A Comprehensive Guide to UC San Diego's Academic Connections for High School Students

If you’re a high school student looking to build a strong profile for college admissions, consider participating in a summer pre-college program. In our blogs, we’ve covered a variety of pre-college programs that cater to all sorts of interests and can prepare you for a career in whichever field interests you. These programs show admissions committees that you’re proactive about your academic and personal growth. They can provide opportunities to explore potential career paths, learn new skills, and work with professionals. For an ambitious high schooler, identifying the right program and securing a spot in it can be valuable for college admissions. 

Today’s blog covers UC San Diego's Academic Connections program for high school students and why it's an opportunity worth considering. 

What is the Academic Connections program?

UC San Diego’s Academic Connections is a residential summer pre-college program for high-achieving high school students. It provides an opportunity to take college-level coursework in various fields while experiencing campus life. The program aims to provide insight into a field you’re curious about and develop essential skills like critical thinking and communication. 

You’ll engage in discussions, projects, and collaborative learning across subjects as diverse as literature, animation, geopolitics, the intersection of art and technology, and even music history. You will work with faculty at UC San Diego, one of the top universities in the country, making this program an option to consider.

How is the program structured?

Academic Connections takes place over three weeks, typically from July 6 to July 26, on UC San Diego’s campus. It offers a structured experience to replicate the rigor and independence of university life. You’ll stay in campus housing with other high school students, attend classes led by experienced instructors, and have access to UCSD’s world-class research labs, libraries, and creative spaces. 

The program runs from early morning to evening. During the day, students attend lectures, participate in group discussions, and work on projects. Evenings include self-study, recreational activities, and opportunities to explore the campus. You’ll also attend workshops and seminars on college readiness, which will give you insights into applying to and succeeding in higher education.

What courses does the program offer?

The program offers 10 in-person courses:

1. 101 College Writing for Success: This course is for students looking to master academic writing and craft standout college essays. You’ll analyze writing strategies, learn to organize and articulate your thoughts effectively, and refine your personal statements. Activities include drafting essays, participating in peer reviews, and engaging in writing workshops. By the end of the course, you’ll complete a polished essay for your college applications.

2. Animating Narratives: Disney, Cultural Production, & Critical Literacy: Ideal for students interested in animation and storytelling, this course combines artistic skills with digital technology. Using industry-standard tools, you’ll learn storyboarding, character design, and animation techniques. You’ll create your own animated story, developing technical proficiency and creative vision.

3. A History of Electronic Instruments & the Music They Inspired: This course takes you through the evolution of electronic music, from early synthesizers to modern digital tools. You’ll study key figures and technologies in electronic music history, experiment with sound synthesis, and produce your own compositions using software like Ableton Live.

4. Analyzing Adaptations: Books and Beyond: Focused on the art of adaptation, this course examines how literature is transformed into cinema. Through case studies of well-known adaptations, you’ll analyze storytelling techniques, thematic shifts, and the challenges of translating written works into visual media.

5. Digital Media Literacy: This course explores the impact of digital media on communication and society. You’ll learn to evaluate online content critically, create your own digital campaigns, and discuss the ethical implications of media in the digital age.

6. Introduction to Creative Writing: Short Fiction: Explore fiction, poetry, and non-fiction in this course designed to help you discover your writing style. You’ll participate in writing exercises, peer reviews, and workshops while creating a portfolio of original work. You’ll have a collection of polished pieces showcasing your creativity by the end.

7. Introduction to Human Emotion: An Emotional Approach to Critical Thinking and Critical Writing: This course combines psychology and decision-making to examine how emotions influence human behavior. You’ll study examples, participate in group discussions, and develop solutions to problems by applying emotional intelligence concepts.

8. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: This course provides an in-depth analysis of the Arab-Israeli conflict, focusing on its historical roots, key events, and ongoing challenges. You’ll engage with primary sources, academic readings, and class debates to build a nuanced understanding of the topic.

9. The Role of Art in Technological Innovation: You’ll explore how art and technology intersect in this course. You’ll study the history of these disciplines’ relationships and work on creative projects that combine artistic design with technological innovation.

10. Refugee Migration from Central America: Perspectives from Anthropology: Focused on contemporary migration and refugee challenges, this course combines research, field studies, and policy analysis. You’ll explore case studies, learn to evaluate humanitarian responses, and propose solutions to migration issues.

Who is eligible, and how do you apply?

To be eligible for Academic Connections, you simply need to:

• Be a high schooler enrolled in grades 9-12.

• Be at least 14 years old.

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Applications are due by May 9. An application requires:

• Your unofficial high school transcript.

• A completed recommendation form from a teacher, counselor, or administrator.

• The completed application form.

How much does Academic Connections cost?

The program costs $5,950, which includes tuition, housing, and meals. Scholarships are available for eligible students, so check the link here.

Pros and cons to consider

Pros

1. You will experience college life: You’ll live on campus and attend college-level classes taught by university faculty, giving you a real sense of university life.

2. You will benefit from expert instruction: All courses are taught by UC San Diego faculty and graduate students, providing you with exposure at a level far beyond what you would typically get in high school.

3. You can choose from diverse course offerings: The program’s courses cater to various academic interests, allowing you to get a head start on exploring your academic interests.

4. You will develop new skills: Regardless of which course you choose, you will develop skills like critical thinking, writing, and leadership.

Cons

1. The cost is high: The $5,950 fee may be prohibitive for some, though scholarships are available.

2. The program is residential only: If you cannot reside at the UCSD campus, you won’t be able to attend the program. There are no virtual or commuter options.

3. Admissions are quite selective: The program's competitive nature, due to limited slots and the GPA cutoff, means it can be challenging to get in.

Our Review

UC San Diego’s Academic Connections allows high school students to explore diverse subjects in a college setting. The program is ideal if you’re looking to explore more niche subjects and get a taste of university life. While the program is expensive and residential-only, UCSD’s prestige and the rigor of the courses make this program worthwhile.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 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. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.

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