First-Year Experience
Your Place. Your People. Your Beginning.
Your first year at BVU is about discovering who you are, building meaningful relationships, and gaining the confidence to make the most of every opportunity.
You belong here.
College is a big transition, but you won't go through it alone. From move-in day to your first class, you'll be surrounded by professors, coaches, staff, and fellow students who genuinely want you to succeed. With a welcoming campus community and personalized support, it doesn't take long for BVU to feel like home.
Support from Day One
At BVU, you're never just another student. With an average class size under 20, your professors know your name, your advisor understands your goals, and your residence hall staff and Student Success Team are there whenever you need guidance.
Because when you're supported, you're free to focus on learning, growing, and making the most of your college experience.
Your first week sets the tone.
Welcome Week kicks off the moment you arrive. Orientation leaders help you move in, find your classes, explore campus, and get connected, so you can start your first day feeling confident and at home.
Make new friends at lakefront cookouts, show your Beaver spirit during Beaver Olympics, enjoy late-night events, and connect through small-group activities. Before classes even begin, you'll already be building friendships, discovering your place, and creating memories that will define your BVU experience.
First-Year Programs
Support for Every Step
Your transition to college doesn't end after Welcome Week. BVU's first-year programs are designed to help you grow academically, socially, and personally throughout your first year. Whether you're building college success skills, exploring your interests, or connecting with campus resources, you'll have the support to confidently navigate your first year.
First-Year Seminar
A small, discussion-based course that builds the skills college rewards: writing, critical thinking, and asking good questions. It's also where many first-years meet their first close friends and a faculty mentor who sticks with them.
Peer Mentors
Upperclass students who've been exactly where you are. Your peer mentor checks in, answers the questions you didn't know to ask, and connects you to the right people and resources across campus.
Career & Major Exploration
Undecided is welcome here. Early conversations with advisors and the career center help you test interests, explore majors, and start building toward an internship long before senior year.
Get Connected
With clubs, intramurals, service projects, and student organizations to choose from, the hardest part is picking. First-year involvement events make it easy to find a group where you instantly belong.
Someone in your corner
One of the biggest differences at BVU is the relationships you'll build.
Your professors, faculty advisor, residence hall staff, Student Success Team, and peer mentors are invested in your success from day one. They'll help you navigate challenges, celebrate milestones, and encourage you every step of the way.
Those relationships often grow into research opportunities, internships, leadership experiences, and lifelong mentorship.
You'll Find Your People
From your first week on campus, you'll begin building friendships, discovering new opportunities, and becoming part of a welcoming community where people know your name and want to see you succeed. Your first year is where lifelong connections begin.
Apply to BVU.
No application fee. No essay required for most paths. Rolling admissions with decisions in two weeks. Pick your path.