Summer Bridge Program Experience

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

Hi, I’m an upcoming Freshman who has been admitted to the Summer Bridge Program meaning I have a little over a month before I begin classes at UofM. I’m not sure why i have to do summer bridge, maybe it’s because I’m stupid, maybe it’s my race, but that’s neither here nor there.

Everyone tells me how lucky I am, but I certainly don’t feel that lucky. I can’t help but be bummed because I feel that I won’t have a final summer.

This question is for anyone who’s attended the Summer Bridge program, though I understand if no one here did, I could barely find topics about it here.

First off, are you in classes/activities from like 8 to 9? It seems like that based on the schedule and if so, it seems like I won’t have any free time. Do you get like four hours of homework each night? How are the mandatory activities, what do you do and how long are they?

I guess overall I just want to know if you enjoyed yourself overall or, at the very least, if you didn’t absolutely hate it.

2

Several of my friend’s children have gone through the bridge program. It is designed to help you get used to college life, develop excellent study habits, and generally get familiar with the UM system. You will definitely have some free time. Overall, most found it to be extremely beneficial. You will enter freshman year with a high comfort level and geared up for the intense UM classes. Everyone of them graduated with excellent grades (all in engineering!) and found great jobs or went on to a masters or Ph.D. program.

I had a similar orientation (but shorter) when I returned to graduate school at Michigan. Same idea - kick start your brain.

Don’t lament the loss of few weeks of summer with your friends. You are moving on to something a lot better. Think positive! The university is investing a lot in your success - jettison your HS attitude and embrace your new role as a UM student! You will have an amazing variety of opportunities available to you - surrounded by some of the smartest people in the world - for most students these are the best years of their lives.