BRIDGE Programs

Summer Bridge: A Class for New Fall Freshmen

Course Description

By getting a head start on your college experience, you will earn 3 FREE college credits upon completion of the class AND a guaranteed early spot in our program. The Summer Bridge class will help incoming fall Freshmen students ease into college life by assisting in connecting to resources and services available at Portland State University; exposure to the college classroom, faculty, and staff; hearing from students about their experiences; and engaging in discussions and writing - key elements to success at the post-secondary level. In addition, expectations will be to write daily about your life, your experiences and the course material. Our goal is to provide an experience that prepares incoming Freshmen students entering Portland State University in the fall.

Soft Deadline to Apply: Monday, May 26, 2025 by 11:59 pm
Hard Deadline to Apply: Sunday, June 1, 2025 by 11:59 pm

Our Summer Bridge class will be taught IN PERSON. Students are expected to attend ALL class days. Missing classes may impact the grade for the class.

Class Times: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Class days: Monday to Friday
Week 1: July 7 to July 11, 2025
Week 2: July 14 to July 18, 2025

Students admitted to the TRIO - Student Support Services Summer Bridge class will also have an opportunity to participate in "New Student Orientation" on July 10th, which will be part of our class curriculum.

Comments from previous Summer Bridge students about their experience:

I feel more comfortable and less scared of college.

The Summer Bridge program exposed me to so many helpful resources that would support me when navigating my college experience!

It was a great opportunity to visit many of the resources on campus. I feel that now I'm able to navigate my way around campus much easier and am well aware of what is provided to me.

Before the program, I didn’t know my way around I also didn't know what to expect. Now I know my way around campus and I have a strong idea of what to expect and what my teachers expect.

I loved how it gave me the opportunity to meet new people. Also, I got to know a lot of very useful resources on campus.

All of the resources we have been introduced to have helped a lot. Opening up to these people I wouldn't have known about otherwise has helped so much.

Get a head start on your college experience to earn 3 FREE college credits upon completion of the class AND a guaranteed early spot in our program.

Apply Now - NON STEM Majors >> Even though you may be a part of a research project and/or program, disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, etc., are considered NON-STEM pathways/majors.

Apply Now - STEM Majors >> Majors from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Public Health Studies

Review our eligibility requirements to check if you are eligible to apply.

Transfer Bridge: A Class for New Fall Transfer Students

Course Description

By getting a head start at Portland State, you will earn 2 FREE upper division college credits upon completion of the class AND a guaranteed early spot in our program. The Transfer Bridge class will help incoming fall Transfer students successfully transition into Portland State University by connecting to campus resources, staff, faculty and other students entering the university. The class will support participants in navigating the university systems and online tools, assist in being reflective about their skills and potential, and provide opportunities for participants to build support networks before the new academic year begins.

Deadline to Apply: Sunday, June 1, 2025 by 11:59 pm

Our Transfer Bridge class will be taught IN PERSON. Students are expected to attend ALL class days. Missing classes may impact the grade for the class.

Class Times: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
Class Days: Monday to Friday
Class Dates: July 7 to July 11, 2025

Students admitted to the TRIO - Student Support Services Transfer Bridge class will also have an opportunity to participate in "New Student Orientation" on July 9th, which will be part of our class curriculum.

Comments from previous Transfer Bridge students about their experience:

I would strongly recommend the Transfer Student Bridge class to other incoming transfer students because it really showed me all these resources we have that otherwise, I would have maybe never known about. It helped me step out of my comfort zone because I am a shy person and even just standing to say who I was and why I was there, helped me be more comfortable in the end.

The assignments were a great help. The most important assignment was the Campus Resource Assignment. It made us do the research about where to find the resource, what they offer, and most importantly, to let us know what these resources are and to take advantage of them because we are paying for all of these things from the beginning.

This program I feel was essential to my transition from Portland Community College to Portland State. It was extremely informative as well as enjoyable. I would love to be on the student panel in the future. It was great to get advice from students that are already in the program.

Get a head start at Portland State to earn 2 FREE upper division college credits upon completion of the class AND a guaranteed early spot in our program.

Apply Now - NON STEM Majors >> Even though you may be a part of a research project and/or program, disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, etc., are considered NON-STEM pathways/majors.

Apply Now - STEM Majors >> Majors from the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math, including Public Health Studies

Review our eligibility requirements to check if you are eligible to apply.