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The START-UP Summer Institute is the initial experience for first year students entering the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences through EOF. START-UP is a mandatory academic, career, and social experience designed to improve student performance in math and writing science courses and increase first year retention. *Students must commit to the four-week summer experience and for those living on campus in the fall, you must change your housing designation to Cook/Douglass Campus.
The 2025 START-UP Summer Institute dates are July 7-Aug 1, 2025
The START-UP Summer Institute will offer an intensive academic experience comprised of a multidisciplinary workshop series. The workshops include Mathematics, English Writing and Composition, Student Success, as well as Scientific Discovery.
Upon completing the summer program, EOF students may begin the fall semester with (3) three undergraduate degree credits and a greater familiarity with the academic demands and the social environment of Rutgers University.
The Summer Institute:
- Orients students to available programs and services
- Assesses students’ academic needs
- Prepares students for life at a major research institution
- Facilitates personal responsibility for the learning process
- Assists students in identifying their first-year goals and academic major
- Creates opportunity for personal growth, academic maturity and an appreciation of diversity
There are 5 required steps you must take to finalize your admissions to Rutgers and confirm your EOF eligibility, after you ENROLL NOW within the Rutgers Admissions portal.
Step 1: Tell your parent/ guardian that you will be participating in the residential summer program:
Program Dates: July 7-Aug 1, 2025
As a SEBS EOF student, you are REQUIRED to participate in the four-week program. The first week will be virtual and the remainder of the summer will be a residential in-person program. We are asking you to make a commitment to an in-person experience to engage in rigorous scholarly activities.
Step 2: Respond to all correspondences from HESAA (NJFAMS), Rutgers Office of Financial Aid and SEBS EOF.
If you do not submit requested financial documents, you may not be allowed to attend the Summer START-UP program and may jeopardize your admissions to Rutgers for the fall semester. All students will receive an email from SEBS EOF to help facilitate your EOF verification eligibility.
Step 3: Attend the SEBS EOF Academic Planning & Advisement (APA) session to select your fall 2025 courses.
Date: TBD (Cook/Douglass Campus)
All students and parent/guardian(s) are required to attend the APA Day. This day is designed so that you meet the SEBS EOF staff and learn more about Rutgers University and the amazing journey you are about to embark upon. All students will meet with an advisor to discuss fall courses and guardians will meet with the program administrators to discuss any concerns and answer questions. We ask that students bring a laptop, tablet or iPad to complete information during the APA session.
Step 4: Take the Rutgers University Placement Exam by May 23rd
Click the link above if you have not received college credits for Math and/or English. Students with math & English college credits must notify Dr. Wyatt immediately (do not take the placement exam yet).
You should complete the University placement tests for Math and English by May 23rd . Placement exam results will be used to select your fall courses which can begin after you have attended the SEBS EOF APA Day. SEBS does not require the World language placement exam. Make sure you review the practice exams for English & Math BEFORE you take the test!
Step 5: Purchase a computer (laptop) for your personal academic use during the summer START-UP program
All SEBS EOF incoming students are required to have a computing device such as a laptop or desktop (not a Chromebook). All students must also have access to reliable internet service to participate in the first week of the virtual/remote components of the summer educational experience.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- All summer START-UP participants must adhere to the SEBS EOF Summer Programs Policies and Procedures.
- Students must complete and return the START-UP Summer Institute Forms Application prior to attending the summer program. This application will be available in June.
- As a continuation of the summer program, all SEBS EOF students living on campus for the academic year will be required to reside on G. H. Cook or the Douglass campus during their first year at the University.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Dr. Edrice Wyatt, START UP Summer Institute Director at: sebseof@rutgers.edu