“ I was nervous going into BRIDGE.It didn’t takeme long to realize Iwasn’t alone. I had dozens of otherstudents struggling alongsideme,and tutors and teachers willing tohelpmewith the course-load.Everyonewas very helpful andunderstandingwhen I hadquestions...I learned great studyhabits, knewwheremy classeswere, and had lasting friendshipswith other students in theengineering program. BRIDGEhelped to prepareme for not onlymy first year of college, but formyentire journey through the field ofengineering.”

Beth Cheney (Chemical Engineering,’07)

…is a five-week, intensive summer readiness program designed toprepare students for the freshman-year experience. BRIDGE primesyou for the engineering curriculum through preliminary courseworkin core mathematics, chemistry, physics and computer concepts.

THE PROGRAM

“TheBRIDGE programwas highly effective in termsof boostingmy confidence in engineering andgetting ready for college life. I got a semester’sworth of education in calculus, chemistry, physics,computing andwent on numerous field trips.Besides that, I was able to get used to thesurroundings at UConn andmademany friends.”

Ricardo K. Lewis (Biomedical Engineering, ‘10)

Are you a serious and committed student? Have you applied, or beenadmitted, to the UConn School of Engineering? If so, you may qualify.BRIDGE is reserved for students from traditionally under-representedpopulations, including women, African Americans, Hispanics,Puerto Ricans and Native Americans.

WHOQUALIFIES?

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AM I PREPARED?

“ In high school, I had never taken any classesin physics, calculus or computer science.Being able to get a preview of whatmy coursesin the fall would entail was definitely tomyadvantage. The best things I got out of BRIDGE,however, are the friendships and bonds I createdwith the other students in the program.”

Jessica Gladding (Chemical Engineering, ‘06)

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You’ll attend mandatory classes in math, chemistry, physics and computerprogramming. Evenings are reserved for scheduled group study sessions.During these sessions, teachers, tutors and other BRIDGE students discusshomework problems. Along with other students, you complete practice testsand work on group problem solving.

PROGRAMDETAILS

You’ll also travel off-campus to visit a number of leading Connecticut companiesthat employ our graduates.

“ I never even considered taking classes over thesummer. But now, looking back I wonder how Iwould have survivedmy first semester withoutsuch a jump start. The curriculum is the exactmaterial from each course for first semesterengineers and it gaveme the confidence I neededto dowell.”

Emily E. Wijas (Management & Engineering for Manufacturing, ‘10)

“ The study sessions werehelpful in allowing us todevelop better study habitsand also learn to worktogether with otherstudents, whileasking for help ifneeded. The studysessions alsohelped us developskills in timemanagementand planning.”

Anthony Silva(Electrical & ComputerEngineering, ‘10)

“The best thing about BRIDGE,for me, was the tutors. Each classhad a tutor who was available 24hours a day and seven days aweek. The tutors were verysupportive and wanted to see me

succeed; they were engineeringstudents like me. They wouldstay up with the students aslong as it took to understanda concept. They were amazing.”

Melissa Jacques (Mechanical Engineering/Materials Science & Engineering, ‘07)

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The Engineering Diversity Program covers nearly all of your BRIDGE expenses,including on-campus housing, weekday meals, tuition and books. During theprogram, you live in a fully-furnished, on-campus residence hall. A Resident Advisor(RA) assigned to your floor helps plan activities and programs, and facilitatesan atmosphere that is respectful and helps meet each student’s academic andinterpersonal needs.

• You’ll enjoy your weekday meals in an assigned campus dining hall.Weekend meals, and expenses associated with laundry, recreation, and socialactivities, are your responsibility.• Freshman engineering textbooks required for BRIDGE, valued at approximately$350, are supplied at no charge. You provide your own notebooks, calculators andother classroom supplies.• Before embarking on your BRIDGE experience, you must attend a freshmanorientation program. Orientation details will be mailed to you after you pay theUniversity’s $150 acceptance fee.• All BRIDGE participants must have active health insurance, including coverage foraccidents. Supplemental Student Health Insurance may be purchased if you are notcurrently covered by an existing insurance policy.

STIPENDANDSCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

After completing your BRIDGE experience successfully, you may qualify for either astipend of up to $800 or one of several generous scholarships. Your hard work, goodattitude, and contributions to peers and the BRIDGE program are key to receivingone of these scholarships; good grades ensure you keep your scholarship.

WHAT’S COVERED

“Theweekly company tours that BRIDGE offersgive students the opportunity to see howrewarding and fulfilling a career path inengineering can be. These tours also establishnetworks that can be themost pivotal factorin securing a job upon graduation...I guaranteethat BRIDGE places all participants at anadvantage academically, mentally, and sociallyduring the beginning stages of college.”

Danielle McGeary (Biomedical Engineering, ‘07)

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TOAPPLY:

The deadline for applying to BRIDGE is early-to-midMay. Please contact our office at (860) 486-5536 or bye-mail at kjm@engr.uconn.edu to request an applicationform. Besides the application, you will need two lettersof recommendation, preferably from a math or scienceteacher. Copies of previous recommendations areacceptable. You will be notified by letter of your acceptanceinto the BRIDGE program, and you’ll receive orientationmaterials, rules and regulations.

For more information about BRIDGE,consult our web page:

www.engr.uconn.edu/diversity/bridge

CONTACT

Kevin McLaughlinBRIDGE DirectorSchool of EngineeringUnit 3187University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT 06269-3187Ph.: (860) 486-5536E-mail: kjm@engr.uconn.edu