The Early Start Program requires incoming freshmen who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level math and/or English to begin remediation during the summer before coming to the CSU. The goals of Early Start are to better prepare students in math and English before their first semester, thereby improving their chances of completing a college degree. Early Start Math is designed to help you score higher on the Entry Level Math (ELM) exam, possibly testing out of remediation. Early Start Writing is designed to help you learn the skills needed to write at the college level. It will also help with “self-placement” for English at HSU.
How will Early Start be implemented at Humboldt State? »
Fall 2013 Freshman Admission and Testing Key Dates »
Who must participate in the Early Start Program? »
What is the difference between the Smart Page and registering for Early Start classes? »
Where can I get more information? »
Early Start Math – ESPM 55: A one-unit course using a web-based learning and assessment program to help students prepare for college-level math. The fully-online four-week sections of ESPM 55 are scheduled for July 8, 2013 through August 2, 2012. Completion of ESPM 55 will satisfy the Early Start requirement, but students who also wish to advance in their course placements will need to take a proctored exam after the course is over; students coming to HSU in the fall can take the ELM on campus before the semester begins.
Early Start Writing – ESPW 55: An online one-unit course preparing students for a range of college-level reading and writing tasks in different disciplines, with a particular focus on developing students’ skills in evaluating their own work. After taking the course, students will have the opportunity to adjust their placements for freshman composition. ESPW 55 is July 8, 2013 through August 2, 2013.
Math: All students who have not demonstrated college readiness must participate (ELM score less than 50). Please note that students who were deemed conditionally exempt in math based on the Early Assessment Program (EAP) do not have to participate.
English: For Fall 2013, the Early Start Program will target students needing the most preparation in English (EPT score less than 138). Please note that students who are participating in the EAP English Conditionally Exempt/ERWC pilot do not have to participate.
“I'm really happy I had the chance to participate in this course. It really helped to make a difference between college and high school, it helped me understand to figure out a solution to my writing issue, and also, it helped me to get more confident in myself.” Early Start Writing student, 2012
Exemptions - The following freshmen will not be required to participate in Early Start:
HSU freshmen will be given priority to participate in HSU Early Start English and math.
Students may also participate in an Early Start program offered at any other CSU campus. This may be appropriate for non-local students.
Many CSU campuses are planning to offer online course options as well. Please refer to www.csusuccess.org/earlystart. Some campuses have limited space in both on-campus and online classes and give priority to students who will attend that campus in the fall.
Some students may wish to take an approved course at their local community college in order to satisfy Early Start. Be aware that space in traditional English and math developmental courses may be very limited at many community colleges. The Chancellor's Office is attempting to create Early Start Program offerings in remote areas in collaboration with community colleges serving those locations.
The Smart Page is the first step in the process. It is used to tell HSU where you will participate in Early Start classes, but it will not register you in any classes. The Smart Page for HSU is available to you from March 1 through July 12, 2013.
The next step is very important. After you have chosen a campus for Early Start, you will hear from that campus and get information on how to register for the class(es). Each campus has different timelines for this process. At HSU, Early Start class registration is from May 6 through July 8, 2013. It is very important to complete your registration according to the directions sent to you by the campus; if you don’t take this step, you won’t be enrolled in the classes you want to take.
Early Start Programs offered at any of the CSU campuses will have a common fee. The current fee estimate is $182 per unit and is subject to change based on approved fee increases.
The additional cost for the web-based computer program used in Early Start math is $32.00 for a six-week subscription. Neither of HSU’s Early Start courses requires you to purchase a textbook.
California residents who apply for financial aid and have an Estimated Family Contribution of $5,000 or less will be eligible for a waiver of the per-unit fee.
For freshman application and admission requirements, see Freshman Admission. For ELM and EPT testing dates and information, see HSU Testing Center. For financial aid application procedures and information, see HSU Financial Aid. Or email earlystart@humboldt.edu.