Residential Academic Programs (RAP) provides UMass Amherst students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of rewarding academic and social experiences.

Students that participate in a RAP program quickly become part of the UMass Amherst community. RAP programming gives students the tools to build a strong foundation for their academic and personal success.

Fall 2019 RAP options are now posted with current descriptions!

  • Small communities, BIG opportunities
  • CONNECT with classmates for study groups and class projects.
  • Transition more easily to college life
  • More in-depth discussions

Coming to UMass in the Fall?  Consider joining a RAP!

Joining a RAP community is easy, and helps students successfully transition to college life.

Who? ANY incoming first-year student (all majors and exploratory tracks) are encouraged to join a RAP program. Nearly half of incoming first-year students participate in a RAP. 
What?  A RAP includes an exciting course with a small class size and a living-learning community in the residence hall. These courses are taught by engaging instructors and fulfill university requirements. All RAPs help students build a foundation for success in college.
Where? There are RAPs in all first-year residence halls in Central, Northeast, Orchard Hill, Southwest, and the Commonwealth Honors College residential areas. Most RAPs have a one-semester course commitment, but students keep their living arrangement for the year. 
Why? Dynamic & supportive instructors, lasting friendships, skills for a successful college experience, the ability to select your residence hall, and much more - all for free. 

See what other students have to say about their RAP experience! 

RAP has a variety of options. Explore these choices and see which RAP is best for you!

 

Incoming First-Year Students

Incoming Transfer Students

Returning Students

 

There are various ways to make a decision about which First-Year RAP is best for you. Since each Gen Ed RAP has a designated course, you can review the comprehensive List of courses for Gen Ed RAPs for Fall 2019 to see which courses spark your interest.

Students may have a particular area of campus they prefer to live. Since RAPs are located in all first-year residence halls in five areas of campus, you can review this 
 RAPs by Location for Fall 2019.

For more than 50 years RAP has been a great way for incoming students to begin their college careers. Many features have changed over the years, but it has always been true that when students join a RAP, they become part of a small community on a large campus.

Check out our About RAP page to learn more!

Visit the first-year programs page to see all available options for first-year students for Fall 2018. If you are a transfer student, visit the Transfer RAP page.

“Joining a RAP was the best decision I have made so far in college. I have now met all of my best friends in this class while engaging in course material that I am very passionate about.” Fall 2017 RAP Student