Summer Bridge Program
ESTEEMED Scholars begin their training in a 5-week summer bridge enrichment program the summer prior to their freshman year in addition to the week-long ESTEEMED Academy program the week before classes begin. The bridge program will be coordinated with URI’s Talent Development Summer Success Program (TDSSP) and includes activities such as:
- College preparation course (1 credit)
- College writing course (3 credits)
- Mental health first aid course (1 credit)
- Social science workshops
- STEM workshops
- ESTEEMED bioengineering workshops
Academic Year Training
During the academic year, ESTEEMED scholars will participate in semester-long training and support and will participate in mandatory activities exclusive to URI ESTEEMED Scholars, including:
- Weekly ESTEEMED meetings,
- Required cohort study sessions,
- Participation in the ESTEEMED Entering Research course,
- Individual and small group meetings with professors,
- Mentored laboratory research experiences (optional freshman year, required sophomore year),
- Journal club participation,
- Leadership training,
- Blogging assignments, and
- Travel to national scientific research conferences.
Mentored Research
ESTEEMED Scholars will participate in pre-research training during their freshman year in preparation for meaningful year-round mentored research in a laboratory of their choosing. They will also take part in peer and faculty mentoring to develop strong scientific skills and self-efficacy in research.
Summer Research Experience
ESTEEMED scholars have the option to do paid research after their freshman year and are given priority to participate in the RI-INBRE SURF or URI Science & Engineering Fellowship programs.
As rising juniors, ESTEEMED scholars are required to participate in a summer research training program at URI or a research institution of their choice anywhere in the country.