Teaneck, N.J.– Fairleigh Dickinson University’s autism support program, named COMPASS, on the Metropolitan Campus is now accepting applicants for the 2017 – 2018 academic year. The deadline for applications is February 10, 2017.

The COMPASS program is an individually-tailored, comprehensive academic and social support program for students on the autism spectrum and/or with previous diagnosis of Asperger’s in their first two years of college. Each COMPASS student will work with one coach for academic support, one individual counselor, and two more therapists for group psychotherapy every week. The program has a 3-1 ratio of provider to student and has been in existence for nine years.  

As a participant in the COMPASS program, students will begin their experience at FDU during the summer when all incoming freshmen participate in an overnight freshmen orientation program. Program staff work closely with the COMPASS students at orientation, making sure that each student has a positive experience. Students will be advised at this time to establish course selection for the fall semester, where COMPASS staff will be involved in this process.

COMPASS students will also have the opportunity to be paired with a student peer mentor. Each mentor is an upperclassman at FDU who has volunteered to serve as both a friend and a resource to a COMPASS student. They help them settle in and become comfortable with University life.

Initial program evaluation data reveals that 86 percent of Metropolitan COMPASS students who initially enter as freshmen return for a sophomore year, which is higher than the typical FDU freshmen-sophomore retention rate. Additionally, 95 percent of COMPASS freshmen who complete their first year return as sophomores.

The application deadline is February 10, 2017 for the 2017-2018 academic year. For more information visit the Metropolitan Campus COMPASS Program website or call (201) 692-2645, ext. 413.