Find Your People, Your Place & Your Passions
L&S First-Year Pathways is designed for first-year undergraduate students in the College of Letters & Science. Students get to choose a cluster of three courses and learn alongside the same small group of peers throughout the first semester. Dive into interesting topics, jumpstart your academic journey, and build meaningful connections with L&S First-Year Pathways!
Early Class Enrollment
Pathways provides priority enrollment into 3-4 courses for incoming first-year students
New Friendships
A chance to make friends with other new students through shared personal interests
Small Cohort Experience
Learn alongside a cohort of 20-25 students, forming relationships with peers and faculty
Degree Progress
Each cluster satisfies major prerequisites and/or L&S breadth requirements
Clusters for Fall 2025
Reading & Composition
Numbers & Narratives: Math, History & Writing (12 Units)
May fulfill prerequisites for majors including Economics and History.
Biological Science breadth
Exploring the Sciences: Math, Chemistry & Neuroscience (12 Units) – FULL; WAITLIST CLOSED
May fulfill breadth requirements for Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences.
Arts & Literature breadth
Elements of Water: Earth & Planetary Science, Art, and Writing (10 Units)
May satisfy breadth requirements for: Biological Science, Physical Science, and Arts & Literature; and fulfill either the first OR second half of Reading & Composition.