Access to Success program (formerly General Studies)
The University of Minnesota supports high potential students through its Access to Success (ATS) program, a one-year program for a cohort of incoming freshmen. In the College of Education and Human Development, ATS also includes TRiO and Commanding English. If you have questions about these programs, please contact Zer Vang at vang0655@umn.edu or 612-624-8765. Also see TRiO Access to Success FAQs.
The mission of the Access to Success program is to help ensure the academic success of its participants. It is designed for a cohort of freshmen whose experiences and high school records indicate strong potential for success through ATS, but whose high school rank and test scores may not meet the typical profile of admitted students.
ATS students will participate in programs during their freshman year specifically designed to strengthen their academic skills and promote their academic achievement. Participants will also benefit from the following:
- A variety of support services, such as individually tailored academic advising, mentoring, and tutoring services
- Services offered by University offices such as SMART Learning Commons and the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence
- Course instruction that utilizes state of the art teaching methods, small classes, personal attention, and other features designed to support and encourage their success.
The ATS program also offers a number of other services that address the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and characteristics, including urban students, first-generation college students, student parents, students with disabilities, students of color, older students, and non-native speakers of English. Many components of the ATS program were previously offered in General Studies.
Revised April 2008