Early Start Program (ESP)

jump to...How to Select an ESP Campus • How to Enroll in ESP at Sonoma

New Enrollment Requirement for Fall 2012 First-time Freshmen

The CSU system recently enacted a policy known as "Early Start" requiring incoming students who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level English and/or math to begin remediation during the summer before coming to the CSU. The goal of Early Start is to better prepare students requiring remediation in English and math before their first semester, thereby improving their chances of completing a college degree.

If it is determined via placement tests that you need remediation in English and/or math, you must participate in the mandatory Early Start Program to address this remediation. You will be notified throughout the application, admission, and registration process about this requirement. Admissions decisions are typically made by March, giving you several months to choose from a variety of Early Start options prior to starting courses in the fall. The Early Start English and math courses will be available at all CSU campus (except for CSU Maritime), community colleges, and online.

1. Who must participate in the Early Start Program?

Math

All students who have not demonstrated college readiness in Math must participate in Early Start (ELM score less than 50).

English

All students who have not demonstrated college readiness in English must participate in Early Start (EPT score less than 138)

Exemptions

The following students will not be required to participate in Early Start:

2. Where can incoming freshmen satisfy the Early Start Program requirement?

Summer session courses will be offered at all CSU campuses. Early Start can be completed at any CSU campus that is convenient for you. You will not need to take the course at your destination campus. You can enroll in an approved Community College course.

Go to the CSU Early Start Program website and identify which campus and which options you plan to take to meet your remediation requirement over the summer before enrollment.

How to Select an ESP Campus. Follow these instructions to log into your MySSU and select your Early Start locations. If you do not select your Early Start Location, you will not be able to enroll in classes at Sonoma State University.

Please note after you select Sonoma State University as your ESP service campus, you will need to wait until the next business day before you can enroll in your ESP course(s).

How to Enroll in ESP at Sonoma. Go to "How to Enroll in ESP at Sonoma" (pdf) and follow the instructions.

3. How will Early Start be implemented at Sonoma State University for fall 2012?

Sonoma State University Early Start program consists of an intense one unit course in English and/or math:

  • English
    ESE10: One-unit online English course (Section 101, June 25th - June 29th)
    ESE10: One-unit online English course (Section 102, July 9th - July 13th)
    ESE10: One-unit online English course (Section 103, July 16th - July 20th)
    NEW: ESE 10: One-unit online English course July 30th -Aug 3rd ( Last day to enroll is Thursday, July 26 at 9pm)
  • Mathematics
    ESM10: One-unit online math course (Section 101, July 6th - August 6th)

All admitted freshmen who are planning on attending Sonoma State and are not exempt should take the ELM/EPT as early as possible, preferably by the March test date.

You must accept your Sonoma State offer of admission by May 1st by submitting the enrollment and orientation deposit. If required, you must take the ELM/EPT no later than the system-wide test date on May 5, 2012, but are strongly encouraged to take the tests in March. If your scores indicate that you must participate in Early Start, you must declare how you will fulfill this requirement by June 11 using the new CSU Smart Page which will be available to you on your MySSU Online Services portal in early May. If you do not complete the Smart Page by June 11, you will not be able to enroll in classes at Sonoma State University.

In early May 2012, a notification will be mailed out to inform you if you need to participate in the mandatory Early Start Program.

4. How much will Early Start cost at Sonoma State University?

The Early Start Program at Sonoma State University will be offered through the school of Extended Education. The current fee estimate is a total of $184 per course and is subject to change based on approved fee increases. Campus parking and course instruction materials may also be charged.

California residents who apply for financial aid and have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,000 or less will be eligible for a waiver of the per unit fee. Students who qualify for State University Grant (SUG) or a Cal Grant are generally eligible for the waiver. If you have submitted the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to SSU, you can view your EFC through MySSU. For instructions, visit the Viewing Your Award Using MySSU www.sonoma.edu/finaid/help_book/viewing_and_accepting_your_aid_offer section of the Financial Aid Help Book.

5. What happens after I complete Sonoma State's Early Start requirement?

  • English: Students who have completed English Early Start will be prepared for a successful experience in their English 100A - B course, which they will take after completing English Early Start. (The EPT is a placement test that cannot be repeated.)
  • Math: Students who have completed Math Early Start may be encouraged to retake the ELM and move up to the next level (e.g., from Math 35 to 45 or from Math 45 to GE Math)

6. Early Start Registration will be processed through the School of Extended Education. What are the refund and enrollment deadlines?

Go to http://www.sonoma.edu/exed/misc/early-start-program.html for information on the registration process for the Early Start Program.

7. Can anyone be exempted from participating in Early Start?

All students are expected to participate in Early Start. Exemptions would be granted only for serious and compelling circumstances. Because you can choose from all of the Early Start programs throughout the CSU, you should be able to find one that fits your needs and circumstances. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, you must submit a letter outlining your reasons and attach documentation. (e.g. doctor's statement, death certificate, disability issues, etc.). This must be submitted to:

SSU Admissions and Records
Attention: University Registrar
1801 E.Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

8. What services are available for students with disabilities?

Students requiring reasonable accommodations to take part in the Early Start Program need to contact the office providing services to students with disabilities at the CSU campus they will attend in fall 2012. Students will be required to establish their eligibility for reasonable accommodations by providing appropriate disability documentation from a qualified treatment provider. Disability documentation must clearly describe the student's present functional limitations. Reasonable accommodations for the Early Start Program will be prescribed from the CSU campus from which the student will be attending.

For More Information

EPT/ELM Testing Information
EPT Requirement
ELM Requirement
EPT Exam Prep
ELM Exam Prep

For REGISTRATION and COURSE information, please contact Marcia Harrigan marcia.harrigan@sonoma.edu

For GENERAL QUESTIONS about the Early Start Program, please contact Magali Telles telles@sonoma.edu