What is this? Why am I required to complete this in order to be accepted to the school?
Some info for you…
http://edoc.engr.uconn.edu/bridge/
http://edoc.engr.uconn.edu/bridge/program-details/
Maybe your scores were “okay” for engineering but you may need some refreshers? Have you taken any AP/IB courses?
@ScreenName17 Yes, but only 2. AP Physics 2 and AP Calculus. I read one of the links which said that the program was primarily for minorities and women; I am Hispanic. The confusing part is that the program seems more like a program for the minorities of the engineering program than a pre-college readiness program. Does that mean if I was not a minority I would not have been forced to go?
I have no idea, actually, good question. It could be a good opportunity? Is it mandatory that you do this program? Maybe call your admissions counselor for more information.
My D and two of her girlfriends are also “required to successfully complete” the program. Uconn is one of her top two choices - the other being URI, but a five week summer program is very discouraging for her. Personally I feel like it’s a small price to pay if you really want to go to Uconn, but I completely understand why she’s upset. She’s got a tough decision to make. What are your thoughts on it - and btw she is only “underrepresented” because she’s a female. And her male friends with stats not as good as hers, who also got accepted into engineering, do not have to take the program. Have to admit - it’s a little upsetting.
It is likely that their tats were fairly good but the admissions board felt like they were somewhat in the lower end of the applicant pool, and if they fell into a minority category then they would select them for this group. I believe this program has good intentions of making sure that minorities in engineering are well qualified and will succeed in their program so as to ensure that more minorities actually enter the field. Women definitely qualify as minorities in engineering seeing as UConn engineering is 25% female. @greenhk
They don’t just look at overall GPA and ACT/Scores they look at which courses they took in high school that pertain to engineering and how they did in those courses. They also look at the STEM scores.
First time posting, but I really want to chime in about the HUGE benefit of this program, for a minimal cost. I hope this is helpful. First of all, try to stop thinking about the term “minority” to describe the target population. You are all members of groups who are “underrepresented” in engineering at UConn and nationally. That is clearly the mission here, and it is important. And yes, women are underrepresented of COURSE, in all STEM fields. The offer/requirement to participate in this program is not indicative of any sense that you "don’t have what it takes. " They just saw perhaps a slightly lower curric, or less than ideal test scores. They track student success closely, and some how or other one of those benchmarks told them you were more likely to succeed if you did this program. This offer to attend the program means, they want you to be a successful UConn engineering student! Before being “hurt” or insulted at all by the program, drill down into what the student gets out of the program for what seems to me an incredibly low cost. Granted, it is a hurdle for many, and also means you can’t work for those 5 weeks. But consider it carefully before picking a place like URI over Uconn. This will give you,not just an academic head start (which is invaluable), but mentoring, career exposure, small classroom learning (before you hit those 300 + student lectures!) to help you establish the study skills to really tackle the first year engineering curric with confidence. Learning how to navigate the many resources of a large state university can be overwhelming in the 1st semester. By the end of this 5 weeks you’ll be a pro at it! I also notice that students who complete this are eligible for a 5K scholarship…that is enticing. Looks like a ‘hidden’ perk / extra opportunity for merit $. Being there for 5 weeks this summer gives you such a huge advantage, you may get to know some TAs and professors which might lead to plum research connections in their labs, you will have a fun summer because campus is pretty lively with all the other programs as well as the athletes on campus. (And it is beautiful up there in the summer). Finally, take a hard look at where UCONN is headed in the sciences and all STEM fields, and you would be crazy to pass on this opportunity.
Thank you so much for your post @mfscp. It really does help. I truly feel this would be a great opportunity for her in many respects. I agree with everything you have said. It’s a big life decision for a 17 year old but it’s one she needs to make. We are 100% pro Uconn. But in the end, it will be her decision. Do you know - is there a chance that she could “fail” this program and then be denied admission into biomedical at Uconn? Or is it - you participate in the program and you’re in? I would hate for her to pass up another offer from another college and then she doesn’t even get into biomed at Uconn. Thank you!
Good questions. I think she should call that program director herself with a list of those questions; and, she should revisit Uconn this spring, meet with the program, learn more about BME there. She has time to decide. BME is a very tough road, as you know. To the ‘can you fail this program’ — I would find it very hard to believe they would leave a student without an academic home. I would imagine there is a bar they set that if a student ends the program below that bar, they might say “you can come to Uconn but you have to do ACES.” (undecided). But that is conjecture. And, if a student does land below that set bar, then that student probably doesn’t have the particular skill set to be a successful engineering student anyway, right? Better to learn that in a summer program then spend a full semester earning poor grades that will carry longer terms consequences. Many aspiring engineering students head for the hills after 1st sem., with lousy GPAs to make up, Not saying that “will” happen to anyone here 
but isn’t summer a better test drive of this arduous major? Not only “can I cut it” but “jeez do I really want it?” Hope this helps, signing off now to enjoy this beautiful Sunday! Good luck to all future Huskies!