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Otis College's First Year Experience Program

Otis College's FYE Program - Take FLIGHT - focuses on helping first year foundation students and new foundation transfer students succeed academically and personally. Students will find support to thrive academically, engage positively with their peers, and create a healthy mindset in order to be their best creative selves by participating in the program's six sessions.

Take FLIGHT Sessions

All 6 sessions must be completed by the following deadlines in order to receive the $500 first year scholarship.This program is only open to new foundation and foundation transfer students. 

  • Incoming Fall 2023 students have until Friday, November 17, 2023 to complete all requirements.
  • Incoming Spring 2024 students have until by Friday, April 21, 2024 to complete all requirements.

  • Take FLIGHT 2023-2024

    View below to see important dates. Click on the following drop down menus of each session of Take FLIGHT to learn additional details about the program's offerings. Check Owl Connect for specific dates and details.

    The Take FLIGHT sessions will happen in the Fall 2023 semester from August 24 - September 28. Each week one session of the program will host their workshop on Tuesday's virtually (https://otis.zoom.us/my/takeflight) and Thursday's on campus (Forum). 

    Session Workshop #1   Workshop #2
    Find Friends  August 24, 6:00pm - 9:00pm (In-Person) N/A
    Identity & Diversity August 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual) August 31, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (Forum)
    Time & Project Management

    September 5, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual)

    September 7, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (Forum)

    Health & Wellness  September 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual) September 14, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (Forum)
    Learn about Money September 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual) September 21, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (Forum)
    Goal Mapping September 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (Virtual) September 28, 3:45pm - 4:45pm (Forum)
  • Finding Friends - Helping Students Create Community and A Sense of Belonging

    Students can complete this session by completing one of these two parts:

    1. Attending the Find Friends Event during O-Week  
      • Peer mentor events can be found on Otis Owl Events by selecting "Peer Mentor Programs" in the category dropdown. These will be updated throughout the semester.
    2. Meeting with their peer mentor one-on-one  
      • Students can meet with their peer mentor one-on-one by emailing them directly. Look out for monthly newsletters and emails from your peer mentor

     

    We encourage students to attend the Find Friends event AND meet with their Peer Mentor!

  • Learn About Money - Improving Your Financial Health

    There are two steps you need to do in order to complete this experience:

    1. Students will be introduced to the the ECMC platform (set up your profile online) as well as key components of how to manage a college budget.
    2. Attend one of the workshops led by the Student Financial Services office.

     

    In order to succesfully complete this, students must attend the workshop and check into the event.

  • Identity and Diversity - Developing Self-Awareness

    To get credit for this session, you only need to attend one workshop hosted by our Dean of Student Affairs, Jason Cha. 

    In order to succesfully complete this, students must attend the workshop and check into the event.

  • Goal Mapping - Exploring Your Personal Profile to Expand Your Career Development

    Students have two options they can choose from in order to complete this session,

    1. The first option is to attend a Take FLIGHT Goal Mapping workshop hosted by Career Services staff (only need to attend one of the sessions offered).

    In order to succesfully complete this, students must attend the workshop and check into the event.

    2. The second option is to book an individual Take FLIGHT Career Counseling Session through the Job Board/Career Portal located on your dashboard. Select "Take Flight Goal Mapping" as the appointment type and choose your preferred date/time.

    • Please indicate in the notes section of your appointment request “Goal Mapping –Take Flight Session”

     

    Students can choose to complete which option to complete in order to receive credit for this session.

  • Health & Wellness - Developing a Wellness Mindset and Strategies for Self-Care

    Students must attend a  workshop hosted by our staff from the Student Health and Wellness Center. Students will learn how to develop positive coping mechanisms in order to be successful personally and academically.

    In order to succesfully complete this, students must attend the workshop and check into the event.

  • Time & Project Management -- Defining Success on your Own Terms

    To complete this requirement, please attend the Time to Define Success on your Own Terms workshop offered by the Student Learning Center (SLC).

    In order to succesfully complete this, students must attend the workshop and check into the event.

Other Information

  • $500 First Year Scholarship

    In order to receive your $500 scholarship in full, new first year foundation students MUST attend and complete all 6 sessions as outlined. First-Year Foundation Students have until April 21, 2024, to complete all six sessions successfully. Once students have completed their six sessions, a $500 Scholarship will be posted to their student account toward their Fall 2024 account balance.

    Scholarship Disclosure: The FYE scholarship is offered only to new foundation and new foundation transfer students for the Fall 2024 semester and cannot be transferred to any prior or future semesters. The FYE award is non-refundable and is applied to tuition charges only. You are required to have minimum of 2.00 GPA. The full award will be rescinded if your enrollment drops below full time (12 credit hours), you withdraw from all classes or found guilty of an ethics violation any time during the Fall 2024 semester. Your eligibility for the scholarship award may be reduced if you receive other tuition specific financial assistance (external scholarships, grants, VA or employer education benefits). The total amount of all tuition specific aid cannot exceed the Fall 2024 tuition charges. This scholarship award will be included in your billing statements and/ or individually prepared invoices. All federal aid (loans, grants, Yellow Ribbon, GI Bill, etc.), state, and institutional aid will be coordinated to not exceed the total cost of attendance.

  • Soar Higher

    There are many other activities and events that could help you soar even higher and make the most out of your first year at Otis College. We suggest exploring the following:

    • Attend Life Drawing and Building Form workshops after class; this will help you fine tune your skills.
    • Explore additional online financial management courses found on your dashboard.
    • Attend workshops and guest lectures on campus—there are so many great speakers we bring to campus to help inspire your own creativity
    • Meet with your Academic Mentor regularly—they are an amazing resource!
    • Visit an Academic Advisor at the One Stop--go to your Dashboard to make an appointment!
    • Join a club or organization. Find out more information on Otis Owl Events online
    • Attend at least 2 student activities events—you can find information on Otis Owl Events online
    • Go to residential programs put on by our RA (if living on campus)
    • Consider submitting to the Excellence E-Portfolio Competition
  • Program Learning Outcomes

    Take FLIGHT and learn how to:

    1. Improve time and project management.
    2. Locate and use both on campus (One Stop) and web platforms (Dashboard) as resources for course engagement, advising, registration, and financial questions.
    3. Access campus resources such as peer mentors, academic mentors and advisors, tutors, and other offices and individuals who support their success at Otis College.
    4. Develop interpersonal relationships with a diverse community at Otis College and in the Greater Los Angeles area that further enhances their sense of identity.
    5. Determine the habits and practices that support self-care and encourage independent problem solving.
    6. Participate in co-curricular experiences such as joining a club/organization, attending campus and residential programs, and/or initiate their career development plan.