Jump Start

DATES:  August 10th through the 12th, 2025
COST:  FREE
REGISTRATION: The Jump Start program registration will open on June 2nd 2025.

Ball State University is excited to introduce Jump Start, a first year transition program for incoming students enrolled in the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Communication, Information, and Media, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health, the College of Sciences and Humanities, the Miller College of Business, and the Teachers College. 

Jump Start participants will move directly into their assigned residence hall room, engage with faculty in the college, meet other first year students in small cohort groups, and become familiar with campus.

Each college has planned a truly unique experience for their students, focusing on aspects of their study that will help the students to be better prepared to successfully start their first year at Ball State.

Jump Start Programs

Welcome to the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) -- you're about to embark on an exciting and fulfilling journey as a new student! Although this path will require hard work, resilience, and dedication, you don't have to go it alone. Join us for Jump Start, a free opportunity before the start of school to get to know your new campus, friends, and teachers!

Over the course of three days, you will be guided by experienced mentors (first year faculty, upper-class students, alumni), learning through fun activities, developing friendships, exploring the CAP buildings, BSU campus, and Muncie. CAP Jump Start will help you prepare for success during your first year of college and beyond. We explore CAP's libraries and labs, brainstorm on how to have difficult yet effective conversations with your professors, strategize about effective practices for college success, journey to mystery locations, and more! At the end of the Jump Start program, you will have the tools and social network to start this next chapter with confidence and make the most out of your first year of college at Ball State.

Join our community of peers and mentors as we welcome you to CAP, learn about our community, and get to know the support systems that will help you achieve your dreams. Apply for CAP Jump Start today and have a fun, unforgettable experience that will set you up for success at CAP, at Ball State, and beyond!

Complete the College of Architecture and Planning program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the CAP Jump Start program, please email Lori Pence or Andrea Swartz.

The College of Communication, Information and Media (CCIM) Jump Start program helps communication studies, computer technology, journalism, strategic communication, and media majors establish early relationships with faculty and classmates, learn about CCIM student engagement opportunities, and explore the abundance of career paths available in a media-communications focused field. Participants in CCIM Jump Start will engage with college alumni, participate in critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, and visit a variety of companies and businesses specializing in internal and external audience communication, journalism and media.

Complete the CCIM Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the CCIM Jump Start Program, please email CCIM or call the Journalism Workshop Office at 765-285-8900.

The College of Fine Arts (CFA) is thrilled to welcome incoming majors with Jump Start!

Beginning college can bring a mix of emotions from excitement to overwhelming and everything in between. Jump Start is a free three-day program designed to reduce the anxiety of starting college by building relationships early and getting connected to the resources offered by our college. Participants will explore the campus and Muncie arts communities, engage in fun artistic activities, and develop friendships that will carry into the new academic year.

At the end of the Jump Start program, students will have the tools and social network to start this next chapter with confidence and make the most out of the first year of college at Ball State. Apply for CFA Jump Start today and enjoy a fun, unforgettable experience that will set you up for success at CFA, at Ball State, and beyond!

Complete the College of Fine Arts Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the College of Fine Arts Jump Start program, please email Stephanie Haglund.

The College of Health Jump Start program is an exciting chance to meet your peers, learn about our diverse programs and see interprofessional collaboration in action. Through our programming and interprofessional community clinics, see how we are helping the Muncie community and the population at large become healthier and how you can become part of this mission! You'll have time to sample some of our state-of-the-art equipment as well as participate in several other fun activities. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!

Complete the College of Health Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the College of Health Jump Start program, please email Nick Atlas.

In the College of Sciences and Humanities (CSH), students pursue their passion, find their purpose, and are empowered for meaningful careers. The CSH Jump Start program provides students with an opportunity to learn about the college, connect with peers and faculty, have fun learning in hands-on activities, and adjust to life on campus.

This year’s theme is: Connections: The Making of Communities from Ecosystems to Societies. As part of this three-day program, you will connect and collaborate with fellow students in engaging classes and activities led by outstanding faculty from our college. You will learn from a variety of disciplinary perspectives (natural/computational sciences, social sciences, and humanities) and have the opportunity to be engaged in multiple settings such as Christy Woods. These sessions will challenge you to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and collaborate to identify ways to better build community. Throughout the program, you will make connections with peers and faculty while learning about why connections are important. In doing so, you will learn how to be successful as a student at Ball State while also having fun!

Complete the College of Sciences & Humanities Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the College of Sciences and Humanities Jump Start program, please email Melisa Stevens.

 

The Miller College of Business Jump Start program is designed to be both fun and informative! The primary goal is to assist with your transition to Ball State, your academic college, and the Muncie community. We will teach you about the different majors in Business, will help you hone in on practical skills that all college students need to be successful, and will create opportunities for you to meet other faculty, staff, and students. We will also visit a local business in downtown Muncie to give you an idea of what it’s like to work in the field. After the completion of the program, you’ll be equipped to a have a successful first year as a Cardinal. With all of the knowledge and experience you gain, you may find yourself helping other new first-year students adjust to life on campus! 

Complete the Miller College of Business Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the MCOB Jump Start program, please email Kathy Maple.

 

Teachers College Jump Start program provides participants with the opportunity to learn about their major, the city of Muncie, Muncie Community Schools, and the campus community. You'll find new friends in your major and get to know campus and the Muncie Community in a fun and exciting way. This opportunity is open to all majors in Teachers College, and we highly encourage first generation college students to apply!

Complete the Teachers College Jump Start program registration.

Registration will Open June 2nd

If you have questions about the Teachers College Jump Start program, please email Katie Crews.