UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The students’ reaction was overwhelmingly positive as the Penn State Eberly College of Science wrapped up its inaugural Prehealth Summer Bridge Program last month.
The program supports incoming first-year students in the college through a six-week residential academic experience at Penn State University Park and is free for participating students. Food, housing, trips, and course materials are all included, and participants who successfully complete the program are awarded a $500 scholarship.
Over the summer, students take a math course, a chemistry course, a metacognition course designed to aid in developing successful study techniques, and a cornerstone course with a focus on learning about health disparities — with each course followed by ample time for eating, relaxing, and completing coursework.
Alec Paramo, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, discussed his satisfaction with the course load.
“It’s a schedule that gives you enough structure and freedom that once you get to college, you’ll know what you want,” he said.