REAL Program
The Reaching Excellence in Academics and Leadership (REAL) Program, a selective, five-week academic and co-curricular orientation program for students who are first generation, high financial need, or from a background underrepresented in higher education (including asylees, refugees, and permanent residents) that are newly committed to attending the University of St. Thomas.
Founded in 1998, the REAL Program is designed to acquaint 16 students with campus life, resources and services, and to provide experience with college-level coursework. All participants will earn 5 credits by taking two college courses (FYEX 100 and HIST 112 – required for all students) at no cost! The program is offered to replicate a typical semester as a St. Thomas student.
REAL Program allows participants to interact in living and learning environments intended to help them become acclimated to the University before fall semester begins. The program has served 400+ students in its 24-year history, with most participants persisting to their second year at St. Thomas.
2025 REAL Program Dates: Sunday - June 22 to Saturday - July 26, 2025
Applications will open April 1, 2025
Deadline is May 5, 2025
Contact Us
Location
224 Anderson Student Center
Phone
(651) 962-6460
Fax
(651) 962-6465
Nayely Becerra Castillo
Associate Director of Retention and Student Success
bece8536@stthomas.edu
Learn about the Real Program
Register to attend a virtual session on:
Monday, March 24 (2025) – 7-8 PM
Wednesday, April 9 (2025) – 7-8 PM
Wednesday, April 23 (2025) - 7-8 PM
How it Works
All participants will earn 5 credits by taking two college courses (FYEX 100 and HIST 112 – required for all students) at no cost! Classroom work focuses on achieving academic success through interactions with faculty, staff, and St. Thomas students to ensure that participants establish meaningful and critical connections with the University community. Academic success workshops, tutoring sessions and peer-led study sessions are also key aspects to academic component of the program.
Students gain practical skills and confidence through work assignments in university offices or departments. Participation also enhances a student’s potential for obtaining on-campus employment during the academic year.
Co-curricular opportunities include educational programs, social events and workshops that help students develop leadership skills. REAL Program participants are encouraged to become involved in at least one of more than 130+ student-run clubs and organizations on campus.
Participants have the benefit of living in a St. Thomas residence hall during the 5-week program (weekend departures are permitted). Residence Hall staff familiarizes participants with campus resources and responds to emergency situations. A staff member is always on-call.
Two student interns serve as peer advisors for the students in the REAL Program. The peer advisors are hired each year through a selective process, and live on campus with the REAL Program participants, serving as their resident advisors during the five-week program. They provide peer mentoring to the students, monitor their attendance at the events and activities, and complete weekly reports and daily evaluations of sessions, among other tasks.
Participants learn how to take advantage of many on campus resources including but not limited to career, academic and personal counseling, Off-Campus Student Services, Financial Aid, Campus Life, Campus Ministry, library resources and athletic facilities. Participants also attend Orientation and Registration together during the five weeks.
Costs and Compensation
All program costs are covered including room and board. The only cost to the students is the cost of the textbooks for their summer course.
REAL Program participants are also compensated with a small stipend that is distributed incrementally with completion of program requirements.
How to Apply
Postcards will be sent out April 1, 2025. Applications for REAL Program will become live at that time! Deadline to apply is May 5, 2025. As a part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a writing sample.
Learn About the REAL Program
to attend a virtual session and learn more about the REAL Program.
Dates:
- Monday, March 24 (2025) – 7-8 PM
- Wednesday, April 9 (2025) – 7-8 PM
- Wednesday, April 23 (2025) - 7-8 PM
Schedule:
- Introduction
- Overview of the Program
- Applications Overview
- Student Panel
- Q&A