Please note that until program enrollment has started program offerings and descriptions are subject to change.
| Select |
Program |
Description |
Residential Area |
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Careers in Education RAP Northeast; Leach Hall |
This wonderful program is designed for 30 first-year students who want to pursue careers in education or related fields. In the RAP Seminar students will receive an overview of current educational topics, engage in stimulating group discussions and identify ways to pursue your academic and/or career goals. In addition to the seminar, students will enroll together in a small section of "Introductory Psychology" (Psych 100) taught in the residential area.
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Northeast |
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Careers in Law RAP Central; Gorman Hall |
This RAP is designed for 30 first-year students who are considering careers in law or related fields. In the RAP Seminar students will focus specifically on legal issues raised in the Gen Ed class "Controversies in Public Policy" (Political Science 181), the various roles lawyers play in American politics, and the ins and outs of legal education and legal careers.
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Central |
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Communication MAJORS RAP Southwest; Cance Hall |
The Communication Majors RAP (COMM RAP) is a year long program for 30 first-year students who are motivated to connect with other Communication majors, meet faculty from the department and learn about the goals and opportunities within the Department of Communication. Students will enroll together in a small class taught in the residential area, "Introduction to Media & Culture" (Comm 121) for the fall semester and a RAP seminar in the spring semester. |
Southwest |
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Computer Science MAJORS RAP Orchard Hill; Dickinson Hall |
All students entering UMass Amherst as Computer Science Majors are welcome to join this RAP! A wonderful opportunity to meet faculty and connect with the department. |
Orchard Hill |
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Connecting Arts & Society RAP Central; Gorman Hall |
Join this RAP and connect with other students who are interested in investigating how arts, culture and history shape our lives! Students will enroll together in the "Lively Arts" (Music 100) class (lecture on Main Campus with discussion section in the residential area) and an Anthropology class (small section taught in the residential area) and a RAP Seminar. (This program is also offered in Southwest.) |
Central |
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Connecting Arts & Society RAP Southwest; Cance Hall |
Join this RAP and connect with other students who are interested in investigating how arts, culture and history shape our lives! Students will enroll together in the "Lively Arts" (Music 100) class (lecture on Main Campus with discussion section in the residential area) and an Anthropology class (small section taught in the residential area) and a RAP Seminar. (This program is also offered in Central.) |
Southwest |
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Connecting Science & Society RAP Southwest; Emerson Hall |
This RAP will introduce students to health issues facing communities in the Pioneer Valley, the nation and the world. In the RAP seminar students will focus on health issues that have personal and/or professional relevance. Students will enroll together in "Medical Ethics" (Philosophy 164) and a RAP Seminar. |
Southwest |
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Connecting Science & Society RAP Southwest; Kennedy Tower |
Students will enroll together in "Health Care for All" (Public Health 129) and a RAP seminar. Discussion topics will include current health care issues in the Pioneer Valley, the nation, and the world. We will focus on issues that have personal and professional relevance for students. |
Southwest |
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Connecting Self & Society RAP Southwest; Moore Hall |
Join this RAP and explore the relationship between individuals and the social forces that structure society. In both your Gen Ed course, "General Introduction to Sociology" (Sociology 110) and the RAP Seminar you will draw from news media, movies, music and the internet as well as other outlets that connect us to the world in which we live. |
Southwest |
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Emerging Scholars RAP Southwest; Pierpont |
This opportunity was developed for academically successful underrepresented students interested in taking honors courses and finding out more about Commonwealth Honors College. By invitation and application only. |
Southwest |
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Engineering MAJORS RAP Northeast; Knowlton and Crabtree Halls |
The Engineering Majors RAP (EnginRAP) is open to any student who has been admitted to UMass Amherst as an Engineering Major. (Engineering Majors who are admitted as Commonwealth Honors College students are encouraged to join the Engin HONORS RAP.) |
Northeast |
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Ernst & Young Partners In Education RAP Southwest; Thoreau Hall |
The RAP is for 24 students interested in business who were not directly admitted to the Isenberg School of Management (ISOM). As the RAP is invitation only, students will be contacted directly by Isenberg.
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Southwest |
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Exploring Society RAP Central; Gorman Hall |
Through their Gen Ed course, "Social Change in the 1960s" (History 154), the RAP seminar and time living together students will view the realities of society from an historic and current day perspective from the eyes of writers, visual artists, poets, performers as well as historians. (This program is also offered in Southwest.)
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Central |
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Exploring Society RAP Southwest; Cance Hall |
Through their Gen Ed course, "Culture, Society and People" (Anthropology 104), RAP seminar and time living together students will view the realities of society from an historic and current day perspective from the eyes of writers, visual artists, poets, performers as well as historians. (This program is also offered in Gorman.) |
Southwest |
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Exploring the Arts RAP Central; Van Meter Hall |
This RAP is designed for students who are interested in creating as well as appreciating various forms of art. In the RAP Seminar students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of art related issues from both current and historical contexts. Students will enroll together in "Music Appreciation" (Music 100), small class taught in the residential area. |
Central |
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Focus Connections RAP Central; Van Meter Hall |
Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major. Students in Focus Connections will enroll together in a small Gen Ed class (choose either Intro Psychology OR World History), College Writing (both taught in the residential area) and OASIS Seminar. In the OASIS Seminar students will have an opportunity to explore the variety of majors available and engage in activities to find the right match. (This program is also offered in Southwest.) |
Central |
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Focus Connections RAP Southwest; Moore Hall |
Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major. Students in Focus Connections will enroll together in a small Gen Ed class (choose either Social Problems OR Human Nature), College Writing (both taught in the residential area) and OASIS Seminar. In the OASIS Seminar students will have an opportunity to explore the variety of majors available and engage in activities to find the right match. (This program is also offered in Central.) |
Southwest |
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Focus Enterprise RAP Southwest; Thoreau Hall |
Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major. Focus Enterprise is a great RAP for you if you are interested in a major and/or career in business or a related field. Students will enroll together in Gen Ed classes related to business (Econ and Math) and the OASIS seminar. In the OASIS Seminar students will have an opportunity to explore the variety of majors available and engage in activities to find the right match. |
Southwest |
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Focus STEM Northeast; Knowlton Hall |
Focus RAPs are designed for first-year students who enter UMass Amherst without a declared major. Focus STEM is specifically for undeclared students who are interested in a major and/or career in a science/technology related field. In the OASIS Seminar students will have an opportunity to explore the variety of majors available and engage in activities to find the right match.
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Northeast |
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Foundations Health Sciences RAP Southwest; James Hall |
This RAP is ideal for first-year students who have a declared major or are interested in a major related to any of the health and/or life sciences. Students will enroll together in either "Medical Ethics" (small class taught in the residential area) OR "My Body, My Health" (lecture on main campus, discussion section in the residential area). There is no seminar with this RAP. This RAP is also available in Kennedy Tower. |
Southwest |
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Foundations Health Sciences RAP Southwest; Kennedy Tower |
This RAP is ideal for first-year students who have a declared major or are interested in a major related to any of the health and/or life sciences. Students will enroll together in either "Medical Ethics" (small class taught in the residential area) OR "My Body, My Health" (lecture on main campus, discussion section in the residential area). There is no seminar with this RAP. This RAP is also available in James Hall. |
Southwest |
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Foundations RAP Central; Baker Hall |
Students will enroll in one General Education class - either "The Lively Arts" (Music 150) or "Intro to Theater" (Theater 100), lecture on the Main Campus with a discussion section in the residential area. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Central |
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Foundations RAP Orchard Hill; Webster Hall |
Students who join this RAP will enroll together in "Gender, Sexuality & Culture" (Womens Studies 187), taught in the residential area by Professor Deschamps, a faculty member who lives in Webster Hall. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Orchard Hill |
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Foundations RAP Southwest; Cance Hall |
Students will enroll in together in one General Education class - "The Lively Arts" (Music 150), lecture on the Main Campus with a discussion section in the residential area. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Southwest |
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Foundations RAP Southwest; Emerson Hall |
Students in this RAP will enroll together in one General Education class -"Introductory Environmental Biology" (EnvirSci 101), lecture and discussion section on the Main Campus. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Southwest |
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Foundations RAP Southwest; Kennedy Tower |
Students in this RAP will enroll together in one General Education class -"Environment & Society" (NRC 100) - small class taught in the residential area. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Southwest |
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Foundations RAP Southwest; Melville Hall |
Students in this RAP will enroll in together in one General Education class - "Intro to Macroeconomics" (Econ 104), lecture on the Main Campus with a discussion section in the residential area. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Southwest |
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Foundations RAP Southwest; Pierpont Hall |
Students in this RAP will enroll together in one General Education class -"Race, Gender, Class & Ethnicity" (Soc 106) - lecture and discussion on Main Campus. There is no seminar with this RAP. |
Southwest |
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Global Opportunities RAP Northeast; Thatcher Hall |
This RAP is ideal for students who have mastery or are interested in becoming a master of a second language and like to learn about and live with students from a variety of cultures. In addition to having great conversations about cultures, in the RAP Seminar students will learn about opportunities to participate in various types of exchange programs - domestic and abroad. Students will enroll together in a small section of "Culture, Society & People" (Anthro 104) taught in the residential area. |
Northeast |
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IMPACT! Service Learning RAP (Gorman) |
This exciting YEAR-LONG program provides students with an opportunity to engage in activities in and out of the classroom. Students will enroll together in "Service, Contemplation & Social Justice" (Service Learning 192) and a RAP Seminar in the fall semester, and in "Leadership & Service" (Service Learning 193) spring semester. Students will spend at least 30 hours each semester working in a community service site organized through the program. |
Central |
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Isenberg Business in Society Fellows RAP Southwest; Melville Hall |
This RAP is restricted to students admitted to the Isenberg School of Management. Students who completed an application and were accepted may join this RAP. NOTE: Enrollment for fall 2012 is now closed. |
Southwest |
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Isenberg Diversity & International Business Fellows RAP Southwest; Cance Hall |
This RAP is restricted to students admitted to the Isemberg School of Management. Students who completed an application and were accepted may join this RAP. NOTE: Enrollment for fall 2012 is now closed. |
Southwest |
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Literary Studies RAP Central; Van Meter Hall |
Literary Studies RAP is designed for students who are drawn to reading or love writing literature. Students will enroll together in a Gen Ed class, "International Short Story" (Comp Lit 121) - small class taught in the residential area and a RAP Seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will explore a variety of literary styles and techniques. This is a great choice for students who love to read and discuss poetry, short stories and/or novels. (This RAP is also offered in Southwest.) |
Central |
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Literary Studies RAP Southwest; Pierpont Hall |
Literary Studies RAP is designed for students who are drawn to reading or love writing literature. Students will enroll together in a Gen Ed class, "Ethnic American Literature" (English 117) - small class taught in the residential area and a RAP Seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will explore a variety of literary styles and techniques. This is a great choice for students who love to read and discuss poetry, short stories and/or novels. (This RAP is also offered in Central.) |
Southwest |
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Nursing MAJORS RAP Orchard Hill; Dickinson Hall |
This RAP is an option for any student who has been admitted to UMass Amherst as a first-year Nursing Major. (This program is also offered in Northeast and Southwest.) |
Orchard Hill |
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Nursing MAJORS RAP Northeast; Crabtree Hall |
This RAP is an option for any student who has been admitted to UMass Amherst as a first-year Nursing Major. (This program is also offered in Orchard Hill and Southwest.) |
Northeast |
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Nursing MAJORS RAP Southwest; Kennedy Tower |
This RAP is an option for any student who has been admitted to UMass Amherst as a first-year Nursing Major. (This program is also offered in Northeast and Orchard Hill.) |
Southwest |
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Performing & Visual Arts MAJORS RAP Central; Van Meter Hall |
This RAP is designed for 48 first-year students who have been admitted as Art, Art History, Architecture & Design, Dance, Music, and Theater majors. |
Central |
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Politics Today RAP Orchard Hill; Webster Hall |
Whether you're a well informed and active participant in the political scene or a newcomer to politics this RAP could be for you. Students will enroll together in the Gen Ed class "Comparative Politics" (PoliSci 111), small section taught in the residential area and a RAP seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will discover a variety of ways to 'be involved' in politics regardless of your academic area of study. (This RAP is also offered in Southwest.) |
Orchard Hill |
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Politics Today RAP Southwest; Pierpont Hall |
Whether you're a well informed and active participant in the political scene or a newcomer to politics this RAP could be for you. Students will enroll together in the Gen Ed class "Introduction to Political Theory" (PoliSci 171), small section taught in the residential area and a RAP seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will discover a variety of ways to 'be involved' in politics regardless of your academic area of study.(This RAP is also offered in Orchard Hill.) |
Southwest |
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Psychology MAJORS RAP Northeast; Leach Hall |
PSYCH MAJORS RAP is open to declared Psych Majors by application. |
Northeast |
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Scientific Connections RAP Northeast; Mary Lyon Hall |
This RAP is ideal for first-year students who have a passion for scientific exploration, creativity and research. In the RAP Seminar students will work with accomplished faculty, participate in innovative projects, and learn about research opportunities. It is open to students who have a declared major OR are interested in a a science, math, or engineering major.
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Northeast |
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Social Justice & Activism RAP Central; Gorman Hall |
This popular program is designed for students who want to be involved in social justice issues academically and/or personally. Students will enroll together in a Gen Ed class "Race, Gender, Class & Ethnicity" (Soc 106), small section taught in the residential area and a RAP seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will learn about crucial social justice issues facing the world today and explore ways to address these issues in your own life. |
Central |
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Sustainability RAP Northeast; Mary Lyon Hall |
This RAP is a wonderful opportunity for students who are passionate about the environment. Students will enroll together in "Hunger in the Global Economy" (Resource Economics 121), small section taught in the residential area and a RAP seminar. In the RAP Seminar students will discuss crucial environmental challenges facing the world today and explore ways to address these challenges in your own life. |
Northeast |
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Sustainabilty RAP Northeast; Dwight Hall |
This RAP is a wonderful opportunity for students who are passionate about the environment. Students will enroll together in "The Dynamic Earth" (Geoscience 105), small section taught in the residential area. In the RAP Seminar students will discuss crucial environmental challenges facing the world today and explore ways to address these challenges in your own life. |
Northeast |
