I know that a program for incoming freshman to start in the summer session has existed in the past, but not sure if it happens every year. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are students accepted into the program, or apply once admitted to the university? Has anyone’s acceptance designated them for this term?
Are you talking about M-Sci/M-Engin? If you are, then there is a separate application once you are accepted.
From what I’ve been able to gather some applicants are offered admission conditional on attending a summer session before the normal fall start. Whilst this is based on anecdotal reporting, the students mostly appear to be ones who are in the bottom quarter academically and were admitted based on the Admissions Office considering i) the applicants low SES or Ist Gen status or ii) the long history of substantial donation to the university of the applicants alumni parents.
I think that you’re talking about the Summer Bridge Program. It is a program that you are put into, you cannot apply for it. It is not true that these students are always in the bottom quarter percentile, the reasons vary from coming from a disadvantaged school district, low socioeconomic status, first-generation students etc. Generally, these students belong at the university just as much as anyone else, but they may just need a bit more time to acclimate to college.