2009 STEP Program Date
Sunday, June 21 -- Saturday, August 8

2009 STEP Move-in Day
Sunday, June 21 by 3:00 p.m.*
Report to Letts Hall (click here for campus map)
*This time will give you enough time to check-in and settle in before our Welcome Program.

2009 STEP Welcome Program
Sunday, June 21
5:00 p.m.
Meet in the lobby of Letts Hall at 4:45 p.m. Please note members of the New Student Orientation staff will lead the STEP students to dinner at neighboring restaurants at 6:00 p.m. You will need to provide spending money for this activity.

2009 New Student Orientation
Monday, June 22 -- Tuesday, June 23*
*Please note as STEP students, you will participate in the New Student Orientation. Your orientation fee of $180 will be waived as part of STEP. STEP students must register for the orientation on their <my.american.edu> portal account before June 2. If you have any questions, please contact New Student Programs at 202-885-3303.

2009 STEP Graduation & Award Luncheon (students only)
Friday, August 7*
12:00 p.m.
*We ask that families please make travel arrangements for Friday evening or Saturday.

2009 STEP Move-out Day
Saturday, August 8 by 5:00 p.m.
If you need other arrangements, please let us know.

Other events to consider:
STEP Talent/Cultural/Fashion Show
Community Service Project, and more

Classes and Seminars

Students will complete two courses during the summer program. All STEP students take a mathematics placement exam during New Student Orientation. Many students complete the university mathematics requirement during the STEP program; other course options are available for those students who do not place into a summer math course. Students will work with the STEP coordinator and their academic advisor to register for classes upon arrival. Textbooks will be distributed shortly after registration.

In addition to the university mathematics requirement, STEP students also take a mandatory college writing seminar, which we envision is a crucial bridge between the work students do in high school and the writing they will be asked to do in most of their courses at AU. This writing seminar is a supplement to the two-course College Writing sequence that all incoming freshmen students at AU must take in order to meet the university writing requirements.   

Aside from these courses, STEP students will also participate in various workshops that are held in the mornings, three days a week for two-hours. These morning workshops look to help STEP students develop strategies for academic, personal and career development and success. 

The learning objectives for students in STEP classes and seminars include:

• becoming familiar with AU's resources and learn how to use them;
• define your personal interests and goals;
• develop new strategies and skills for college-level course work;
• learn career development skills, including resume preparation and job-hunting techniques;
• expand your cross-cultural awareness as a foundation for local and global citizenship;
• explore the history, cultural offerings, and transportation system of Washington, D.C.

Activities and Community Service

STEP students participate in a community service project and a variety of activities, some of which they develop and implement themselves. Past classes have staged talent shows, written a STEP newsletter, hosted a community dinner, and more.