First-Year Experience

The First-Year Experience Office supports every single first-year student as they make The University of Texas at Austin their new home.

• Click here for FIG Mentor Information
• Click here for TrIG Mentor Information

First-Year Connections

Participate in a First-Year Connection, a small group of first-year students who meet regularly, and start your experience on the Forty Acres as part of a supportive community.

First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs)

Join a First-Year Interest Group and take two to three courses with other new students who share your interests. Your FIG will also have an undergraduate mentor and a staff member to help you throughout the semester. Even on the first day of school, you will have friends sitting next to you in class.

Signature Courses

Connect with top-level faculty during your first year on campus in your Signature Course (UGS 302 and UGS 303). Offered on a variety of topics, these rigorous, interdisciplinary courses help students transition to college-level academics and introduce valuable university resources.

Transfer-Year Experience Program

The Transfer-Year Experience Program creates a seamless academic transition for undergraduate transfer students. We facilitate first-year transfer student engagement through transfer student Signature Courses and Transfer-Year Interest Groups. We’re the place to go with questions about the core curriculum and the transition to campus. We want to hear from transfer students as they make UT Austin their new academic home.

Herbert Family University Lecture Series

Engage in a campus conversation with leading faculty and other first-years at the Herbert Family University Lecture Series. This showcase of nationally and internationally renowned scholars, scientists, and civic leaders is generously brought to UT by the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Excellence Fund for Undergraduate Studies.

Featured Podcast

Listen to Undergraduate College’s Assistant Dean Dr. Patty Moran discuss the First-Year Experience on the TX512 podcast.