Am I required to join a RAP?
No, joining a RAP is completely voluntary. All first-year students are encouraged to explore RAPs. Please note that some students are not able to join a RAP if their major requirements or athletics schedule conflicts with RAP courses, or if their athletics teams requires them to live in a specific residence hall.
If I join a RAP, will I be in the RAP for the entire academic year (both fall and spring semesters)?
Joining a RAP includes a room assignment plus enrollment in a RAP course. In the fall semester, you will live in the residence hall where the RAP is located and enroll in the required RAP course with your RAP peers. In the spring semester, you will continue to live in the residence hall where the RAP is located, but for most RAPs, there is no course requirement during the spring semester. BioTAP, BioPioneers, Emerging Scholars and Partners in Education RAPs do have spring course requirements. Review the Application RAPs page for details.
Can I join a RAP during the spring semester?
No, during most spring semesters, any first-year student has the opportunity to enroll in a General Education course sponsored by Student Success Academic Programs. Enrollment in a spring course does not depend on where a student lives on campus and will not change their housing assignment.
How many students are in a RAP?
One of the benefits of RAP includes small class sizes. Most RAP courses have a maximum capacity of 30 students.
If I join a RAP, will I still be able to meet other students who aren't in my RAP?
Yes. While being in a RAP introduces you to the other members of your RAP, it is only one or two of the several classes you will take during your first semester at UMass. Being in RAP won't prevent you from being able to interact with students outside of your RAP. We encourage you to connect with a variety of other students, including other students in your residence hall, in your other classes, and across campus.
Can I join a RAP as an international student?
Yes. If you also are in need of break housing, visit Living at UMass for more information about break housing.
Can I join a RAP if I have an accommodation registered with Disability Services?
Yes. In order to receive accommodations, you must first register with Disability Services. You are only able to receive accommodations that are documented through Disability Services. Once you have received accommodations through Disability Services, the RAP program works closely with Residential Life Assignments to move program and classroom locations and/or create other changes based on students' specific needs.
Will my RAP course fulfill one of my degree requirements?
It depends on the RAP course you select. Some RAP courses fulfill UMass General Education requirements, while others count as your First-Year Seminar or as progress towards your specific degree requirements. Discuss your RAP selection with your advisor, who can help you understand how your RAP will impact your degree progress.
I just registered for a RAP. Is there anything else I need to do?
Yes. You must fill out the Housing Preference Application and you must ensure you are enrolled in your RAP course. Please contact your academic advisor or academic advising team if you do not see your RAP course on your schedule.
How do I confirm whether I am registered for a RAP?
Log into the RAP Placement System. If you are already registered for a RAP, text will appear that says “You are already assigned to a RAP” and the subsequent RAP information will be listed below. If you are not already registered for a RAP, a blue button will appear that says "Select an available RAP." Follow the steps on on screen to register for a RAP.
How do I switch my RAP registration?
You are able to switch your RAP registration until you have your Advising and Course Registration Appointment over the summer. You are not able to switch your RAP after meeting with an advisor as this would impact your fall 2024 course schedule.
To switch your RAP, you will need to drop your current RAP and select the new one. Please be advised that you can only select a RAP that you are eligible for that has open space. To switch your RAP, follow these steps:
- Log back into the RAP Placement System
- Select “Please remove me from this RAP”
- When you are brought back to the main page, it will say “We have successfully cancelled your RAP assignment." Select "Next" to view or join another RAP
- Select “Select an available RAP”
- Select your RAP and follow the steps on screen to complete your registration. You will receive a confirmation email of both the drop of the old RAP and the registration of the new RAP
How do I cancel my RAP registration?
You are able to cancel your RAP registration until you have your Advising and Course Registration Appointment over the summer. You are not able to switch your RAP after meeting with an advisor as this would impact your fall 2024 course schedule.
You will have the opportunity to change your course schedule once the fall semester begins.
To cancel your RAP, follow these steps:
- Log back into the RAP Placement System
- Select “Please remove me from this RAP”
- When you are brought back to the main page, it will say “We have successfully cancelled your RAP assignment."
Can I join a RAP if my major is within the Stockbridge School of Agriculture?
Students admitted into a Bachelor of Science (four-year) degree program are eligible to join a RAP. Students interested in joining a RAP should explore the variety of Gen Ed RAPs offered. Be sure to read the course descriptions to find a RAP that is a good match for you and be mindful of the steps required to hold a spot. Unfortunately, students admitted into the Associate of Science (two-year) degree program are not eligible to join a RAP. Students in these programs have such a tight course schedule that they do not have space to add a course that would be required to join a RAP.