Vocational Support Services
Orientation Program
College Transitions Program (CTP)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why was I admitted into the CTP on Freshman Probation (FP)?
To be regularly-admitted to NMU, the Admissions Office looks for your ACT Composite Score to be a 19 or higher (or 900 SAT Combined Score) and your recalculated High School Grade Point Average (NMU only counts “academic” courses and not courses like gym, band, choir, shop, etc.) to be 2.25 or higher. They will also look to see that you’ve completed at least 12 academic “units” (one year of an academic course equals one unit; one-half a year equals one-half unit). NMU’s Admissions Office reviews your ACT/SAT and your HSGPA then places students in the CTP and admits you on FP.
2. How would I have been notified?
First, your admission letter would have welcomed you to NMU and noted that you had been admitted in the CTP. Secondly, you would have received a letter from the Vocational Support Services (VSS), soon after your admit letter, that briefly described the CTP. It would have also noted that you’d be notified of which “block” you were placed in when you attend Orientation. This is usually done via the e-mail address you provided to NMU.
3. Am I being punished for something?
Absolutely not. The CTP is a support program. Being that we do not personally know you, or your study habits, all we can go on are the scores and HSGPA that we received. Based on those scores, we made a determination that we may need to provide you with some extra help and/or support to ensure that you become successful in college.
4. Will other students know that I am on Freshman Probation?
Other than program staff and your academic adviser, the only one who knows that you are the CTP is you and anyone you may have told. The faculty teaching your courses probably won’t even know, unless you tell them. We hold your academic status in strict confidence.
5. Will I be successful?
That is completely up to you. Our data shows that 61-79% of FP students will attain “good standing” and be off probation after only one semester. (Prior to establishing this program, less than 40% of CTP students attained good standing after their first semester.) If you attend all classes and set aside plenty of time for studying, and accept our assistance, you have an excellent chance of being a successful college graduate.
6. What’s different about CTP students?
You will sign a Freshman Probation Agreement which outlines your responsibilities, you will be placed in a required “block” of courses, and your Freshman Seminar (UN100B) instructor will also served as your academic adviser until you exit the CTP, i.e., reach Good Standing. In addition, until you reach GS, you will not be assigned to your intended academic major.
7. What’s not different?
You will be enrolled in the same courses as other freshmen (unless you choose to do so, you will not be placed in any “developmental” courses), you will be able to complete your degree on time, and you will be treated as a college student. Therefore, you will:
] be held accountable for your actions,
] have to step forward for help,
] not receive any guarantees, and
] be rewarded for hard work.
8. How do I get off FP and to Good Standing (GS)?
As soon as you complete at least 12 credits (100-level or higher) and attain at least a 2.00 GPA (“C” average), you will be placed in good standing and exit the CTP and be off Freshman Probation. At that time you will be free to enter any major, take courses of your and your adviser’s choosing, etc.
9. Under what circumstances would I stay in the CTP after my first semester?
If you fail to pass at least 12 credits (100-level or higher) or you earn a GPA of less than 2.00 (but at least 1.70) you will remain in the CTP for (at least) one more semester. We will not, however, place you in a CTP block of courses after the first semester.
10. What happens if I do not earn the necessary grades to stay in school?
If you fail to earn at least a 1.70 GPA in your first semester (or fail to maintain a 1.70 overall GPA), you will be academically suspended for one calendar year. This suspension may be appealed, but, unless there are extreme/unusual circumstances, you will not be able to attend NMU (or any other Michigan 4-year school) for an entire year.
11. When do I sign the FP Agreement?
During Orientation prior to completing the course registration process.
12. What is a “block” of courses?
We place up to 25 students in the same “block” of courses – a UN100B Freshman Seminar course (2 credits) and two Liberal Studies courses (4 credits each), plus a “choose a course” – for a total of 12-14 credits. We may, however, have substituted a two-credit support course (EN101 or EN102) for one of the four-credit courses if your scores/HSGPA indicates some area(s) of weakness. In this case the total “load” for the semester will be 12 credits. By participating in a block, it is easy for students to get to know classmates, share notes, form study groups, etc.
13. May I substitute courses within my block?
Typically, no. We may, however, if others are available, be able to switch your entire block of courses.
14. What about switching to a completely different block?
Maybe. If other blocks are available, we may be able to switch your entire block.
15. May I add a course to my block?
Maybe. If you’d like to add an HP or another one- or two-credit course, we may be able to accommodate your wishes. We will definitely not add another four-credit course to your schedule.
16. When may I take classes in my major?
If a class is available from your major to use as your “choose a course” we will look to add to your block schedule. If no class is available we are quite confident that you will attain academic good standing after the fall semester, therefore, will work with you to register for courses in your major for the following semester.
17. Who may I speak with if I do have additional questions?
The Director of the College Transitions Program is…
Chris Fries, Coordinator
Vocational Support Services - 103 Jacobetti Center - Ph: (906) 227-2283 e-mail: cfries@nmu.edu
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