Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of meal plan is included?
Students are required to enroll in a meal plan when living on campus. Students are given three different options for a meal plan. All KAMS students are required to choose the Open Access plan during their first semester, which includes unlimited meal swipes and $450 dining dollars per semester. After a student's first semester is completed, they can opt in to a lesser 10-meal/week plan, which includes $500 dining dollars per semester, or the 7-meal/week plan, which includes $600 dining dollars per semester. KAMS students have convenient access to the McMindes Dining Facility across the street from Custer Hall and the FHSU campus also features the Tiger Market in the Union, Grab-&-Go stores, a pizza cafe, sandwich shop, and Starbucks.
Do early college students take regular college courses?
Yes, KAMS/AMS students are integrated directly into the academic community at FHSU with traditional college students. We believe that having early college students work alongside traditional FHSU students will benefit both the students and the FHSU student body. KAMS/AMS students are not majoring in any specific discipline while in the program, but our curriculum is heavily focused on STEM. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE KAMS/AMS CURRICULUM.
What will a typical AMS school day look like?
AMS students follow a typical college class schedule. Classes generally meet on either a Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule. The majority of courses are scheduled between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM with the possibility of some evening labs. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE KAMS/AMS CURRICULUM.
While 14-18 hours per week in the classroom may not seem like a lot, please keep in mind that for every 1 hour spent in the classroom will likely require 2-3 hours of study outside of class.
What are the requirements to remain in the program?
The KAMS/AMS staff monitors each student's academic progress multiple times throughout a semester and an official grade check happens at the end of each semester (fall/spring). Should a student fall below the set GPA requirement at semester, they will be asked to complete an appeals process. Students must also follow the program's code of conduct and rules to remain in good standing.
Will students be able to do research projects?
Yes! One of the most exciting things that AMS offers is the opportunity for students to work with Ph.D. faculty on college-level research projects. Students in AMS are required to conduct three credit hours of research prior to the completion of their final year in the program.
Will credit earned at AMS be transferable to other universities?
In general, yes, the FHSU college credits will be transferable. Keep in mind: there are hundreds of universities in the United States and the staff at KAMS/AMS is unable to determine the exact transferability of credits in advance for every university. Students will need to work closely with their Academic Advisor in determining whether or not credits will transfer to the university they plan on attending after program completion.
Will students receive an Associate's Degree?
Students have the opportunity to complete an Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.) in Science degree from Fort Hays State University.
What college majors or career paths will attendance at AMS benefit most?
It is our belief that completing AMS will benefit students no matter their desired major or career path. Alumni of AMS have pursued bachelor's degrees in a variety of subjects ranging from biology, chemistry, finance, music, philosophy, engineering, mathematics, education, physics, teaching, and beyond. Many alumni have also attended and earned degrees from a variety of graduate and professional programs, including law school, business school, medical school, pharmacy school, and graduate and doctorate programs in numerous disciplines. Alumni from AMS are doctors, lawyers, teachers, musicians, engineers, business professionals, professors, research scientists, and military officers to name a few.
Where do AMS students live on campus?
KAMS/AMS students live in the uniquely dedicated Custer Hall on the FHSU campus. Custer Hall was renovated specifically for KAMS/AMS and includes space for the KAMS/AMS offices and living quarters for the students. The hall features special security measures, such as locked entrances and exits, cameras at the entrance/exit of each floor and in each common area, and additional staff for supervision.
The residential wings are separated by gender and each room is shared by two KAMS/AMS students. A typical Custer Hall room size is 12 1/2' x 14'. The windows are approximately 10 feet long and include one big panel and two small panels and dark colored blinds. Curtains can be hung but the use of nails or drilling is prohibited. Each student is provided with an extra-long twin bed, a desk, chair, dresser, and a wardrobe in each room. CLICK HERE to take a virtual tour of Custer Hall!
HERE IS A LIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING TO CAMPUS WITH YOU. We ask that AMS students not store their belongings in Custer Hall over the summer break. Please plan accordingly!
Will AMS students be supervised?
Yes! Unlike a typical college student, KAMS/AMS students have many layers of supervision. In addition to the Early College Programs Director, a number of staff members will supervise the students each day. There is Community Advisor living on each wing, professional staff that visit the hall every evening to check on the students and to make sure curfew is met, and a live-in, adult Community Hall Director supervising life in Custer Hall during the school year. Students and families also have access to an on-call number that can be used 24/7 day or night to contact a staff member in case of emergency.
What safety precautions are being taken for AMS students?
The safety of KAMS/AMS students is a top priority for the KAMS/AMS & FHSU staff. Access to the Academy's residential hall is limited during the evenings and all day on weekends. Access to residential floors is restricted. Access to the residential wings that are separated by gender is also restricted. Students have curfews they must meet each evening and they are required to check in and out when leaving campus.
What types of support services are available for AMS students?
The KAMS/AMS Assistant Director serves as an Academic Advisor and School Counselor to assist with students' academic needs, registration, and the college search & selection process. The KAMS/AMS Personal Counselor and FHSU's Health & Wellness Service Office offer help with the typical challenges new college students experience, such as homesickness, stress, anxiety, etc. The FHSU campus also features a variety of tutoring services, a Writing Center, Career Exploration department, and Student Health Office.
Can AMS students participate in extracurricular activities & sports teams?
KAMS/AMS understands the integral role of student organizations and activities in student life. Early college students are able to form their own clubs and/or join one or more of FHSU's 120 student organizations. You may review a sample list of competition opportunities and clubs/organizations available to our students HERE.
AMS students are not permitted to be a part of greek life or NCAA athletics or Kansas state-sanctioned high school athletics or activities. AMS students can participate in a wide variety of FHSU intramural activities.
Can AMS students have a job?
AMS students are not allowed to have a part-time job while in residence at AMS unless they maintain the program's required semester GPA (this excludes winter and summer breaks). Students are asked to work on the FHSU campus only if they wish to have a part-time job while in the program.
As an international student, am I required to use an international education agency?
Effective January 17, 2020, students who are current primary citizens of China or Korea are required to utilize the services of one of our established partnering educational agencies. Effective October 25, 2021, students who are current primary citizens of Georgia, Kuwait, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are required to utilize the services of our established partnering educational agency. Click here to view a list of agencies we have partnered with to assist students.
What churches are available for AMS students to attend?
There are many places of worship available in Hays, including: Assembly of God, Baha'i Faith, Baptist, Catholic, Charismatic, Church of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Episcopal, Evangelical, Jehovah's Witness, Lutheran, Mennonite, Messianic, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Sabbath, and several non-denominational choices. If you do not see your religious preference listed, please contact us. Our program respects and values diversity and we will work to accommodate your religious preference.
What travel options do I have to and from Hays, Kansas?
Hays is fortunate to have a few different travel options for students. The Hays Regional Airport provides daily flights to a handful of cities in the U.S. We ask that students in AMS fly in and out of Hays when traveling by air.
Hays also provides local taxi and bus services, Uber, and Lyft for students to be transported around town. Students are allowed to bring a vehicle to campus if permission is given from parents or guardians.
Please organize your travel to and from Hays with your Educational Agency and communicate any travel plans with the KAMS/AMS Office. Airport and bus station dropoffs and pickups by AMS staff are very limited. Please plan accordingly.
How can I ship/mail something to a KAMS/AMS student?
To SHIP (UPS/FED EX/etc.) to a student please send it to:
Student Name
Custer Hall Room #
420 Custer Drive
Hays, KS 67601
To MAIL (USPS) to a student please send it to:
Student Name
1 Custer Hall
Custer Hall Room #
Hays, KS 67601
How can I ship/mail something to the KAMS/AMS office?
To SHIP (UPS/FED EX/ETC) to a KAMS/AMS staff member please send it to:
FHSU/KAMS
420 Custer Drive
Custer Hall 241
Hays, KS 67601
To MAIL (USPS) to a KAMS/AMS staff member please send it to:
FHSU/KAMS
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601