Summer Bridge & Alternative Admissions Programs

Here please find a collection of programs for students who may not meet eligibility requirements to directly enroll in some of the four-year state colleges in Massachusetts. These programs can provide a pathway to the four-year schools below, through either summer programs or alternative admissions programs that provide students additional support.

Salem State University: Summer Bridge Program

Minimum Requirements

2.2 GPA
1100 SAT
MCAS completion to be recommended for the summer program

Addition Information

Admission counselors at Salem State will refer students to this program if their GPA/SAT scores are not high enough regular Fall admission
This is a 6 week, 2 college level class program
This program costs around $3,700 for on campus enrollment,$2500 for commuter enrollment- fees can be covered by financial aid, please check with admission counselors about financial aid packages.
The classes & credits in this program will apply towards the student's college transcript graduation requirements
No specific major necessary

Link to website

Here is a link to the website: Salem State University: Summer Bridge Program

Westfield State University: Urban Education Program

Minimum Requirements

2.0 GPA
SAT Completion
MCAS completion

Addition Information

First year students are accepted into the University on a conditional basis and must complete this five-week program to gain full acceptance
Students have the opportunity to earn course credits
Students also receive personal, academic and career counseling
Students are provided with financial aid advising
Tutoring in all areas of the college curriculum are offered
Students are given opportunities to learn and grow in a college atmosphere that is acutely sensitive to the wide range of obstacles that confront ethnically and educationally diverse students.

Link to website

Link to website: Westfield State University: Urban Education Program

Fitchburg State University: Summer Bridge Program

Students may request consideration for the Summer Bridge Program themselves or the student’s school counselor may recommend the student through a letter of recommendation.

Minimum Requirements

No minimum GPA/test scores (applicant will be tested at Fitchburg’s tutoring center to determine placement and eligibility)

Addition Information

This program is designed for applicants who do not meet the University’s standards for admission but have demonstrated the potential to be successful at a four-year university
The program is a non-residential and costs $550
This is a five-week summer experience during which participants enroll in Fitchburg State courses and acquire the skills necessary to successfully transition to university life in September.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants are automatically enrolled in the Fall semester.
Students may request consideration for the Summer Bridge Program themselves or the student’s school counselor may recommend the student through a letter of recommendation.
Students can also be referred to this program by a Fitchburg’s admissions counselor

Link to website

Link to website: Fitchburg State University: Summer Bridge Program

UMass Dartmouth: College Now/START Program

Eligibility for College Now

The College Now program is for any major, but you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Every applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident, and have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0. You are required to complete the College Now testing and interview for an admission decision.Applicants must also satisfy one of the following criteria:

low-income status (as defined by federal guidelines)
first generation to complete a 4-year degree

Eligibility for START

START (Steps Toward Abstract Reasoning and Thinking) is a first-year program for students who are considering a calculus-based major but lack the necessary foundation at the beginning of their college careers.

You must have a minimum high school GPA of a 2.0 to be eligible for admissions and are required to complete the College Now testing and interview for an admission decision. During the standard application process, you may be referred to the START program.

Apply to START if you are interested in scientific and technical fields such as Engineering, Math, Computer Science, and Physics.

Additional Information

Students first indicate their interest for the College Now/START Program on their application to UMass Dartmouth.
“Conditional Acceptance” is offered in which student must complete the fall academic program successfully in order to secure their matriculation into the University.
College Now/START students are full-time students, with the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of other UMass Dartmouth students.]
Counselors will aid each student in goal-setting, course selection, academic achievement, and short- and long-range program planning.

Link to website

Link to website: UMass Dartmouth: College Now/START Program

UMass Boston: Directions for Student Potential

What is DSP?

DSP is an intensive summer program designed to strengthen academic skills, and successful completion of the program guarantees admission to UMass Boston’s College of Liberal Arts or College of Science and Mathematics. DSP is for motivated people who do not currently meet the admission requirements for the University but who demonstrate the potential to succeed at the college level. This is a comprehensive six-week summer program that prepares students for academic success at the University by helping them to improve their Verbal, Math, and English as a Second Language Skills.

How DSP Works

Although there is no tuition for the program , students are required to purchase books and other course materials.
Attendance is mandatory

What DSP Offers

The advantages of working closely with UMass Boston faculty, advisors, and tutors
Small classes
A special curriculum for ESL students
College Success Workshops
Advising and registration for fall semester classes at UMass Boston
The opportunity to make new friends and become part of the UMass Boston community

Minimum Requirements

Pass assigned courses. Faculty will regularly assess assigned work to measure student progress and potential for success in college courses.
Attend all classes. Students who miss more than two classes will not pass the program. Excessive tardiness will be considered as absence.
Show a serious effort to improve, participate, and be responsible.
Meet with faculty and staff about academic program selection. Faculty evaluation of student work will be the basis of recommendations for fall course placements.
Attend UMass Boston after successful completion of DSP. This program is provided tuition-free for persons who will become students at this University. Students who attend DSP are being prepared for the specific courses and requirements of this University. This is not a basic skills program and is not transferable to another university.

Link to website

Link to website: UMass Boston: Directions for Student Potential

UMass Lowell: Lowell Connections Program @ Middlesex Community College

What is the Lowell Connections Program?

Lowell Connections is a program designed to prepare students who applied to attend the University of Massachusetts Lowell but had not yet met their entrance requirements to be successful in the university environment. The program enables students to gain the required academic standing through customized advising, academic planning and selected coursework at Middlesex. Students who successfully complete their Lowell Connections course of study are guaranteed admission to UMASS Lowell and are prepared to enter specialized baccalaureate programs, such as engineering, computer science, music or management.

What makes it special?

Participation in a program focused exclusively on UML admission
Customized advising and appropriate course selection for University admission
Involvement in transfer interviews at MCC to ensure a smooth transition to UML
Opportunity to fast-track to UML after one or two semesters at MCC
Option of completing an Associate Degree Program at MCC and then transferring to UML under MassTransfer

What is the result?

Students are better prepared to enter specialized baccalaureate programs–such as engineering, computer science, music, criminal justice, or management–with the academic background for University requirements.

For more detailed information, contact:

Dr. Charles Twomey

Middlesex Community College

Phone: 978-656-3264

Email: Twomeyc@middlesex.mass.edu

Link to website

Link to website: UMass Lowell: Lowell Connections Program @ Middlesex Community College

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Individual Enrichment Program

What is the Individual Enrichment Program?

The Individual Enrichment Program (I.E. Program) is a federally funded TRIO Student Support Services program that supports low-income, first-generation college students, and students with documented disabilities.

One component of the I.E. Program, the Summer Session, incorporates a four-week residential bridge program. Students nominated and accepted to the Summer Session become fully matriculated at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the fall after successful completion of the summer curriculum.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the program, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

first-generation college student
low income according to federal guidelines
documented physical or learning disability

Link to website

Link to website: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Individual Enrichment Program

Mass Transfer Program

What is the Mass Transfer Program?

The Mass Transfer Program, also known as the A2B degree, allows students to greatly reduce the sticker price of a State U or UMass bachelor’s degree by starting at a community college and transfering to a state university or UMass campus. The Mass Transfer Program enables students to achieve their college dreams with lower student debt.

How the Mass Transfer Program works

1. Start at a Community College

The new A2B Maps lay out a set of freshman and sophomore courses in your major so that the credits you earn at your Community College are guaranteed to transfer to a State U or UMass campus and count towards a bachelor’s degree.

2. Earn an Associate’s Degree

Graduate from your community college with at least a B average and you’ll have guaranteed admission to a State U or UMass to complete your junior & senior years—with no application fees or essays.

3. Finish at a State University or UMass Campus

With four UMass campuses and seven comprehensive State Universities all around the state, plus two specialty colleges in Massachusetts College of Art & Design and Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the perfect place for you to finish your bachelor’s degree is waiting.

4. Launch Your Career with a Bachelor’s Degree

A2B Maps are available in dozens of the most popular majors, including ones like STEM, Business, and Education that are in high demand among Massachusetts employers.

Link to website

Link to website: Mass Transfer Program