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  • Students participating in a large group icebreaker, Playfair!
Incoming Undergraduates & Families
First Generation Summer Bridge Program

»First Generation Summer Bridge Program 2026

Summer Bridge Program applications

Summer Bridge Program 2026 applications will be open from June 1 through July 15. The application link will be added here on June 1.

Applications will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please note that if the program is at capacity when you apply, you will be placed on a waitlist with no guarantee of enrollment.

The Summer Bridge Program is a pre-semester orientation designed to help you transition to university life and connect with fellow first-generation students at Chapman University.

Participants can look forward to:

  • Engaging workshops led by campus support services.
  • Insights and advice from current first-generation Chapman students.
  • Collaborative community-building activities.
  • Campus tours, social events and more!

This program is designed for incoming first-year and transfer first-generation college students. It is led by staff and students who are first-generation college graduates themselves, people who understand your experience firsthand.

At Chapman, a first-generation college student is someone whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not earned a four-year college or university degree.

Headshot of Jason
Jason Wu Chen ‘27
Creative Production major
"The Summer Bridge program allowed me to ease into college without the stress and worries of falling behind everyone else. I was able to familiarize myself with different departments and use resources like the Financial Aid Office’s Financial Wellness Program that offered me 1 on 1 financial wellness coaching.”
Headshot of Cintya
Cintya Felix ‘25
Double-major in Political Science and Spanish
"Being the first to go to college in your family is challenging, but the Summer Bridge program gave me the tools and confidence to begin my journey at Chapman. It introduced me to my first friends, an on-campus job, and more. I look back at my time here and thank this program for being the highlight of my college experience.”

 

Program details 

Dates

Thursday, August 13: Early move-in for residential students only.
Friday, August 14:  Students only.
Saturday, August 15:  Students and families welcome.
Sunday, August 16:  Students only.

Location

Chapman University's main campus, Orange, California.

See Summer Bridge in action in this quick recap

Check out this quick recap from our 2025 Summer Bridge Program!

Summer Bridge Questions