Bridge Program
Bridge Program
Bridge Students Must Make a Commitment to Their Success
The Bridge Program is free of charge, unless a student needs housing. But, Bridge students need to commit to their own success. Bridge provides a unique opportunity for students to refine their academic skills, gain a better understanding of the rigors of college life through academic coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics, learn about the latest research Columbia faculty are working on, and get an early opportunity to experience Columbia’s campus.
Sign-Up and Confirm Participation in Bridge
Students required to complete The Bridge Program must sign up for Bridge and reserve their space by contacting the Coordinator of New Student Assessment and Bridge, at bridge@colum.edu or 312.344.7635 no later than eleven calendar days before the Bridge Program begins. Please note that in order to participate in July-August, 2008 Bridge, applicants must have submitted their completed application to Columbia College Chicago’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions by Friday, June 27th, 2008.
Bridge Preview
To participate in Bridge, all local students (live less than 75 miles from Columbia) are also required to attend one of the Bridge Program Preview Sessions listed below.
Students that live 75 miles or more from Columbia, do not attend a Bridge Program Preview. You are required to read the Program Summary and to return the Student Profile to the Bridge Coordinator no later than eleven calendar days before the Bridge Program begins.
Bridge Program Preview Dates
Please arrive 10 minutes early!
Location of all Bridge Previews: 623 S. Wabash, Room 311
All local participants who live less than 75 miles from Columbia must attend one:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008, beginning at 12:00 Noon*
Friday, June 13, 2008, beginning at 12:00 Noon*
Friday, June 27, 2008, beginning at 12:00 Noon *
Wednesday, July 2, 2008, beginning at 12:00 Noon*
Local Bridge students (less than 75 miles from Columbia) whose ACT scores have not been received by Columbia by Wednesday, June 4th, are required to assess on Compass at Columbia immediately following their Bridge Program Preview. Assessment begins at 1:00pm weekdays, For more information about assessment, see below under Compass. To check to see if Columbia has received your ACT scores, call (312) 344-7635.
Compass
Assessment is required for all first time Freshmen and Transfer Students with no credit accepted by Columbia in college level English Composition and college level mathematics, unless you have submitted official ACT scores to Columbia. ACT scores can replace a need for you to complete New Student Assessments. However, you must call Undergraduate Admissions at 312.344.7130, to confirm that your ACT scores have been received. If you have submitted ACT scores, but would still like to take an assessment, you are able to do so by calling the Office of New Student Programs and Orientation at 312.344.8675.
Bridge Students that live 75 miles or more from Columbia whose scores have not been received by Wednesday, June 4th, 2008, are required to assess on Friday, July 25, 2008 at either 9:30am or 1:00pm. This is the first Friday of the Bridge Program. There are no Bridge classes on Fridays. No appointment is needed to assess at these start times. However, students are assessed on a first come, first serve basis. Students that pass Bridge, but do not have placement scores, will not be allowed to register for Fall 2008 classes until they assess. To check to see if Columbia has received your ACT scores, call 312.344.7635.
F.I.T.
ALL new students must take the Fluency In Technology (F.I.T.) assessment prior to enrolling in classes if it is connected to your major, including: Audio, Radio, Arts, Entertainment & Media Management, Interactive Arts Media, Game Design, or Interior Architecture. If it is not connected to your major, you may take F.I.T. during your first semester. Allow three hours for assessment. Students may also bring their own calculator or may use those provided by New Student Assessment for the Math Assessment. We also provide pencils to all new students taking assessment.
To assess, new students are required to: 1) bring a photo I.D, 2) know your correct Social Security Number, 3) know your correct Columbia OASIS Student I.D. Number, and 4) bring a transcript or grade report if transferring credit from another college.
Attendance Policy
Participation in class is imperative. Therefore, NO absences are allowed for Bridge Students or they will be dropped from the program. Failure to meet the expectations of the program will result in denial of admission to the College. Students who do not successfully complete the program will not be permitted to enroll and will receive counseling on how to further prepare themselves for college study.
Bridge Housing During Summer 2008 Bridge
Columbia College Chicago is able to provide housing to out-of-town students at an additional cost during the four-week July-August 2008 Bridge Program. The cost of Bridge housing is $1250. This Bridge housing fee includes a meal plan. To reserve Bridge housing , please e-mail us at bridge@colum.edu. Space is limited. Reserve early.
Apply Now for Fall 2008 Semester Housing
If you are a distance student and you will need housing for the Fall 2008 Semester, you should apply now at http://www.colum.edu/residencelife. If you do not pass the Summer 2008 Bridge Program your $500 Fall 2008 Housing Deposit will be refunded.
Apply for Financial Aid First
Students interested in applying for financial aid should start this process on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov
The 2008-2009 FAFSA application will be available in January of 2008. Applying on-line expedites the financial aid application process. Please do not wait to see if you are going to pass the Bridge Program to apply for financial aid as some aid programs are time sensitive. Visit Columbia’s Student Financial Services website for helpful information and links to scholarships. Be sure to follow-up with the Student Financial Services Staff if you have questions about financial aid and the services their office provides.
http://www.colum.edu/sfs 1-866-705-0200
1-866-705-0200
Follow this important Checklist in order
1. Apply for Financial Aid on-line atwww.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have questions, please visit Columbia’s Student Financial Services website http://www.colum.edu/sfs or call 1-866-705-0200.
2. Apply to Columbia College Chicago through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Once notified of Bridge Required status, sign up for the Bridge Program, and sign up for your Bridge Preview if you live less than 75 miles from Columbia.
3. Attend Bridge Preview if you live less than 75 miles from Columbia.
4. Read the Bridge Summary if you live 75 miles or more from Columbia. Also, complete and return your Bridge Profile by e-mail if you live 75 miles or more from Columbia atbridge@colum.edu.
5. Assess. Local Bridge students should assess on the same day as their Bridge Preview. If you live more than 75 miles from Columbia you are required to assess on Friday, July 25, 2008 at either 9:30am or 1:00pm.
6. Reserve your Bridge Housing by May 15th, 2008.
7. Reserve your Fall 2008 Housing by May 15th, 2008.
8. Check on your financial aid with Student Financial Services once more after successfully completing Bridge.
9. Reserve and prepare for your Orientation/Registration on-line at www.colum.edu/newstudentinfo after completing Bridge.
10. Sign up for Chats and Weeks of Welcome after completing Bridge.
11. Meet with your mentor that you have been matched with through Multicultural affairs. Communicate throughout your Columbia years with your support network, including: the Bridge coordinator, your mentor, your college advisor, English advocates, and counseling services for emotional issues.
12. Utilize Columbia’s services including free tutoring in writing, reading, mathematics, and some academic majors.