AU Advantage Summer Bridge Program

The AU Advantage Summer Bridge Program (AUA) assists first-year students in transitioning from high school to college – personally, academically and socially – by getting a jumpstart on their academics and college experience.

The AU Advantage Summer Bridge Program (AUA) assists first-year students in transitioning from high school to college – personally, academically, and socially – by getting a jump start on their academics and college experience. Our AUA Scholars spend four weeks living on campus in the summer before their first semester. During this time, students have a full schedule of activities, coursework, and seminars all designed to facilitate a smooth and comprehensive transition to Alfred University. By the end of the program AUA Scholars will not only know how to survive college, but how to thrive!

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How to Thrive

Our AUA Scholars spend four weeks living on campus in the summer before their first semester. During this time, students have a full schedule of activities, coursework, and seminars all designed to facilitate a smooth and comprehensive transition to Alfred University. By the end of the program AUA Scholars will not only know how to survive college, but how to thrive!

Program Benefits

AU Advantage gives students an upper hand in college preparation, at no extra cost:
  • Experience college-level coursework for the first time without the pressure of your full fall semester course load – and earn college credit for it!
  • Familiarize yourself with the Alfred University campus before the excitement of Welcome Week
  • Participate in events and activities introducing you to Alfred's magic valley and the surrounding areas
  • Learn the unwritten rules of college and what it takes to be successful
  • Create meaningful relationships with other first-year Saxons
  • Gain a success network of faculty, staff, and peer mentors who will support you throughout the program and during your time at AU

When summer ends…

AUA Scholars continue into their first semester with an extra level of support. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Staff Mentor who will continue to model successful student behavior and support you. They’re also an excellent resource for any questions or concerns that may come up throughout the turmoil of your first year in college.

You’ll attend regular meetings with your Staff Mentor throughout your first year. They will help you hold yourself accountable and stay on track for graduation. Beyond your first year, your Staff Mentor will remain available to you as a resource.

Ready to start your college experience with us this summer?

Registration for the 2024 AU Advantage Summer Bridge Program will open soon. Contact the Summer Bridge Coordinator to express your interest and check back later for more information!

Have more questions before you register? Check out the FAQ's below.



Participation is completely free! Seeing our students succeed is important to us. That's why Alfred University covers the cost of tuition, housing, and meals for the duration of the four weeks. The only program-related cost students are responsible for is transportation to and from campus at the start and end of the program.

Truthfully? All first years. But especially if you fit any of the descriptions below:

  • You're eager to start your college experience.
  • You're interested in bettering yourself and learning how to be a successful college student and young professional.
  • You're a first generation college student.
  • You want to make friends and connections before arriving to college in the fall.
  • You're nervous about attending college.
  • You need extra time to acclimate to big life changes.
  • You took time away from education between high school and college.

All accepted students are eligible to attend! We encourage any first-year applicants and accepted students interested in attending to contact the Summer Bridge Coordinator by emailing pratt@alfred.edu.

Attending AUA is also available as an alternate path to acceptance. A student may be directly invited to attend the program either because their application does not meet the University’s regular standards for admission, or their application showed they could benefit from a more intentional and supported transition to college life.

Move-in for the 2024 program will be on July 5th and students may leave after the program concludes on August 2nd. Attendees are expected to fully participate and stay on campus for the duration of the program.

For our 2024 session, there are 45 spots available which are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your spot is not reserved until you submit your deposit to attend Alfred University and submit your Program Registration Form.

Every student will be enrolled in a one-credit course called Dynamics of Student Success. This course is designed to prepare you for academic, personal, and professional success. You will explore different learning skills and strategies, conquer your mindset, and find new ways to think critically.

The other course you take will be determined by your selected major. Students with an engineering major housed under our Inamori School of Engineering take pre-calculus to prepare them for the rigors of college-level math courses. All other majors will take an English course that explores writing at the college level with enhanced critical thinking and sharpened research and analytical skills.

Yes! Part of succeeding in college is making connections with others and the best way to do that is to relax and have fun. We swim, hike, play laser tag, go kayaking, have game nights, watch movies in our campus theatre, and so much more!

Students can expect to attend the program full-time for the entire month. Our AUA Scholars have full schedules and will not have time to pursue jobs or the flexibility to go home on the weekends. While you’re here, we expect you to be fully committed and engaged.