| OVERVIEW | COSTS | CLASSES & SEMINARS | RESIDENCE HALL LIVING | 2007 SCHEDULE | APPLICATION |

HIGH SCHOOL-TO-COLLEGE BRIDGE PROGRAM
June 21 - July 24, 2008

OVERVIEW

The five-week summer residential experience focuses on giving incoming college freshmen an opportunity to achieve a smooth transition to college life.  This holistic approach consists of two main components: academic activities and life skills seminars.  Academic activities are performed Monday through Friday in a classroom and/or laboratory setting from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Life skills seminars are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Study habits used to achieve high grade averages in high school frequently do not work as well in the college setting. The Summer Bridge Program will help the incoming college freshman in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM)  adapt to the academic, social, and emotional pressures experienced in the transition from high school to college. 

The Bridge Program seeks to provide a unique educational experience for each student.  In addition to classroom instruction, students have the opportunity to hear outstanding speakers and to participate in mentorships and seminars.  The participants receive complete schedules of all activities with their manuals, and copies are available for parents or guardians.

COSTS
Students selected to attend the High-School-to-College Bridge program do so at no major cost to their families.  Support is provided by funding from the National Science Foundation and The University of Mississippi.  Dorm room, supplies, and a meal card are provided for each student.  The students only need money for laundry and other personal expenses. 


CLASSES AND SEMINARS

CLASS ATTENDANCE
Attendance to  assigned classes, seminars, and activities is mandatory.  Excused absences are only given for illness (confirmed by a letter from the UM Student Health Center).
 
Students are expected to be on time for all events scheduled.

GRADES
The student will receive grades and college credit for the seven hours of courses taken. The student will be officially enrolled as a UM student.   There will be no grades given for any of the academic segments that occur during the evening portion of the summer program.  Each student will be expected to work at his/her own level of achievement. 

Each participant will be evaluated by the faculty of the program, and these evaluations will be shared with the participant in a private session with the Project Coordinator during the final week of the program.  The evaluations will include a profile of the individual's academic and social strengths and weaknesses and an evaluation of the program from the individual student.  There will be suggestions given to the students about their Fall matriculation.

SEMINARS
Each Monday and Wednesday evenings, speakers from the campus will present seminars for the participants.  These seminars will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. and will last about one hour.  The purpose of the seminars is to introduce the Summer Bridge participants to the many services found on the UM campus.  The schedule of seminars is given below.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
FRESHMAN and SUMMER BRIDGE ORIENTATION
  
We recommend that all students selected for the Summer Bridge Program attend the scheduled UM Orientation session on June 14 and 15.  During that session, you will sign up for two 3-hour courses for the second summer term.   If you must sign up for one of the earlier UM Orientation sessions in order to get into the classes you want in the fall, this is understandable.  However, in order for you to participate in Summer Bridge, it is mandatory that you attend Summer Bridge Orientation on June 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union Room 404 A & B at which time you will meet the MLSAMP/Summer Bridge staff, and be introduced to your assigned mentor/counselor. Each participant will be responsible for getting his/her ID from The University of Mississippi ID Center during Freshman Orientation or during the first week of Summer Bridge. Please remember that the University Freshmen Orientation is totally different from the Summer Bridge Orientatioin.

RESIDENCE HALL LIVING
The residential life experience is an integral part of the college experience. Bridge students from previous years report that the opportunity to get a "head start" on residence hall life is one of the benefits of the Summer Bridge Program.  Living in a residence hall is an exciting opportunity that requires self-discipline, compatibility with other students from different backgrounds, and a high degree of responsibility.  The mentors and residence hall counselors are constantly available to assist students during this five weeks of group living.  They will offer support as needed so that each student will have a successful experience.  An important part of this adjustment is an understanding by participants of the hall rules and standards of conduct that are designed to provide a high degree of civility, stability, and security.   An orderly, clean, and comfortable living area supports and enhances the learning atmosphere and benefits everyone.   The mentors and counselors are trained by university staff. They  are required to follow the guidelines for all Residence Hall Advisors and will seek additional help as required. Residence hall rules and regulations will be discussed in detail during the residence life seminar and each student will receive a guide outlining policies and rules.  



Summer Bridge Seminars 2007(to be updated in 2008)
Note: Meeting times NOT at 6:00PM are written in Bold in first column

[back to top]