Strong Start - Office of Undergraduate Studies

Strong Start Summer Bridge Program

June 17 - August 1, 2025

Strong Start is a summer academic and residential program for admitted University of Utah students. Our goal is to provide you with the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of students, as well as help you acclimate yourself to life at the U.

Scholarships Available

Housing at Kalhert Village

Two Gen-Ed Courses

Exposure to Learning Communities

Strong Start Summer Student Testimonials

"Strong Start is living up to its name"

"I strongly believe that the Strong Start Program saved me mentally and socially. Strong Start gave me a group that I immediately bonded with, people I could count on and made the summer one of the best summers I've ever had."

"It is meeting my expectations because I am proud to have my schedule and not being stressed out when I arrive in the fall. I also am able to start my residency in time for the next fall semester."

"I have made great friends and I'm getting more comfortable with Utah"

"Being in the Strong Start Summer Bridge Program was a really useful experience. They help you to navigate around the canvas and see what classes will be like in the university. The staff also put on useful presentations for all the students like how to get scholarships in the university, or how to go to school abroad, and also how to get tutoring."

Program Summary

Here at the U, we believe a “Strong Start” leads to a strong finish. Our summer academic and residential program will provide an engaging and transformative experience to a diverse group of admitted University of Utah first-year students. Our goal is to not only help you acclimate yourself to life at the U, but thrive in your college experience, setting you up for a bright academic career.

Students will enroll in 1 math or writing course, and Intro to Design Thinking (DES 2615); general education course, fulfilling general education requirements, all while building meaningful academic and social relationships that will last a lifetime at one of the top research universities in the country.

Strong Start participants will also be required to register and attend either of the June New Student Orientation Sessions (TBD).

FAFSA* sessions will be offered to provide completion assistance for students and parents. *FAFSA completion is strongly recommended.

Anticipated Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $2,742 - $3,009 (6-7 credits)
Housing : $1,868 - $1,999 (single, double, or triple rooms)
Meals: $843 - $1,058

Additional Costs for Stayover Housing and Meals

Stayover is the 10-day time in-between summer and fall semesters ($40 per day x 10 days = $400)

To be eligible for financial aid for Strong Start, complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This is a different FAFSA than the one you might have completed for enrollment beginning Fall 2025. If you need more information on completing the form, view the How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form video. Or, if you’re ready to complete the form now, you can go here. Be sure to choose the 2024-2025 FAFSA to complete and submit; it is important to complete this as soon as possible. If you need any additional assistance, contact the U’s Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid with questions.

Applications open January 15, 2025!

Deadline to submit Strong Start application Friday, April 25, 2025.

You must be admitted to the University of Utah to be eligible to participate

Registration is no longer available for summer 2024. Stay tuned on updates for summer 2025.

Apply now

CLICK HERE FOR THE STRONG START SCHOLARSHIP

Here are just some of the many advantages of our program:

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Earn 6-7credits

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Stay on campus during program

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Start your residency clock early

community graphic Get involved before fall semester with a built-in community of your peers

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Learn how to navigate campus

Description: Students learn to read and write rhetorically, develop and support claims, and produce and evaluate writing in collaboration with peers. Course readings and assignments emphasize writing for diverse purposes and disciplines.

Fulfills Lower Division Writing General Education Requirement (WR1)

Description: In this course we analyze quantitative information about change and growth through specific case studies. The mathematics covered includes topics from financial mathematics, linear and exponential growth, geometric measurements and scaling.

Fulfills Quantitative Literacy General Education Requirement (QL)

Description: Functions, inverses and graphs; polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions; systems of equations and matrices; applications; arithmetic and geometric sequences and series.

Fulfills Quantitative Literacy General Education Requirement (QL)

Description: The QUEST program, a successor to the LEAP Learning Communities program, is designed to help students navigate their first year of college by providing an intentional experience of self-reflection on what it means to be a human in a dynamic world. The program will target “exploring” (without a declared major) first-year and transfer students, facilitating their success by creating a learning community of belonging while developing a strong sense of character.

Fulfills International Baccalaureate Degree Requirement (IR)