The Summer Bridge Program provides educational, community-building and developmental opportunities for prospective Fitchburg State first years who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in college, but whose high school academic criteria fell just below the university’s minimum standards for admission.
In order to successfully complete the Summer Bridge Program, you MUST attend and pass three (3) summer courses (a writing course, a math course and a college prep course) with a cumulative average of 2.0 or higher. The curriculum includes a writing course, a mathematics course, and a college preparatory seminar.
The program is free of cost but you must submit your enrollment deposit to secure your place. Housing is available if needed.
Please note, admissions to the Summer Bridge program is at the discretion of the Admissions Office and admission to the university is contingent upon the successful completion of the Summer Bridge Program.
Hear from Joshua Cronin a current Communications Media major student on his experience in the Summer Bridge Program and how it helped him realize his dream of going to college.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Summer Bridge Program is a pathway program designed for students that show potential but fall just short of our minimum standards of admission.
Yes. If you were offered admission to the University through the Summer Bridge Program, your acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of the program.
You will be taking a writing course, a math course, and a college preparatory seminar. Students must attend and pass all three courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to pass the program and meet the requirement to enroll in the fall semester. Students successfully completing the program will earn five college credits for their Summer Bridge coursework.
Classes start the last week of June and run through the first week of August. Classes are Monday – Thursday. The first week of the program usually has a slightly different schedule.
Yes, we do offer a residential option. If you plan to live on campus during the duration of the Summer Bridge Program, please indicate that on your Enrollment Deposit Form and more housing information will be sent after May 1st. You may opt to live on campus during the weekend, but that would require holding an on-campus job on Fridays during the program.
Students will be living in double rooms (you and a roommate) in an on-campus residence hall for the duration of the program. Singles rooms may be available under special circumstances.
Please contact housing director Matt Lechter at mlechter@fitchburgstate.edu for those requests.
Yes, we only offer the Summer Bridge program in person. There is no remote option.
Summer Bridge is free BUT in order for students to secure their place in the Summer Bridge Program and in the fall freshmen class, they must pay their enrollment deposit and housing deposit (if applicable) through the Office of Admissions.
All inquiries regarding missing days during the program should be directed to the director of the program, Kat McLellan at kmclella@fitchburgstate.edu.
Yes, you may appeal the decision by submitting your most up-to-date transcript, as well as any additional materials that strengthen your application.
Please contact Mouhamadou Diagne, Assistant Director of Admissions at mdiagne@fitchburgstate.edu for more information on the appeal process.