BSP FAQs

This opportunity is exclusive to Summer Bridge scholars. All 2025 Summer Bridge scholars are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 BSP learning community.

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

No. Summer Bridge takes place during the summer term (June-August) only. Bridge Scholars Plus takes place during the fall and winter terms only.

We can accomodate up to 150 scholars!

Nope! You will pay the tuition rate based on the school or college you are enrolled 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 provided through community events and the skills you'll gain in the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge can be applied to any field of interest.

Unlike the Summer Bridge Scholars Program, BSP is optional. However, we encourage you to apply so you can continue living within the community you've built over the summer. You'll also gain valuable networking opportunities and develop skills through the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge.

There are a few key differences between the Summer Bridge Scholars Program and Bridge Scholars Plus. To help highlight these differences, we've provided a comparison table below.

Yes, it is possible to balance both BSP and the Michigan Marching Band. However, please note that you will not be excused from the weekly BSP + optiMize course for rehearsals. Be sure to coordinate with MMB to make arrangements that allow you to attend our Tuesday afternoon class sessions in the fall.

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

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

Students can apply to multiple learning communities but will only be offered admission to one. The Honors Program is an exception— you can participate in both the Honors Program and BSP concurrently, though you cannot choose to be in Honors Housing alongside BSP.

Yes, you will need to complete a separate fall housing application. Additionally, don’t forget to sign up for Summer 2025 housing as a 2025 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 aimed at creating a positive impact. This gives you the opportunity to focus on a project that matters to you. You can choose to work individually or team up with peers in the BSP cohort to develop a plan.

In each workshop, you’ll learn valuable skills while making active progress on your project. Through workshops and mentorship, the optiMize team will support you at every step—from brainstorming ideas you're passionate about to preparing you to pitch your project for a chance to earn up to $10,000. This is not a scholarship.

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

You must enroll in CSP 121 - Bridge Scholars Plus: Why Not Me? Creating Innovative Social Change (2 credits, fall semester only) and meet all course requirements. While pitching for funding is encouraged, it is not required. However, you are required to participate in the practice pitch session, which serves as the final for the course.

The SIC is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience, especially as a first-year student. Here are some ways the SIC can add value to your academic, personal, and professional journey:

• A project to add to your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to turn an idea into something tangible
• A network of mentors and alumni
• A non-competitive environment where you can try new things, discover what you're passionate about, and make a difference in a community that matters to you
  

Additionally, you'll gain experiences and skills that you can highlight on your resume, cover letter, and in interviews, including:

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

Anticipate a 3-5 hour weekly commitment for the fall semester, 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 the process of developing your project.