What is the Bridge to College (B2C) Program?
Bridge to College, or B2C, is a mentoring program for “first-generation” students who aspire to go to college and are interested in exploring post-secondary options. Each year, approximately 15 students are paired with mentors to help guide them through the complex college application process. These mentors supplement the work of school counselors at the high school who are integral to the college application process for all students.
Students and families actively participate in programming workshops held year-round to help with college selection, financial aid, essay writing, test preparation and much more. They also visit local colleges and learn the ins and outs of the college admissions process.
Who are first-generation students?
We are defining “first-generation” as any student who is the first person in their immediate family to graduate from a four-year college in the United States. That definition could also apply to students who have an older sibling who has already gone through the college application process.
What do B2C mentors help with?
- Explaining the college planning process to students and families
- Assessing the student’s coursework, talents, strengths
- Helping students understand how their interests and abilities can connect to careers and determine what educational requirements are needed to get them there
- Assisting students in finding colleges that are a good “fit”
- Providing SAT preparation
- Navigating the application process, including fees, deadlines and more
- Examining financial aid opportunities, EOP and HEOP programs
- May accompany students on tours of colleges
- Connecting high school students with current college students who can explain what college life will be like
- Becoming a recognizable, friendly face in the halls of the high school
How do students become a part of B2C?
Students can apply to be part of Bridge to College. Apply here for the Class of 2025 cohort. Please see your counselor for information about the program. The deadline for applying is Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
What is the B2C timeline?
Students and families will take part in a program that spans two academic years, beginning in the junior year. The two-year program culminates in the spring of a student’s senior year.
Bridge to College student success stories
Current and former students are finding that Bridge to College offers more than just mentoring. See what some of our B2C students have to say about the college application program:
Lumi Priester, BCHS Class of 2022
Nicole Cintron Ortiz, BCHS Class of 2022
“The free SAT prep was very helpful. It established the idea for me that the SAT only tests a student’s abilities to succeed in the SAT, not their intelligence and that thus the best way to handle it is not only through knowledge of the material in it, but through a planned and strategic approach to the test format itself. It helped me look at the test in an entirely different way. The community that it provided was also important to me. It is very easy to feel alone in the college application process as a first-generation student, but B2C made me realize that there are more students than I’m aware of who are experiencing the same unfamiliarity with the process and that there are willing mentors, many of who were first-generation students themselves, who can help me through this process, even beyond the one I was assigned.
I would say that it is an excellent way to find a community and guidance through the college application process as a first-generation student. The struggle of being first-gen can be hard to understand for those who have not experienced it and it is hard to communicate for those who have. B2C makes it so that first-generation students like myself can seek help within a community open and dedicated to understanding and helping us through the college application process. It also helps students become aware of the larger group within Bethlehem that is also first-gen and of the fact that there are authority figures in the high school that care about them as individuals and have their best interest in mind. I would recommend the program to any first-gen student, especially those looking to successfully navigate the process of building their resume, test scores, and submitting their college applications.“
Colin Mikulski, BCHS Class of 2022
“My 11th grade British Literature teacher, Ms. Edgar, served as my mentor. She’s so nice and helpful, and by working with her through Bridge to College, she got to know me better and was thus a great source for a letter of recommendation.
I really appreciated how the program kept me on track through the college application process and made sure that I didn’t fall behind on any important deadlines. During meetings, the program organizers would go through the college application process step by step in detail, answering any questions we had. They also uploaded all the material they went over to the Bridge to College google classroom page in case anyone missed a meeting or forgot something.
I would tell younger students to sign up! It’s such a great resource for pretty much anything related to the college application process – they even offer free SAT tutoring. Meetings are only once a month, and you’re not required to attend every one, so it’s really not a big commitment at all. Plus, it’s a great place to meet new people and build a relationship with your mentor, who could be an excellent source of advice and letters of recommendation.”
Ashley Bullard, BCHS Class of 2022
“I originally found out about Bridge to College during my junior year via an email sent out about the program when they began the application process. It detailed what the program was about along with what would be provided for students in the program throughout their senior year.
I think that the most helpful part of the program were the two boot camps we had in August. We spent two hours each day going step by step through Naviance and the Common App together. Before this boot camp, I wasn’t even aware of what the Common App was. Just having someone there to explain the process to you and guide you out of the confusion was incredibly helpful and impactful to creating a successful college application.
If I was given the chance to speak to a younger student who is considering joining Bridge to College I would absolutely encourage them to do so. Being a 1st generation student is extremely stressful when you have no one to turn to when you have questions or are confused.“
NeiNei Du, BCHS Class of 2022
“I heard about Bridge to College from Mr. Carlton, my school counselor. My mentor was Mr. Aviles. The most helpful part was the summer workshops right before school and I got some essays looked over as well as the Common App set up. I think Bridge to College is a great support program for anyone who doesn’t have anyone to turn to for college help, and Bridge to College can get them to a place to start and complete their application.”
Celiann Sotodavila, BCHS Class of 2021
“Before being involved in Bridge2College I felt very overwhelmed by the college process and had no clue what to do or where to start. As a first-generation student I wasn’t able to ask my parents for help which added to my uncertainty over the whole process. With Bridge2College I was able to get a better understanding of how the college process works and what steps to take to successfully complete this process. Through this program, I was introduced to many people that I could use as helpful resources, like my mentor. Bridge2College has also helped me connect with my peers who are also first-generation students. With Bridge2College I feel less overwhelmed over the college process and I feel like I have found a community that supports me in this journey.”
Brianna Doran, BCHS Class of 2021
“I never really realized how many factors played into the college process, especially being a first-generation student. For the most part, I had to go through the process without parent input since neither of them had attended college. By joining the B2C program I’ve received a lot of support to help me get through the entire process. I’m excited about all the opportunities that are being provided to me that I didn’t know anything about.”
The first Bridge to College student cohort is off to college. Join in the celebration as one of our Class of 2020 students, Josh Zheng, finds out where he will spend the next four years:
