What is the UCLA Summer Session?
Whether you’re a high school student eager to explore your passions with expert instructors or a college-bound applicant looking to experience university life and earn college credit, the University of California, Los Angeles UCLA Summer Session has a program tailored to your needs! As the nation’s #1 public university, UCLA’s summer programs offer a challenging and enriching curriculum designed to empower high school students to excel. At the UCLA Summer Session, high school students learn to become global citizens and gain essential tools to make tangible impacts on the world.
UCLA offers two types of programs for high schoolers: the UCLA Precollege Summer Institute and the UCLA Summer College Immersion Program. In the UCLA Precollege Summer Institutes, students pick a specific area of interest to explore in-depth with their peers. As for the UCLA Summer College Immersion Program, high school students can fully immerse themselves in the college lifestyle and study different subjects with current UCLA undergraduates. Students will experience a schedule of classes on par with the academic intensity of a typical UCLA undergraduate. This Summer College Immersion Program (aka SCIP) has a virtual option (eSCIP) as well as a research option (SCIP+). In SCIP+, high school students conduct research alongside UCLA faculty with the goal of academic discovery.
The UCLA Precollege Summer Institutes are one-, two-, or three-week long intensive sessions held in-person at UCLA’s magnificent college campus. Most programs are offered for 8th-12th graders or 9th-12th graders, while some more advanced programs are restricted to 10th-12th graders only. Select few programs offer virtual options, but most require students to commute to campus each day. The majority of programs are admission-based, but some are open-enrollment. Applications open at the end of this year, so get ready to apply!
All 3 variations of UCLA Summer College Immersion Program are 6 weeks long, and open to 10th and 11th graders with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applications open as early as January 5th for SCIP Early Action, while official applications open on February 15th. Applications close April 1st for international students, and May 1st for domestic applicants.
UCLA Precollege offers an advanced crash course on a specific topic, whereas the UCLA College Immersion program focuses more on providing students with a realistic taste of college life. Depending on what you want to do this summer, this blog will walk you through deciding which UCLA Summer Program is best for you.
What Kind of Students Will Be a Good Fit for the UCLA Summer Session
Recommended Students for each program:
- Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives: For students interested in taking one or two classes from the 800-course catalog at UCLA, whether delving deeper into a subject of interest or exploring something entirely new, college credit is available. Participation is open to all students; however, applicants for housing must be at least 17 years old. The class and earned credits will be reflected on the UCLA transcript, transferable to other institutions, and will contribute to your GPA if the school attended is within the UC system.
- The Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP) exclusively caters to high school students in grades 10-11 with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or equivalent. In SCIP, students study alongside UCLA undergraduates and engage in one to two approved SCIP courses. Opting for housing is highly recommended, as it provides students with multiple opportunities for participation in residential activities throughout the 6-week class period. For those enrolled in SCIP + Research, a comprehensive introduction to research awaits. While there is an online option, students are strongly encouraged to apply for the in-person program to maximize the UCLA experience’s comprehensiveness and structure.
- Pre-college Summer Institute: 1-3 week long program for high school students. Students will choose a specific program from any institute of UCLA and earn pass/no pass units as well as letter grades on a UCLA transcript. Students are required to live in the dorm for this program.
In summary, UCLA offers a variety of programs tailored to students’ flexibility, time commitments, and program structure preferences. Regardless of the choice, all programs serve as excellent opportunities to enhance your college application.
Why You Should Apply for UCLA Summer Session
Engaging environment like no other
The UCLA Precollege Summer Institutes are an excellent opportunity for high schoolers to take advantage of UCLA’s state-of-the-art facilities and resources. What makes UCLA the most distinguished public university in all of America is that it brings together some of the world’s most renowned experts in their respective fields; in this summer program, high schoolers get the chance to work with these remarkable faculty members before they even enter college– UCLA summer programs are where students go to learn from the best.
But, a classroom is not complete without outstanding, supportive classmates. At UCLA Pre College, students collaborate with peers from around the world. UCLA Precollege creates a globally integrative experience for top-ranked high schoolers to work with other exceptional students. If you have a passion for learning and want to be challenged beyond the capabilities that your high school offers, UCLA Precollege will give you the opportunities and support you need to take your education to the next level.
Diverse course offerings
UCLA Precollege covers a broad spectrum of topics, from general subjects like Political Science, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Art, and Critical Thinking, to niche areas like Neuroscience, Costume Design, Mock Trials, and Content Creation. With over 30 UCLA Precollege Summer Programs to select from, you’re guaranteed to find a program that aligns with your interests.
Realistic College Life Experience with the UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
What better way to get ready for college than to experience it for yourself? The UCLA Summer College Immersion Program helps high school students develop foundational skills to thrive in college and gain a competitive edge in their college admissions. Learn what it’s like to live in the dorms and resolve conflicts with your roommate. Develop self-discipline and time-management skills that you can only gain from directly experiencing an undergraduate student’s class schedule. For two months, you can take advantage of all that UCLA has to offer its undergraduates and see for yourself why UCLA is a world-renowned university!
Join the UCLA community
UCLA, as the world’s #1 public university, attracts students from across the globe. Each year, over 10,000 students participate in the UCLA Summer Session. Hence, you’ll be joining a diverse and vibrant community, making lifelong friendships with students from around the world.
Be a part of the magic where thousands of the world’s brightest students come together to learn together and share their unique perspectives and experiences. With its exceptionally large campus, UCLA has the capacity to welcome and house a multitude of niche student communities. No matter who you are or where your passions lie, you can always find supportive communities at UCLA.
Spend Your Summer with Aralia Education
Aralia Education offers expert-led summer courses to prepare students for academic success in high school and in college. With experienced tutors from America’s top institutions, Aralia’s classes launch our students ahead of the game. Our courses range from specific subjects such as Foreign Language and AP Computer Science, to more general skills such as Academic Writing and Literary Analysis. Aralia Education is here to support and uplift high school students throughout their entire academic career and in all aspects of their journey to success. If you spend your summer vacation this year with Aralia, you’ll be far more prepared to apply for UCLA’s summer opportunities next year!
