Summer Bridge Programs

UIC Summer Bridge Programs is the University of Illinois Chicago's directory of summer programs for high school students and for admitted first-year UIC students. Rather than one program, it gathers offerings run by different UIC colleges and offices onto a single page, so students can compare options in health, computing, engineering, architecture, pharmacy and leadership. The high school section lists 11 programs. Examples include the Engineering Experience Camp, built around hands-on challenges based on concepts developed by UIC engineering faculty; HiArch, which introduces students to architectural thinking and making; the Medicina Academy Apprentice Program, a pre-medical pathway for Latino students; the Rural Health Careers Camp, with hands-on activities and labs representing different healthcare careers; the Women in Engineering Summer Program; and the Global Youth Ambassadors Leadership Program. Girls Who Code at UIC is listed as a free, year-round club for 9th to 12th graders in the Chicago area. A second section covers students already admitted to UIC as first-year students, with transition seminars, college-specific prep courses, and enrichment workshops in writing, math, chemistry and music. Dates, costs and formats are set by each program and are not given on the directory page, so students should check the individual program page before planning their summer.

Eligibility differs by program. The high school section is for current high school students, while the second section is only for students already admitted to UIC as first-year students; Girls Who Code at UIC, for example, serves 9th to 12th graders in the Chicago area. The directory page does not list application materials, open dates or deadlines for any program, so each program's requirements and application timeline must be checked on its own page.