At Ball State, we provide a distinctive series of co-curricular programs and services meant to support and engage our incoming first-year students as they transition to campus each August. For more than twenty years, Ball State has put on Summer Bridge Programs that provide opportunities for students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff while experiencing campus and the Muncie Community before the first day of class. Our students who have participated in the Summer Bridge programs often point to that experience as a key factor in their sense of belonging on campus and confidence in their abilities to be successful at Ball State.
Get a head start on college and set yourself up for success. Our summer programs for incoming freshmen will help you meet other students, build confidence, learn leadership skills, and get more familiar with Ball State University – all before your first day of classes. Have fun, make friends, and challenge yourself as you prepare for your first year on campus.
Develop the skills you’ll need to succeed at Ball State by learning how to get involved in student activities, develop leadership skills, succeed academically, explore campus, and make friends. Learn more.
Concerned about the transition to college? Get yourself setup for success by joining Disability Services Summer Bridge program. Learn more.
Gain valuable experience in service, citizenship, leadership, and academic success. During this program, you will reflect on your expectations of college, meet fellow first-year students, and learn about the campus and the resources it has to offer. Learn more.
Move in early and spend three extra days getting familiar with Ball State and earn college credit by participating in seminars. You’ll attend sessions covering a dozen topics such as preparing for college, criminal justice in pop culture, visual design, and more. Learn more.
Join us for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities at Shawnee State Park in Ohio, Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and Brown County State Park in Nashville, Indiana. Learn more.
Build connections with returning students who serve as mentors to help you with the transition to college. This program focuses on the academic and social experiences of first-generation college students, but is open to all students who wish to develop a peer connection with a mentor. Learn more.
Join us for camping, hiking, and canoeing at Summit Lake State Park in Indiana. Learn more.
A first-year transition program for incoming students enrolled in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health, the College of Communication, Information, and Media, the College of Sciences and Humanities, the Miller College of Business, and the Teachers College. Learn more.