First Year Students

The freshman journey begins as soon as they connect with an acadmic advisor. Through this first meeting a summer program will be developed including:

• Connecting with various offices on campus to finalize admission
• Meeting with financial aid
• Placement testing
• Advising and Registration
• Registering for orientation

Orientation is required for all freshmen new to college or transferring 23 college credits or less. To learn more and register for this event, please click here.

A student’s freshman year continues in the First-Year Seminar. Designed for new students and those with 23 college credits or less, this three-quarter sequence helps students learn about general education and build the basic study and social skills necessary for success. 

Students pursuing a bachelor degree will enroll in the First-Year Seminar or those students who are solely seeking to complete prerequisites for a Pre-Health Profession will enroll in the Career Seminar for Pre-Health Professions.
 

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR

Designed for bacjelor's degree-seeking first-year students with fewer than 24 university-level units, this seminar introduces students to college life and professional success. 

This seminar is an introduction to La Sierra University life, including campus culture and the general education curriculum. Each course is centered around a major or similar group of majors; nevertheless, each seminar assists students with utilizing learning resources and strategies including time management, goal setting, and financial literacy.

Career Seminar for Pre-Health Professions

This seminar acclimates students to University life and addresses best-practices for a successful transition to a professional health degree program elsewhere. 

To support the freshman journey and beyond, students will be matched with First-Year Experience (FYE) advisor and a Major advisor. Students work with their FYE advisor throughout each quarter they are enrolled in the First-Year Seminar. Together they will review study skills and habits, monitor grades, and identify learning resources that will support their academic success. Students will also meet with their major advisor each quarter during their first year to plan schedules and work on completion plans.

At the end of the first year seminar, students will:

• Know requirements needed to complete their chosen academic program
• Utilize campus resources to enhance their learning experience
• Understand how to successfully navigate university life

This program is designed to support freshmen’s academic and social integration into university life. For students joining La Sierra during the fall term, the First-Year Experience begins with advising during the summer  and continues throughout the school year. This includes advising sessions with academic advisors, and supplemental experiences such as learning workshops and career fairs. Together these components work to provide new students with the essential tools needed for college success.

Yes. For freshmen joining La Sierra with 23 college units or less, the First-Year Seminar is required.

Academic advising is a working partnership focused on college success. Together with an academic advisor assigned by your major, each student explores learning styles, study habits, and campus resources. As a team, student and advisor identify areas that may need improvement then design effective strategies to strengthen these areas. Students meet with advisors in the Office of Academic Success or in large or small group sessions across campus

To view a directory of our academic advisors, click HERE.

After the First-Year Experience, students are still matched with their academic advisors, in addition they are assigned a faculty mentor who specializes in a student’s chosen academic field. Advisors will assist students with registration, planning, troubleshooting, campus referrals, and more. Mentors will work with students to discuss major related topics such as research, internships, and career opportunities. Together, student advisor, and mentor will develop a plan to ensure student success.