BSP FAQs

This opportunity is exclusive to Summer Bridge scholars only. All 2024 Summer Bridge scholars are eligible to apply for the 2024-2025 BSP residential community. 

While we are affiliated with LSA, you do not need to be an LSA student to join our learning community.

We have space for up to 150 scholars to join!

Nope! You will pay the tuition rate of whichever school or college you are in.

To view tuition and fee rates for your specific school or college, visit the Office of the Registrar website.

No - all majors and areas of interest are welcome! The opportunities available through community events and the skills you will gain in the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge can be applied to any field of interest.

Unlike the Summer Bridge Scholars Program, BSP is optional. We do hope you’ll consider applying so you can continue living within the community you’ve built over the summer. You’ll also have valuable opportunities to network and to gain skills through the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge.

There are a few key differences between the Summer Bridge Scholars Program and Bridge Scholars Plus. We've set up the table below to help distinguish some of these differences. 

Students who plan to also participate in the Michigan Marching Band and/or Kessler Scholars Program should consider those commitments and the timing of the BSP+optiMize course. It is possible to balance both.

As we have a residential requirement, you cannot join any other community with a residential requirement. 

However, you are welcome to join other non-residential learning communities that you are admitted to such as Ross’ Preparation Initiative, LSA’s Honors Program, or the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

You can apply for two MLCs. There will be an opportunity on the application to rank them and your preferences will be taken into consideration.

Yes, you will need to fill out a separate fall housing application after submitting your MLC application. In addition, please do not forget to sign up for Summer 2024 housing as a 2024 Summer Bridge Scholar.

Yes, you are required to live on-campus within the BSP community in South Quad.

You can request to live with any scholar who will also be a member of the BSP community. 

The optiMize Social Innovation Challenge (SIC) brings together students working on projects for positive impact. This means you’ll have the opportunity to think about and work on a project that matters to you. You’ll get to choose whether you’d like to work individually or join with peers in the BSP cohort to create a plan. 

In each workshop, you’ll be learning skills and actively making progress on your project. Through workshops and mentorship, the optiMize team will support you in every step of the process - from brainstorming to find an idea you’re excited about through preparing you to pitch the idea to earn up to $10,000.

No, you don’t! The majority of scholars do not know what idea, problem, or opportunity they want to explore prior to the first workshop. There will be dedicated time in workshops for brainstorming and exploration. 

Yes. One of the BSP program requirements is to complete the Social Innovation Challenge. You must attend all workshops and meet their mentorship requirements. Though encouraged, you are not required to pitch if you ultimately do not feel ready or comfortable doing so. 

• A project to add to your portfolio that showcases your ability to turn an idea into something tangible
• Network of mentors and alumni
• Non-competitive environment to try new things, find what you’re passionate about, and to make a difference in a community that matters to you

In addition, you'll gain experiences and skills that you can share on your resume, cover letter, and in interviews such as:

• Effective communication, teamwork, and collaboration
• Entrepreneurial experience
• Budgeting
• Project management
• Creative thinking

Anticipate a 2-3 hour weekly committment for the fall semster, which includes a weekly 1-1.5 hour session with optiMize for the Social Innovation Challenge. You do NOT need to have a project in mind. You will be guided through visioning and developing a project.