Great Start Program

Julean Kirkpatrick, Coordinator
Falcon Success Center
Van Tuyll House
(205) 665-6092
jkirkpa2@montevallo.edu 
falconsuccesscenter@montevallo.edu
www.montevallo.edu/great-start/

The Great Start Program (GSP) is a supportive, one-year program designed to offer alternative admission to first-year students whose overall academic profile is slightly below the criteria for unconditional admission. Please note that improved GPAs and/or test scores should be submitted to the Office of Admissions to be considered for unconditional admission. GSP helps alternatively admitted students successfully transition from high school to college, build a strong academic foundation, and unlock their full potential ast UM. The main feature of this program is SUPPORT - academic, emotional, and social.

GSP helps alternatively-admitted students successfully transition from high school to college, build a strong academic foundation, and tap into their full potential at UM. The main feature of this program is SUPPORT- -academically, emotionally, and socially.  

Benefits of the Great Start Program 

• Academic success plans tasilored to students’ individual needs 
• One-on-one academic coaching on time management, study skills, and more
• A peer mentorfor support and guidance 
• Student success workshops to excel in and out of the classroom
• GSP events and outings 

Requirements of the Great Start Program 

T support their sucess at UM, admission is contingent upon participation in GSP. Students must complete and return the GSP Acceptance agreement to the GSP Coordinator, indicating their acceptance of alternative admission to UM through Great Start. Students must agree to the following conditions as GSP participants: 

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

• Register for 12-16 credit hours in the upcoming semester, including ENG 101, a suitable math course, and two other courses. An advisor will help determine the correct math course for which to register. 

• Students are also encouraged to register for UM 101 and English 100.

• UM 101 (First Year Experience) is a one-credit course designed to assist students in their transistion to college. Topics include academic support services, time management, developing goo dstudya skills, and more.

• ENG 100 (Composition Practicum) is a one-credit, pass/fail class where students work one-on-one with an Englich graduate student for personalized writing support.This course complements ENG 101; students meet one-on-one with the instructor of ENG 100 to address individual composition needs) 

• Reach out to the GSP Coordinator with registration questions.

• Attend the mandatory mixer event to meet other GSP students 

• Meet with the GSP Coordinator within the first three weeks of classes to create a semester success plan and personal pathway to success  

• Attend at least three (3) designated student success workshops and at least two (2) events throughout the fall and spring semesters offered by guest speakers and campus partners 

• Achieve a 2.0 or higher GPA at the end of their first semester 

• Meet with the GSP Coordinator bi-weekly if experiencing any academic problems or issues (i.e. difficulty keeping up in class, low grades or test scores, missing assignments, poor class attendance, academic warning, etc.)