Undergraduate Admissions
OCC-ESF Bridge Program
The OCC and ESF Bridge Program is a year-long rigorous and supportive residential program that provides an opportunity for participants to enhance their academic skills before fully enrolling at ESF. Each year, a select group of ESF first-year applicants are invited to participate in the Bridge Program.
The Bridge Program collaboration allows students to simultaneously make progress in their intended ESF major and prepare for enrollment at ESF beginning their second year all while studying at OCC.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must first submit an application for admission to ESF. First-year applicants who do not meet ESF’s standard admission criteria may be selected to participate in the Bridge Program. An invitation to participate in the Bridge Program is based on an applicant’s high school GPA and rigor of coursework. Participating students will take courses and live (local students may live at home with family) at OCC. Bridge students take all of their classes on the OCC campus but may be eligible to take one ESF course during the spring semester.
Apply to ESF at www.esf.edu/apply
The Bridge Program is a year-long (fall and spring semesters) program that prepares students for academic success at ESF. Participants will have the fall and spring semesters to earn 21-30 (depending on the developmental coursework that may be required) transfer credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. (Developmental coursework will not transfer.) To better assist Bridge Program students, academic support will be provided including review of academic content, tutoring and skill enhancement workshops.
Students who meet the minimum requirements after completing the fall and spring semesters at OCC will enroll at ESF the following fall. (Students do not have to reapply to ESF.) Students have a seamless transition into ESF and transfer their OCC credits to ESF.
If you are offered an opportunity to participate in the Bridge Program, you will receive an invitation to participate from ESF and follow-up communications from OCC. There is not a separate application process for the OCC/ESF Bridge Program. Participants are selected from ESF’s regular applicant pool, and students may not opt-in to the program.
If you receive an invitation to participate, simply follow the instructions provided.
Academic Requirements
Most students will participate in the Bridge Program for two consecutive semesters; a few may choose three or four semesters. Academic progress while in the program is governed by OCC academic standards.
All students are enrolled in five OCC courses and must maintain full-time enrollment.
Students who do not successfully complete the Bridge Program requirements or who discontinue the program must make alternate arrangements or re-apply to ESF using regular criteria for transfer admission.
Both OCC and ESF comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended. Student information is shared between ESF and OCC when it pertains to participation in the Bridge Program.
Bridge Program Frequently Asked Questions
ESF identifies qualified students who applied for freshman admission to ESF but fell shy of admission requirements. This select group of students is invited to participate in the OCC-ESF Bridge Program.
Bridge students are required to earn a minimum of 24 transferable credits and a 2.8 grade point average (GPA) during their freshman year at OCC. Only those transferable credits and the GPA earned at OCC after high school graduation will count toward satisfying the Bridge academic requirements.
Bridge students will be advised on an individual basis. Some students may make the transition to ESF; others may choose to stay at OCC beyond the first year to further enhance their academic foundation.
The advantages of being in the Bridge Program include a quality academic start at a cost savings. Connection and engagement with OCC and ESF staff will further support students on the path to ESF.
Students pay OCC costs while a student at OCC and ESF’s costs when they transition to being an ESF student. Students who take an ESF course during their time at OCC will pay OCC’s tuition rates for the ESF course.
In year one of the Bridge program, participating students are OCC students. Students will take their courses and receive advising at OCC. Once students have met the requirements of the Bridge Program (typically a er one year at OCC), students will become a fully matriculated ESF student.
Bridge students will attend OCC’s orientation prior to the start of their first semester in the Program. Bridge students will attend ESF’s orientation as transfer students.
OCC and ESF take great pride in their advising support offered to every student. Advisors will take special care to ensure Bridge students stay on track for successful transfer to ESF.
Students who meet program requirements in the first semester are eligible to take an ESF course during the second semester.
For some semesters OCC and ESF academic calendars do match; for others calendars may differ by a week or so. Accommodations will be provided if calendar differences are a hindrance to student success.
How do I get more information?
Chris Tacea
Assistant Director of Admissions
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
esfinfo@esf.edu
Daniel Ryan
Assistant Director of Admissions
Onondaga Community College
d.c.ryan@sunyocc.edu