Smart Start helps students get connected at Sacramento State. We help you meet others and navigate the campus in a way that is easy-going, friendly and fun. At the same time, we help first-year students successfully complete two critically important General Education Areas, A2 -Composition and B4 -Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. Smart Start consists of two distinct components - a one-week summer program and a peer coaching program offered throughout the academic year.

Smart Start Summer Program

Smart Start Summer will take place Monday-Friday starting on August 14 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The meeting is Face-to-Face on campus. Students will meet classmates in a relaxed setting and will be prepared for success in their first composition and quantitative reasoning.

The morning will be spent in classes with two professors—one Math, one English—and several peer coaches—undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college successfully. Students will work in groups and use their math and writing skills to solve challenges that real-life first-year students often face. These challenges include managing time (juggling school, work, family, and friends), managing money (always less than we’d like) and finding help when you need it (academic challenges, food insecurity, roommate/ partner conflicts).

The afternoon will consist of two groups – Math Refresh and Reading refresh where students will review what they learned in high school to ensure they are ready for college-level reading and math courses.

Students will be provided with lunch breaks, with lunch included, where they will have opportunities to explore The Well, Peak Adventures, and the Planetarium. The Smart Start Summer Program is fully covered through Financial Aid for most students. Students who do not qualify for Financial Aid are offered a reduced rate of $400 (tuition and fees combined).

Register for Smart Start Summer Program

Registration for Smart Start opens on July 5th. Log in to your My Sac State account and click on your Student Center. A link called Smart Start can be found under Academics.

Haven't created your account or need to reset your password?

Visit our SacLink webpage. The screenshot below is from using a desktop. You may see it differently if you are using your phone.

Contact

Do I need the Smart Start?
CSUS Admissions and Outreach (916) 278-1000 option 1 or admissions@csus.edu

Registration Help:
(916) 278-4840
smartstart@csus.edu

Additional Help:
Office of Undergraduate Studies
(916) 278-5344
ugs-office@csus.edu