UCLA Summer Sessions: A Complete Guide

Want to experience what it’s like to study (and possibly live) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)? The UCLA Summer Sessions let you do exactly that. You’ll experience university-level academics that let you explore your interests and earn transferable college credit. In this article, we’ll talk about the different programs you can look at and how to apply to them.

• What Are UCLA Summer Sessions?
• UCLA Summer Sessions Acceptance Rate
• UCLA Summer Sessions Application Deadline
• UCLA Summer Sessions Requirements
• How to Get into UCLA Summer Sessions
• Why Join UCLA Summer Sessions?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are UCLA Summer Sessions?

UCLA Summer Sessions are pre-college summer programs that let high school students engage with university-level academics and experience campus life at UCLA. These sessions provide you with an environment where you can explore your interests, earn college credit, and prepare for your future academic endeavors.

For high school students, UCLA has several programs that offer different experiences according to your goals and interests:

Summer Courses

One way you can participate in UCLA Summer Sessions is by enrolling in regular ten-week-long undergraduate courses. You’ll choose from a list of pre-approved courses for high school students, which are deemed suitable for your academic level and preparation.

You’re only allowed to enroll in 1 to 2 courses (maximum of 10 units). When choosing multiple classes, you should also ensure that there are no time conflicts.

In the summer courses, you’ll be studying alongside UCLA students, helping you get used to the pacing of a college quarter system. You can also earn transferable UCLA college credits, giving you an opportunity for a head start on your higher education.

Program dates for Summer Courses differ per session, but all of them run between early June to late August.

Summer Online

Do you want to take UCLA Summer Sessions but have geographical constraints or other commitments during your summer break? The university also offers credit-bearing Summer Online courses that are optimized for online instruction and learning. You’ll be able to participate from anywhere in the world.

Although you’ll be taking online courses, check if they’re “Online – Recorded,” “Online – Not Recorded,” or “Online – Asynchronous.”

For Recorded and Not Recorded classes, you’ll still be expected to attend your class at the times stated. These are okay options if you just prefer studying from home or live too far from UCLA and don’t want to spend on housing.

However, for Asynchronous classes, you’ll be able to attend them at any time that works for you. This would be the best option if you have commitments like a summer job with inflexible hours.

Similar to Summer Courses, program dates vary per session and class. However, all of them fall between late June and early August.

Summer Intensives

Do you have other commitments planned over the summer? Or do you just want some free time before school starts again? If ten weeks feel too long for you, Summer Intensives are three-week UCLA Summer Sessions that let you get the same amount of credit in less time.

Summer Intensives allow you to have an immersive and focused study of a particular subject, also making it a good option if you want to delve deeply into a specific area of study without a longer time commitment.

These UCLA Summer Sessions can also be an alternative to Summer Courses. You can receive the same amount of credit but take two classes one after the other rather than at the same time. However, similar to Summer Courses, you can only enroll in 1 to 2 courses for the whole summer term.

There are three cycles for Summer Intensives 2025:

• June 23 – July 11, 2025
• July 14 – August 1, 2025
• August 4 – August 22, 2025

Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)

If UCLA is your dream school or you’re just curious how it really feels like to study there, the SCIP is designed to emulate the undergraduate experience at UCLA, giving you a comprehensive introduction to college life as a Bruin.

You’ll experience UCLA’s academic resources and expertise through lectures, workshops, seminars, and actual UCLA coursework. In fact, you’ll be taking 1 to 2 courses alongside UCLA undergraduates.

For 2025, the program dates are June 23 – August 1.

Precollege Summer Institutes

Precollege Summer Institutes are actually UCLA’s only official precollege program. In these UCLA Summer Sessions, you’ll get college credit in 1 to 3 weeks while getting a comprehensive and immersive study of a certain subject. You’ll experience:

• Hands-on projects and performances
• Field visits
• Guest lectures

Precollege Summer Institutes offer residential options for students aged 17 and older, commuter programs for local students, and virtual institutes accessible from anywhere.

Session dates vary per program and the mode of instruction. However, all of them run from late June to early August.

Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)

BASE is a six-week online scholarship program specifically for current 10th and 11th-grade California high school students from economically under-resourced communities.

Selected students will get the chance to enroll in one UCLA summer online course completely free of charge. Aside from academic coursework, BASE also offers weekly mentorship sessions with a UCLA undergraduate student and participation in co-curricular workshops focusing on topics such as college applications, financial aid options, and more.

For 2025, the program dates are June 23 – August 1.

UCLA Summer Sessions Acceptance Rate

UCLA doesn’t publicly announce acceptance rates for its pre-college summer programs. However, you should know that the selectivity depends on the specific program you’re applying to.

For instance, admission to Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives is primarily based on meeting the basic criteria rather than a highly competitive selection process. After all, you’ll receive a notification regarding your application just 1 to 3 hours after submission.

Meanwhile, other UCLA Summer Sessions programs will require you to submit an official transcript with a minimum GPA. BASE and Precollege Summer Institutes will also ask for essays. These additional requirements from other programs make them more selective.

UCLA Summer Sessions Application Deadline

Application deadlines for UCLA Summer Sessions vary depending on the specific program. Here’s a quick overview of the important dates for the 2025 applications:

UCLA Summer Sessions Requirements

The application requirements for UCLA Summer Sessions programs are also different depending on what you’re interested in.

As for the requirements for Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives, you must:

• Be at least 15 years of age by June 23, 2025 (but at least 17 years old to be eligible to stay in UCLA dorms)
• Pay the $350 non-refundable registration fee
• Submit the Summer Course Registration Form

For Precollege Summer Institutes, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old by the start of the program
• Pay the $350 non-refundable registration fee
• Complete the Summer Institutes Registration Form
• Submit an unofficial transcript proving a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher from grade 9 to present
• Write a short Value Statement, reflecting why you want to participate in a Precollege Summer Institute

The details above are only the general requirements. Check with the institute you’re specifically interested in to see if you have additional requirements.

For the SCIP, you must:

• Be enrolled in Grades 10-11 as of Spring 2025
• Have a minimum unweighted, cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher at the time of application
• Submit the Summer College Immersion Program Registration Form

For BASE, you must:

• Be a current 10th or 11th-grader in a California high school
• Submit the BASE Application Form.
• Not have been a recipient of Summer Scholars Support
• Submit an unofficial transcript showing a minimum unweighted 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Pass the 1040 Tax Form
• Give a resume of extracurricular activities
• Write 2 short essay responses
• Submit a letter of recommendation (optional)

How to Get into UCLA Summer Sessions

The application process for UCLA Summer Sessions is generally the same for every program—the main differences being the forms and documents you submit.

Step 1: Double-check the eligibility criteria.

The UCLA Summer Sessions has different programs, so it can be easy to forget or mix up eligibility criteria. As such, double-check the criteria for the program you want to participate in.

Step 2: Review the available programs/courses.

Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives have a list of courses that high school students can enroll in. Remember that you can only have a maximum of 10 units for the whole summer term.

If you plan to enroll in 2 courses, look at the schedules carefully to ensure you don’t get overlapping classes.

Step 3: Gather the required documents.

Registration forms only have a session time of four hours, and you won’t be able to save your progress. Because of that, we recommend you save those forms for last.

Instead, gather the documents required by your summer program. Applicants for Precollege Summer Institutes and BASE may especially need to start early since they’ll also need to submit essays.

Step 4: Submit your application by the deadline.

When you’ve double-checked to ensure that your documents are complete, answer the registration form. It’s ideal to submit your application hours or even days before the deadline in case you encounter technical difficulties.

If you’re applying for Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives, you’ll also need to pay the non-refundable registration fee of $350 online through the designated payment portal.

Step 5: Wait for the notification.

For Summer Courses, Summer Online, and Summer Intensives applicants, you’ll typically receive an email within 1-3 hours containing your UCLA ID and detailed instructions on how to enroll in your selected courses through the MyUCLA portal.

Meanwhile, Precollege Summer Institutes and SCIP applicants will need to wait for the notification before paying. If your application is approved, you can pay the $350 registration fee. You’ll also get additional instructions on how to create your UCLA login credentials.

Why Join UCLA Summer Sessions?

Participating in UCLA Summer Sessions offers you many benefits that will enhance your academic profile and prepare you for college.

1. College experience at a top-tier university

UCLA ranks #1 among public schools in the country. UCLA Summer Sessions gives you a preview of college life at a top-tier university. If you’re at least 17 years old, you even have the option to reside in on-campus housing, which immerses you in the university experience.

You’ll be able to choose from over 800 diverse courses and programs across the different UCLA Summer Sessions to get transferable college credit, which can possibly accelerate your progress in your future undergraduate studies. Aside from that, you’ll also delve into subjects you’re particularly interested in more deeply.

You will also be learning from UCLA’s expert faculty, exposing you to university-level instruction. You’ll become familiar with the fast-paced quarter system and the expectations of rigorous college-level coursework.

2. Development of college-level skills

Participating in UCLA Summer Sessions helps you develop important skills—including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, effective communication, and problem-solving.

Programs like SCIP and the Precollege Summer Institutes also incorporate hands-on projects, interactive workshops, and seminars to promote practical learning. Certain programs, such as SCIP+, also specifically focus on cultivating valuable research skills, which can be very useful if you enter a research-heavy institution or program.

3. Networking opportunities

UCLA Summer Sessions lets you connect with motivated peers from different backgrounds, creating new friendships and broadening perspectives. You’ll also be interacting with UCLA faculty members, who you can also build valuable relationships with and gain insights into their respective fields of expertise.

On top of that, Precollege Summer Institutes also tend to feature guest lectures from professionals in specific industries, offering more networking opportunities and real-world perspectives.

4. Personal growth

Doing well in UCLA Summer Sessions can give you a sense of accomplishment, boost your self-confidence, and promote independence. The challenging yet supportive environment will encourage you to push your academic boundaries and discover your potential.

Participating in a prestigious program like the UCLA Summer Sessions can also give you a competitive edge when applying to college since it shows initiative, academic ambition, and exposure to a rigorous university setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does UCLA have a summer program?

Yes, UCLA has the Summer Sessions, which offer a range of academic courses and specialized programs for high school students. These sessions provide opportunities to earn transferable college credit, be immersed in university life, and explore diverse academic disciplines through in-person and online learning formats.

2. Is the UCLA summer program worth it?

Yes, UCLA summer programs are worth it since they give you a chance to experience in-depth study at a prestigious university. On top of that, you get to earn college credit.

3. Are UCLA summer courses free?

No, UCLA summer courses (and other programs in the Summer Sessions) have tuition fees and pre-registration fees. However, BASE students can take one UCLA summer online course for free.

Takeaways

• There are different programs within the UCLA Summer Sessions. These are Summer Courses, Summer Online, Summer Intensives, Summer College Immersion Program, Precollege Summer Institutes, and Bruin Ascent Summer Experience.
• Each program has its own set of requirements and application processes. Always double-check to ensure you don’t miss any important document or application step.
• A few of the reasons why you should consider participating in UCLA Summer Sessions is that you get college experience at a top-tier university, develop college-level skills, get networking opportunities, and experience personal growth.
• Thinking if you should try for UCLA Summer Sessions? Get your extracurricular profile evaluated to know if it can help boost your application and look for other opportunities you can take advantage of.