Summer Bridge is a pre-semester orientation program that supports your transition to the university and introduce you to the larger first-generation community. The program involves:
This event is for incoming first-generation college students at Chapman University and is run by staff and students who they themselves are first-generation college students. Chapman defines a first-generation college student as one whose parents(s)/ legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university.
This program is available for undergraduate first-generation students entering Chapman in the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Eligible students can apply here!
We require attendees to participate in the entirety of the program to maximize their experience.
If you are unable to attend the entire summer bridge program as you transition to Chapman, you will have the opportunity to be involved in the Promising Futures Program during the academic year. We will have one-on-one and general meetings, academic and informational workshops/sessions, and social events.
There will be opportunities for first-generation college students and their families to be involved with the Promising Futures Program during Incoming Undergraduates & Families Orientation. We will host a session for parents of first-generation college students and a session for new incoming first-generation first-year and transfer students.
We would love for you to attend, even if your parents are not able to attend.
While it would be beneficial, and we would love to have your parents/guardians join us to learn more about Chapman resources and how they can support you as a first-generation college student, we completely understand if they have other commitments.
Please let your parents/guardians know that there will be a session for parents of first-generation college students during the Incoming Undergraduate & Families Orientation. We look forward to meeting them then, if not earlier.
We can only provide early move-in for first-generation students participating in the entirety of the Summer Bridge Program who will be living on-campus.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide accommodation for parents/guardians/families at all.
No, you do not have to move in early. Early move-in for Summer Bridge participants is optional. You are still welcome to move in during the regular first-year move-in and transfer move-in dates.
All new students receive move-in information in the summer (if starting in the fall semester) and in the fall (if starting in the spring semester).
We want students to participate in the entirety of the Summer Bridge Program and understand that some students may be from out of the area. We offer this option to ensure participation is possible for those who would like to be part of the Summer Bridge Program.
All new and continuing students living on-campus move into their residence halls during August. For this reason, we are unable to house commuter students on campus, during the Summer Bridge Program.
We require that all students participating in Summer Bridge Program attend the entirety of the program. If the time commitment is no longer feasible for you, please notify our staff as soon as possible by e-mailing us at: firstgen@chapman.edu.
This way we can offer this opportunity to a student who is on our waitlist. We want participants to fully experience the program, and we have a limited number of students that we can accommodate.
Since we have a limited number of students we can accommodate for Summer Bridge, we will place you on a waitlist.
The waitlist will be first-come first-served. If there is a cancelation and space become available, we will contact the first person on our waiting list, as soon as possible. So that the student can plan accordingly, especially if the student will be living in the residence halls. We will do our best to accommodate as many students as possible.
In late July, we will notify the students on the wait list if we have additional space available or not. Please let us know if you would like us to place you on our waiting list.
In the case that you cannot participate in the Summer Bridge Program due to limited space, we encourage you to attend our session during Incoming Undergraduate and Families Orientation. We would love to connect with you!
You will be receiving more information as we approach the dates for the Summer Bridge Program. A full agenda will be provided.
This will include topics to help ensure your academic success at Chapman (and throughout your career), such as goal setting, time management, managing your finances, and lots more!
During the program, you will also have an opportunity to connect with current first-generation college students and your fellow new first-generation college students to begin building your network and support system at Chapman University.
There is no additional time commitment or requirements for you to attend Promising
Futures Program events after the Summer Bridge Program. However, we do encourage our first-generation college students to be involved with the program and events as their schedule allows.
We highly encourage our first-generation college students to be involved with the program and events during the academic year. Being involved may in many instances open academic and financial opportunities for first-generation students. We will be making points of contact with all our participants.
We also encourage you to reach out to us at firstgen@chapman.edu with any questions or concerns you might have so we can better support you in your transition into Chapman.
All incoming first-generation college students (regardless of whether they are involved with the Summer Bridge Program) will be e-mailed about Promising Futures Program events throughout the year.
If you are unable to join us at any of our events, not to worry. Please just notify us in May as your first academic school year ends to remain on our e-mail list for the following year.
We would love to have you involved throughout your college journey here at Chapman University. We understand time is valuable and it should be used intentionally. We will make our contact points intentionally and beneficial for everyone involved.
Since there is an overlap in dates between both programs a student is not able to participate in both programs, since they both require your full participation and attendance.
There is an overlap in dates between both programs. Currently, it is not possible for students to participate in both programs, since they both require your full participation and attendance.