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Bridges Program

The Bridges program has concluded for 2024. Program dates for 2025 will be announced in spring 2025.

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Bridges Program

Miami University is proud to present the Bridges Program, which was founded 40 years ago by Black students who wanted a Miami degree to be more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and to ensure that their experiences here would be rewarding. The Bridges Program is an engaging experience that provides an inside look at Miami University to prospective students. This program invites high-achieving high school seniors from historically underrepresented populations, as well as students who have a commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of and appreciation for diversity, to engage with our current students, faculty, and staff. The program attracts students who represent various diverse identities.

Scholarship Information

Students who complete the Bridges Program, apply to Miami University, are accepted, and enroll on the Oxford campus for fall 2025 will be eligible to receive the Bridges Program scholarship. Last year, Bridges scholarship values ranged from $2,500 to $5,000 annually. Students can "stack" this scholarship with other Miami awards, which means multiple scholarships can be used for student expenses. In fact, most Bridges participants receive multiple awards, for total values ranging from half to full tuition.
Learn More with Our FAQs

2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

insight into diversity stem award 2021Miami’s Bridges Program has been awarded one of the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity. This award recognizes the unique and innovative efforts for improving access to science, technology, engineering, and math for underrepresented students.
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2024 Bridges Program Dates

Students should choose one session to attend (to be declared on the application). Round-trip transportation will be provided from select cities, and airports for the sessions below. You can also check out a recap of our 2023 program!
  • Session 1: Oct. 20-21 (Akron, Columbus)
  • Session 2: Nov. 3-4 (Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Toledo)
  • Session 3: Nov. 10-11 (Cleveland, Dayton)
  • Session 4: Nov. 17-18 (Out-of-state via Cincinnati and Dayton airports)

Application

Students accepted to the Bridges Program usually meet the following application criteria:

  • High school students graduating in 2025
  • Minimum of 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or top 25% of graduating class
  • Rigorous curriculum
  • Demonstrated leadership/co-curricular involvement
  • Test scores (PLAN, ACT, SAT, PSAT) are NOT required

 

Bridges Program application documents and who should submit them:
To be submitted by Documents
Students

1. Bridges Program Application

Please complete the application to be considered for the Bridges Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Priority consideration for Session I will be given to students who live in Akron or Columbus areas AND who complete their entire Bridges application by Monday, Sept. 16. Information that you enter into the application saves as you fill it out. You can exit at any time and return to the last page you completed. We encourage you to complete your application early.

2. Personal Statement

As part of your Bridges Program application, you will be asked to include a personal statement. Personal statements help us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. They demonstrate your ability to organize thoughts and express yourself. In 250-300 words each, please respond to both prompts below:

  • At Miami, we thrive to be an inclusive community for all. How might your lived experiences, your background, or your interests help you contribute to our efforts to be an inclusive Miami community for all?
  • Miami's Code of Love and Honor guides us to welcome "a diversity of people, ideas, and experiences." How do you see our campus putting these words into practice?
School Counselors

1. Counselor Recommendation: school counselors should complete and submit an electronic recommendation form for each student who is applying to the Bridges Program. Counselors will receive an email from Miami University with a link to each student's recommendation form.

*Applicants are responsible for following up with their school counselor regarding the submission of the counselor recommendation. Students can check the status of their counselor recommendation by visiting their Applicant Status Page.

For additional information about the application process, Bridges Program Scholarships, Transportation, and more, please visit the Application FAQs.