EOP Bridge Program
2013-2014 Bridge Program Frequently Asked Questions
- What is BRIDGE?
- How can I apply to the Bridge Program?
- What other factors will affect my eligibility to be a part of the Bridge Program?
- What if I am NOT selected to participate in Bridge?
- How long is the Bridge Program and when will it take place?
- Where will I live during Bridge Academy? Do I have to pay for my own housing?
- What happens during Bridge Academy?
- If students have Bridge question, who/where do they call?
1. What is BRIDGE?
The main goal of the Bridge program is to deepen and personalize the UCSC experience. Some of you may be the first in your family to attend a university; therefore, Bridge can provide the support you may need to make a smooth transition into life at UCSC. Adjusting to the academic rigors and social challenges of campus life can be demanding; however, by participating in Bridge you will have the opportunity to work alongside committed staff, who will guide you through your first-year experience and set you up for success.
2. How can I apply to the Bridge Program?
Approximately 600 EOP students will be invited to participate in Bridge. Not all EOP students will be invited to participate in the program. We have approximately a class of 1,300 incoming EOP freshmen and we do not have the capacity to invite all EOP students. The EOP office uses the following criteria to select who will be invited to participate in the program: 1.) Must SIR to UCSC (Student Intent to Register) 2.) Must be a first generation student (excludes siblings. You AND your siblings are first generation if your parents did not attend college) AND 3.) Must come from a low API (Academic Performance Index) CA high school. There may also be additional criteria used to narrow down the selection such as family income, SAT scores, and GPA.
If you meet the criteria, you may be selected and will be sent an email invitation with a link to the application around the week of May 20, 2013.
3. What other factors will affect my eligibility to be a part of the Bridge Program?
We highly encourage all EOP students to take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) prior to enrolling at UCSC in order to fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) - a University of California requirement.
The exam will be administered the morning of the second Saturday in May, at testing centers throughout the state.
We will be looking for AWPE scores when reviewing your application.
In addition to the AWPE, we will also be looking for math placement scores. You can take the Math Placement Exam online by visiting http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/advising/exams/mpe.html.
The exam will open on May 6, 2013 and close on July 15. We encourage you to take the exam prior to June 10 which is the deadline to apply to the Bridge Program.
4. What if I am NOT selected to participate in Bridge?
If not selected, we encourage you to take a writing course and/or math course over the summer at your local community college as preparation for your first year at UCSC. You are required to take a writing core course during your first quarter at UCSC. By taking a writing course over the summer at a community college, you will be introduced to university writing; this will ease your transition into university level writing and prepare you for success in your UCSC core course. University writing and math are much more challenging than high school writing and math.
5. How long is the Bridge Program and when will it take place?
If selected to participate in the Bridge Program, you will be required to attend a pre-fall quarter component- the EOP Bridge Academy that will run as early as September 8 and run through September 18. These dates are tentative and may change by a day or two. Following the Bridge Academy will commence the year long Bridge Program (Fall 2013-June 2014.)
Additionally, we may have an overnight summer orientation program in July. This will give you the opportunity to meet the EOP Counselors who will help you choose your fall courses prior to attending summer orientation. More details regarding this component of Bridge will be provided in the upcoming months. Stay tuned on our EOP Announcements homepage for updates.
6. Where will I live during Bridge Academy? Do I have to pay for my own housing?
When you arrive in September, you will move into your permanent housing first (the college you are affiliated with and the dorm you will live in for your first year. You will receive an email from your college letting you know where you will be housed for the academic year. Ignore your assigned move in date, you will move in September for Bridge Academy (will provide you with actual date by July). Once you are all set up in your dorm, you will be asked to pack a small back pack with enough clothes, personal toiletries, and bedding that will get you through the first week of Bridge Academy. All Bridge students will be housed at College Ten for the one week. EOP covers your room and board for Bridge Academy so there is no cost to you.
7. What happens during Bridge Academy?
Bridge Academy will include: An intensive university writing preparation course, mathematics review and placement, academic success workshops, an introduction to pertinent campus resources, team- and community-building opportunities, tours of UCSC, introduction to EOP staff and student staff, and the opportunity to build life-long relationships with other Bridge participants.
8. If students have Bridge questions, who/where do they call?
Email Lilly Pinedo, Bridge Coordinator at lillypin@ucsc.edu or call (831) 459-4389.