The drop policies for the academic year will be updated at a later time.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS Last Updated On: March 12, 2025
About Summer Bridge
For Current Students: "Do I need to stay in Summer Bridge? What if I want to opt out of the program in the academic year?"
Thank you for your transparency and for reaching out. We understand that this was a tough decision. Thank you for being transparent with us. We will update our information on our end to reflect this. You are always welcome to explore various OASIS services throughout your first year at UC San Diego. Here is our website: https://oasis.ucsd.edu/
There should not be any consequences with dropping the program. However, we do request that you
What is Summer Bridge?
Summer Bridge is a year-long student support program that starts in the summer before the incoming academic year. We serve incoming first-year students who have accepted UC San Diego. Summer Bridge is designed to maximize the academic, personal, and professional success of students, with the goal of preparing them for the global workforce and/or graduate or professional school. The Summer Bridge programming spans the first year of collegiate study and includes a pre-first year 5-week summer transition program, peer and professional staff mentoring/guidance, learning enrichment activities, and assistance in obtaining paid summer work opportunities.
How would participation in the Summer Bridge Program benefit me?
Our experience, supported by national data, indicates that participation in a summer transition program, followed by comprehensive and robust support throughout the academic year, increases academic excellence. The Summer Bridge program is designed to simultaneously build upon students’ strengths while customizing services so that all Summer Bridge scholars will be able to fully experience and benefit from the scope, scholarship, and scale of the University.
How long is the commitment to the Summer Bridge Program and when would my commitment begin?
The Summer Bridge Program is a one-year program, running from Summer 2025 through the end of the first year (June 2026). The Summer Bridge Program begins during the summer with a 5-week immersive program. Through this experience, students will broaden their academic skills, enhance their personal and professional development, create support networks, and familiarize themselves with the campus and its resources. Pre-programming will take place during the month of July, along with pre-work tasks such as completing the student checklist. Specifically, Summer Bridge scholars will be required to participate in the Summer Transition Program from August 4th to September 6th, 2025. Participants must commit to the entire duration of the Summer Program.
(Due to the uncertainties, the program format and dates are subject to change. If you are selected for Summer Bridge 2025 and are offered on-campus housing, you will be asked to commit to the program.)
What is the commitment if I pre-register for the Summer Bridge program?
The Summer Bridge program participation agreement is found here. You will be asked to acknowledge and sign this agreement upon registration for the Summer Bridge 2025 program.
How is the first year of the Summer Bridge Program structured?
Summer 2025:
During the summer transition program, Summer Bridge allows Summer Bridge Scholars to preview the expectations for UC San Diego first-year students. Scholars will further broaden their academic skills and knowledge of the university environment and available resources and develop a strong community of peers. Summer Bridge Scholars will reside at TBD campus dorms (if offered housing) and participate in classes in one of the following DEI course options: EDS 25 or AWP 10. There will be seminars, workshops, and academic skills development activities to further enhance their personal, professional, and academic development. Classes and seminars are taught by faculty, staff, and graduate student instructors who also teach courses during the academic year. This provides scholars the opportunity to become acquainted with the style and rigor of college classroom instruction, but in a more structured and supportive environment than is typical during the academic year.
First Academic Year (2025):
During the first academic year, all Summer Bridge Scholars will live in their respective colleges and continue to benefit from the community support developed during the summer program. Peer Mxntors will continue to support scholars to achieve success by helping them manage academic and personal challenges. Summer Bridge Scholars are able to join Peer-Led Success Circles (PLSC) and participate in group scheduling with their Summer Bridge peers for new students to learn from each other and from experienced students on a biweekly basis. These elements will be valuable sources of support, strategies, resources, and direction to ensure maximum academic success and satisfaction with your college experience.
Would participation in the Summer Bridge Program preclude me from participating in other campus programs and activities in the summer or upcoming academic year?
Summer Bridge scholars can still participate in the many campus programs and activities such as student project teams, student societies, study abroad programs, Honors, and many others during the academic year. However, Summer Bridge scholars would not be able to participate in any other summer programs with Summer Session courses attached to it, due to the time commitments of the individual programs and the requirement that all Summer Bridge Scholars have during the summer component.
These programs include, but are not limited to:
- Freshman Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
- Summer Program for Incoming Students (SPIS)
- TRIO SSSP Summer Experience
If you have any questions on whether your participation in Summer Bridge could be impacted, please follow up with our professional staff team.
How much would the Summer Bridge Program cost me?
The University of California, San Diego is on the frontier of new and innovative education and is strongly committed to increasing the number of responsible graduating students who contribute to our society. Summer Bridge is a significant commitment, however, we are proud to provide this experience at no cost to participants because of the support from the Executive Vice Chancellor, Chancellor, and private donors.
How am I selected for the Summer Bridge program??
Once you have been admitted to UC San Diego and you complete your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), you will receive messaging from the Summer Bridge program to pre-register for Summer Bridge in order for our team to confirm your eligibility.
Eligibility and Benefits
I am planning on going overseas/out of the country during a portion of Summer Bridge. Am I still able to participate?
Due to the scheduling of our courses and programming, which require students to attend in Pacific Standard Time (PST), we do not recommend this program for those who plan on doing international travels during the program.
The Summer Bridge Program schedule is very full and requires students to dedicate themselves to managing their time for program events, meetings, and 1 course. Students take away from the program as much as they put into it.
We do understand that students may have commitments for other components of their life, however the course(s) you will be taking during the program will impact your academic performance at UC San Diego.
If I participate in Summer Bridge does that mean that I can continue working with staff during my first-year?
Yes, all Summer Bridge students continue to receive support and services during the academic year (September 2025 through June 2026 of the following year).
Summer Bridge is a year-long transition program that begins with a 5-week component from August to September of 2025 and continues throughout the academic year, ending in June 2026.
Can I work or have other outside commitments during the Summer Bridge Program?
The Summer Bridge Program schedule is very full and requires students to dedicate themselves to managing their time for program events, meetings, and 1 course. Students take away from the program as much as they put into it.
We do understand that students may have commitments for work or other components of their life.
If you are unsure if your commitments will impact participation, please pre-register for the program and connect with Summer Bridge staff to ask more questions (summerbridge@ucsd.edu).
Here is an example of what to expect in a week for a Summer Bridge student will be uploaded soon!
Technology Needs
Can I use a Chromebook for the Summer Bridge program?
No, a Chromebook is not an acceptable device for participation in Summer Bridge. Due to the nature of our program, we may ask you to use programs and tools that are not compatible with Chromebooks. If you require technological needs, please get in contact with the Summer Bridge team so we can best assess your needs.
What are the technology requirements for my PC or Mac?
In order to attend all mandatory program components, it is important to verify that your device can meet the following requirements. Please note that a Chromebook will not be able to support the software used by this program.
- Operating SystemWindows 7+ or Mac OS X 10.6+
- Computer Speed/Hardware:
- Use a computer 5 years old or newer, if possible
- 4GB+ RAM
- 2GHz + processor
- Webcam with microphone (Microsoft or Logitech)
- Internet Connection and Speed (3G or 4G/LTE): 1.5 Mbps+ up/down (You can check your speed at Speedtest.net (Links to an external site.))
- Browser (Windows and Mac):
- Firefox
- Chrome
- Safari 5+
COVID-19
Is the COVID 19 vaccine required to participate in Summer Bridge?
Yes. Read more about this requirement here.
Will there be COVID-19 testing?
More details about testing will be communicated in June 2025 pending changes (if any) to campus COVID guidelines.
Residential Life
Who is eligible to live on campus during the program?
Students are offered to live on campus during our summer component ONLY if they satisfy at least one of the following conditions:
- Those who are without accss to stable housing;
- Those who come from housing/food insecure households;
- Those who are unable to travel home;
- Those who are from areas highly impacted by COVID-19 or regions at risk for a COVID-19 outbreak;
- Those who are unable to relocate without high risk to their safety;
- Those who would be relocating to homes that lack infrastructure to accommodate virtual instruction.
- Those who are prioritized due to financial aid status
We try our best to review those who fit any of these criteria; however, we do have a limit on housing capacity.
For students who express the desire to purchase their own housing for the summer, we recommend looking into other UC San Diego Summer opportunities. We highly discourage this option because, although you will be residing on campus, your course selections will still be conducted online.
For additional questions, contact us at summerbridge@ucsd.edu for more information.
Where will the residential component be held?
If offered housing, Summer Bridge students will be dorming in (TBD) College this summer (irregardless of UC San Diego college of enrollment).
If I am invited to live on campus do I need to have health insurance for the Summer Bridge Program?
Yes, If you are living on campus during the program, it is required that you have health insurance during the program. You will be living on campus for 5 weeks, and although you are likely to be in good health, there is a possibility that you may become ill or injured during that time. Minor medical services are covered by the Student Health Center only during normal business hours. The Summer Bridge Program cannot assume financial responsibility incurred by a major illness or injury.
Information on Early Start Insurance for our students participating in our Summer Success Programs can be found here.
If I am invited to live on campus can I have guests visit during the program?
Guests visits are subject to campus COVID guidelines at the time of the program. For more information, visit the HDH summer success website.
If I am invited to live on campus can I bring my car during Summer Bridge?
Yes, you may bring a car. However, parking permits are a personal out-of-pocket expense and will not provided by Summer Bridge. UC San Diego offers students a variety of transportation programs and services. To learn more about transportation options at UC San Diego, check out the Transportation Guide for New Tritons.
If I am invited to live on campus what are the current living arrangements?
For more information, https://hdhhome.ucsd.edu/hdh-covid-19-faq.html
If I need accommodations, are they available during the program?
Office for Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability who needs accommodations (for mobility, learning, etc.) please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) at 858.534.4382 as soon as possible (You need to get accommodations approved before classes start).
Additional information may be found at https://osd.ucsd.edu/.
Veteran/ CalVet Education Benefits
If you are a Military Affiliated student receiving Federal Veteran Affairs (VA) or Cal Vet assistance during the summer and would like to request more information, please contact the Student Veteran Benefits Coordinator, Lisa Linares at (858) 534-0477 or by emailing llinares@ucsd.edu.
For more information please visit: https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/types/veterans/federal-benefits.html
Course Selection
What courses are offered in Summer Bridge?
In 2025, the Summer Bridge program will give the option to take one course depending on the student's choice.
This summer we are offering AWP 10 or EDS 25, which are the required DEI course options. However, course selection is subject to change.
Summer Bridge Program Requirements
Do my transcripts need to be submitted to UC San Diego Office of Admissions by July 1?
Yes, your transcripts need to be sent and validated with UC San Diego by July 1. You can attend the Summer Bridge Program only if your final transcripts have been validated by the UC San Diego Office of Admissions. The validation process confirms that all admissions provisions have been cleared.
Students with any transcripts from schools outside the United States must have all official transcripts sent before July 1.
You must submit official transcripts from all high schools and community colleges (courses taken from dual/concurrent enrollment) attended before the deadline of July 1. Begin requesting transcripts as soon as you've accepted your offer of admission to UC San Diego.
Refer to the UC San Diego Office of Admissions Webpage (HOW AND WHEN DO I SEND MY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS?)
If you have questions please contact the Office of Admissions at please email ADMISSIONSREPLY@UCSD.EDU or register for VIRTUAL ADMISSIONS ADVISING.
Please DO NOT send transcripts to the Summer Programs office!
How do I know if my test scores have been received by UC San Diego's Office of Admissions?
Official Advanced Placement (AP/IB) scores will display on the Academic History section of MyTritonLink for students who have accepted the offer of admission when College Board sends AP scores to UC San Diego electronically. If your test scores are not showing by the time enrollment appointment times are published, please email us at receiptoftestscore@ad.ucsd.edu with the following information:
- date/s you requested your scores from College Board
- names used each time you took the exam (even if it only varies by the inclusion or exclusion of a middle initial)
- the year in which you took the exams
- the method of delivery you chose—one week or rush delivery
Do I need to complete the FAFSA to participate in Summer Bridge?
It is highly encouraged that students complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. For more information, please visit the UC San Diego Financial Aid website.
