First-Year RAP sign-up will open Sunday, May 19 at 12:00 noon EST

If you need help on Sunday, May 19 see instructions on the "Contact Us" page

Transfer RAP sign-up will be at another time - stay tuned.

Students may join a RAP until they complete their New Student Orientation

See details below.
If you have questions or need assistance, please feel free to send us an email or call the office 413-545-2803

Part 1 - Hold a Spot

BEFORE you can hold a spot in a RAP you must complete the following steps:

  1. Pay your Enrollment Fee - due May 1, 2019
  2. Sign-up for a NSO Session
  3. Take your Math Placement Test on-line 
    1. Please note that it takes approximately 48 hours for the score to be recorded in the system.
    2. Transfer students interested in joining the Transfer RAP do not have to take the Math Placement Test

Beginning on May 19 at 12 noon EST, once the first 3 steps listed above are completed, first-year students:

  1. Go to the RAP sign-up page - you will see all the RAPs you are eligible to join.
  2. Choose the program you are interested in
  3. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and "confirm".

** Transfer students can hold a spot in the Transfer RAP beginning in June (exact date will be announced soon)

Having trouble? Check our Contact Us page.

Part Two - CONFIRM your spot:

When you are at Summer NSO:

  1. During your small group meeting, tell your Orientation Leader which RAP you joined. Block the affiliated RAP course on your schedule plan.
  2. In your advising meeting, tell your Academic Advisor which RAP you joined.
  3. Enroll in associated course/s.
  4. Confirm your housing assignment on Spire.

"The RAP has been a great way to transition into freshman year because the people in the class are all friends and the instructor understands first-year students and how to help them succeed." -Fall 2016

Special Notes:

  1. Spaces are filled to eligible students on a first-come, first served basis - so, do your research ahead of time - check out all the program choices to find the best match for you!
  2. For students joining programs by invitation and/or application, once you are accepted, you still need to follow the steps listed above.
  3. We encourage international students to join a RAP. Once you complete all the required steps on the NSO Registration site, you will be able to hold a spot in the RAP of choice. 
  4. If you did not hold a spot prior to NSO, you may still join any RAP you are qualified for during NSO as long as there is space in the program.
  5. If you need to switch or drop your RAP (prior to the end of your NSO advising session), please return to the same signup site to make the change.

  6. No RAP adding, dropping or swapping should happen after your academic advising time at NSO. Reason: it is critical that your course schedule is finalized while you are with your academic advisor - since participating in a RAP requires a particular course enrollment, no changes should happen after this time when your schedule has been approved.

In addition to holding a spot in a RAP, the NSO website has a wealth of important info that will help you transition to UMass. Make sure to visit the site often so you'll be up-to-date on opportunities and requirements!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the RAP office.

How to Join a RAP