The First Year Program

In your first year at Elizabethtown College, you will embark on a common learning experience with others in your incoming class. This interdisciplinary course is coupled with an outside-the-classroom experience, allowing you exposure to cultural and educational events across campus. The Common Core has two components:

 First Year Seminar (3 credits)

This interdisciplinary educational experience develops intellectual skills, critical thinking and writing skills and broadens definitions of learning. You’ll learn multiple ways to acquire and integrate knowledge and information. This academic course is topical in nature, meaning that each seminar has its own emphasis. These seminars do not necessarily have anything to do with a given major. This is all part of our commitment to a liberal arts education. We want our students to become well-rounded scholars.

As part of your orientation paperwork, you'll select your top 10 choices of First Year Seminar course options from a list of usually more than 30 courses -- most students who submit on time received one of their top three choices! Each First Year Seminar Class is capped at 15 students, allowing you to develop close relationships with your instructor and peers. 

Intellectual Engagement Experience (1 credit)

Commonly called IEE, this experience will immerse you in campus culture. Attend plays, talks, readings, films, exhibits, concerts, lectures and more – then discuss in weekly meetings with your class.

First-Year Advising

A third component of the First-Year Program is advising. Your First Year Seminar instructor will be your official advisor for the year. Once you declare a major, you will be paired with a faculty mentor in your discipline.

Letter from Dean of the
First-Year Program

Now that you know a little bit about the First-Year Program, maybe I should tell you a bit about me. I am an associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry; I'm the Biochemistry professor at the College. I have thoroughly enjoyed the 16 years that I have been at Elizabethtown College. I find the interactions I have with students to be both rewarding and uplifting. Elizabethtown is a special place. It is all about relationships. You definitely are NOT a number here at Elizabethtown! You will forge amazing relationships with your peers, resident assistants, coaches, faculty, and staff that will last a lifetime. The education you receive at Elizabethtown will endow you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to compete with the best of the best in your chosen field. The First-Year Program you will complete in the fall will provide the necessary structure and support to excel in anything you put your mind to. The First-Year instructors/advisors will stimulate your curiosity and passion for learning, while providing the necessary guidance to make the transition from high school to college seamless. Our hope is that your experience in the First-Year Program will set the tone for a rewarding and successful college experience at Elizabethtown College as well as a lifetime of learning. Welcome aboard, we're happy you've selected Elizabethtown for the next chapter of your life!

Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Hagan

Assistant Dean for the First-Year Program
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry