First Year Impact Program

The College of Charleston’s First Year Impact (FYI) Program is designed to assist you in building a solid foundation for reaching your academic goals and earning your College of Charleston degree. 

While you are in the FYI program, ASRO will monitor your academic progress and refer you to appropriate resources for managing personal or academic concerns as needed. Your success is our shared goal and we hope you will utilize the resources available to you as a student at the College of Charleston to be successful in your first year.

If you have questions, please email FYIprogram@cofc.edu

First Year Impact Overview

The First Year Impact Program provides clear expectations and recommendations based on a comprehensive review of successful students.
  • How long will I be in the First Year Impact Program?

    FYI is a two semester program (Fall and Spring) for students in their first year of enrollment at the College of Charleston

    At the end of the Spring semester, all participants will be evaluated for continuation at the College. Continued enrollment requires completion of all program requirements and being in Good Academic Standing at the end of the Spring term.

  • FYI Requirements (as of Fall 2024): 
    • Sign your First Year Impact Program Agreement
    • Meet with your assigned Peer Academic Coach (PAC) on a weekly basis.
    • Enroll in 15 credits each semester. Note: 12 credits is considered full-time
    • Attend one Student Success Workshop per semester.
    • Engage in 3 tutoring sessions within the Center for Student Learning (CSL) before midterm grades for both the Fall and Spring semester.
    • Meet with your assigned academic advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center (AAPC) once each semester

    *If you do not complete the items above, then a hold may be placed on your account

  • ASRO Recommendations for FYI Students

    • Enroll in a First Year Experience (FYE) course in your first semester.  
      (FYE is a graduation requirement for all College of Charleston students and must be completed within your first year of enrollment.)
    • Discuss any schedule changes or course withdrawals with our office staff. 
    • Check your College of Charleston email account daily. Faculty and staff will only contact you via your College of Charleston email address. 
    • FYI staff will review midterm grades after they are posted each semester.  
      (You may be required to meet with staff to create an academic recovery plan if midterm grades are not satisfactory.)
    • We support students who would like to have a job while pursuing their education. We recommend limiting work hours to no more than 15 hours per week. On campus employment is encouraged.
    • Submit the academic reflection survey that will be sent via email from FYI staff at the end of each semester.

Evaluating your Progress

During your time in the First Year Impact Program, it is important to monitor your progression to successful completion of the program and to remain in Good Academic Standing by reviewing your midterm and final grades.
  • Midterm Grade Review

    • Students in the First Year Impact (FYI) Program review Midterm grades with their Peer Academic Coach (PAC) to ensure they are making adequate progress toward course completion and to connect them to appropriate campus resources.  

    • Students with multiple deficient grades (C- or below) at Midterms are required to meet with FYI staff prior to the Withdrawal Deadline to create an academic plan of improvement, discuss course withdrawals and address academic challenges.  

  • End of Term Final Grade Review

    At the end of each semester, Academic Success and Retention Office staff will review all final grades. First Year Impact Program students will receive an email from the office notifying them of their updated Academic Standing. To be in Good Academic Standing, you must be meeting the conditions in the chart below.

     

    Total Credits Earned

    Minimum GPA Required

    0 - 29

    1.500

    30 - 59

    1.800

    60+

    2.000

    Continuation at the College past the Spring term is based upon completion of the program requirements and meeting Academic Standards by being in Good Academic Standing. After the Spring semester, all program participants will be evaluated for continuance at the College or are subject to non-continuance.

  • What do I do if I am discontinued at the end of the program?

    1. Reflect on any barriers to your academic or personal success and seek resources to address them
    2. Complete 30 credits at another institution (not the College of Charleston)
    3. Apply to the College of Charleston though the STEP Readmission Program. Re-Admission is not guaranteed.