Office of Student Engagement

Welcome to the Ramily

New Student Programs at Thomas Jefferson University - East Falls is a robust offering of programs for new students (including first-year and transfer students) from the time they deposit until the end of their first year on campus. New Student Programs are coordinated through the Office of Student Engagement in cooperation with various campus partners and academic programs. All programs are designed to provide support and encouragement to new students and help ensure they succeed personally and academically. Research is clear, and our experience has demonstrated, that students who actively engage in all of the New Student Programs are more likely to be successful and have a more enriching college experience.

First Year Seminar (FYS-100)

All new first year students take the First Year Seminar (FYS-100) during their first semester on campus. The First Year Seminar provides the opportunity for new students to learn and practice strategies that will enable their success at the University and beyond. Students will create personal, professional, and academic goals, as well as success strategies for learning and career development. The First Year Seminar helps to get students engaged with the campus and the community through the "Choose Your Own Adventure" co-curricular project. 

First Year Experience (FYE)

The First-Year Experience (FYE) program provides new students with a multitude of opportunities to explore the city with guidance and support from upper-division student leaders called First Year Experience Coordinators. Trips/activities are free or greatly discounted to maximize opportunities for first year students to participate in as many opportunities as possible. The FYE Coordinators plan at least 30 trips/activities during the year, with something happening almost every week during the semester. Examples of previous trips include the Philly Zoo, Magic Gardens, Eastern State, Franklin Institute, Phillies/Flyers/Sixers games, DIY paint/craft nights, community service opportunities, etc.  Transportation via public transportation, school bus, or charter bus is provided for all FYE programs.  

OSE and FYE also partner with Campus Philly to provide discounts and special experiences to all students. 

Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a cornerstone of the leadership programs for new students at Jefferson East Falls. The co-curricular certificate program has been designed to help new students understand learning experiences in co-curricular life and their relationship to classroom work; to assist students in becoming effective leaders on campus and in the community; and to encourage personal growth and development through active participation in discussion, exercises, and workshops. Participants in ELP will meet for seven weeks during the spring semester. Regular meetings ensure that members are committed to the program and to their own personal development. All ELP sections follow the same curriculum but are offered at different times to accommodate the busy schedules of our first-year students.

Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society (ALD)

Alpha Lambda Delta celebrates academic excellence among first-year students, with over 280 chapters and over one million students initiated. First year and transfer students who have earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher within their first year on campus are eligible to join. Once inducted, membership and benefits are for life. ALD provides 50 undergraduate scholarships of $1,000-$6,000 each, 20 study-abroad scholarships of $1,000-$2,000, and 26 graduate fellowships from $2,000 to $7,000 each year. Alpha Lambda Delta is a certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).