Thirty-five incoming students completed the High Potential Program's high-energy, intense Summer Bridge program this year. The students spent two weeks in the intensive college preparedness program, from August 5 to August 16, sampling classes in academic subjects like English and Seminar, gaining skills in Computer Lab, going on outings, learning study skills, and getting to know what it's really like to be in college.

Here's what a few of the students had to say about it:

Zayra Rivera, San Jose
Politics

It was amazing. It gave me a real knowledge of what college will be like. And I got to know a lot of people. It feels like a family now.

Jorge Navarro, San Francisco
Business

I felt like I was welcomed with open arms. I bonded with a lot of people when we went camping at Lake Folsom.

Ashley Alvarez, Mountain View
Business

It was really helpful because I don’t have this kind of (academic) support at home. It gave me a new perspective, and the professors were more approachable than in high school. It also opened my eyes. I thought freshman year was going to be easy.
 

Hannah Upton, Petaluma
Psychology

I was hesitant. I didn’t want to give up two weeks of my summer. But I forged amazing friendships. It taught me a lot about myself, too—how to be more accepting and be part of a community.

Eoin Carolan, Burlingame
Biology

It was a good first-hand look at college. And the four-hour study sessions helped me learn about time management.

Aidan Flores, Santa Ana
Biology

I loved the late-night talks with my roommates. We talked for hours and hours. I feel like now I have 35 other close friends, plus the mentors, who are friends, too.