At Loyola College, we are aware and supportive of the often difficult yet exciting transitions college students experience when coming to college.  With this difficulty and excitement in mind, Loyola assists in integrating new students into the academic and co-curricular life of the College through FE 100, the First-Year Experience Course.

FE 100 is a one-credit elective course designed to help students make a successful and enjoyable transition to Loyola College during their first year, through a combination of group social experiences, an excursion into the city of Baltimore, group discussions of important campus issues, and workshops from different support staff from the Loyola and Baltimore communities.

The course is taught by an instructor team comprised of the student's faculty Core advisor, an administrator from the Student Development or other division of the college and a student.

By participating in the course, first-year students get to know their academic Core advisor better, as well as other instructors and other students. In addition, they are exposed to activities, such as community service, that are important aspects of the campus culture and identity of Loyola and get to know the campus, the city of Baltimore and the services available to the student at the College better.

Students who enroll in FE100 want to enjoy their time at Loyola and get the most out of the college experience socially and academically.

Through FE 100, students get to know a variety of people in a relaxed and friendly setting, get to know their way around campus sooner and better and also get some exposure to the city of Baltimore.

Because there are 3 brief writing assignments, students get to receive feedback on their writing from their instructors in a setting that is not graded. Students are introduced also to many alternative ways to get involved at the College and are afforded the opportunity to begin to clarify their academic and career goals. Students receive one academic credit for the course and there are no additional expenses incurred by the students for any of the activities.

Our research shows that students who complete FE 100 take advantage of services offered by the college more and are more likely to graduate from Loyola in 4 years when compared to students who either do not sign up for the course or who drop the course.