First-Year Students

"My FIGS definitely changed my perspective of Rutgers. There was so much here to know and so many people to meet. My Peer Instructor brought her favorite professor to class, and Professor Dowling made it clear that Rutgers wasn’t a place to be afraid of and that we could do all we wanted to do if we took the initiative. In my FIGS, Rutgers became a home to me."

– Stephanie Van Huss, Class of 2015, Exploring English Literature

Creating a strong foundation during the first semester of college is essential to academic excellence. We believe that the most successful Rutgers students are those that connect to resources early and understand the wealth of opportunities they have available to them at Rutgers. FIGS classes are designed to aid new students in transitioning to college while simultaneously helping them explore a potential major or area of interest.

Since each of our courses is taught by an experienced junior or senior, incoming students gain valuable advice about majors, involvement opportunities, and career paths from an informed and caring mentor who is well-equipped to answer such questions. Taking a FIGS also allows first-year students to connect with faculty and administrators working within a chosen field of study, to meet fellow students in an intimate, supportive environment, and to learn how to navigate the ins and outs of helpful resources at Rutgers.

To learn more about FIGS, please explore our course offerings and FAQs.