At Wheelock, we realize that college is a major investment and we are committed to helping all of our students reach their academic, professional, and personal goals. The Wheelock College Bridge Program gives selected incoming first-year students a head start on building a foundation for success at college.

Topics such as time management, critical reading, communication, study skills, and college-level independence are addressed through an intensive two-week summer session, a fall-semester Academic Success Course, and one-on-one weekly meetings with an Academic Skills Coach throughout the fall term.

Planting the Seeds to College Success at Wheelock

Many first-year college students aren't fully prepared for the demands of college life because the structure of high school is so different than the structure of college. In college, there's nobody standing over you, making sure you are getting your reading done, writing your papers, working on group projects, getting to field placement on time, or even managing your social life.

Bridge helps you with this transition. It gives you a framework that will assist you with juggling your academics and extra-curricular activities. It's an opportunity for you to work with an Academic Skills Coach to make sure you are staying on top of your workload, and help you build the requisite skills necessary to achieve your academic and personal goals. 

(See what Wheelock students who have completed the Bridge Program have to say about it.)

Elements of the Bridge Program

Bridge begins two weeks before fall classes start and runs through the fall semester. If you plan to live on campus, this means you get to move on campus and settle into your room early! For commuter students, you get to live on campus for free during the summer weeks.

During the summer portion of Bridge, you will be introduced to the Wheelock community, attend college classes, and participate in workshops and skill building activities. (See a typical Summer Bridge day schedule.) When fall classes start, you will begin the Academic Success Course (along with your other classes) and one-on-one weekly meetings with an Academic Skills Coach.

(See a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers about the Bridge Program.)

Student Requirements

The program—including room and board for the two-week summer portion—is free. But your attendance and commitment to the program is required. The Bridge Program is a graded, 2-credit course, and you need to maintain your attendance and participation in all Bridge programming.  Additionally, as with all other college courses, you will be required to purchase the appropriate materials, such as paper, writing utensils, and highlighters.

How to Apply

Bridge 2012: The summer portion of the 2012 Bridge Program begins Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 (students arrive in the morning and classes begin that afternoon) and continues through Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.

We have a limited number of spaces and students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please complete and submit the Online Bridge Program Application by June 1, 2012. Since this program is for incoming first-year Wheelock students, you must also submit your enrollment forms and deposit by or before the May 1, 2012 deposit deadline.

Complete the Online Bridge Application
or
Download a Paper Application (Wheelock must receive your completed application by June 1, 2012.)