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First Year Integration Programs

School of Engineering student leaders provide assistance and support to first-year students as advisors and mentors.

First Year Transition Leader

What is a First Year Transition Leader? 

First Year Transition Leaders (FYTLs) are volunteers who play a critical role the summer before new engineering students arrive on campus by helping them transition from high school grads to college students. To be an effective FYTL you should be an enthusiastic, good communicator who enjoys meeting people.  

FYTLs are assigned their own group of about 25 incoming students and interact with them both formally and informally, primarily in a virtual space, off and on throughout the summer months.  FYTLs share info with new students about the first-year curriculum, show them important tools for course registration (i.e., Webreg, Degree Navigator, Course Scheduler, etc.), and much more!

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Interested in Becoming an FYTL? 

FYTL selection is based on a variety of factors, including the ability to engage with a diverse group of people, knowledge of SOE and University resources, and specific GPA requirements. The selection process involves an application and an interview. Students selected for the program should plan to devote about 20 total hours between April and late August, including several training sessions (in-person and online) designed to prepare them for the two online summer sessions they will conduct with their assigned students.   

Applications open in March each year and include an interview process.

Please email firstyear@soe.rutgers.edu with any questions. 

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Engineering Peer Advisor Program 

What is an Engineering Peer Advisor? 

The mission of an Engineering Peer Advisor (EPA) is to help first-year students thrive at Rutgers’ School of Engineering (SOE). EPAs do this in many ways, but most importantly by guiding first-years and helping them feel more comfortable and confident about their decision to pursue engineering. As an EPA your goals include being a bridge between first-year students and their Deans/Advisors, improving their student experience, and building relationships with them and advocating for their growth.  

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Interested in Becoming an EPA? 

EPAs are selected based on a variety of factors, including specific GPA requirements, their knowledge of SOE and University resources, and their ability to engage with a diverse group of students. Upon acceptance to the program, EPAs must attend all training sessions and commit about 6 hours/week each semester to participate in a variety of activities like attending EPA Team meetings, holding regular Office Hours, supporting an assigned section of Intro to Engineering (fall semester only), and more. This is a volunteer position. 

Applications open in March each year and include an interview process. 

Please email firstyear@soe.rutgers.edu with any questions. 

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