First-Year Experience
Introduction
Every incoming first-year business student is part of a unique student cohort. Within your cohort you will take many of the foundation courses that are part of the required first-and second-year UIC Business curriculum. These cohorts are strategically designed to deliver the key combination of hard and soft skills you will need to be successful in the workplace.
Starting from day one on campus, a success team composed of peers, faculty mentors, career coaches, and academic advisers will work closely with you to help achieve your academic and professional goals.
I loved BA101 because it helped me learn about the different types of majors UIC has to offer. My favorite part was getting to learn more about internships and how to get them later on because they show how it will be beneficial for my future!
| Marketing Major ('25)
Building Community
Beyond the classroom, the UIC Business cohort program supports your social, emotional, professional and academic growth through unique features such as First-Year Peer Mentors and professional mentorship.
Meet Your First-Year Peer Mentors
“My favorite UIC Business class so far has been FIN 302 with Ozgur Arslan-Ayaydin. It was so fun learning about the different types of financial tools there are available to investors and the strategies in which we can use them. Ask me about resume building!”
“This summer I will intern at JP Morgan Chase as a Corporate Analyst in Tampa, Florida. I am excited to gain hands-on experience in an analysts role in banking. Ask me about pairing technology with business!”
“I wanted to be a First-Year Peer Mentor because I love helping people navigate through their college lives. I love the idea of mentoring and being a positive role model for younger students. I remember being a confused freshman and wishing I had a Cohort Captain to help me go through college, so I’m happy to pay it forward!”
“My favorite UIC Business class so far is FIN 416, Options and Derivatives. Learning the fundamental dynamics of buying and selling futures, swaps, and options alongside hedging strategies is fascinating, as this opens the door for more skillful investment management strategies.”
Sample First Year Experience Schedule
| Freshman | Sophomore | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | BA 100 | 1 | ACTG 211 | 3 |
| BA 101* | 1 | FIN 300 | 3 | |
| COMM 100 | 3 | BA 200 | 3 | |
| ENGL 160 | 3 | MKTG 360 | 3 | |
| MATH | 5 | IDS 270 | 4 | |
| ECON 120 | 3 | |||
| TOTAL HOURS | 16 | TOTAL HOURS | 16 | |
| Spring | BA 111* | 3 | MGMT 340 | 3 |
| ENGL 161 | 3 | IDS 200 | 4 | |
| MATH | 5 | BA 220 | 1 | |
| ACTG 210 | 3 | Major Courses/Electives | 9 | |
| TOTAL HOURS | 14 | TOTAL HOURS | 16 | |
| *Denotes courses that you take with your Cohort Peers. Cohorts are determined based on BA101 enrollment. | ||||