New program to target freshmen

Recently, the first group of Freshman Academy students embarked on a
 journey designed to help them reach their goals of academic success.
The Freshman Academy is a new, one year long program offered to incoming
 freshman based on matriculation test scores in English, math, and
reading and includes an interview process. "The interview process was 
the most important part," said Saddleback College Counselor Jo Ann Alford.


As a freshman coming into Saddleback College, discovering all the
available aid programs one might be eligible for can be very confusing.
 That is why Saddleback counselors are available to guide students into 
programs like the Freshman Academy.  "The program is designed to
 assist students in reaching their academic goal. Most students express a
 goal of transferring to a university. The program helps students to 
complete their first year of college with a solid base of academic and
 social skills to get through a college program and move on to the next
 level of study, the university level," Alford said.


What are the advantages offered to students?  The Freshman Academy
 program offers guidance by helping students choose their classes and
 guaranteeing their enrollment in those classes through Early Bird
 registration, tutoring sessions, support from Saddleback College 
Counselors, faculty mentoring and academic counseling. Field trips to 
four-year schools and other group activities are also scheduled through
out the year, allowing students to feel a part of the college community.


Who qualifies for the Freshman Academy? Applicants are required to
 matriculate sufficiently to enroll in English 340 to meet the reading
 criteria, placement in English 300 or 340 for the English criteria, and
 Math 351 for the math criteria. Students are required to maintain a GPA 
of 2.0 and remain enrolled in all their classes through the duration of
the semester. Screening for The Freshmen Academy is during Early Bird
 registration and students are notified by mail if they qualify for
application.
 "The program has the potential to make a real difference in students' 
lives. With support and encouragement, freshman academy students are 
provided a real opportunity for success," said English and Journalism
 Instructor Carol Ziehm.


"I think it is helping them significantly.  They might not realize it 
now.  We are with them every step of the way.  When they look back, they 
will realize how helpful it was," said Saddleback College Counselor Eric
 Garcia.