Undecided Undecided Honors Foundations
About Explorations
Since 1989, nearly 4,500 students have begun their studies at the University of Maine in Explorations. In the early years, there had only been approximately 100 new students enrolled in the program annually. Most recently, tremendous interest has resulted in nearly 500 students entering the program in the Fall semester and as many as 50 have joined in the Spring.
It is common for students entering college to be undecided about a major or to have several areas of academic interest. Such students can apply for admission to Explorations rather than to one of the baccalaureate degree colleges at the University of Maine.
Through a special first-year seminar and close contact with advisors, students in Explorations engage in structured activities that enable them to make informed choices for a major or potential career. By the end of the first year, students generally feel more confident in identifying an academic program, which suits their abilities and intellectual or career interests. At the time of declaration of major or transfer to a college, students must meet the eligibility requirements (e.g., GPA) of the particular major or college of interest.
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Students are assigned an advisor and placed into an FYE100 first-year seminar course as:
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| Undecided | During the first semester or year, students may have several areas of academic interest and value the given time to more thoroughly explore the academic opportunities at UMaine. Students assess their abilities, interests, and goals while investigating the University’s various degree programs and numerous resources. Under the guidance of their advisors, students in Explorations select courses to investigate areas of interest while also fulfilling the University’s General Education requirements. |
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| Undecided Honors |
Undecided students who are also invited to join the
Honors College are welcome to apply to Explorations for admission
rather than to one of the baccalaureate degree colleges at the
University of Maine. An FYS Honors seminar is taught by an instructor who serves both as the Honors College and Explorations advisor. Explorations Honor students will be given the opportunity to assess their abilities, interests, and goals while investigating the University’s various degree programs and numerous resources. Under the guidance of their advisor, students will select courses in areas of interest while also fulfilling General Education and Honors requirements. Explorations Honor students may choose to major in any of the undergraduate programs at the University. |
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| Foundations |
Foundations provides students who do not
meet the admissions standards for their chosen major an opportunity
to matriculate at the University of Maine on an academic contract
with a restricted class schedule. This one-year program is designed
to allow students to adjust to the college environment and the
academic rigors required at the University of Maine. To be eligible
to enroll in this program, students must sign an admission contract
agreeing to the terms of the program. Students enroll in a
first-year seminar taught by their academic advisor as well as a
select set of regular college level courses that fulfill the general
education requirements. Students will not be allowed to take math or
lab science courses during the first semester unless the student
earned exceptional high school grades in those areas. To ensure a successful transition from high school to college, students in the Foundations program will be required to attend (5) on-on-one meetings with their academic advisor during the first semester, attend every class in all courses in the program, successfully complete the Foundations FND 100 class with a passing grade, use the Tutor Program for at least one course, and meet one-on-one with a career counselor from the UMaine Career Center during the first semester. To remain in the program, students must earn specific grade point averages at the end of each semester. At the end of the first semester, a student must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. If their GPA is below that, they will be placed on academic probation with a specific academic contract that includes the requirement to participate in the academic recovery program. If their GPA is below 1.0, they will be suspended. At the end of their second semester, a student must maintain a GPA of 2.0. If their GPA is below 2.0 and above a 1.5, they will be allowed to remain in the Foundations Program for a third semester on probation with a specific academic contract. If their GPA is below a 1.5, they will be suspended. By successfully completing their first semester with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, or by completing their second semester with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, the student will be eligible to transfer to a major within one of the University of Maine’s five colleges. Students should realize that they are not guaranteed the ability to transfer to a specific UMaine program, as some programs may require a 2.5 GPA or better in order to transfer and some programs may have a space limit. |
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