feedback and support from the Professor as he works through the required drafts.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07.htm</a></p>
<p>For more general overview of the FYP</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/index.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks, jelomom. SLU's First Year Program and living-learning communities certainly sound terrific. I'll share the info with my S, who has some tough decisions to make.</p>
<p>If you want to get a very good feel for expectations in the FY Seminars this spring, you can read the whole course syllabus by going to </p>
<p><a href="http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07.htm</a></p>
<p>and then picking one of the courses and clicking on the title, it will provide the complete syllabus from which the students work. I arbitrarily picked one
as an example</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07/trichur-final.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.stlawu.edu/fyp/spring07/trichur-final.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps with making decisions.</p>