8 UCLA Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking for a summer program to enhance your knowledge, build your skills, and boost your college applications, consider UCLA’s summer programs for high school students.Â
Not only is summer a solid time to focus on academics or extracurriculars outside of the classroom, but summer programs help expand your network, and give you a taste of campus life!
Note that the prestige and acceptance rates of each program tend to differ. You should also remember that completing a program at UCLA will not guarantee you a spot in the university’s undergraduate program. However, it will give you a valuable learning experience that you can highlight in your college applications.
In this blog, we have compiled a list of 8 UCLA summer programs for high school students. You might want to go through their details and requirements and apply to the ones that sound like the right fit. Note that while most programs accept numerous students, class sizes are typically kept small.
Location: Multiple locations at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by the start of the program
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in June.
Dates: 1-3 weeks between June and August
Cost: Cost varies based on the institute and whether the program is a residential/commuter program. Financial aid is available.
Who should apply? High school students who want to earn college credit in 1-3 weeks while experiencing college life in its entirety with classes, projects, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and living on campus (for some programs)
UCLA’s Precollege Summer Institutes are the university’s only official precollege programs. High school students can choose their area of study and immerse themselves in its classes, workshops, and seminars while learning from accomplished faculty members of their respective departments. Students can anticipate a comprehensive learning experience through hands-on projects, guest lectures, field visits and tours, performances, social activities, and more. Each institute’s program further concludes with a major event, such as a hackathon, symposium, performance, or fair.
Precollege summer institutes are offered in the fields of art, acting and performance, camera acting, computer science, applications of nanoscience, critical thinking, design innovation, content creation and scriptwriting, economics, design media arts, film and television, engineering, environmental engineering, hip hop/street dance, mock trials, international development, musical theater, investments, Model United Nations, political science, architecture, stage management, and others.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA / Online
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11 with a minimum 3.6 GPA at the time of application
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May.
Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (6 weeks)
Cost: Varies based on the type of SCIP program, location, and residential options
Who should apply? High school students who wish to study alongside undergraduate students, learn about the theoretical foundations of research, obtain solid co-curricular access, and earn college credit.
The UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP) is a chance to experience college life while sitting in classes with current undergraduate students. This is a good opportunity to not only immerse yourself in your academic area of interest but also to obtain invaluable advice and insight into the field from undergraduate students. In addition to lectures, you will attend seminars, workshops, and co-curricular activities such as project work, presentations field trips, and extra-curricular activities. Once you complete the program, you will earn college credit, receive a certificate of completion, and obtain new skills.
Three kinds of SCIP experiences are offered for you to choose from:
SCIP: SCIP is the in-person experience that allows high school students to opt for 1-2 approved SCIP courses in STEM, humanities, business, language, performance arts, linguistics, life sciences, urban planning, and more.
SCIP+: While SCIP+ also requires students to choose 1-2 courses, enrolled students will additionally take courses on theoretical research.
eSCIP: eSCIP is offered virtually, allowing students to take 1-2 courses from the comfort of their homes.
Note that SCIP is highly competitive, with limited seats available for each experience.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: High school students aged at least 15
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May/June.
Dates: June 24, 2024 - July 12, 2024 | July 15, 2024 – August 2, 2024 | August 5, 2024 – August 23, 2024
Cost: Fees vary based on the unit value of the course and per-unit fee rate. Other fees may also apply.
Who should apply? High school students who want to immerse themselves in studying a single but comprehensive course in an expedited manner
UCLA’s Summer Intensives offer a 3-week accelerated learning experience. Students can opt for courses that ordinarily last 10 weeks and complete them in 3 weeks through regular lectures, seminars, workshops, and co-curricular events. This kind of learning experience can free up space for you to earn credits in a short amount of time. You can also opt for a three-quarter-long lecture series and complete it in a matter of nine weeks.
Available course options include Arabic, Chinese, communications, film and TV, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and research, among others. Various levels and concepts of learning are also offered within some of these subject areas. Note that course offerings are subject to change every year, so make it a point to confirm what is offered before you apply.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May/June.
Dates: June-August (exact dates vary based on course)
Cost: Fees vary based on the course, location, and housing options.
Who should apply? Students who wish to take 1-2 college courses alongside UCLA students and earn college credit
If you are a high school student hoping to take a couple of college-level courses at UCLA, you can independently select the courses of your choice from over 100 in-person options in 30 subject areas. Through these courses, you will get to learn about your area of interest alongside UCLA undergraduate students, giving you a unique experience that blends academic study with practical insight offered by actual students. This is a useful way to obtain clarity and understand what the study of your field truly entails.
Some subject areas in which you can take courses include African American Studies, Arabic, Asian Studies, anthropology, chemistry, atmospheric and oceanic studies, urban planning, Spanish, theater, sociology, Russian, Romanian, psychology, political science, physics, biology, neuroscience, music, engineering, life sciences, mathematics, management, linguistics, Latin, Korean, Japanese, area studies, history, gender studies, and more.
The main difference between Summer Courses and SCIP is that the latter also offers additional co-curricular and research experience.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May/June.
Dates: 3-10 weeks in June-September
Cost: Fees vary based on the unit value of the course and per-unit fee rate.
Who should apply? High school students from anywhere in the world who wish to fit summer courses into their schedule or who wish to study from the comfort of their homes
Summer Online is a virtual summer program allowing high school students to take credit-based college courses without physically being present at UCLA. This is an efficient and affordable option for international students as well as domestic students who have other commitments during their summer break. Multiple sessions are offered as part of this experience, ranging from 3 to 10 weeks.
You can find online courses using this link. For online courses, you can choose between recorded, non-recorded, and asynchronous options based on your preference. Some options include communications, statistics, African American Studies, anthropology, chemistry and biochemistry, biostatistics, Central American Studies, engineering, education, disability studies, ecology, computer science, digital humanities, history, international and area studies, gender studies, languages, linguistics, film and TV, English, ethnomusicology, labor studies, mathematics, management, and many more.
Location: Online
Eligibility: California high school students from economically under-resourced communities in grades 10-11 with a minimum 3.5 GPA
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in mid-April.
Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (6 weeks)
Cost: Free
Who should apply? High-achieving students from under-resourced communities who wish to earn credit, receive mentorship, and participate in co-curricular workshops
The Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE) is a unique opportunity for high school students. This online scholarship program allows students to enroll in one summer online course for free while earning college credit. In addition, accepted students will receive access to a UCLA student mentor who will guide them in their higher education endeavors. This includes finding universities to apply to and preparing their college applications. Students will also attend co-curricular workshops (such as professional skill workshops), advising sessions, tutoring, student panels, webinars, emotional and social wellness sessions, and more.
This program requires a minimum commitment of 6-10 hours a week in addition to homework.
Location: UCLA Anderson School of Management, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in May/June.
Dates: 2-3 weeks in June-August (combining sessions for 4-6-week programs is also possible)
Cost: $4,194 - $14,099
Who should apply? Students interested in business careers in media, entertainment, music, and sports
The UCLA Anderson Summer Discovery Program allows high school students to combine coursework with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Seminars, discussions, hands-on learning activities, and workshops take place regularly. Activities to learn professional development skills, including teamwork and communication are also included. Extra-curricular activities will further allow you to explore the city, attend social events, play sports, experience campus life, and participate in field trips and excursions.
Four options are available within this program for students to choose from.
Sports Business Academy: Students will learn business frameworks, meet professionals, review case studies, learn concepts driving the sports industry, and visit stadiums and arenas.
Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports Academy: This academy includes case studies, an introduction to concepts and principles in the industry, lectures and discussions on business frameworks and strategies, and site visits to studios stadiums, and projects.
Digital Marketing and Social Media Academy: This academy gives students the chance to develop strategic frameworks and tactics to execute marketing and advertising campaigns on different social media platforms. Case studies, guest lectures, and hands-on projects are also included.
Innovation in the Music Business Academy: Students will understand the music business in detail, including concepts like streaming, sampling, music videos, multicultural music markets, ticketing, stadium technologies, and more.
Location: UCLA Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in late March.
Dates: June 17, 18, 20, 21, 2024 (session 1) | June 24, 25, 27, 28, 2024 (session 2)
Cost: $1,200 (covers instruction, facilitator time, cost of equipment and materials, and a polo shirt). Need-based scholarships are available. Note that housing and transportation are not included.
Who should apply? High school students interested in medical careers
The Pre-Med Summer Scholar Program allows high school students to attend lectures, interact with guest speakers, and participate in hands-on activities. You will get a chance to learn about various medical professions through a diverse curriculum. This curriculum can change every year, although past curricula have included robotics, CPR training, interactions with physicians, suturing sessions, ultrasound and imaging, simulated birth, and more.
Lab activities, trips, social events, and other asynchronous activities are also included in this program. The final day of the program will include a closing ceremony, to sum up the program and offer final guidance. Presentations may also be included in this ceremony.
One other option – the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in research, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source: UCLA seal