Berea Bridge Program - Berea College

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Berea Bridge Program

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Berea Bridge

Berea Bridge is a free, four-week program aimed at easing a student’s transition from high school to college. During Bridge, students take a 1-credit college-level course that introduces the academic skills, attitudes, and behaviors that will help them succeed at Berea College. Courses are reading- and writing-intensive and challenge students to think in new ways. Throughout the program, faculty members and student mentors support students’ efforts and development.

Berea Bridge does more than prepare students for classes; it introduce students to the College’s Labor Program and the social joys of life at Berea. During Bridge, students have an on-campus labor position, and earn scholarship reimbursement money for their work. Students work in many departments, including the College Farm, Facilities, and Crafts. Outside of classes and labor, students participate in a small mentoring group so that they can get to know a few peers and a more experienced student, and students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun on- and off- campus activities.

Bridge prepares students to start their college careers with tremendous momentum and a supportive cohort of classmates. 100% of previous Bridge participants say they feel more prepared for Berea than before the program began. We know that you’ll agree!

Bridge FAQs

Any domestic, first-time college student who has been successfully admitted to Berea College is eligible to participate in Berea Bridge.

For the 2025 program, students will arrive on Saturday, June 14 and leave on Saturday, July 12.

Information for the 2026 program will be announced soon!

Berea Bridge is FREE for participants.

You’ll want to be sure to bring:

Bedsheets or a sleeping bag
Toiletries
Activewear (e.g running shoes, comfortable shorts/t-shirts)
An umbrella or rain jacket and rain boots
Laundry supplies (e.g., detergent and dryer sheets) Note: Use of laundry facilities in the residence halls is free.
A bath towel and cheap plastic sandals to wear as “shower shoes.”

Many Bridge students have been happy they’ve brought:

Sunscreen and bug spray
Over the counter medications (e.g. Tylenol, band-aids, Neosporin)
An extension cord and a fan
A small reading light
Light snacks (e.g ramen, popcorn, granola bars)
Boots or sturdy footwear
A hat and sunglasses

Once a week, you will have the chance to take a shuttle to Walmart should you run out of something or discover you forgot to pack something. You can also order items online and have them delivered to your CPO mailbox on campus.

We’ll supply everything you need for class (notebooks, pens, textbooks, etc.), so don’t worry about packing school supplies. Leave your candles, hot plates, and big appliances at home. Keep in mind, too, that you will not be able to store your belongings on campus after Bridge because of the in-depth cleaning of residence halls that happens over the summer. Whatever you move in at the start of Bridge will have to be moved back out and taken home once the month is over. You can consult the Life at Berea page for additional information.

Once a week, you will have the chance to take a shuttle to Walmart so that you can buy supplies as you need them (e.g., if you run out of shampoo or want to pick up baking supplies to make brownies with a friend). There are also several stores within walking distance near campus that make for fun shopping trips with friends!

Not necessarily. We assign roommates for Bridge based on information that you offer through your Housing Application (these applications are typically released in April); for the school year, however, you will have the option to either request a roommate or have a roommate assigned to you.

No, student participants are not allowed to bring their cars for Bridge. You can, however, apply to bring your car with you when you return to campus in August. Public Safety will send out an email with a permit application in July!

Everything you need for learning, dining, or joining in official program activities will be provided to you. Additionally, after move-in, students will receive a modest stipend that will help them cover any incidentals that they might need or a visit to the local ice cream shop with friends. For your work in the labor program during Bridge, you will receive a scholarship reimbursement payment.

Because you’ll be taking classes, working in the labor program, and having fun, you’ll be busy from about 8 am to 9 pm each day, so we ask that all Bridge students stay at Berea for the duration of the program. Your family may visit you on campus, but they may not stay with you in the residence halls.

For Bridge 2025, you’ll take a single one-credit course that will fulfill a requirement of the general education program that all students must complete to graduate. When you apply for the program, you’ll be able to signal your course preference, and when you are notified of your acceptance, you will know which class you’ve been assigned to.

Students will have the opportunity to submit information about their previous work experience to the Labor program who will assign you to a summer position. Bridge students work in typical Berea College labor positions, like Information Technology, the College Farm, in College Crafts, and as Facilities Assistants in the residence halls. All Bridge students work up to 6 hours per week during the program, and your Bridge labor position will not necessarily be your fall labor position.

While adjusting to the expectations of college-level academic work is the central feature of Berea Bridge, it’s only one part of what you’ll be doing during the month that you’re on campus. You’ll be eating meals in the dining hall, working a labor position, attending workshops, visiting different campus centers, participating in fun activities organized by your RAs and Bridge Mentors, and even traveling off campus for some excursions into nature and/or area attractions. In downtime, Bridge students make their own fun, too: you might enjoy playing video or board games with friends, having a movie night in the residence hall lobby, gathering together to play music and sing, playing basketball at the gym, joining an informal bible study, or hiking on local trails.