Summer Bridge: Some Background

For the past 35 years Summer Bridge has assisted students in a successful academic, social, and personal transition to the University of California, Berkeley.

Summer Bridge began in 1973 with the mission of assisting entering Educational Opportunity Program Freshmen and Transfer students as they transitioned to the University. The inception classes were small in size, servicing approximately 35-50 students for eight weeks. In 1976 Summer Bridge expanded its enrollment by 50%. The following year, 1977, the student population served became limited to freshmen.

In 1978 Summer Bridge was once again expanded to serve Affirmative Action students and in the five years following this (1979-1984) a Special Services Grant allowed for augmented services for low-income, first-generation students and English as a Second Language students. Following the tradition of expansion and service to underserved communities, during the period of 1980-1989 Summer Bridge incorporated student athletes, disabled students, and mandated students whose admission is conditional on their successful completion of the program. The Summer Bridge class of 1989 was the first class to have an all-residential experience- a key component that has continued since. From 1980-1994 Summer Bridge served approximately 200-280 students each summer and in 1993 it became a six week program. In 1998 the Summer Bridge program was forced to adopt and admissions cap due to funding issues.

Today the program serves 140 students. 90% of its students are eligible for financial aid and 84% of its students come from families that makes less than $45,000 a year. Using measurable data it has been shown that students who complete Summer Bridge persist at Cal at a higher rate than non-Summer Bridge first-year students. Overall retention rates for Summer Bridge students are higher than those of the general student body. Our success has been a model for universities across the nation and around the globe. With 90% of Summer Bridge students being the first in their families to attain a bachelor’s degree, Summer Bridge has never wavered in its mission to successfully transition low-income and first generation students to the University. Thirty-five years and more than 5,000 students later, the program continues to assist students traverse their bridge and go on to become lawyers, scientists, educators, professional athletes, and civic leaders.