Undergraduate Catalogue

First-Year Initiatives

The college recognizes that the quality of the first-year experience is strongly influenced by the development of positive academic and social experiences. As such, the college has developed a three-part program for all full-time day undergraduates designed to assist them with their transition to college life: a three-day orientation program in early summer, a first-week experience prior to the start of fall classes, and the First-Year Seminar.

The orientation program in early summer introduces the students to the Bentley community and the many resources available at the college. Students also attend academic advising sessions at which time they select and register for their fall classes. The First Week program is a week-long immersion program allowing new students to acclimate themselves to Bentley prior to the start of classes. Students attend a variety of educational workshops as well as computer training, English, math and seminar classes. The third initiative, the First-Year Seminar, is a mandatory one-credit course designed to help students with their overall adjustment and to lend assistance in making proper decisions regarding their academic and social development. The First-Year Seminar instructor will also serve as the student's academic adviser for his or her first three semesters at Bentley.