Frequently Asked Questions

All admitted frosh and transfer are welcome to apply. Incoming frosh may apply to all Summer Bridge Program sessions. Incoming transfer students may apply to Online Sessions II & III and Bridge Pre-Orientation. 

The program is designed for students interested in engaging Stanford’s academic life and community early to establish a strong foundation prior to the start of fall quarter.

International students are eligible to participate in either of the Online Sessions and Bridge Pre-Orientation. Due to visa constraints, international students are not eligible to participate in the five-week Residential Session.

The program is free of cost. Room and board is covered for the Residential Session and Bridge Pre-Orientation. Summer Bridge will also provide textbooks and other necessary academic materials. Students participating in the Residential Session and Bridge Pre-Orientation will receive a packing list of optional items to purchase for their stay on campus.

Yes, students who are financial aid eligible and participate in a residential component of the program may receive a stipend in accordance with Stanford’s Summer Earnings policy. Financial aid eligible students in the Residential Session will receive a $1000 stipend. Financial aid eligible students who participate in Bridge Pre-Orientation will receive a $200 stipend. All stipends can be used toward travel to campus for program participation. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions about your eligibility.

You can view important dates and deadlines here.

Instruction for the Online Sessions will take place over Zoom. Students will also participate in asynchronous co-curricular activities through Canvas. Students will live on campus for the Residential Session and Bridge Pre-Orientation. Bridge Pre-Orientation participants will move into their academic year dorm for the program.

You can review our program options here.

The Online Sessions are designed to give students flexibility so that they may participate in other programs, work, or fulfill other personal commitments. However, Residential Session and Bridge Pre-Orientation students may not participate in any other conflicting commitments, including other Stanford programs. We ask that you choose the right session for your schedule and plan to fully engage in your chosen session. We encourage international students to participate in International Student Orientation (ISO).

Session changes are not guaranteed as they impact course availability, housing, and overall planning. To request a change or discuss your options, reach out to our team at summerbridge@stanford.edu. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request based on space and program logistics.

We understand that schedules can change especially as you plan your transition to college. Please inform us as soon as possible if you need to discontinue your program participation so that we may accommodate students on our waitlist. You can reach us at summerbridge@stanford.edu

It is especially important to inform us right away if you were admitted to the Residential Session or Bridge Pre-Orientation to avoid housing or meal plan fees.

Please visit the Office of Accessible Education to learn more about and register for accommodations. We also encourage students to inform their instructors about any learning accommodations to ensure a supportive, inclusive learning environment.

Students in the Online Sessions can choose to enroll in one or two courses. Students in the Residential Session must enroll in two courses. Course assignments are based on diagnostic scores and other information in your application. Additionally, course availability is impacted by enrollment caps. We do our best to enroll students in their top course selections. Once you are admitted and receive your course placements, you will have the opportunity to accept or decline your placement(s).

We expect all session participants to attend all classes, complete all assignments and complete asynchronous activities. Keep in mind that each instructor may also have their own additional policies. 

Generally, online participants will be dropped from their course(s) after 3 absences. Applicants will be able to view course schedules for the three online sessions on the application form. Residential Session participants must make program staff and instructors aware of any planned absences in advance of the start of the program. Please plan and choose your session accordingly.

Yes, students earn 1-unit per course on a Credit/No Credit grading basis, meaning students will not earn a letter grade. This allows for students to focus on intellectual growth rather than achieving a particular grade. While courses are complete in the summer, students will be officially enrolled in their courses and earn their given units in Autumn Quarter. This allows for students to start their school year with units toward the required unit enrollment and the 180 units needed to graduate.

Students can choose to enroll in up two foundational courses in math, writing, and chemistry. These courses do not count toward major requirements, rather they are meant to acclimate students to the academic environment in preparation for entryway classes you might take during your first year. You can read more about our courses here.

No, unfortunately, SAT scores, AP scores, or prior coursework cannot be used to waive the diagnostic. The diagnostic is specifically designed to help us make the best course placements for Summer Bridge. It’s a required part of the process for all participants, regardless of previous experience.

The Summer Bridge diagnostic is similar to the fall placement test and uses the same platform and question pool. However, you’ll still need to take both – one for Summer Bridge placement and one for official fall course placement. Because the test pulls from a large bank of randomized questions, your experience with each may feel different, but both are designed to assess the same core concepts.

The move-in window is Saturday, August 1st, 1pm-6pm. Please plan to arrive within this window. The Summer Bridge staff will not be able to support earlier or later arrival. We understand that schedules change and challenges can arise when coordinating travel, please reach out to us at summerbridge@stanford.edu to communicate any move-in challenges.

We ask that all scholars arrive on Saturday, August 1st for move-in and a mandatory house meeting to review summer rules and policies. Please reach out to summerbridge@stanford.edu if you foresee any issues with the move-in window. 

No, students will be able to return home at the end of the program and before the start of the school year. That will give you an opportunity to recharge and return to campus with everything you need for the school year.

Yes. Students who are financial aid eligible will receive a $1000 stipend that they can use toward travel arrangements to and from campus. Once admitted, you will receive more information about how to book your travel using the stipend. 

Please reach out to the Summer Bridge team at summerbridge@stanford.edu

The Summer Bridge team will assign rooms and roommates. You might be in a double, triple, or single if you need accommodations. Please visit the Office of Accessible Education to arrange any housing accommodations.

No, classes are not asynchronous and students are expected to attend live course sessions.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer alternative class times outside of the scheduled sessions or class recordings. The current schedule was designed based on instructor availability and program logistics, and we aren’t able to accommodate additional class sections. We understand that this may be disappointing, and we encourage you to explore future opportunities to participate if your schedule allows.

Unfortunately, students may only participate in one Online Session. You may enroll in two courses during one session. For example, writing and math within the same session.

Yes, students are expected to complete asynchronous modules and activities on Canvas. These activities are designed to facilitate online community-building with other students and introduce you to campus resources. 

You will be notified of your selection for the Online Sessions and Bridge Pre-Orientation at the same time. You can view the application and decision timeline here.

Move-in is Friday, September 11th. The specific move-in window time will be available soon. 

We ask that all scholars arrive on Friday, September 11th for move-in and welcome activities. Please reach out to summerbridge@stanford.edu if you foresee any issues with the move-in window.

Yes, please bring all of your belongings for the school year. You will be moving into your assigned dorm for the school year and will begin New Student Orientation (NSO) on September 15th.

Yes. Students who are financial aid eligible will receive a $200 stipend that they can use toward travel arrangements to campus. Once admitted, you will receive more information about how to book your travel using the stipend.