Kennesaw State University

EARLY START BRIDGE ACADEMY July 14-August 6

An experience to assist first-year students to

Get In; Get Started; Get Through!

2014

Dear Future KSU Student:It is my distinct pleasure as interim dean of University College to welcome you to Kennesaw State University’s program designed to help you succeed in college. The tag line for the Early Start Bridge Academy is Get In; Get Started; Get Through! The idea is for you to be admitted to Kennesaw State University, get an early start on acquiring the skills you need for your transition to college for you to be successful throughout your college odyssey, and, ultimately, to embark on the next phase of your life. As you progress through your college experience, you will face many challenges. ESBA will provide you with an array of tools that will help you meet those challenges. You will learn strategies for achieving academic success. You will learn how to manage your time, how to develop good study skills and how to reduce stress. You will also learn the mathematics skills necessary to successfully complete your college math requirement.

The key feature of this program is embodied in its name. You will get an “early start” on courses that you would otherwise have

begun in the fall semester. By stretching the material in these courses over 19 weeks (four weeks in July, followed by 15 in fall), you will have additional time to make the often difficult transition from high school to college. Furthermore, by the time the fall semester officially starts, and you are taking additional courses, you will have already mastered some of the skills necessary to help you succeed. You will also be interacting with the same group of students in both of the ESBA courses, so you will have the opportunity to form friendships, study partnerships and support groups that will help you with your transition to college even as you meet many other KSU students in your additional fall semester courses. You will also have the opportunity to get to know your faculty, support team and student peer mentors/advisors. You have an excellent team working with you. The team’s goal is to help you succeed. You will need to do your part. If you do, the team will provide you with all the support you will need.

It has been said that “a journey begins with a single step.” By enrolling in Kennesaw State

University’s Early Start Bridge Academy, you will take that first step on a rewarding journey to your future. I wish you success in this program, success in your college career and success in your life’s journey.

Sincerely,

Keisha L. Hoerrner, Ph.D. Interim Dean, University College

What is the EARLY START BRIDGE ACADEMY?

Administered by Kennesaw State’s University College, the Early Start Bridge Academy (ESBA) is a three-week program that begins just before the fall semester. This program is a “bridge” because it helps students make the transition into college easier. The 2014 Early Start Bridge Academy will offer students the chance to get an early start in completing one of their mathematics requirements and the KSU First-Year requirement. The program will be held July 14-Aug. 6, 2014, from 8:15 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays. Students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to begin the course work in Math 1111: College Algebra (and supplemental mathematics lab, if

necessary), as well as KSU 1101: First-Year Experience Seminar, continuing those courses with the same dedicated instructors, peer mentors and classmates when the regular fall semester begins on Aug. 18, 2014. Students have the extra time to build their foundational algebra skills and academic study skills, with tutorials, at no additional cost to the regular fall tuition.

Also, to assist you with being successful in college, the ESBA will supply you with your mathematics and KSU 1101 textbooks, the KSU 1101 common reader, and a TI-83 Plus graphing calculator.

Program Requirements:

• To be eligible to participate in the Early Start Bridge Academy, the applicant must be eligible for high school graduation by June 2014.

• For COMPASS, required applicant must have taken and met the COMPASS minimum math test score for admission and been admitted to Kennesaw State University as a traditional-aged, first-year student.

• The applicant who is NOT required to take the COMPASS exam must have been accepted to Kennesaw State University as a traditional-aged, first-year student.

• Applicant must have a score of 490 or below on the SAT and/or a score of 22 or below on the ACT on the mathematics portion of the standardized test(s).

If the student is found to be eligible to participate in this program, the following are required:

• The student must submit an additional application for the program (located in the back of the brochure) and a one-page statement addressing why you would want to be part of the 2014 ESBA.

• If applicant passed the COMPASS exam or the COMPASS exam was not required to gain admission to the university, the applicant must complete the KSU Math Advisement Placement (MAPT) exam. The math placement exam is located by visiting http://placement.kennesaw.edu.

Deadlines to apply for the 2014 Early Start Bridge Academy:

• For priority consideration, applicants must apply by April 19.

• For final consideration, applicants must apply by May 10.

Check the advantages for students in the EARLY START BRIDGE ACADEMY:

• Get to know Kennesaw State University

• Get an early start on your college academic career

• Enhance your academic skills

• Meet college professors

• Participate in cultural and social activities

• Make new friends

Early Start Bridge Academy APPLICANT INFORMATION

Direct any questions for the Early Start Bridge Academy to: Ms. Nicoly Y. Myles Office: (770) 499-3530 E-mail: ksuesba@kennesaw.edu Website: www.kennesaw.edu/uc/esba

Early Start Bridge Academy HOUSING

Early Start Bridge Academy is an excellent way to become acquainted with the campus, other students, faculty and staff. Consider the added benefit if you can make all of these connections from your home base on campus: the University Village housing community. Yes, ESBA offers special housing options for students who are accepted into the program. If you are interested in

obtaining more information about the Early Start Bridge Academy on-campus housing block, check the box on the ESBA application located on the back of the brochure. If you are placed in the ESBA housing block, you will be able to live in the same room from July 2014-June 2015. Please keep in mind that space is limited in the Early Start Bridge Academy housing block.

“Starting with the ESBA program has helped me not only get prepared for classes but also understand the lifestyle I will soon need to adapt to. ESBA was one of the greatest programs created

because it definitely helps students get prepared, understand and transform their lives to a new setting to get used to. I am happy I will not be one of the many freshman students being late to

class or wandering around looking lost.”

Brooke B., ESBA 2013

MEET THE EARLY START BRIDGE ACADEMY TEAM

NICOLY Y. MYLES is the University College’s Early Start Bridge Academy program manager. She earned her undergraduate degree in international affairs from Kennesaw State University, a master’s degree in adult education from Central Michigan University, and is currently completing her doctoral degree in higher educational leadership.

ROB BIRRELL is a senior lecturer of mathematics. He earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Humboldt State University, a master’s degree in mathematics from California State University-Northridge, and an educational specialist degree from Georgia State University.

TONYA JONES is an assistant professor of mathematics and director of Learning Support at KSU. She earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Georgia Southern University and a master’s degree in mathematics from Emory University.

KATHY MATTHEWS is the director of the First-Year Retention Initiatives. A Ford Foundation Fellow, she earned degrees in English and comparative literature from San Jose State University and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

PINDER NAIDU is an assistant professor of mathematics. She earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Leicester Polytechnic, an MBA from University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Ph.D. in math education from Georgia State University.

“My ESBA experience was truly unique. At first I thought I didn’t need to be in this program. I already have some good older friends that attend the university

and have spent some time prior running around campus. After a day or two, I realized how important it is to have friends that are my own age. The people I met

in this program will be with me for the rest of the semester. I now have a strong support group.”

Paige D., ESBA 2013

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

KSU I.D. #:

Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

Preferred phone number:

Alternate phone number:

KSU e-mail address:

Alternate e-mail address:

Parent(s) Name(s):

Parent(s) Phone Number(s):

High school attended:

COMPASS exam score (if applicable):

MAPT exam score (if applicable):

**WITH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE STATEMENT, TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED ADDRESSING WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO BE PART OF THE 2014 ESBA.

T-Shirt size: S M L XL XXL

Circle one: Men’s Women’s

In 2014-2015, I plan to be a (please check one)

residential student commuter student

If you plan on being a residential student and are accepted into the ESBA, are you interested in moving on campus in July and living in the ESBA block in the University Village?

Yes OR No

IMPORTANT DATES for Early Start Bridge Academy participants

*All ESBA information sessions will be held in the Student Center Leadership Room. *The mandatory “ESBA Kickoff” will be held in the Student Center University Rooms A-C.

March 22

Information session for students and parents from 9-11 a.m.

June 13

KSU New Student Orientation

April 26

Information session for students and parents from 9-11 a.m.

July 14

First day of Early Start Bridge Academy

April 19

Early Start Bridge Academy application packet priority deadline

August 6

Last day of Early Start Bridge Academy

May 10

Early Start Bridge Academy application packet final deadline

August 6

Early Start Bridge Academy Recognition Ceremony from 7-9:30 p.m.

June 12

Mandatory “ESBA Kickoff” for program students and parents from 7-9:30 p.m.

August 18

First day of fall semester courses

EARLY START BRIDGE ACADEMY APPLICATION

Please return your Early Start Bridge Academy (ESBA) application packet to:

Ms. Nicoly Y. Myles Kennesaw State University University College 1000 Chastain Road, MD #2401 Kennesaw, Georgia 30144 Office phone: (770) 499-3530 E-mail : ksuesba@kennesaw.edu Apply online: www.kennesaw.edu/uc/esba

Get In; Get Started; Get Through!

University College 1000 Chastain Road, MD #2401 Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

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