Winter Start Program
Each year, about 30 first-year students begin their CC journeys in January as Winter Starts. This unique path gives students the chance to take the fall semester to reflect, explore, and grow before diving into life at CC. Winter Starts spend their gap semesters in countless ways—working, traveling, interning, or engaging in semester programs—each experience adding to their personal growth and shaping their CC adventure.
As you plan your gap semester, we recommend that you consider what your goals are, both academically and personally, and what your needs for transfer credit are in consideration with AP/IB credits you may already be bringing to CC. Remember all students at CC also receive one free Wild Card block of Summer Session tuition, as well as Half-Block opportunities to earn credits at no additional charge every January. Establishing your own goals will help you decide which options to pursue during the fall semester.
To learn more about how to request a gap semester, and for ideas on how you might spend your semester off, visit our Gap Experience page.
"My semester before starting CC as a Winter Start was completely unforgettable. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Indonesia with a group of 15 other people, staying in four different homestays in the city, jungle, mountains and in stilted huts above the ocean. We participated in Muslim culture, lived with sea nomads, watched a buffalo sacrifice, and so much more.
When I came to CC, I met a bunch of other students right away who were also Winter Starts, each with totally different experiences. It was easier in many ways to make friends with that core group, and then branch out to the rest of the freshman class and other students. You don't have to leave the country in order to have an amazing fall semester before college, but Indonesia changed my life and shaped my experiences at CC. I came in to college with a deeper sense of self, and a fresh perspective on how to make the most of my new home."
- Naya Herman, Winter Start, Jan 2013
Winter Start Logistics
While the Winter Start program is a little atypical, we have a number of programs in place to help make your college transition smooth. Once at CC, Winter Starts kick off their experience with a Winter Start Orientation (WSO) which begins in mid-January the week before Block 5 begins. After orientation, you'll begin your double-block First-Year Program introductory course (CC100/120) which is designed to facilitate the academic transition to the Block Plan.
In terms of graduation time, many Winter Starts earn extra credits during CC's summer block offerings, half blocks, from AP or IB exams, or by enrolling in a for-credit semester program during their gap semester, allowing them to graduate in May with the rest of their class. However, others choose to finish in December, completing a full four years on campus.
As part of your preparation for joining us on campus in January, you will be asked to complete a housing preference questionnaire; this part of your pre-arrival checklist is especially important! We strongly believe that first-year students benefit by starting their on-campus experience in one of our large residence halls with their peers so, while we will make every effort to take your living preferences into consideration, room assignments will be based on mid-year housing availability in our large residence halls. You will be notified of your room and roommate assignment when the college re-opens after Winter Break, immediately prior to Winter Start Orientation.
Room assignments will not be made until after the Winter Start housing agreement deadline. We will include contact information with your assignment and strongly encourage you to connect with and get to know your roommate before you arrive on campus.
show all / hide all