Seawolves F1rst Supportive Pathways

Sonoma State’s Seawolves F1rst Initiative provides incoming First-Time First-Year (FTFY) students with support opportunities to smoothly transition from high school to college and successfully complete their English and math coursework requirements in their first year. 

a FREE early start opportunity!

How to Apply 

• Want to get a "jump start" on your academic success at SSU? Apply to join other first-year students and come to campus early as part of our Jump Start program.
• Learn the keys to academic success, participate in pre-term workshops, meet other first-year students, and get adjusted to campus before the semester begins.
• Early move-in cost is covered for all students with an on-campus housing contract for Fall 2025. Meals and all program supplies will be provided to all participants.

• To apply to the Fall 2026 Jump Start program, please complete the application below. In early June, all incoming first-year students will receive an email and hard copy invitation to apply as well.

  Jump Start Application 
   

NOTES: The Jump Start program is open to all incoming first-year students. Applying to the program does not guarantee admittance. Students participating in Summer Bridge may not participate in Jump Start.

Due Dates

• The last date to apply to the Jump Start program is: June 18, 2026
• Accepted participants will be notified via email: June 24, 2026
• If accepted, students must commit to attendance by: July 8, 2026

I’ve been accepted, what’s next?

• Complete participation agreement: to be determined
• Move-in day for accepted and confirmed participants: August 17, 2026
• Jump Start programming: Evening Monday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 19

*Participation in ALL Jump Start programming is required.*

What do past students say about the Jump Start Program?

The overwhelming majority of past Jump Start participants said Jump Start helped them:

• Learn their way around campus
• Be prepared for the first day of class
• Understand how to access and use support services like tutoring and advising
• Gain confidence in communicating with their professors
• Acquire effective strategies for studying and managing their time

Questions or want more information? Email [email protected].

Incoming first-year students will receive a notification in mid-June regarding their English and Math course enrollments for the upcoming academic year. This letter includes information on course pre-enrollment.

For more details, visit the EAP Website at eap.sonoma.edu.

For direct inquiries, contact Karoline Gaitan at [email protected].

First-Year Learning Communities (FLCs), part of the First and Second Year Transition programs FAST Programs (FAST), offer year-long General Education courses designed for first-year students.

These courses integrate transition support to help students adjust to academic and student life at SSU with the support of a peer mentor, fostering connections with faculty and peers.

FLC participants tend to have:

• Higher GPAs
• Better persistence rates
• A stronger sense of community

For more details, visit the FAST website at fast.sonoma.edu or follow us on Instagram (@ssufast).

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

• Students will be pre-enrolled in fall and/or spring English and math courses as determined by college preparation and major requirements.
• Students may also be pre-enrolled in a first-year learning community (FLC) based on their major department's recommendation and personal academic interests.

• Students will learn more about FLCs and additional English/math coursework options during Summer Orientation when meeting with academic advisors to register for remaining fall coursework.