Lift Off Applications

STEM Students Invited to Summer Lift Off Program to Launch Their College Careers

Program Applications Due June 21

McMurry’s Lift Off program is a summer bridge program that gives incoming freshman STEM majors an opportunity to earn up to six credit hours in three and a half weeks. Courses and projects are paired with peer-assisted learning and mentoring that affords students a jump start on their college careers.

Students follow one of two tracks. Each student’s declared major and provided placement test are components that help establish which track a student should take.

• Track I: Pre-Calculus and First Year Seminar
• Track II: Intermediate Algebra and Introduction to Sociology

“The best way to know if Lift Off is a good option for a student is to ask,” Tammy Werner, STEM Student Success Center professional tutor said. “Students have many different goals in participating in the Lift Off program, and adding a second track this year opens opportunities to even more students!”

So Many Benefits

Lift Off is packed with benefits:

• Students complete two college classes before all other freshmen, giving them a leg up on their degree plan before the long semester and a potential boost to their overall GPA.
• Designed to be experiential, faculty developed the classes to be significantly hands-on and interactive. Students will work hard, but have a lot of fun too.
• Success coaches are a key part of the program, and students will begin to see how the “success coach” concept can enhance their college experience.
• Students interact and learn from peer leaders and faculty who are focused on their success.
• Socially, it’s a time to bond with peers and make friends in the living and learning community.
• Financially, it’s a less expensive way to earn credit for two classes.

Peer Mentors

Peer mentors, a key component of the Lift Off program, are older McMurry students who can easily relate to being an incoming freshman and are keen to be a mentor for others. “Each course has a peer mentor that attends class and holds evening tutoring sessions (similar to a supplemental instruction [SI] leader). The difference is that these mentors live in the community with participants during Lift Off,” said Werner.

“The mentors plan and attend outings, answer questions that many first semester students have, and generally show them the ropes of what it means to attend McMurry,” said Werner.

Logistical Matters

The Lift Off program is an in-person program with students housed in Gold Star Residence Hall. Living and learning in the same community affords students an opportunity to get to know other students with similar interests and have a peer mentor to help with courses and adjusting to college life. Students have the option to stay in their assigned room throughout the academic year.

• Lift Off move-in day is Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Classes run Monday through Friday with Saturday projects.
• Courses begin July 15 and end Wednesday, August 7.
• For reference, Welcome Week for incoming freshmen starts Wednesday, August 21.

Fees and Financial Aid

The entire Lift Off experience costs $600, which includes tuition, housing, a meal plan, activities, and learning materials. Applying for summer financial aid is recommended. Simply follow the same process to apply for Fall aid, but choose the previous year’s form. Deadline to apply for summer financial aid is June 28. Students eligible for the Pell grant may receive aid to cover some costs.

How to Apply

Ready to apply or have more questions? Start on the student portal or reach out to an admissions counselor. Application deadline is June 21, 2024.