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Rivet School Bridge

Forge your own path through college.
Earn an affordable BA in 2-3 years and land a fulfilling job.
Move at your own pace through a project-based degree program with personalized support and a cohort of peers.
Built for ambitious recent high school graduates looking for a better college experience.
Degree Partner:
How it works
Why Bridge
Transfers
Important dates
Apply
Talk to an advisor

How it works

1. Learn more & apply

Spend some time on our website, request to talk with our admissions team, review the FAQs, and – when you’re ready – start an application.

2. Meet your cohort

Form a close-knit community with other students just like you. They’ll help you earn your degree, and will become part of your network post-graduation.

3. Show up

Join your cohort during two virtual class sessions each week to get guided lessons and support from your College Coach. Expect to work on degree projects for at least 15 hours each week.

4. Learn & grow

Move at your own pace by mastering projects each week. You’ll grow and gain momentum to earn your degree 2 - 3 years faster than your peers at other universities (CSU avg. time to completion is 5.5 years).

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Why Bridge?

ACCELERATED

Move as quick as you can (or slow down when you need to) through our university partner’s project-based curriculum. By graduating sooner, you'll save money and be able to earn a full-time salary in a BA-worthy job.

Afffordable

Our year-round, all-in tuition is $7,000 – that’s 30% less than local public universities. Tap into financial aid to cover most of your tuition, and graduate with little-to-no debt.

career-aligned

Work with your coach to hone your strengths and build a strong resume. You’ll also participate in career planning activities with your cohort, Work on a real-world professional project while earning a stipend through a partnership with Braven.

Tranfer to earn your BA

Bridge students may also choose to transfer from Rivet School’s AA program into a variety of BA majors (like psychology, computer science, and marketing) at these BA completion programs:

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What students are saying

I really like how supportive and flexible the Bridge program is. As someone who works part time, I find myself taking advantage of my evenings and days off to work on projects. Everyone gets to move at their own pace and set their own goals. That's the beauty of this program.
- Victor, Bridge Student
Bridge is different from a traditional school experience – it’s more supportive and focused on your growth. I work 1:1 with my coach to find the right balance so I stay motivated and positive.
- Angelica, Bridge student
Students can explore who they are as learners on their own terms. No tests, no grades – our students set their own goals, and it’s my job to support their achievement. Students also learn real life skills that they can apply to their future careers, so their journey becomes about more than just learning content.
- Shelly Gleason, College Coach
I really enjoy the "at-your-own-pace" nature of the program, which makes even challenging projects manageable. I feel motivated by my coach and cohort to make progress each week.
- Rivet School Bridge Student, Fall 2020

Dates and information

2021 cohort

Weekly class sessions

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 - 3pm (on Zoom)

Orientation

June 29th

Start Bridge

July 6th

Application deadline

June 11th

2022 cohort

Weekly class sessions

To be determined

Orientation

To be determined

Start Bridge

January 6th

Application deadline

To be determined

Need help with your application? Talk to an advisor.

Schedule a call

Take the next step

Ready to get started?

There are a limited number of open seats for each cohort, apply soon to reserve your seat.

Request an application

Frequently asked questions

Are Rivet School’s degree programs accredited?

Yes. We only partner with regionally accredited, nonprofit universities. (Regional accreditation is the highest form of accreditation, and credits earned through regionally accredited programs are the most likely to transfer.)

What makes Bridge different from Rivet School’s other programs?

  • Rivet School was built to primarily serve working adult students and most of our students are between 25 - 35 years old. 
  • But we’re now ready to serve younger students who need a better option after high school graduation. Bridge is a more structured, cohort-based version of our core program that includes extra support and tailored opportunities for social connection and career exploration.

What are the weekly requirements for Bridge students?

  • Bridge students are required to attend two weekly class sessions with their cohort and College Coach + complete an additional 8-10 hours of schoolwork outside class time. 
  • Our Summer Cohort will be expected to attend weekly virtual cohort sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 - 3pm. 
  • After the first 8 months, these attendance requirements will shift as students become more self-directed, independent learners.

What is the Bridge program?

  • Rivet School was built to primarily serve working adult students, so most of our students work full-time and are between 25 - 35 years old. 
  • But we’re now ready to serve younger students who need a better option after high school graduation. Our Bridge program is a more structured, cohort-based version of our program that includes extra support and tailored opportunities for social connection and career exploration. 
  • We’re starting our next Bridge cohort in Summer 2021. If you know someone who might be interested, you can nominate them here, or send them to our Bridge webpage to learn more.

How does the Bridge application process work?

  • Learn more: spend time learning about the Bridge program (and our whole organization) by exploring the website. Don’t get confused by our core program descriptions – remember that Bridge is a special program, so you’ll learn most of what you need to know on the current webpage you’re visiting. Talk to your school advisor/mentor to get your questions answered, or reach out to the Rivet School team directly by using the chat feature on the website or emailing angelina@rivetschool.org. Just remember to mention you’re looking for information about the Bridge program. 
  • Apply: you can start your application anytime by clicking on the below Apply button. Make sure to select “Bridge” so you complete the correct application. Got questions, just message us on the website chat feature, or email Angelina (angelina@rivetschool.org).
  • Get started: Our Summer Cohort starts soon! If you’re accepted, you’ll know within about a week from submitting your application. Then, you’ll get more information about what to expect and how to prepare for orientation and onboarding. For starters, we’ll make sure you’ve completed your FAFSA for 2021-22.

Is Rivet School a nonprofit? Why is this important?

We believe that college programs should be 100% focused on doing what’s best for students. We also recognize the troubling legacy of for-profit higher education in this country.

For these reasons (and others), Rivet School is a non-profit educational program with one mission: To help you earn a job-relevant degree as efficiently as possible.

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Ready to apply?  

Tell us a bit about yourself and start your FREE application today.

WOOHOO! YOU TOOK THE FIRST STEP.

You should receive an email from us containing a link to your application.
If you don't receive an email in the next 10 minutes, or you have questions, email us at admissions@rivetschool.org, or call (or) text us at (510) 727-5484.
We look forward to getting to know you!
- The Rivet School Team
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If you continue to have difficulties, just email us at info@rivetschool.org, or call (or) text us at (510) 369-1255.