<p>I don't know why it's taken me this long to realize it, but I've been signed up for the Summer Bridge Program. My acceptance letter reads like this:</p>
<p>You're in! I am pleased to inform you that you are admitted to the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts freshman class <em>entering as a Comprehensive Studies Program participant for Fall 2014.</em> </p>
<p>Then there's another sentence on how the program will help me and the rest of the letter reads like what I guess everybody else's does. Is this program mandatory for me? As in if I don't do it I'm not really in? The pamphlet inside my folder says some students are "invited" to attend the program in their admission letter but my letter implies "required" to me...</p>
<p>I know what the Bridge program is for and I'm not saying it wouldn't be a good idea. I have a decent GPA and ACT (3.7 and 30) and I've taken maybe a dozen APs and honors courses. However I come from an overall sucky school district, so maybe that's a factor in why I was placed.</p>
<p>Anyone else having this type of acceptance letter?</p>
<p>If you’re placed into summer bridge then you’re required to do it as a condition of getting into the university.</p>
<p>Were you admitted for Summer Bridge Program or CSP? They are related but different. There are CSP students who start in the fall and are not required to do the summer bridge program. There are separate advisers and there are special sections of certain classes (such as Math 115) which allow for additional instruction.</p>
<p>You should look at the CSP on the website. Either way, summer bridge and CSP is not a big deal. As indicated, it is mandatory if you want to go to U-M but if you want to go to U-M, I would not let this stop you from going. The admissions people target people who they think may benefit from the extra help. I don’t think there is much of a social stigma to it and your friends probably will not even know you are in it unless you broadcast it to them.</p>
<p>You are not in the Summer Bridge program. If you were, they would make it clear that you have to start in the summer term. There is no stigma with this program or with the CSP. </p>
<p>Both are usually for students that are from a “sucky” school district as you say.</p>
<p>I was admitted to the Summer Bridge Program too.
I was honestly very offended because in my understanding I was put there because of my race.
My friend, who goes to the SAME exact school as me with the SAME EXACT MAJOR.
Her family makes LESS than mine does, she IS a first generation graduate, her ACT/GPA, and the classes she has taken aren’t as near as hard as mine… But she is white.
Each of my parents have two degrees, and I come from a upper middle class family. So I was put in this program why?
I can’t be juvenile and blame it all on race however that is how I am perceiving it. I am not going to U of M.
GPA: 3.902
ACT: 27
Classes: 2 AP classes, eight college credits, taken every top class at my school, all honors
Rank: 5th</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you meant when you said that her ACT/GPA were not as hard as yours? Maybe you were implying they were the same? Regardless, it’s up to the people reviewing your application if you’ll be put into CSP, and she probably just had a different group go through her application. </p>
<p>I really enjoy being in CSP and it’s nice to have access to additional resources(much smaller core classes; advisers with significantly less students; free tutoring etc.). I’m a white male in case you’re curious, so I wouldn’t put to much stock into your race being an overwhelming factor on your placement into CSP. Congratulations on your acceptance to UMich.</p>