Early Start is designed to strengthen your math and/or English skills and help you transition to the learning environment at Humboldt State. Successful completion of Early Start Math can help you do well in the math class(es) needed to complete your degree. Early Start English is designed to improve your college-level writing skills and prepare you for writing assignments in all your HSU courses. It will also help you use (“directed self-placement”) to find the best general education English choice for you.

Fall 2018 Freshmen Admissions and Early Start Important Dates

CSU Early Start Details

• The CSU requires Early Start for incoming freshmen who, by multiple measures such as test scores, overall GPA, course grades in English and Math, will likely benefit from additional support the summer before your freshman year. Students will also have a combination math course in the fall that provides support in transitioning to a college learning environment.
• The program takes place the summer before the freshman year.
• Early Start Math and English courses are offered by every CSU campus (online options available).
• Financial aid will be available for those who demonstrate need (see below for details).
• Students required to take both math and English will be asked to take only Early Start Math for the summer 2018.

• For Fall 2018, students who are required to, but do not participate in Early Start, may have their enrollment cancelled.

For more information go to: CSU Success

Early Start Courses at HSU

You are encouraged to complete your Early Start courses at HSU if at all possible. This will give you an opportunity to learn about HSU and will provide the smoothest transition to your fall English or math instruction. 

ESPM 55: Early Start Math (1 unit)
A one unit course using a web-based assessment and learning program to help students designated for Early Start to prepare for college-level mathematics courses. There will also be a final assessment in the course. Based on this final assessment, students may move into a new Enrollment Category and be eligible to complete their Mathematics requirements faster. Completion of ESPM 55 will satisfy the CSU Early Start requirement. Students attending HSU will also be advised on entry-level mathematics courses for their major based on a final assessment in the program

Four-week course: July 2, 2018 through July 27, 2018

Engl 180: Early Start Writing (1 unit)
A one-unit online course to help students designated for Early Start to prepare for college-level writing courses. Completion of ENGL 180 will satisfy the CSU Early Start requirement. In the course, students will complete the Writing Course Survey which is a pre-requisite for both English 102/103 and English 104 at HSU, and will help students choose which writing course to enroll in.

Four-week course: July 2, 2018 through July 27, 2018

Who must participate in the Early Start Program?

Please check your Smart Page for your early Start Status for Math

Please note, if you were found to be "conditionally ready" for math in the Early Assessment Program—with SAT Math scores between 520 and 560 or ACT Math scores between 20 and 22—you will be required to successfully complete (with a C- or better) a senior-year math experience, which is any course during your senior year that has algebra 2 (intermediate algebra) as a pre-requisite.

Please check your Smart Page for your early Start Status for English

Please note, if you were found to be "conditionally ready" for English in the Early Assessment Program—with SAT verbal scores between 510 and 540 or ACT English scores between 19 and 21—you will be required to successfully complete (with a C- or better) a senior-year English experience, which is any of the following: ERWC English, AP English, IB English, or Honors English. 

For Fall 2018, students who are required to, but do not participate in Early Start, may have their enrollment cancelled.

Exemptions:
Incoming freshmen who are International students and residents of other states.

What's the difference between the Smart Page and registering for Early Start classes?

The Smart Page is the first step in the process. It is used to tell HSU where you will participate in Early Start classes, but it will not register you in any classes. The Smart Page for HSU is available to you from May 7 through June 22, 2018.

The next step is very important. After you have chosen a campus for Early Start, you will hear from that campus and get information on how to register for the class(es). Each campus has different timelines for this process. At HSU, Early Start class registration is from May 14 through July 2, 2018. It is very important to complete your registration according to the directions sent to you by the campus; if you don’t take this step, you won’t be enrolled in the classes you are required to take.

How much will it cost? 

Early Start Programs offered at any of the CSU campuses will have a common fee. The current fee estimate is $182 per unit and is subject to change based on approved fee increases.

The additional cost for the web-based computer program used in Early Start Math is $32 for a six-week subscription. Neither of HSU’s Early Start courses requires you to purchase a textbook.

California residents who apply for financial aid and have an Estimated Family Contribution of $5,000 or less will be eligible for a waiver of the per-unit fee.

Where can I get more information?

• For freshmen application and admission requirements, see Freshman Admission. 
• For financial aid application procedures and information, see HSU Financial Aid. Or email earlystart@humboldt.edu.