FPF students enjoy all resources and benefits like all UC Berkeley students while participating in FPF. The second-floor lounges of Golden Bear Center and the nearby Berkeley Way West are open to all students. In addition, here are some important resources and services that are particularly useful for first-year students.
FPF Academic Advising
Scheduled Appointments: You can schedule appointments through CalCentral up to two weeks in advance. Appointments are for either 15 or 30 minutes.
- Pros: More time to talk; Ensures your time is reserved even if it's a busy point in the semester.
- Cons: Must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance; Spots may fill quickly during busy times.
Drop-In Advising: During specific hours, you can meet with an advisor without having to schedule an appointment. Please note we will meet students in order that they arrive.
- Pros: Can come in any time during the allotted hours; Great for very quick questions.
- Cons: Advisor may not be available; May have limited time to talk.
Email/Phone: You are able to email or call your FPF Advisor to get your questions answered. For email, please allow for up to 48 hours before a response. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message. We will return your call as soon as we are able to.
FPF Resources
FPF Ambassadors: Former FPF students who serve as resources for prospective and current FPF students. You may also ask questions of FPF Advising staff by emailing fpf@berkeley.edu.
FPF Reader Position: Readers do not perform teaching duties, but provide support to the primary instructor. For more information on how to apply click here. You may also ask questions about the Reader position by emailing fpf@berkeley.edu.
Workshops: FPF provides a range of workshops each fall. Workshop topics include: Spring registration, navigating the campus, using faculty office hours, resume writing, and spotlight on different majors. We also have panels and workshops presented by our Student Ambassadors. Our future offerings respond to student needs.
FPF Speaker Series highlights instructors' activities and research that cultivate skills for community engagement and promote social justice. Presentations have included:
- "The New 'New Liberal Indian Woman': The Glocalization of Chick Lit" presented by Dr. Srijani Ghosha (instructor for XENGLIS R1A)
- "Arias for an Untold Want: The Queer Desire of the Diva Film" presented by Dr. Dolores McElroy (instructor for XFILM R1A/B)
- "Teaching Octavia Butler in a Course on Colonialism and Science Fiction" presented by Dr. Aparajita Nanda (instructor for XGWS 50AC and XENGLIS R1B)
- "From the Classroom to the Community, and Back Again: Reflections on American Cultures Engaged Scholarship" presented by Dr. Seth Lunine (instructor for XGEOG 50AC)
Campus Resources
Art of Writing Tutoring: Peer writing tutoring is available online, by appointment, and on a walk-in basis. Available for all students enrolled in an R&C course in English, Comparative Literature, Film & Media, or Rhetoric. Check the Art of Writing website in the fall to get information and to sign up for tutoring appointments.
Cal Dining: Brown's California Cafe is the closest (10-minute walk) to GBC to use your meal plan. But there are many dining halls and cafe locations across campus with flexible meal options.
Campus Shuttle: Use your Cal 1 Card to board the campus shuttle. There are various transit options, but the H Line and Perimeter Line are popular to get around campus.
Career Engagement: Undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni are prepared to make informed decisions about their futures. Enjoy comprehensive resources; programs; and counseling on career development, internships, employment, and graduate school. Check out the Pre-Med Guide for everything you need to know about preparing for medical school. This includes general prerequisites, MCAT advice, and what kind of field experience you will need before applying. It's never too early to look into the opportunities available.
Career Counseling Library (at the Tang Center): Comprehensive counseling to help you select a major and make career decisions. Services include individual career counseling, career assessments, and research on majors, careers, and graduate school.
Disabled Students' Program (DSP): DSP supports students with disabilities in achieving academic success. They provide accommodations for a wide range of documented cognitive, sensory, and mobility impairments. You may receive support from disability specialists, professional-development courses, and accessibility experts during your time in FPF. Enjoy these perks in your further studies on campus. Visit Disabled Students' Program for more information. Click on "Students > New Students" navigation items to apply as a new student.
Housing: UC Berkeley's residence halls provide many opportunities for lifelong friendships, leadership skills, work, and play. You also get academic support to keep you on the road to graduation and success. The closest residence halls to 1995 University Ave are Unit 3 and Blackwell Hall. Foothill is a straight downhill walk to FPF.
OURS National Scholarships: The OURS National Scholarships Office facilitates the institutional endorsement process for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. We provide advising and support to UC Berkeley students pursuing these opportunities and other selected programs.
Student Learning Center (SLC): Meet with more than 250 tutors and instructors and 20 professional staff. They help support your education in most common core lower-division courses.
Recreational Sports Facility (RSF): The University's largest, most complete fitness center, with more than 100,000 square feet of activity space. Take advantage of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, three weight rooms, and seven basketball courts.
UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP): Staff advisors provide knowledge, understanding, and skills to work and live in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. They also provide information about studying abroad.
University Health Services (UHS): Your tuition and campus fees cover basic medical care services through UHS at the Tang Center. UHS provides medical care and clinical services, health education and promotion, counseling and psychological services, and more. UHS does not provide hospitalization and specialty services.