- Undergraduate Bridge Program
- Program Description
- FAQ
- Testimonials
- Apply
- Schedule
- Ask for Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Qualify?
I have taken AP Computer Science A, do I still qualify for Bridge?
I have taken AP Computer Science Principles, do I still qualify for Bridge?
I have experience in a coding language, but it is not Java. Should I apply for the Bridge program?
I'm not an admitted freshman at Purdue, can I still join Bridge?
We welcome students of all coding backgrounds to apply for Bridge if they are unsure about their qualifications. The applications are reviewed by the Bridge Coordinator and Professor who can help determine which students would best benefit from the Bridge Program.
Housing and What to Pack
What items and amenities will be in the room where I will stay during Bridge?
I plan to remain on campus immediately after the end of Bridge. What does that mean for Housing?
I keep being asked about a move-in date for housing, what do I say?
Will there be Internet access in the Residence Halls?
What attire should I plan to wear for Bridge?
Bridge Schedule and Supplies
How do meals work during Bridge?
How long am I in class during days of Bridge?
What classroom supplies should I bring with me for Bridge?
What type of laptop should I bring?
What is the schedule like in the evenings and on the weekend?
Cost, Moving In and Out, Boiler Gold Rush, and What About My Parents?
What is the total cost of Bridge?
What should I plan to do between Bridge and Boiler Gold Rush (BGR)?
Where can I park when I move-in and move-out for Bridge?
Can my parents/guardians stay during Bridge?
I have taken AP Computer Science A, do I still qualify for Bridge?
The AP Computer Science A course provides a good base of knowledge with which to start CS 18000 (required for all Computer Science, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence majors) and covers the key concepts that are taught in the CS Bridge Program. If you obtain a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, the foundation you have developed is considered sufficient. You may still apply to Bridge. However, priority is given students with little to no programming experience.
I have taken AP Computer Science Principles, do I still qualify for Bridge?
Yes! AP Computer Science Principles does not teach software development using the Java language. If this is your only introduction to Computer Science we highly recommend you apply to our Bridge Program.
I have taken computer science courses in high school, but they were not AP-level courses. Do I still qualify for Bridge?
If the high school courses you've taken did not cover the Java programming language, it would be beneficial to consider the Bridge program as CS1800 is taught in Java. If you are familiar with Java (1+ years of experience), please reference the list of topics to gauge your level of knowledge and determine if Bridge is right for you.
I have experience in a coding language, but it is not Java. Should I apply for the Bridge program?
There are a handful of programming languages similar to Java that would give you a solid foundation and understanding of general coding concepts. Language proficiencies (1+years of experience) in C/C++ would be considered sufficient preparation for CS18000. Experience in Python, JavaScript, or any web development language (HTML/CSS) would be considered insufficient, in which case you should consider applying for Bridge.
I'm not an admitted freshman at Purdue, can I still join Bridge?
The CS Bridge Program is for enrolled incoming freshman within the Computer Science, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence majors at Purdue. Therefore if you are not an incoming Purdue freshman, you do not qualify for this program.
I am an admitted freshman at Purdue, but I'm not a Computer Science, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence major, can I still join Bridge?
You may still apply to Bridge. However, priority is given to the incoming Computer Science, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence majors, and therefore you more than likely will be wait-listed and/or denied admission.
What items and amenities will be in the room where I will stay during Bridge?
Students will need to plan to bring their own bedding, pillows, and towels when moving into their permanent Fall housing assignment.
Laundry, vending, and ice will also be available. Laundry machines are operated by a student’s Boiler Express account. Set up your Boiler Express account to use these services. Students will also have access to Purdue’s Athletic and Recreational Facility (Co-Rec) during the Bridge program.
I plan to remain on campus immediately after the end of Bridge. What does that mean for Housing?
If you plan to attend Bridge and then remain on campus until the beginning of the Fall semester, you are welcome to bring all of your belongings that you plan to have for the Fall semester, as you will be moving into your permanent housing assignment.
If students want parental help with large items or additional items for your permanent room, but parents are unable to help due to scheduling conflicts at the start of Bridge, parents can return to help during your university scheduled move-in date, or after Bridge has concluded.
I do not plan to live in campus housing for the upcoming academic year, can I still participate in Bridge?
Students wanting to participate in Bridge but don't wish to live in the Residence Halls may still participate in the Bridge Program.
If you plan to attend Bridge and live off campus, you will need to start your off-campus lease for the Sunday that Bridge starts. If you are unable to lease your off-campus residence for the time that Bridge starts, please contact the Bridge Coordinator, csbridge@purdue.edu, to ask about temporary accommodations in the Residence Halls.
I keep being asked about a move-in date for housing, what do I say?
Contact the Bridge Coordinator, csbridge@purdue.edu, to receive the most up to date instructions.
Will there be Internet access in the Residence Halls?
Students will be able to login to the Purdue Air Link (PAL) Wi-Fi while living on campus during Bridge. In order to access the Wi-Fi, students must use their Purdue career account and password.
What attire should I plan to wear for Bridge?
Summer in Indiana can be very hot and humid. Bridge participants should pack comfortable summer clothes, as well as comfortable shoes for walking across campus and some rain gear (umbrella, light raincoat/poncho). During the second week* of Bridge, students will be attending a mixer with our corporate partners. For this mixer, students should pack at least one outfit which is slightly more professional or business casual. Your outfit does not have to be overly dressy, but you should plan to look nice (i.e. no t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, etc.)
*this meeting may be moved to a different date during Bridge due to representative availability
How do meals work during Bridge?
As part of the registration fee, all meals and snacks will be provided to students between the beginning of Bridge on the evening of Sunday, July 30 through Sunday, August 13. The BGR meal plan starts on Sunday, August 13. If you have not registered for BGR and have a campus meal plan, your meal plan will coincide with the beginning of classes. During Bridge, meals will often take place in the dining courts, but will occasionally be catered-in for speakers and different events, please make sure to follow the schedule you will receive during orientation so you do not miss out on meals or dining court availability. The Bridge program and Purdue University are prepared to serve students of any dietary needs or restrictions. Please visit http://www.housing.purdue.edu/menus to view daily dining court menus, and contact the Bridge Coordinator, csbridge@purdue.edu, with any questions about meals or dietary needs.
How long am I in class during days of Bridge?
The Bridge class consists of 2 hours of lecture and 4 hours of lab every day, Monday through Friday, for a total of 6 hours of class time each day, and a 2 hour break for lunch. The 6 hours of class are divided between the morning and the afternoon, where students will be in class from 9:00 to 12:00 in the morning, then again from 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. On the final day of Bridge (Friday, August 11th), students will only have the morning session of class and will then adjourn to the closing luncheon in the afternoon.
What classroom supplies should I bring with me for Bridge?
Students should bring some method to take notes during the Bridge class (Laptop, Tablet, Phone, or paper notebook and pen/pencil). Instructional materials for the Bridge program will largely be online resources and PowerPoint slides that students will have access to via the Bridge wiki page during the Bridge program. All assignments and coursework during Bridge will be completed on the computers in one of the CS computer labs, or is already available online at the start of Bridge. Hence, the computer environment for all Bridge assignments will be provided for the Bridge students on campus.
What type of laptop should I bring?
A laptop or tablet is not required for the Bridge class, nor for any Computer Science class at Purdue (although, most students choose to bring a laptop or tablet for their coursework). CS, DS, and AI majors at Purdue have full access to our Windows or Linux computer labs in the Lawson Computer Science Building, and Bridge students will spend most of their time working in these labs during the Bridge program. Students are welcome to bring whatever laptop they are most comfortable using. Our Computer Science program is both PC and Mac friendly; and we do not endorse one over the other.
What is the schedule like in the evenings and on the weekend?
Students will have a substantial amount of free time in the evenings of Bridge, as well as on the weekend. The Bridge Coordinator will schedule several social activities on many of the evenings, which students are encouraged to attend. However, on certain evenings, no events will be scheduled and students will be able to use their time as they see fit to study, socialize, explore campus, or relax.
What is the total cost of Bridge?
The total cost of the Bridge program is $600, which covers lodging, food, courseworks, and activities. There are scholarships available to offset a portion of the costs for those that qualify.
What should I plan to do between Bridge and Boiler Gold Rush (BGR)?
The Bridge program ends on Friday, August 9th. Bridge participants will be in their permanent Fall housing and can use Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday as they see fit. This is a great time to get their room set up before the beginning of Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) move-in (Sunday-Tuesday August 10-13). Students may go home for the weekend after Bridge and return for Boiler Gold Rush move-in.
Where can I park when I move-in and move-out for Bridge?
Parking and move-in information will be emailed out to all participants.
Can my parents/guardians stay during Bridge?
We do not encourage parents/guardians to stay at Purdue during the Bridge program. Students will be busy with lectures and labs, and will have various activities during some evenings. Bridge is not set up as a daytime-only schedule. Visiting parents near campus during Bridge prevent students from taking full advantage of getting to know their fellow Bridge participants and being actively engaged during a critical period in their college experience.
Please note that move-in and parent/guardian involvement with Bridge will begin and conclude on July 28th, 2024.
We encourage all parents/guardians to say goodbye to their students on July 28 so that students are not torn between trying to visit parents and their participation in the Bridge Program.
If students need parental help with large items or additional items for your permanent room, we encourage parents to return during university scheduled move in dates, after Bridge has concluded.