Seniors explore bridge to future at U of C

The University of Chicago has been known for excellence in education for over 120 years. The opportunity to experience this prestige extends to excellent local high school juniors and seniors who may apply for the University of Chicago Bridge Program. The program challenges high school students through college level courses before actually enrolling at a university.

Two Mount Carmel seniors, Javier Correa and Vincent Zarate, are among those who have the opportunity to study at the University of Chicago each week  through this program.

Getting selected for the program was no easy task.  Mount Carmel Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction Ms. Maryhelen Matijevic is in charge of the nomination process for Mount Carmel students. Initially four seniors were nominated, and eventually that number was reduced to two.  After the final decision was made, Correa and Zarate picked out their classes and officially enrolled.

High school students in the Bridge program must meet certain standards, such as having already completed all required high school courses in the curriculum they will study at the U of C, and maintaining at least a ‘B’ in the college class. While the challenge is significant, Correa and Zarate have expressed their satisfaction with the entire experience.

Like Mount Carmel, the U of C is on a trimester schedule.  For his second trimester course, Correa chose a class in astronomy. While he did not know a lot about this class at the time of our interview, he was pleased with his experience in the biology class he took in the fall trimester.  “The class itself was not difficult, but a lot of information is thrown at you.”  Correa spent many late nights working hard in order to have success.

Zarate has taken a humanities class both trimesters.  Although he admits the classes are difficult, he realizes that they will help him tremendously in the near future.  “They prepare you for college and let you get a taste of what the rigor will be like.”

Another aspect of the program that Correa has enjoyed is the flexibility and independence.  “Professors are always available during office hours and that is a good way to get to know them better or receive help on an assignment.”  He feels that all students are given whatever they need in order to succeed, making the college course a bit easier for high school seniors.

Transportation is the one negative about their stint at the University of Chicago that both Correa and Zarate identified. The two have slightly different schedules, which only adds to the difficulty.

Zarate gets a ride from Matijevic on Mondays and Wednesdays to attend a class that starts at 3:00 and ends at 4:20. Correa relies on a couple of different of modes of transportation, ranging from Mount Carmel minibus to Matijevic. His class begins at 2:00 and runs until 4:20 as well.  This means that he must leave Mount Carmel early to attend his class at the university.

While Zarate admits that the jump from high school to college is considerable, he feels it is molding him into a more self-reliant student.  “It’s crucial to take a lot of notes, because of all the independence that is given.”  He also appreciates experiencing the co-ed environment of a university campus.

Both of these students have high praise for the Bridge program, and appreciate how it has helped open doors to other opportunities.  While Zarate still is sorting his college choices, they currently include Boston University and Vassar College.

Correa is the recipient of a Posse Scholarship, which will enable him to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on a full scholarship. “Some of my success can be directly linked to this (Bridge) program, so I’m definitely glad I did it.”