Bellarmine Bound Experience

Students at silent disco

Supporting your Transition to College

Bellarmine Bound
Three Steps for a Smooth Transition

We understand that the transition to college can be challenging and we are here to support you through it.

  1. Attending a Knight U: Orientation and getting registered for classes is your first step.
  2. Complete Knight Essentials, an online orientation to Bellarmine. 
  3. Five days before classes begin, all first-year students will come to campus to start their Week of Welcome experience. We complete this process by enrollment in BU100 – a course designed to support first-year student success in your first semester. 

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out Courtney Hurst, Assistant Director of Orientation and Engagement, churst@bellarmine.edu or 502.272.7116.

Knights of Color

Early Arrival Programs

Sunday, August 11, 2024 - Wednesday, August 14, 2024

During the Early Arrival Programs students will connect with other incoming students, learn about available resources and get familiar with campus before other everybody else arrives! All Early Arrival programs are free to students, including food for the week as well as housing for residential participants. Knights of Color, Pioneer Scholars and Access BU programs will complete a FREE one-credit hour class BU 199: Career Pathways Exploration.

BU 199 is a one-credit, pass/fail course, designed to guide students through a reflective process in pursuit of a fulfilling major and meaningful career throughout their time at Bellarmine and beyond. BU 199 offers a pathway to learn about oneself and all the possibilities Bellarmine has to offer. All students will have the opportunity to benefit from the content of BU-199 throughout their Early Arrival Program and will then have the options to complete four activities during the first seven weeks of the fall semester to earn one course credit.

Priority Deadline is July 26th Applications for each program will remain open until programs are full.

Each of these unique programs aim to prepare students academically, socially, and personally for their journey at Bellarmine, while focusing on a specific identity.

Summer Bridge Programs

Monday July 1, 2024- August 2, 2024

The Summer Bridge programs are a four-week summer bridge program that is designed to support students in their academic transition from high school to college. During the four-week summer bridge, students will develop skills such as time-management, organization, academic reading and writing, and study skills. Participation in the Summer Bridge Programs is completely free. Students will receive free on-campus housing and three free meals per day while living on campus and participating in the program for four weeks.