Who Applies to Bridge? 

Since the 1980s, Bridge has supported students who want to get a head start on academics, build a strong support network among peers, faculty, and staff, and explore the place they will call home for the next few years. “Bridgers” gain important work and research experience. They: 
• present research at Harvard and other respected institutions
• spearhead community outreach (in Charlottesville and beyond)
• work with prominent researchers in the U.S. and internationally
• engage their passions by working on projects that matter to them.

Financial support from the School of Engineering and Applied Science covers the cost of tuition, housing, dining, books, and activities, but participants are responsible for travel to UVA/Charlottesville.

What Is Bridge?

During the course of the program, participants take a 3-credit mathematics course, receive professional development training, take part in interactive engineering workshops, and build study skills and strategies. Bridge places an emphasis on math to ensure that students are prepared for the required Calculus classes in UVA Engineering majors. The structure, sequence, and programming of Bridge is informed by quantitative and qualitative data gathered from the Crafting Success for Underrepresented Scientists and Engineers research project, which focuses on understanding and promoting academic success in STEM majors at the University of Virginia.

Goals:

• provide a transition from high school to college
• orient students to campus resources for success
• build a network of peers, faculty, and staff
• hone math skills and give students firm footing for first semester math placement
• support first-generation college students and other underrepresented minorities in STEM

Program Components:

• meetings with faculty
• tours of research labs
• introduction to campus resources
• credit-bearing math course
• study strategies & stress management
• ​tours of UVA and Monticello