Bridge 5

Class of 2015 FAQs

How can I benefit from this program?
By deciding to attend Hopkins, you have already made a great investment in your future success. Not only have you joined a premier academic institution, but you have also become a part of a broader community of people who are committed to helping you be successful on your terms. Your Bridge Class (the 2010s) are part of that broader community and share a special connection with you and your classmates – when you are celebrating your graduation, they will be celebrating their 5 year reunion. Your Bridge Class is there as another resource for you as you navigate through all aspects of your Hopkins career. They can offer you practical advice on how to get the most out of your time at Hopkins from social life to academics to changing relationships and dreams. They’ve been there, and done that and are anxious to share their wisdom with you. Additionally, as you approach the ends of your days as students and start preparing for jobs or grad school, the connections you have built with your Bridge Class will prove invaluable as they are able to offer you good insight on how to best prepare yourself for life beyond the Hopkins campus.

How does this work? What am I supposed to do?
The way this works is pretty simple. You decide what questions you have as you move through your time at Hopkins, and then identify the people who can be among those who help you – the 2010s. For many of you, you’ll have lots of questions about being a Hopkins student and you’ll be able to find helpful information on the Bridge5 website that alumni have to offer you. For others, you’ll want to take full advantage of your Bridge Class and start building connections with members of the class of 2010 who can serve as mentors of sorts. There are 2 primary ways to start building these relationships, 1) Meet the 2010s in person, or 2) Connect with the 2010s online. Meeting the 2010s in person will be as easy as attending events that are planned for your Bridge Class throughout the year. Keep an eye on the Bridge5 website (alumni.jhu.edu/bridge5) for updates. Several 2010s have identified themselves as willing to connect with you and answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact these 2010s by locating their information on the Bridge5 website.

Do the 2010s really want to hear from me or am I just bothering them?
The 2010s who have volunteered to appear on the website or who show up at events most definitely want to connect with you. Take advantage of this great resource!

What types of questions could I ask members of the class of 2010?
The 2010s were very recently in your shoes, so have a wealth of information to share with you. There are a variety of topics you might want to connect with them around. A few suggestions might include: adjusting to the college pace of academics, connecting with faculty members, building new friendships, adjusting to being away from home, choosing a major, planning for internships/grad school/jobs, sorority and fraternity recruitment, preparing for life after Hopkins, etc.

How much time will I need to dedicate to being involved in this program?
The time commitment is entirely up to you. You may decide you just want to peruse the Bridge5 website and learn valuable advice from our alumni, or you may want to attend Bridge5 events and connect with your Bridge Class that way, or perhaps you may want to reach out to members of the class of 2010 and build relationships with them over time that provide you with valuable insight. The resources that are available to you through your Bridge Class are somewhat like that adage “you get what you give”. As the program develops over your 4 years at Hopkins, there will also be opportunities for members of your class to be involved in various leadership roles in furthering the program.

What types of activities can I expect?
The Bridge5 program will help you to connect with members of your Bridge Class (the 2010s) through a variety of one-on-one and larger group activities during your time as a student. Keep an eye on the Bridge5 website (alumni.jhu.edu/bridge5) for upcoming events. Some events for this upcoming year may include the following: a special luncheon over Young Alumni Weekend, support before your first finals period, opportunities to connect with the class of 2010 over intercession, spring fair events, and receptions over Homecoming/Reunion weekend.