Summer Bridge

WHAT IS SUMMER BRIDGE?

The Summer Bridge program is a FREE five-week, hybrid program that takes place from July 18th to August 18th. An on-campus orientation will be offered at the end of June. Students will participate in virtual classes to earn college credit and take part in activities Monday through Friday of each week. Attendance is required for all orientation programming, classes, and academic support. Participation in evening social activities is strongly encouraged.

Summer Bridge is designed to help our students acclimate to the rigorous demands of college and to give students the advantage of becoming oriented with the University before their first semester officially begins this fall, all while earning credits that will count towards their degree.

Students enrolled in the program will:

  • Earn up to 6 college credits towards their degree by taking courses in their major (or completing general education requirements)
  • Learn how to be successful at Rutgers-Camden, through workshops and programming sponsored by various campus departments
  • Meet other new Scarlet Raptors, faculty, staff, and current students
  • Get a jump start on your degree and college experience
  • Have breakfast, lunch and dinner provided during the on-campus orientation
  • Get the opportunity to briefly experience campus living, with housing provided for free

 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The 5-Week Summer Bridge Program is for incoming first-year students for Fall 2022 who are majoring in the sciences, are admitted to the School of Nursing or School of Business, and want an early start to college. There are limited slots available so apply early!

Please note: Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) students are not eligible for this program.

 

WHAT WOULD MY SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

The general schedule of program participation is as follows:

  • On-campus Orientation Weekend: June 24-26
  • Classes begin virtually: July 18 – August 18

Each students’ daily schedule will vary based on placement test scores and their school of admittance (Arts & Sciences, Business, or Nursing), but expect to be fully engaged in program activities from 9am-3pm, Monday – Friday. Weekly evening programming will also be available for students to bond with their peers in a fun and social way. Academic offerings include:

CCAS-Science Majors Business Nursing
First-year seminar Professional Skills Forum First-year seminar
College Algebra or Pre-calculus College Algebra or Pre-calculus Biomedical Ethics
Writing lab Writing lab Writing lab

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN SUMMER BRIDGE?

By participating in Summer Bridge, students will:

  • Live on-campus for a three-day orientation (not applicable to virtual orientation students)
  • Earn up to six credits, which will ease future course loads & ensure timely graduation
  • Have 1:1 and group academic support to ensure you do well in your classes
  • Learn about college and campus life well before other incoming students
  • Build a community of support among peers, staff, and faculty
  • Learn to use the support and expertise of caring professors & staff
  • Identify ways to be a successful college student
  • Develop strong academic and life skills that are critical to your achievement & success

 

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Hear more about the Summer Bridge experience directly from our previous participants:

Kayla Daley, Senior

Major: Criminal Justice & Sociology

Minor: Juvenile Justice and Youth Development

 

 

Destiny Land, Senior

Major: Health Sciences & Psychology

 

 

Savannah Hayes, Senior

Major: Political Science

Minor: Criminal Justice & Psychology

I decided to participate in the Summer Bridge Program in 2018 and I am still very happy that I did. I came from a very small high school that I felt did not prepare me for college academically or socially and the Summer Bridge program was a way for me to get acclimated to what college was all about. It especially made me get a sense of what New Jersey and the East Coast was like, being that I came all the way from Arizona. I was able to build a strong connection with the campus, making me feel right at home when I moved in Freshman year. I learned valuable college and life skills like time management while building friendships that will last my whole life. I highly recommend going - you will not regret it!

 

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application HERE. Please note, that you must participate for the entire program, July 18-August 19. NO EXCEPTIONS. The deadline for all applications is Wednesday, June 1st. If you already submitted an application but no longer want to participate, please submit a drop-request form here.

Note: Applications are incomplete until the following pre-requisites are satisfied:

  • Completed placement tests for Math, English, and foreign language
  • Uploaded vaccination confirmation or approved exemption (any student seeking to live on campus for any duration of time MUST be fully vaccinated)
  • Completion of the College Student Inventory (will be sent via email as part of your enrollment pathway)

 

MORE ABOUT VACCINATIONS

  • Per university policy, all Rutgers students must be fully vaccinated or be approved for an exemption. This means having the second dose of your Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or first and only dose of Johnson & Johnson (plus a booster when eligible). You must upload proof to the Medicat vaccination portal here. If exempt, proof of exemption approval must be submitted by the deadline. (Note: any student seeking to live on campus for any duration of time MUST be fully vaccinated)
  • All students must upload their documentation by June 1st to participate in the program.
  • You may register for a vaccine wherever you’d like. Appointments are available for NJ residents.
  • For more information, read the ongoing updates on our University wide COVID-19 Information page.

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT

  • March 2022: Look for a letter inviting you to apply for Summer Bridge
  • April 2, 2022: Visit us on Admitted Students Day during the tabling information session
  • June 1, 2022: Last day to submit application & complete all pre-requisite tasks (remember space is limited!)
  • June 8, 2022: Notification of acceptance & orientation assignment (will be sent to your Rutgers email)
  • June 13, 2022: Q&A parent session
  • June 24-26, 2022: Overnight orientation weekend
  • June – August 2022: Peer mentors & success coaches will welcome students to Summer Bridge & provide ongoing support for the duration of the program.
  • July 18, 2022: Classes begin virtually
  • August 18, 2022: Closing ceremony
  • Email us anytime at success@camden.rutgers.edu

 

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER EXPERIENCE

Being successful during Summer Bridge involves more than just showing up for class and completing assignments. There are a host of other success strategies and habits that we recommend our students build, including:

  • Participating in class, office hours, supplemental instruction, tutoring, mentor meetings, and success coach sessions.
  • Regularly connecting with your Success Coach: Throughout the summer and your first year, let them know how you’re doing or if you need help and to establish meaningful goals. Meetings can be virtual or in-person. You’ll be able to schedule a meeting by using Raptor Connect. You may also email them directly.
  • Checking your Rutgers email (Scarletmail) on daily basis: This is the official means of communication from the university. Starting this summer, you will receive updates about Summer Bridge and information from staff and professors at your student email address. Be sure that you get in the habit of checking now so that you don’t miss out on anything important!
  • Following us on social media: Follow the Learning Center and Student Success Coach Office on Instagram for virtual contests, success tips, event updates, academic calendar announcements, and live stories that allow you to interact with staff and fellow peers.
  • Attending our social events and workshops: A variety of virtual social activities will be hosted by Peer Mentors and Success Coaches each week for the duration of Summer Bridge. During the regular semester, additional on-campus events will be planned as well. These are opportunities for you to bond and build relationships with people to create a reliable support network as well as develop critical skills that will facilitate your ongoing success at Rutgers-Camden.
  • Adhering to all Residence Life policies and the Code of Conduct.

 

Please check back regularly for new updates about the Summer Bridge Program.

 

Our staff members remain committed to students' success and are here to support you. If you have any questions, please contact (856) 225-6442 or send an email to success@camden.rutgers.edu.