SSS Summer Bridge Program

The Summer Bridge Program is distinctive to St. Olaf College. This program is designed to give highly motivated students an introduction to the year ahead, helping to ensure that they can hit the ground running when the academic year begins.

2007 Summer Bridge Participants and Staff

This five-week program typically begins during the last week in July each year and emphasizes the following:

  • Orientation to St. Olaf College
  • Writing and Supplemental Instruction (Study skills)
  • Biology 121 (Earn a course credit)
  • Work opportunities at St. Olaf
  • Academic Advising
  • Mentoring
  • Social and Cultural Activities
  • Summer Bridge Review Book
Benefits

Students may worry about giving up a month of their summer to participate in the program. However, there are so many benefits to participating in the SSS Summer Bridge Program that it is definitely worth the time. Some of the benefits include:

  • Earn a course credit that counts toward your graduation requirements
  • Learn and develop valuable study skills that will help you throughout college
  • Improve your writing skills
  • Get to know the campus well
  • Develop relationships with professors and staff
  • Develop a support network with your classmates and upper-class summer program staff
  • Attend fun activites and events
  • Make life-long friends
Activities

The Summer Bridge Program's focus is on academics, but having a balanced social life and fun is important. Here are some of the activites (mostly on Friday evenings and Saturdays) in which students participate during the summer program. All activity costs are paid by the program.

  • Comedy Sportz (Minneapolis)
  • Camping/Canoeing
  • Cultural Play (Minneapolis/St. Paul area)
  • Movies
  • Bowling
  • International Food Night (all the students make their own unique dishes to share)
  • Our own Variety Show
  • Rollerskating
  • Swimming
  • End of the Summer Banquet
Summer Bridge Forms

Students admitted into the Summer Bridge program will receive an information packet from SSS at the end of May. Listed below are forms that will be included in this packet. These forms will need to be filled out and returned to SSS prior to the start of the Summer Bridge Program.

Components

  • Biology course for credit = Earn a credit while fullfilling the science course with lab co mponent of the general education requirement.
  • Writing Workshop = Prepare yourself for college-level writing.
  • Supplemental Instruction = Learn important study skills to succeed in college while studying and reviewing the Biology course material.
  • Orientation = Learn about the opportunities available to you on campus.
  • Student Work = It is common for college students to work on campus at locations such as the library, offices, print center, etc. to learn some skills and make some extra money. Current pay rate is $8.00/hour.
  • Mentoring = The program employs current upper-class St. Olaf students as group mentors and biology teaching assistants. The staff participate in the program and live with you in the Residence Hall to provide guidance and help in your transition to college life.
  • Academic Advising = You will be assigned to one of the full-time professional staff to serve as your academic advisor. They will work with you from the start of the summer program until graduation to help you make the most of your college life. They will work with you to choose classes and a major(s), look for internship and scholarship opportunities, apply for graduate school, complete your FAFSA, and pretty much anything else that helps you succeed in college.
Students' Comments

 

Here are some things that past participants of the program have said:

"SSS is no doubt one of the best programs here at St. Olaf. It is beneficial, mentally, physically." - Mai Der Lee

"I feel the Summer Bridge Program has been like a passage for me. Going from a high school student to actually growing into and knowing what it takes to become a successful college student."- Audreau Pate