Residential Academic Programs (RAP) provides UMass Amherst students with a wealth of opportunities to get involved in a variety of academic and social experiences.

As students participate in RAP programming, they expand their horizons and become engaged members of the campus and community, attaining increased levels of satisfaction and success.

For Spring 2019

RAP offers special sections of Gen Ed courses for current first-year students and incoming (January 2019) freshman and transfer students. Check out the great selection of courses!

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Resources for students and instructors

Academic Planner for Student Success 2018-2019

Note: the planner itself has monthly and weekly calendar pages that are not included in the PDF.
First-year students will receive their planner from their Peer Mentor during a residence hall floor meeting on Friday, Aug. 31

First-Year Student Resource Guide

Note: This document addresses first-year seminar common content and is a companion to the Academic Planner.

Please contact Kathy Weilerstein or come to Goodell Building Room 613 if you would like hard copies of either the planner or the handout.

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

** Incoming First Year Students **

Join a RAP community!

Who? ANY incoming first-year student (all majors and exploratory tracks)

What? Each 1st-Year RAP has a specific course that meets a university requirement

Where? Each 1st-Year RAP is in a designated first-year residence hall – options in 5 residential areas.

Why? Small classes (30 or fewer), dynamic & supportive instructors, ability to select where you will live, built-in friends, and much more - all for free. 

RAP students have so much to say about their experience. Check out all the wonderful comments!

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 2018 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 PDF of RAPs by Location for Fall 2018 to see which RAPs are offered in the various residential areas.


 

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