Bridge Program

Admission Requirements

Students scoring 18 or below on the ACT or 970 or below on the SAT have the opportunity to be part of the Bridge Program. As there are only 45 spots available, a student must complete the following steps to be considered for the Bridge Program and accepted to the university:

• An interview – which may be completed in person or online via Skype or Google Hangout
• A timed writing exercise

Once a student has applied to the University, they will receive an email with links to schedule an interview and to share with their instructor. When all these steps are completed, the Bridge Review Committee (comprised of OC faculty, Student Success Center and Bridge Program staff, and an admissions representative) will carefully consider all the information provided to OC during the acceptance process (including test scores, high school transcript and GPA, instructor recommendations, interview, and writing sample).

Curriculum & Benefits

During the first semester, students will enroll in 13 credit hours including...

• Personal and Professional Success Strategies (2 hours)
• Developmental Writing (3 hours)
• Intermediate Algebra (3 hours)
• Bible course (2 hours)

Each student will also enroll in a 3 hour course in their area of interest/major (for example, an art major could choose to take an art course, etc.).

Benefits include special tutoring, developmental classes in areas of need, instruction in time management and study skills, career counseling and most importantly, guidance and mentoring. The Bridge Program emphasis is identifying and building on students' strengths both inside and outside the classroom.

Students will consult with the Bridge Program director and/or peer mentors on a weekly basis to address challenges they may be experiencing as part of university life.

Program Goals

Bridge Program students develop the skills necessary to confidently and actively direct their own success.

• Building networks of support
• Reaching full potential
• Integrating study skills and life habits daily
• Demonstrating confidence and competence
• Gaining knowledge
• Experiencing success