Gateway Summer Bridge

Our summer bridge program is structured to provide selected Gateway students with a “early start” to the rigors of college courses. 

The college classroom experience is more challenging than in high school.   In college, students are more independent learners and are expected to take responsibility for your work.  Students no longer have parents or guardians to remind them of assignments and other responsibilities, however students will have opportunities to connect with professional academic advisers, peer mentors, and tutors who are readily available to answer questions about academic skills (such as time management, note-taking, and their own college experiences).

In the summer bridge session, our students take up to 8 college-bearing credits, live on campus, are assigned peer mentors, learn about resources on campus, attend social and cultural events on the weekends, and have weekly interactive workshops. These resources ensure students reinforce their academic abilities and make good choices related to their academic success. 

Each Gateway student enrolled in Summer Bridge takes three courses:

1. EN104 Writing for the Academic Conversation (3 credits)
2. ID100 Becoming a Lifelong Learner (1 credit)
3. Elective that fulfill Arcadia’s Undergraduate Curriculum (4 credits)

*Times may vary slightly depending on program staff and student needs.

All students participating in the summer program (regardless of summer required or recommended status), must successfully complete the program in order to continue in the fall semester.  Successful completion includes:

•  Satisfactory academic standing (at least a 2.5 GPA and a C or better in all courses).
• Participation in tutoring, mentoring, and planned activities.
• Adherence to all Residence Life policies and the Code of Conduct.

Gateway staff will evaluate all students after final grades have been submitted and will notify students of their status for the fall semester within two weeks of the end of the program.

The program runs from Sunday, June 26 through Friday, July 29.

• Friday, June 24, 6 p.m.: Online Program Pre-Orientation for Students, Parents and Guests
• Sunday, June 26, 2 - 4 p.m.: Move-in
• Monday, June 27: First day of classes
• Friday, July 1 – Monday, July 4: 4th of July Holiday
  • Students must leave after their last class on Friday by 7 p.m.
  • Students should return to campus on Monday, July 4 between 4 - 6:30 p.m.
  • No classes on Monday, July 4.
• Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 10: Teambuilding weekend
  • Students must stay on campus, and participate in all planned activities. More information to follow.
• Friday, July 15 - Sunday, July 17 and Friday, July 22-Sunday, July 24: Optional Weekends, students may go home or stay on campus
  • Please note that if students stay on campus, they must participate in all planned activities.
  • Students who go home, must return to campus by Sundays between 4 - 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 29: Last day of classes
  • Students move out between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • Closing Ceremony begins at 5 p.m., more information to follow.

• Tutoring Support
• Writing Center
• Study Hall
• Academic Counseling

The Learning Resource Network provides tutoring and study space for all students. Blocks of time are embedded in the daily schedule specifically for you to meet with tutors, complete assignments and meet with professional staff, if necessary. Writing Consultants  facilitate the writing labs attached to many of the courses are available daily to review your written work.

After Summer Ends: Academic Year Programming

As part of the program requirements, you will meet individually with program professional staff throughout each semester. You will continue to have access to all of the resources associated with the program for as long as you are a student at Arcadia University. You will be enrolled in the second part of the Learning Strategies course (ID100) for your first fall semester to review topics such as time management, goal setting and motivation, majors and careers, and specific reading and study techniques. Students in our program are also considered “undeclared” and are required to have a reduced course load (12-15 credits) during their first semester to help ease into college.