STAR Program

The STAR (Successful Transition to Academic Readiness) Program is designed to help at-risk freshmen experience success during their first year at Otterbein. STAR students work closely with instructors and tutors from the Academic Support Center. These instructors who come from a variety of academic areas - writing, math, reading and study skills - also serve as faculty advisors and will help students set and realize realistic academic goals. They put students in contact with various resources on our campus who also can help make their freshmen year a positive and rewarding experience.

As part of the STAR experience, students will be able to take advantage of the college's tutoring services. During math and writing courses, they are hooked up with peer tutors from the Writing Center and Math Lab who work with them either one-on-one or in small groups. Most Otterbein students find these tutoring services to be very beneficial and an integral part of the Otterbein experience.

Another component of the STAR program is Supplemental Instruction (SI). SI is designed to help students master course concepts while simultaneously increasing their competence in reading, writing and study skills. During the winter quarter STAR students enroll in a required freshmen course that will be designated as an SI course. They will have the opportunity, three times per week, to participate in a collaborative group whose purpose is to help each member of the group earn a good grade in the course. These groups are facilitated by an ASC instructor or a competent upper-level student, who will help them in a variety of ways: making up practice tests, scheduling review sessions, sharing class notes, and building content vocabulary. SI is used successfully in over 600 colleges and universities in the U.S.

Enrollment in the STAR Program is by placement only. Please contact the Admissions Office at (614) 823-1500 or the Academic Support Center at (614) 823-1610 for more information.