Wildcat LEAP is coordinated centrally by the Office of Undergraduate Education in partnership with Enrollment Management, the Department of Mathematics, the Foundations Writing Program within the Department of English, and THINK TANK.

Wildcat LEAP is a cost-free, fully online summer program that provides an opportunity for new Wildcats to establish an early connection with the university, prepare for or improve academic placement, and ensure a successful first year at the University of Arizona. Students enroll in an online math or writing program or take both. The offerings are non-credit experiences that prepare students for the academic placement processes and lay the foundation for success as a Wildcat.

No. The Wildcat LEAP program is not mandatory. It is an optional program to help students establish an early connection with the university, prepare for or improve academic placement, and ensure a successful first year at the University of Arizona.

The placements taken before orientation are the same ones offered within the LEAP program. You should take your placements before orientation and attend Wildcat LEAP. The LEAP program will potentially help improve placement for Math and assist in determining whether your Writing placement is the most appropriate fit.

The math workshops have an emphasis on reviewing algebra skills. While always useful, it may not be the level of math some students are looking for. Students are welcome to attend the first day or two and see if the math workshops are a good fit. Students will work in an online program called ALEKS, which is individualized to the topics that students need help with. 

Wildcat LEAP takes places during the summer, typically in June and July.

Do not delay your placements. Take them before your orientation session. You can still register for LEAP. The LEAP program will potentially help improve placement for Math and assist in determining whether your Writing placement is the most appropriate fit.

Because the Math and Writing workshops within the LEAP program are only three weeks long, a whole week will put you behind significantly in the workshops. Students should register for Wildcat LEAP with the intention to complete the program offerings. 

All program offerings are fully online.

Registration for Wildcat LEAP typically opens in early May. Students will receive email communications with registration instructions around that time.

You need a UA NetID to participate in Wildcat LEAP because the program utilizes the D2L learning platform. Your UA NetID is your personal identifier for a number of online services at the University of Arizona. Some of the services requiring a NetID include:

• E-mail and UITS computing accounts (CatMail, UAConnect, HPC)
• UAccess applications (Student, Employee, Analytics, etc.)
• D2L – a web-based course management system used in 700+ courses on campus
• University site-licensed software
• OSCR computer labs

The UA NetID verifies identity when it is used for online services the University of Arizona provides. It consolidates the disparate authentication mechanisms of various UA online services and helps ensure the privacy of personal information and restrict the use of resources to those for whom they are intended.

After your initial registration is complete, we communicate with you only via your official UArizona email address. Official program communications will not be sent to your GMail, iCloud, Microsoft, or any other non-UArizona email addresses. 

Academic skills coaching includes a series of individual meetings with a professional learning specialist or peer academic coach to help students develop and refine the skills necessary to succeed at the University of Arizona. Topics include balancing and prioritizing time, success in courses, and test preparation. Academic skills coaching sessions provide students an opportunity to talk about both academic and non-academic topics as they transition to the University of Arizona.

Adjusting to and managing your life in college can be a huge challenge, so having an academic skills coach as part of your support system can be beneficial. Some commonly addressed subjects for academic coaching include, but are not limited to:

• Study Strategies
• Time Management
• Testing Anxiety
• Navigating Campus & Finding Resources
• Self-Advocacy
• Health & Wellbeing
• Involvement & Career Advancement Opportunities
• Relationship Building with Campus Staff & Faculty
• Transition into and out of College
• Interpersonal Relationships

Academic skills coaching is all about holistic support. Each student's goals and challenges can vary; your academic coach is ready to hear what skills you want to develop!

Yes. The program sessions are structured so that students can participate in both the Math and Writing opportunities.

Students should expect to commit 6 to 8 hours per week (depending on reading speed) for the Writing workshop. 

Students should expect to commit up to 20 hours per week (10 hours in class, 2 hours daily outside class) for the Math workshop. 

Wildcat LEAP is a non-credit opportunity. Students will not receive academic credit for their participation and the experience will not be listed on the academic transcript.

The Math program includes scheduled live online class times. The Writing workshop does not have set live online class meeting times, but students will schedule individual times to meet with instructors. Students in all programs, whether Math or Writing, will schedule time to meet weekly with THINK TANK academic skills coaches.  

Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Education via email at undergrad@arizona.edu with any questions.