UCLA Precollege Summer Programs for High School Students

UCLA offers a variety of precollege summer programs designed to provide high school students with enriching academic experiences, a taste of college life, and opportunities to explore potential career paths. These programs cater to different interests and academic levels, offering everything from introductory courses to intensive immersion experiences. For motivated high school students, UCLA Summer Sessions provides a transformative educational experience at a world-renowned university.

Benefits of UCLA Summer Programs

Participating in a UCLA summer program offers numerous advantages for high school students. These programs not only enhance knowledge and skills but also provide a significant boost to college applications. Summer is a solid time to focus on academics or extracurriculars outside of the classroom.

Academic Enrichment: Students can delve into subjects they are passionate about, explore new fields, and earn college credit. UCLA offers an astonishing breadth of academic opportunities that reflect its extensive curriculum.
College Preparation: Programs provide a taste of college life, helping students acclimate to the fast pace of the quarter system, navigate a campus, and experience living with roommates. The National Student Leadership Conference provides an immersive pre-college experience that prepares students for life beyond middle and high school.
Skill Development: Through hands-on projects, workshops, and seminars, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Networking: Students connect with peers who share their ambitions, as well as with university faculty and industry professionals. Summer programs help expand your network and give you a taste of campus life!
College Application Enhancement: Completing a program at UCLA demonstrates initiative, academic excellence, and a commitment to learning, which can strengthen college applications. Note that while most programs accept numerous students, class sizes are typically kept small.
Career Exploration: Programs offer insights into various career paths, helping students discover their passions and make informed decisions about their future. Students are able to explore a career concentration they are interested in before going into college and declaring a major.

It is important to 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.

Types of Programs Offered

UCLA offers a diverse range of summer programs for high school students, each with its unique focus and structure. Here's an overview of some of the key program types:

Precollege Summer Institutes

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.

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by the start of the program. All participants in Summer Precollege Focus Series must be a minimum of 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions 2026 on June 22nd, no exceptions allowed.
Duration: 1-3 weeks between June and August.
Cost: Varies based on the institute and whether the program is a residential/commuter program. Financial aid is available.
Focus: These institutes allow high school students 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).
Fields of Study: 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.

Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)

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.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11 with a minimum 3.6 GPA at the time of application. SCIP is intended for students who have completed two years of high school with highly competitive academic credentials. Students that will have graduated from high school by the time the program begins are not eligible. We invite students from all around the world to apply as long as they are ready to commit to the program’s schedule. If your GPA is lower than the minimum requirement, we recommend considering Summer Courses (no minimum GPA) or Summer Precollege Focus Series (3.2+ GPA, some programs may require higher GPAs).
Duration: Six weeks, typically from late June to early August. SCIP is a fully immersive six-week college experience that lasts the duration of a regular summer session term at UCLA.
Cost: Varies based on the type of SCIP program, location, and residential options.
Focus: SCIP is designed for academically advanced high school students who will soon embark on their journey to college, provides students access to a broad range of UCLA’s academic expertise and resources through lectures, workshops, and seminars, as well as UCLA coursework. SCIP students come from many different backgrounds and locations all around the world. Throughout the six-week session, students can connect with other participants who share similar passions and interests through a series of activities designed to foster a meaningful cohort experience. You will leave UCLA equipped with the skills necessary to succeed at world-class universities.
Types of SCIP Experiences:
- SCIP: 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+: Requires students to choose 1-2 courses, and enrolled students will additionally take courses on theoretical research (1 unit of RES PRC 97XD). SCIP+ has an extra research component with 1 unit of RES PRC 97XD that SCIP and eSCIP do not have.
- eSCIP: Offered virtually, allowing students to take 1-2 courses from the comfort of their homes.

Summer Intensives

Eligibility: High school students aged at least 15.
Duration: Three weeks.
Cost: Fees vary based on the unit value of the course and per-unit fee rate. Other fees may also apply.
Focus: These programs offer an accelerated learning experience, allowing students to complete a course that ordinarily lasts 10 weeks in just 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.
Available Courses: 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.

Summer Courses

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old.
Duration: Varies based on the course, typically from June to August.
Cost: Fees vary based on the course, location, and housing options.
Focus: Allows students to take 1-2 college courses alongside UCLA students and earn college credit. Choose from 100+ in person courses in over 30 subject areas and study alongside UCLA students. Get acclimated to the fast pace of the college quarter system. 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.
Subject Areas: 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.

Summer Online

Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old.
Duration: 3-10 weeks in June-September.
Cost: Fees vary based on the unit value of the course and per-unit fee rate.
Focus: 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.
Course Options: 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. For online courses, you can choose between recorded, non-recorded, and asynchronous options based on your preference.

Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)

Eligibility: California high school students from economically under-resourced communities in grades 10-11 with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Duration: Six weeks, typically from late June to early August.
Cost: Free.
Focus: 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. Students will also attend co-curricular 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.

UCLA Anderson Summer Discovery Program

For high school students in grades 9-12, Summer Discovery at UCLA Anderson is the perfect mix of college-level academics and fun activities. During your class time, you'll be taught by experienced university instructors who know that lectures are old school. Through hands-on experiences, you'll develop 21st century skills like teamwork and communication and won't be watching time tick by. Outside of class, our highly trained staff will help you to explore new cities, lead you on excursions, and plan activities to maximize that summer fun.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12.
Duration: 2-3 weeks in June-August (combining sessions for 4-6-week programs is also possible).
Cost: Varies.
Focus: 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.
Academies:
- 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. The Digital Marketing and Social Media Institute will give students both the strategic framework and tactical approach to develop and execute goal-oriented digital marketing and advertising campaigns that enhance brands, create a buzz, and motivate desired consumer behavior. This 3 week institute will provide a solid foundation in the key concepts around digital strategy, campaign execution, and measurement.
- 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. This program will give students a foundational overview of how the music business has been transformed by decades of technological and business innovation. Innovation led to music sampling and musical effects in hip-hop. The rise of music videos created a global, multicultural market for recorded music. Digitization created a renaissance for the industry and would later disrupt it entirely - first with Napster and then with iTunes. Today, streaming services like Spotify, Internet-connected devices, digital and mobile ticketing, and stadium technologies are radically changing the ways audiences consume and pay for music and music based experiences. This ongoing evolution continues to shape the business - impacting labels, artists, live event promoters and others pursuing careers in music.
- Sports Business Academy: The sports industry is undergoing constant change, creating unique challenges and opportunities for people working in the business. The multi-billion dollar industries of entertainment, media, and sports have become increasingly global. This phenomenon is reflected in worldwide coverage of mega-events from the Olympics and the World Cup, to top-grossing movies and concerts of international superstars. Through an introduction to concepts, analyses, and principles - this program will help you understand the business aspects of entertainment, media, and sports and culminates with final team projects in which students develop solutions for a company business. During this 3 week intensive full-day program, gain insight into the ever-changing business of entertainment, media, and sports. Explore business frameworks including finance, marketing, strategy, and economics. This program is taught and sponsored by the Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment, and Sports at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Classes have been specifically designed for high school students based on Anderson's graduate and summer undergraduate classes.

Pre-Med Summer Scholar Program

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old.
Duration: Four days.
Cost: Varies. Need-based scholarships are available. Note that housing and transportation are not included.
Focus: 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. 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.

UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute

The UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute offers students from around the globe an unparalleled opportunity to study filmmaking at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world - right in the heart of Hollywood.

Tracks:
- Emerging Filmmakers: Pre-college participants are immersed in the creativity and technique of cinematic storytelling through lectures and a hands-on overview of the production process.
- TV Writing: The TV Writing Track immerses participants in the world of episodic television. In this intensive program, participants will explore theme park history, and the evolution of the relationship between moving image media (film, television, and video games) and theme parks. The TV Writing Summer Institute introduces students to writing for television in Hollywood.
- Animation: Students and aspiring animators learn to write and draw their own animated movies. No drawing experience required, just limitless imagination. This online track is open to college, professional, and pre-college students.
- Sports Entertainment: Students study the world of sports entertainment while engaging in live-sports industry internships.

UCLA Theater Laboratory Intensives

The UCLA Theater Laboratory Intensives offers participants a unique opportunity to receive hands-on training from globally recognized faculty and entertainment industry leaders in the School of Theater, Film & Television. These programs are designed for high school students currently in 9th to12th grade in Spring. Actors, designers, musicians, stage managers and writers will be immersed in classes focused on concepts and techniques in acting for the camera and stage, content creation, dance, costume design, lighting and sound design, scenic design, music and orchestra, musical theater, screen writing, stage management and voice over. Final performances will be open to the public. These programs are an experiential learning experience for beginning to intermediate actors, designers, writers and stage managers designed develop each participants talent and understand the process of working in the entertainment industry. Previous experience in acting, design, writing, and stage management is not required.

Application Process

The application process for UCLA summer programs typically involves the following steps:

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Research Programs: Explore the various programs offered and identify those that align with your interests and academic goals.
Check Eligibility: Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for your chosen programs, including age, GPA, and academic standing.
Prepare Application Materials: Gather the necessary documents, such as transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Submit Application: Complete the online application form and submit all required materials by the specified deadline. NSLC applications are completed online and require a deposit with a credit or debit card. While we have suggested seasonal deadlines, NSLC will continue to accept applications if space is available in a program or on a program’s waitlist.
Pay Application Fee: Submit the non-refundable application fee. Submit Payment of the non-refundable registration fee by the enrollment deadline. (A space in the program is NOT reserved until valid payment of the non-refundable registration fee is received. The system should automatically save your answers as you fill them out. If you need to access your existing registration, please use this link and input your information.
Await Decision: Admission decisions are typically released within a few weeks of the application deadline.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

UCLA offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help students offset the cost of summer programs. Students demonstrating financial need, academic merit, and school or community involvement are encouraged to apply for a Summer Program Scholarship to offset their summer tuition costs. Qualified students attending a high school in the state of California may be eligible to apply for the Summer Scholars Support Program, a need-and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office.

Housing and Accommodation

Residential options are available for many UCLA summer programs, providing students with the opportunity to live on campus and experience college life firsthand. Residential students live in a campus dormitory supervised by NSLC staff. Students are housed with one or two roommates on a floor with students in their age range. Roommates are pre-arranged based on gender and date of birth. Housing is ONLY available to students who will be 17 years of age or older by June 22, 2026. Prices vary depending on the selected room type which starts at $2,745.20 for Session A6. The dorm rooms include a bed, desk, closet, and trash bin. 14 meals per week (two meals a day) are provided as part of the UCLA Housing contract.

Campus Life and Activities

UCLA summer programs offer a vibrant campus life with a wide range of activities and events. Students can participate in social gatherings, cultural excursions, sporting events, and more. Back to class, but not always in the classroom. Your summer, your way. Sign up for the activities you want to do. Dinner time. Enjoy the unlimited portions at Rieber dining hall. Movie premieres. Comedy shows. Concerts. Major league sports.

Preparing for Success

To make the most of your UCLA summer program experience, consider the following tips:

Set Goals: Define your objectives for the program, whether it's to explore a specific field, earn college credit, or develop new skills. What do you hope to achieve during your summer at UCLA? Learn how to make the most of your time at UCLA by applying that plan to your own undergraduate journey.
Engage Actively: Participate in class discussions, ask questions, and take advantage of opportunities to interact with faculty and peers.
Manage Your Time: Balance your academic commitments with extracurricular activities and social events.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to instructors, mentors, or program staff for assistance or guidance.
Embrace the Experience: Be open to new ideas, challenges, and opportunities.

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