The University of Minnesota Morris Gateway Program is a three-week residential summer bridge program for incoming first-year degree-seeking students who have recently graduated from high school. Gateway 2026 extends from July 12 to August 1.
What will you learn?
- Sharpen your academic writing and data analysis skills.
- Learn about co-curricular opportunities and student support resources on campus.
- Develop your strategies for time and stress management.
Develop a community of peers and mentors.
How will Gateway benefit you?
- Work with faculty, staff, and peer mentors to consider how you might best use the opportunities available at UMN Morris to achieve your long-term career and life goals.
- Join a community of hundreds of previous Gateway Scholars who have higher persistence and graduation rates when compared to students who did not participate in Gateway.
What did Gateway attendees have to say?
Program Information
Program activities
- Classes in quantitative literacy, academic writing, wellness, and leadership and student success skills
- Workshops about campus culture, engagement and co-curricular opportunities, and managing time and finances
- Cultural and social programming (culture hours, meals featuring cultural foods cooked by Gateway participants, game nights, murder mysteries, art nights, dances, intramural sports, field trips, etc.)
- Opportunities to meet faculty, staff, and leaders from student organizations
- Mentorship from peer mentors, program coordinator, program faculty, and student success and support staff from across campus
- Living together in one of UMN Morris's residence halls and building community with a cohort of other Gateway students during the program
Completion of all parts of the program is a requirement to receive college credit.
Packing for Gateway
- Business casual clothing
- Clothing suitable for outdoor activities
- Swimwear
- Clothing suitable for painting or doing potentially messy laboratory activities
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows)
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Shower sandals
- Shower caddy
- Regular toiletries
- Hygiene supplies
- Basic school supplies
- Medications
- Backpack
- A sense of adventure
Typical daily schedule
- 8–9 a.m.—Breakfast in the campus dining hall
- 9–10:20 a.m.—English/writing class
- 10:30–11:50 a.m.—Positive psychology class
- 12–1 p.m.—Lunch in the campus dining hall
- 1–2:20 p.m.—Quantitative literacy class
- 2:30–3 p.m.— Free time
- 3–4:30 p.m.—Community engagement project
- 4:30–5 p.m.—Free time
- 5–5:30 p.m.—Dinner in the campus dining hall
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.—Free time
- 6:30–8:30 p.m.—Homework
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Gateway cost?
All Gateway students receive a scholarship that covers all the direct costs of the Gateway Program. This covers the full cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food associated with attending Gateway.
Who is Gateway for?
Gateway is for recent high school graduates registered to begin their studies at UMN Morris in the fall. Eligible students primarily come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education. Admissions and Gateway staff identify eligible students through application materials. Our staff looks for students whose interests fit well with the opportunities offered, or who would generally benefit from and enjoy participating in Gateway.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible to participate in the Gateway Program, contact the Gateway coordinator.
Transfer students are eligible to apply for the Gateway program, but we suggest that you email the coordinator to see if Gateway makes sense for you and will meet your needs. Gateway is designed for students entering college for the first time, but some transfer students have also found Gateway to be a good way to begin their studies at UMN Morris.
Where will I sleep and eat?
Gateway students are housed together during the program in one of the on-campus dormitories. Spooner Hall and Pine Hall are often used for the Gateway program, but other halls have been used as well.
All students participating in Gateway will have access to the campus dining hall at no cost to them. Meals will also be provided during any field trips or off-campus events that overlap meal times.
Will I have a roommate?
By default, all Gateway students are assigned a roommate. If there is a reason that you need a room of your own, contact the Gateway coordinator.
Once accepted into the program, you will be sent a questionnaire to declare your roommate preferences. Roommates are assigned by the Gateway staff based on your replies.
Roommates in Gateway are not automatically placed together for the fall semester.
What do we do on the weekends?
On the weekends we have community bonding, cultural events, and field trips. In the past, we have attended exhibits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, competed at dragon boat races, built a house through Habitat for Humanity, attended a powwow, and visited an environmental learning center.
Students are not allowed to leave during weekends. However, extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Gateway coordinator.
What do I do after Gateway is over?
Some students choose to go home or travel during the period between Gateway and Welcome Week. Others choose to stay on campus until Welcome Week. Either way, the choice is yours.
Gateway Coordinator
Clement Loo
