Freshman Academy: Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
- What is Freshman Academy?
- When is Freshman Academy?
- Who can enroll in Freshman Academy?
- How much is Freshman Academy?
- How do I register for Freshman Academy?
- Can I bring a car?
- Should I bring a computer?
- What are the dorms like?
- When can I check in?
- When is Orientation?
- Where do I get my textbooks?
- Are the 175 Dining Dollars enough for all my meals?
- What if I don't use all my Dining Dollars during Freshman Academy?
- How do I get to Rexburg?
- Do I need to take all my classes in my Learning Community?
- My family wants to go on vacation during Freshman Academy, can I miss school?
- My family wants to go on vacation during the online portion of Freshman Academy before July 9, can I go?
- Is there a waiting list for Freshman Academy?
- Can I reserve a spot in Freshman Academy without paying the $500 non-refundable deposit?
- Can I have a job during Freshman Academy?
- If I live locally, can I go home on weekends?
- Will I receive more information other than the website information?
- When can I register for the classes within my Learning Community?
- Are all the classes online before coming to campus?
- Is Freshman Academy the same as Summer Session?
- Can Freshman Academy students take additional Summer Session Classes?
1. What Is Freshman Academy?
Freshman Academy is a new program at BYU-Idaho where select incoming freshmen are grouped in learning communities to improve their academic, social, civic, and spiritual experiences during their first semester.
Our purpose is to facilitate rapid integration of new students into the BYU-Idaho experience. Freshman Academy learning communities are groups of students who take classes together, live near each other, and work with faculty and peer mentors to become outstanding scholars, citizens, and disciples of Jesus Christ.
Freshman Academy believes that in a community, all individuals are responsible for their own learning and for creating a setting in which others can learn as well. These commitments to individual responsibility and healthy community are based on the following principles:
- Learning is for personal benefit and the good of the community. The best learning comes through collaboration, not competition.
- Learning requires hard individual work and a commitment to publicly shape that work through feedback, discussion, service, and reflection.
- Learning in a community is essential training for successful citizenship, employment, parenthood, and discipleship. (Return to Questions)
2. When Is Freshman Academy?
Freshman Academy will occur June 30 - August 29, 2008 and is open to all freshman. Course work will begin at the student's home, via the internet, on June 30. Participants will come to the BYU-Idaho campus on July 19 or 21 and will begin classes on July 22. Freshman Academy will conclude on August 29.
Housing accommodations are provided for students attending Freshman Academy. (Return to Questions)
3. Who can enroll in Freshman Academy?
Freshman Academy is available to admitted single Freshman students of BYU-Idaho. If you have not been admitted to BYU-Idaho, please follow this link to BYU-Idaho Admissions. (Return to Questions)
4. How much is Freshman Academy?
The total cost of Freshman Academy is $1,375:
- Tuition: $765
- Housing from July 19 - August 29: $355 (A $50 refundable security deposit is included.)
- Class activities: $80
- $175 of Dining Dollars to be used at any campus eatery primarily for lunches on class days. Additional Dining Dollars or other meal plan options may be purchased through BYU-Idaho Food Services.
This does not cover transportation to or from campus, books, and other supplies. (Return to Questions)
5. How do I register for Freshman Academy?
Freshman Academy registration is available on a first-come, first-serve basis to. Enrollment is limited to 368 students. Students who register will receive further detailed information to be mailed out at a later date. (Return to Questions)
6. Can I bring a car?
Yes. (Return to Questions)
7. Should I bring a computer?
Computer labs are available, but many students find bringing a computer, particularly a laptop, very helpful. (Return to Questions)
8. What are the dorms like?
They are a standard two bedroom (2 students per bedroom) apartments with full kitchens, living rooms, and a bathroom. They are located on campus. Housing for Freshman Academy will be from July 19 - August 30, 2008.
Students are responsible for their own bedding, pots and pans, cooking utensils, and toiletries. (Return to Questions)
9. When can I check in?
Check in begins Saturday, July 19 from 2 - 7 p.m. or Monday, July 21 from 8 - 11 a.m. at your assigned dorm. (Return to Questions)
10. When is Orientation?
Monday, July 21 at 12 noon at the Taylor Chapel. Please be in your seats by 11:45 a.m. and parents are encouraged to attend. (Return to Questions)
11. Where do I get my textbooks?
You can buy textbooks at the BYU-Idaho Bookstore beginning Monday, July 21. The BYU-Idaho bookstore will be closed on Saturday, July 19. (Return to Questions)
12. Are the 175 Dining Dollars enough for all my meals?
No, not unless you eat very little. The Dining Dollars included in your package price are to buy lunches on campus during class days. You can contact BYU-Idaho Food Services for more Dining Dollars for other meals.
13. What if I don't use all my Dining Dollars during Freshman Academy?
No problem, they are transferable semester to semester.
14. How do I get to Rexburg?
Since directions to Rexburg are relative to where you are coming from, please refer to the university travel information on the following web page: http://www.byui.edu/orientation/parents/travel.htm (Return to Questions)
15. Do I need to take to all the classes in my learning community?
Yes, Freshman Academy learning communities are based around all students taking the same classes. Students who are not engaged in the same academic rigor as their classmates sometimes become distracting and have a negative impact on the community. The synergy of the learning community combined with help of faculty and peer mentors should ensure all students have the tools to succeed in their classes. (Return to Questions)
16. My family wants to go on a vacation during Freshman Academy, can I miss school?
That is up to you but missing school is not recommended. Freshman Academy curriculum is accelerated into six weeks on campus. Missing a week of Freshman Academy is like missing two or more weeks of a semester. Few students can be successful missing that much school. Instructors are under no obligation to let you make up missed assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. If you miss class, you live with the consequences. (Return to Questions)
17. My family wants to go on vacation during the online portion of Freshman Academy before June 30, can I go?
We will begin the online portion of the program in late-June. You will be working with your learning community on collaborative projects online. If, during your vacation, you are able to log onto the learning community's project every few days to add your input and complete academic deadlines; then the vacation may not negatively affect your performance. However, failing to participate in the online projects would result in loss of points in the GS 111 class. (Return to Questions)
18. Is there a waiting list for Freshman Academy?
Yes. Once a learning community is full, a waiting list will be available in it's place. (Return to Questions)
19. Can I reserve a spot in Freshman Academy without paying the $500 deposit?
If you find yourself in this situation please contact us at jenkinsa@byui.edu . With proof that financial aid will be granted, we can reserve a spot for you. (Return to Questions)
20. Can I have a job during Freshman Academy?
Yes, obviously you will want to plan it around class time and required activities. You will receive a syllabus for each class the first day of school to help you plan your schedule. (Return to Questions)
21. If I live locally, can I go home on weekends?
Yes and no. Class related activities may occur on Saturdays, which you will need to attend. However, most Saturdays are open. Sundays you should be in your assigned BYU-Idaho ward. Your membership records will be moved there. (Return to Questions)
22. Will I receive more information other than the website information?
Yes, detailed information packets will be sent after we receive confirmation of your $500 deposit. (Return to Questions)
23. When can I register for the classes within my Learning Community?
Students can begin registering for Freshman Academy classes when they receive their information packet. (Return to Questions)
24. Are all the classes online before coming to campus?
GS 111 is the only online class prior to coming to campus on July 21. Other classes may have online components after classes begin July 22. (Return to Questions)
25. Is Freshman Academy the same as Summer Session?
No. Summer Session is the academic time period of July 22 - August 29, 2008. Freshman Academy is an academic program whose campus classes are contained within the time period of Summer Session. Summer Session classes are not restricted to students in a particular program, such as Freshman Academy. (Return to Questions)
26. Can Freshman Academy students take additional Summer Session Classes?
Yes, though we warn new freshman not to overload their schedule their first time on campus. Please be aware that taking additional credits through Summer Session will require additional tuition per credit and will be paid to the University and not through Freshman Academy. If you are a male student planning to serve a mission shortly after attending Freshman Academy, we suggest taking the Mission Preparation, REL 130, evening class through Summer Session. (Return to Questions)
