Gateway Summer Bridge

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

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 the support of a caring professional staff as well as peer and resident mentors to help guide them in this transition.

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. The purpose of these resources is to reinforce academic knowledge, and build self-confidence in academic and personal abilities to succeed here. 

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.

Sunday, June 30: Move-In and Opening/Orientation
Move-in begins at 2 p.m. in Heinz Hall. 
Program Opening/Orientation for students, family and friends begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Commons Great Room.

Monday, July 1: First day of classes. 
Thursday, July 4 -- Sunday, July 7 : 4th of July Holiday. Students must go home after classes on 
Wednesday. Students must return on Sunday evening, by 7pm
Friday, July 12: Summer Orientation for Gateway students. 
Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14: Team Building weekend. Students must stay on campus.
Friday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21: Students must home for the weekend.
Friday, July 26 – Sunday, July 28: Optional weekend - students may stay on campus or go home for the weekend.
Friday, August 2: Last day of the program. Students move-out. Closing Ceremony in Commons 

• 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.