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Northwestern University

Warren Summer Bridge Program

College is different from high school in ways that students often don’t anticipate. The Warren Summer Bridge program is designed to help students identify and hone the skills they will need to navigate the transition to college-level work with confidence. Whether you have a course of study in mind or just want to explore, the Warren Summer Bridge program is an excellent place to start your Northwestern journey. First-generation students, students from lower-income backgrounds, and students who attended high schools with limited or no AP/IB preparation are especially encouraged to apply. The program is free to attend.

Dates

The dates for the 2025 program will be Sunday, August 3 to Friday, September 5. Students will live together in a residence hall on campus during weeks 1-4 and will move to their fall housing assignment during week 5. The 2025 schedule will be finalized in late spring but it will be very similar to the 2024 schedule, which is available here. Please note this schedule is for weeks 1-4; the schedule for week 5 will include additional workshops and presentations as well as Big Switch (when students move to their fall housing assignment) and the final reception. Students should plan to be on campus for the full 5 weeks of the program. A full dining hall meal plan is provided to students during the entire program. 

Overview

The Warren Summer Bridge Program revolves around two half-credit “core” classes that all students take in common: 

  • “Introduction to Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning,” an interdisciplinary class introducing students to the methods and questions typical of STEM and other quantitative fields; and
  • “Introduction to Critical Thinking,” an interdisciplinary class introducing students to the methods and questions typical of the humanities and social sciences. 

Medill students take one additional full-credit class, “Introduction to Journalism,” exposing them to the basic reporting skills of researching, interviewing and writing for news.

Weinberg students take one additional half-credit core class as well as a half-credit elective. All Weinberg students take “Exploring the Liberal Arts,” in which professors from a dozen different Weinberg departments introduce the work done in their departments and its place in the larger Weinberg curriculum. They also choose from one of the following: 

  • “Problem-Solving in Chemistry,” introducing concepts, habits of mind, and study skills essential to success in introductory general chemistry; 
  • “Problem-Solving in Economics,” introducing concepts, habits of mind, and study skills essential to success in introductory economics;
  • “Psychological Investigation: Ideas to Action,” introducing students to the basics of research in the social sciences.

Although the classes vary in terms of content, they each share the goals of fostering community, preparing students for the pace and rigor of the quarter system, and teaching or honing effective study habits and other essential skills that transcend disciplines. To get a better sense of what the classes are like, check out previous summers' syllabi below. Please note that syllabi may change before you start classes.

Introduction to Critical Thinking
Introduction to Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
Problem-Solving in Chemistry
Problem-Solving in Economics
Psychological Investigation: Ideas to Action
Exploring the Liberal Arts (2022 Syllabus)

All courses are taken for a letter grade. Unless they choose not to participate, Warren Summer Bridge students are automatically enrolled in the Arch Scholars Peer Mentoring program starting in the fall quarter.

In addition to coursework, students will participate in social hangouts with their classmates led by the program counselors. Counselors are former program participants who will give you honest, meaningful advice on how to succeed at Northwestern University. In these conversations you will learn more about the true college experience, your classmates, and yourself. 

Faculty

Warren Summer Bridge instructors are among the most dedicated - and popular - in the university. The 2025 faculty included (in alphabetical order):

Benefits

  1. There is no charge for tuition - the program is free to attend! 
  2. We will arrange and pay for airfare/train tickets for students who live more than a 3-hour drive (about 150 miles) from campus. Sorry, we cannot make arrangements for international travel. International students are encouraged to consider our academic year programming, including NU Bioscientist, Posner, and the Peer Mentoring Program.
  3. Preferred admission into NU Bioscientist, our research preparatory program, and the Arch Scholars peer mentoring program for first-year students.
  4. Early move-in to fall housing! 

How do I apply?

Click here to apply. You should be ready to write a short essay describing why you would like to participate in our programs and what your future goals might be. You may indicate your interest in multiple programs in the same application.

Questions?

Contact Rebecca Enright Siroky, Assistant Director for Undergraduate Academic Affairs.