Bucks County Community College is launching a new Summer Bridge Program, which is designed to ease and support the transition to college by providing students with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed in the college environment.
The program will allow students to get a head-start on their academic coursework in a 7-week program at the Newtown campus. The program will include:
– An in-depth orientation to college life and resources
– Academic advising
– Training in skills necessary for college success, like time management and study skills
– Enrollment in courses specific to students’ needs
Students can mix and match courses ranging from one to six credits. Available courses include Composition, Math, Guided Studies, Reading and College Success. All in-person courses will be held at the Newtown campus.
The week before classes begin, there will be a week of orientation events and activities, both in-person and virtually. The in-person orientation will be held on Monday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Gallagher Room, Rollins Building on the Newtown campus. This will provide an opportunity for students to meet their peers, faculty members and support services on campus so that they’re best prepared to begin their college careers the following week.
Throughout the program, workshops will be offered to help students gain a deeper understanding and some practical experience of skills needed to be successful as a college student. Workshops will be offered face-to-face and virtually so all students may participate. Specific workshop requirements are pending and will be posted soon. Students will be expected to participate in 30-minute workshops over the course of the 7-week program. In-person workshops will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Both tutoring and peer mentoring are required parts of the Summer Bridge Program to ensure students have the support they need to be successful throughout their academic career. Specific details will be available soon, but tutors and peer mentors will be available for drop-in times during the summer bridge lunch/workshop break. If students need additional time with tutors or peer mentors, students can schedule a time that works best for them.
Tutors are available within the Academic Success Center to provide support for approximately 30 subjects at Bucks, including reading, writing and study skills for any course. In addition, the ASC provides peer mentoring with Success Advocates, who are fellow students who can help new students get connected to Bucks and acclimate to the life of a college student. More information is here.
Students are responsible for tuition, fees and textbook costs for the course. There are no additional program fees. Rising seniors (current juniors) are eligible for free tuition for up to six credits.
Summer Bridge Program scholarship applications are currently being accepted for new, current and returning students. Visit bucks.edu/scholarships to log in to Scholarship Universe and for additional instructions. Be sure to watch the scholarship tutorial video. After logging in to Scholarship Universe, answer the questions to build your profile. To find the Summer Bridge Program Scholarship in Scholarship Universe, type “Summer Bridge” in the search bar. Scholarship application questions can be directed to scholarships@bucks.edu.
For more information, visit bucks.edu/summer-bridge. For additional questions, contact Profession Denise May in the Language & Literature Department at summerbridge@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150.
