First Year U 2026 Participant Application

Participant Information

Form fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

                                                                                                                      First Year U
Friendships that span far past your first hello. Exciting conversations that change your perspective. Mentors to call on for some of life’s toughest academic and personal questions. Fully immerse yourself in a community that helps you discover your passion and pushes you to grow in unimaginable ways for the betterment of our world. Prepare to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

First Year U (FYU) is a leadership program held during the fall semester for first-year students. Designed to provide students an opportunity to learn about leadership in non-traditional ways, FYU creates connections with other students and UM faculty while building community. The program is a mix of large group discussions on current topics and smaller cohort-based experiences in the residential areas. Sessions explore topics related to diversity and inclusion, public health, civic engagement, and environmental sustainability. All of these sessions are directed toward the common goal of responsible citizenship that capitalizes on translating lessons learned in the classroom to changemaking outside of it.
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                                                                                             2026 Program Requirements

Participants MUST attend and satisfy all Program Requirements to "graduate" from the First Year U program and be invited to the Graduation Celebration. Applications from students who cannot attend/satisfy all Program Requirements will not be accepted. 

Please note that First Year U discusses topics on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Submitting an application for First Year U indicates that you have opted-in to participate in all sessions. 

Team Building and Bonding Day: Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Kick-Off Dinner: Monday, September 21, 2026 – 6:30PM - 8:00PM

Group Discussion Sessions:

All Group Sessions are MANDATORY and will be comprised of a large group presentation followed by small group discussions done in cohorts and will take place on Mondays from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Session topics include: Diversity and Inclusion, Democracy and Civic Engagement, Environmentalism, and Public Health.

  • September 28 – Culture of Belonging
  • October 5 – Civic & Democratic Engagement
  • October 19 – Public Health
  • October 26 – Environmentalism  

Experience Miami Trips:

Participants MUST attend two of the three Experience Miami Trips offered.  Experience Miami trips will demonstrate to participants how their academic expertise can be translated into community leadership and advocacy for social change. All experience trips will occur on Sundays. Activity times vary, but students can expect excursions between 1:30 PM and returning to campus 4:30 PM. Trip details will be shared later. 

  • October 4
  • October 25
  • November 8

FYU Graduation & Closing: Monday, November 16, 2026 – 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Participants who complete all program requirements will be invited to the Graduation and Closing of FYU 2026, where we will celebrate your graduating cohort.

Residential College
required
Are you 18 years or older?

Answering yes or no on this question, does not determine whether or not your application is accepted. If a student under 18 years old is accepted into the First Year U program, follow-up permissions from parent/guardian(s) will be required for Experience Miami Trip Field Trip Release Forms and Waivers. 
required