RAMP: Wentworth's Summer Bridge Program
What is RAMP?
RAMP is a paid 7-week summer bridge program, sponsored by the Division for Inclusive Excellence, for incoming WIT students from the Greater Boston area.
RAMP: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Prospective Students
Can't find an answer you are looking for below? Reach out to us at ramp@wit.edu; we'd love to have a conversation!
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Who is eligible for RAMP?
Students enrolling at Wentworth for the first time this fall 2025 from the Greater Boston area are eligible for RAMP. Any major it welcome.
Students must be able to commit to commuting to campus for the entirety of the program. We will provide priority to students who are:
- First-Generation College Students: your parent(s)/guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree in the United States
- Residents of Boston
- From low-income families
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When does RAMP start and end this year?
RAMP will Monday, June 23rd through Friday, August 8th, with a break between July 1st to July 5th. The hours are 9 AM-4 PM.
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Do I have to attend the full 7 weeks?
Yes, participants are expected to participate in the full 7-week program.
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What does the typical schedule look like?
RAMP runs Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm.
Monday through Thursday, students participate in:
- Team building
- Leadership & communication skill development
- Build & design workshops
- Team based-project time
- Visits to industry partners
- Meetings with campus offices that can support you
On Fridays, the project teams present their progress for that week and meet to plan out the following week.
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Can I work another job/internship while I'm in this program?
We do not recommend working another job or internship while you're participating in RAMP. RAMP is already a summer job- we pay you $16/hour! Our program is rigorous and we want to make sure you get the most out of it that you can.
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Is RAMP a residential program?
No. Participants in RAMP are not offered housing for the summer. Since so many of our students from the Boston area commute, this is a great opportunity to practice your commute to Wentworth if you plan on staying at home. We will also provide students with a monthly T-pass for June, July, and August.
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Does RAMP cost anything to qualified students?
No. Actually, one of the benefits of RAMP has been the ability of the program to PAY participating students for their time. This year's RAMP will pay participating students $16 per hour, one dollar above Massachusetts minimum wage for 2025. The payment is considered an educational stipend.
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Will I earn college credit for participating in RAMP?
At this time, RAMP is not a credit-bearing opportunity.
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What support will Wentworth provide participating students during and after RAMP?
The staff at the CLP are committed to your success. CLP’s College Access and Success Team will be checking in with you regularly through individual meetings, events, and opportunities to build your personal and professional network. Additionally, CLP welcomes you to visit our office to take advantage of our lab space to study, complete homework, eat lunch, or even take the occasional nap between classes.
"RAMP impacted my entire freshman experience. I’ve met some of my closest friends and supports through the program."
Register for RAMP
Space is limited! RAMP 2025 registration is now open for all Greater Boston residents enrolling at Wentworth as first-time college students.
RAMP Key Dates
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23
Last Day to Register for RAMP
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12
RAMP Orientation
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23
First Day of RAMP
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08
Last Day of RAMP
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Meet our Team
Biography
Kathleen Portillo was born and raised in Somerville, MA to Salvadoran immigrant parents. Her Latine identity was shaped by the lasting and powerful impact of the Salvadoran diaspora. Kathleen earned the Posse Scholarship to attend Union College in Schenectady, NY. There, she cultivated her passion for thinking critically about education access given her experiences as a first-generation student at a predominantly white institution. Following Union, Kathleen decided she was not done with academia just yet and enrolled into a master’s degree in education policy & social analysis from Columbia University’s Teachers College while navigating the charter school landscape in New York City. While enrolled, Kathleen worked at Harlem Village Academies High School as an Operations Manager demonstrating accomplishments in project management, implementation, and systems analysis. In 2018, Kathleen realized it was time to return home and learn to rediscover the city that had contributed to the nurturing of her raices (roots), but also to engage in direct student support. Since then, she has taken her passion for educational equity to the college access space through her role at Bottom Line, a college access and success non-profit dedicated to supporting first generation, high school seniors from low-income backgrounds as they navigate the college application and financial aid processes. Currently, she is working as Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Engagement at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Kathleen looks forward to continued growth and collaborative thought partnership for the advocacy of racial equity and justice in higher education and beyond.
Biography
Tom Schaefer has supported the RAMP program for 10 years, serving students in project-based learning, instructing team-building, leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. He works as Associate Professor of Language & Literature at Cape Cod Community College where he now lives, but returns to Boston each summer for his two favorite places: the RAMP Program at WIT and Fenway Park.
Biography
Kate is the Director of College Access and Success in the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships. Kate grew up in the suburbs of New York City and witnessed how socioeconomic background can impact educational and career opportunities. Her passion for educational access and opportunity led her to get her PhD in African American Literature. Her favorite place in Boston is the Boston Public Library!
Contact us
553 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115