If you’re a high school student based in California seeking a focused, skill-building summer experience, the state offers an array of pre-college programs organized by leading universities. Whether you’re interested in coding, medicine, law, or the humanities, these programs can offer a deep dive into academic subjects while helping you build skills in research, analysis, and problem-solving.
Unlike general summer camps, pre-college programs are structured to reflect the academic intensity of actual college classes. These programs are hosted on university campuses, led by faculty, and designed to give you insight into what college life and coursework are really like.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve compiled 15 pre-college programs for high school students in California!
1. UCLA Pre College Summer Institutes
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (residential and commuter options)
Cost: Varies by program (~$2,500–$6,000); scholarships available for select institutes
Program Dates: June – August (1–3 week sessions depending on the program)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; registration opens February 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ (17+ for residential sessions); open to international students
UCLA’s Pre College Summer Institutes offer concentrated academic courses across disciplines such as nanoscience, design media arts, economics, and mock trial. You will complete structured coursework, earn college credit, and work on capstone projects or performances depending on your track. Most institutes integrate lab-based learning, fieldwork, or guest lectures from industry professionals.
Courses are taught by UCLA faculty, and students gain access to campus resources, including studios and research labs. These programs emphasize real-world applications of academic concepts and provide a preview of the university classroom environment. Select institutes also offer scholarship support for eligible applicants.
2. Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)
Location: Online
Cost: Free (scholarship-based)
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High-achieving California high school students from economically under-resourced communities
BASE is a fully funded, six-week virtual pre-college program where you will take an official UCLA online course and earn college credit. Alongside academic coursework, you’ll participate in mentorship sessions with current UCLA undergraduates and attend co-curricular workshops on topics like time management, study strategies, and college planning.
The program is designed to simulate the structure and expectations of a real college class, giving you practice in managing workloads, deadlines, and academic communication. Coursework is drawn from UCLA’s regular offerings and appears on your official transcript. BASE also supports students holistically, combining academic rigor with peer and mentor engagement in a remote setting.
3. Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (residential)
Cost: Varies by course; ~$4,000–$6,000 plus $350 enrollment fee
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 1 (International) / May 1 (Domestic)
Eligibility: U.S. and international students currently in 10th–11th grade with a 3.8+ GPA
SCIP is a six-week college immersion experience where you will enroll in UCLA courses for credit while participating in workshops on time management, academic writing, and college preparation. The program mirrors the undergraduate experience, putting you in actual classes with UCLA students and granting you complete access to campus resources, such as libraries and support services.
You’ll attend faculty lectures, complete graded assignments, and receive an official UCLA transcript upon completion. Co-curricular programming focuses on navigating the college transition, building resilience, and preparing for university-level expectations. SCIP is structured for academically driven students seeking both a challenge and a preview of college life in a residential setting.
4. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Virtual Track
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by course (~$1,500–$3,000); includes tuition and support services
Program Dates:
- Session A: May 27 – July 3
- Session B: June 9 – August 15
- Session C: June 23 – August 15
- Session D: July 7 – August 15
- Session E: July 28 – August 15
- Session F: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students
Berkeley’s Virtual Pre-College Scholars Program allows you to enroll in UC Berkeley courses for credit from anywhere in the world. You have a broad selection of subjects to choose from, such as computer science, psychology, data science, and economics, all available with synchronous and asynchronous learning options. All courses are part of Berkeley’s official summer curriculum and appear on a UC Berkeley transcript.
In addition to academics, the program provides virtual mentorship, interactive workshops, and orientation sessions that focus on college readiness. You’ll work alongside Berkeley undergraduates and visiting students, engaging in structured assignments and live discussions.
5. Pre-College Opportunities within Energy Research (POWER)
Location: Bay Area high schools + Stanford University (in-person)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: October – June (academic year)
Application Deadline: Varies; typically coordinated through participating high schools
Eligibility: High school students from historically marginalized communities in the Bay Area
POWER is a mentorship and outreach initiative connecting Bay Area high school students with Stanford researchers in sustainability and energy. Over the academic year, you’ll engage in in-school workshops on core STEM concepts tied to energy technologies such as catalysis and battery storage. Each session lasts 1.5–2 hours and emphasizes hands-on experimentation to reinforce learning.
You’ll also have opportunities to visit Stanford research labs and attend career panels that cover engineering, law, finance, and policy in the energy sector. The program is run by members of the Stanford Energy Club and prioritizes students from underrepresented backgrounds in science and engineering.
6. UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track
Location: University of California, Berkeley (residential)
Cost: ~$7,050 (includes tuition, housing, and meals); one full-ride media scholarship available
Program Dates: Session C: June 23 – August 15 | Session D: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students
This residential track lets you experience UC Berkeley as a college student while earning credit through two regular summer session courses. You’ll live in campus housing, participate in structured orientation, and attend co-curricular workshops led by admissions professionals. The courses cover various academic fields, spanning from STEM to humanities, and you will submit graded assignments under the guidance of Berkeley faculty.
Outside of class, you’ll take part in community-building activities, excursions, and social events coordinated by Resident Assistants and staff. The program provides a Berkeley transcript and includes the opportunity to receive a letter of commendation for successful coursework. A full-ride media scholarship is also available to one participant who documents their experience for program outreach.
7. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Online Math & Physics
Location: Online
Cost: $1,600 + $35 application fee
Program Dates: Summer Term: June 17 – August 8 | Fall Term: August 25 – December 12
Application Deadline: May 12 for the Summer session
Eligibility: High school students prepared for advanced math or physics coursework
This Stanford online program offers rigorous university-level instruction in math and physics for high school students ready to go beyond their school curriculum. Courses include topics such as Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Heat & Light, with content designed for independent pacing over 8–12 hours per week.
Although self-paced, the program includes live online office hours, midterm and final exams within fixed windows, and optional graded homework in some tracks. You will receive Stanford Continuing Studies credit upon completion.
8. USC Summer Programs
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles (residential)
Cost: $11,347 – $7,812 (includes tuition, housing, and meals); limited financial aid available
Program Dates: Typically four weeks in July; exact dates vary by course selected
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 2 | International: March 14
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
USC’s four-week pre-college program offers over 20 academic tracks in fields such as engineering, business, medicine, architecture, and journalism. You’ll spend five to six hours per day in interactive classes that include lab work, simulations, group projects, or site visits, depending on the course. Each course grants three units of elective college credit upon successful completion.
The schedule reflects a standard college day, with evening and weekend activities including academic field trips, supervised social events, and recreational outings. The program is immersive, both academically and socially, and aims to help you develop discipline-specific skills while navigating a university setting. Admission is competitive, and courses fill up quickly on a rolling basis.
9. UC Santa Barbara Pre-College Research Programs
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara
Cost: Varies based on course
Program Dates: Research Mentorship Program: June 16 – August 1 | Summer Research Academies: June 25 – July 25
Application Deadlines: RMP: March 17 | SRA: March 31 (applications for both open December 15)
Eligibility: RMP: Advanced 9th–11th grade students with a 3.80+ weighted GPA (UC a–g). SRA: 9th–11th grade students with a 3.60+ weighted GPA (UC a–g)
UC Santa Barbara offers two comprehensive pre-college tracks that allow you to engage in credit-bearing research under university mentorship. In the Research Mentorship Program (RMP), you will conduct a full research project under the guidance of UCSB faculty, participating in all stages from concept to final presentation. You’ll focus on topics in STEM, humanities, or social sciences while also attending GRIT talks and structured college-prep workshops.
The Summer Research Academies (SRA) focus on introducing you to interdisciplinary research methods and concepts through guided seminars and collaborative projects. Both programs emphasize academic rigor, research communication, and the development of transferable skills, such as time management and critical analysis. You’ll also gain 4–8 college credits and access to UCSB’s academic and campus resources.
10. University of the Pacific Summer High School Institute
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA (residential)
Cost: $3,650 + $500 nonrefundable deposit
Program Dates: Session 1: June 2 – June 12 | Session 2: June 17 – June 27
Application Deadline: Session 1: May 11 | Session 2: May 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students; no GPA requirement specified
This two-week residential pre-college program gives you the chance to explore over 50 hands-on academic courses across five broad interest areas: arts, health sciences, engineering, business, and athletics. You’ll learn in Pacific’s labs, studios, and makerspaces, working on real-world problems with college faculty. The experience emphasizes applied learning, whether that means culturing bacteria, building prototypes, or composing digital scores.
You’ll live on campus, participate in evening recreation and wellness activities, and engage with peers in structured group projects. The program is designed to replicate the academic and social rhythms of college life while helping you develop subject-specific and collaborative skills.
11. California College of the Arts (CCA) Pre-College Program
Location: San Francisco, CA (residential and commuter options)
Cost: ~$8,075 (residential); ~$5,615 (commuter); tuition includes three college credits and meal plans; scholarships available
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Final: June 10 | Scholarship: February 24
Eligibility: High school students who will complete grades 10–12 by summer
CCA’s Pre-College Program offers an immersive art and design experience for students interested in building their creative portfolios while earning three college credits. You’ll select one subject area, such as animation, architecture, fashion design, game arts, or UI/UX, and engage in studio practice, critiques, and conceptual development.
Instruction is led by working artists and faculty from CCA’s BFA programs, and on-campus students also participate in gallery visits and studio tours around San Francisco. The program emphasizes exposure to professional practices in the visual and applied arts. Residential and commuter options are available, and both merit-based and need-based scholarships support access to the program.
12. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California, San Diego (residential)
Cost: $42 application fee; $5,007 program fee (includes housing, meals, field trips); financial aid available for California residents
Program Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students in grades 8–12 with strong performance in math and science
COSMOS offers an intensive four-week STEM curriculum, where you will study topics such as molecular biology, quantum physics, or aerospace engineering in a university setting. Working in small cohorts, you’ll conduct research projects, learn in UCSD labs, and collaborate with faculty and graduate students. The program focuses on independent inquiry, group collaboration, and formal scientific communication.
As a residential experience, COSMOS also simulates the structure of college-level academic life, with scheduled lectures, lab hours, and fieldwork. The program is designed to strengthen your research capabilities and deepen your understanding of technical subjects through real-time experimentation and faculty mentorship.
13. Academic Connections – UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego
Cost: $4,500 tuition; $200 optional SAT Test Prep. Scholarships available
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Academic Connections offers a three-week residential experience where you will study college-level topics in STEM, social sciences, and the arts. Course offerings include subjects such as ocean ecosystem dynamics, structural engineering, and biotechnology. You’ll participate in lectures, collaborative projects, and guided research, with final presentations that simulate college coursework assessments.
Faculty mentorship and access to university labs and facilities are core components of the program. Designed to replicate the academic pace and structure of UCSD courses, this program builds skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and subject-specific inquiry. It also provides a residential preview of campus life.
14. Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA + Virtual
Cost: Free; $1,500 if enrolling in the research track
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 15 – March 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders from San Diego County
REHS is an eight-week program where you will gain technical experience in areas such as machine learning, data visualization, and high-performance computing. Hosted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center, the program includes training in Python, TensorFlow, and parallel programming. The research track allows you to design AI models, work with large datasets, and contribute to active projects in bioinformatics or climate modeling.
If you choose the non-research track, you’ll attend technical workshops and faculty-led sessions on topics like cybersecurity and robotics. This program explores the application of computing across various scientific fields, building both theoretical understanding and practical coding skills.
15. Future Advancers of Science and Technology (FAST)
Location: Stanford University + Local High Schools (Bay Area, CA)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: September – March (meets two Saturdays per month)
Application Deadline: Typically early fall; school-specific enrollment
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Andrew P. Hill High School and James Lick High School
FAST pairs Stanford PhD students with high school students to support original research projects in science and engineering. Over six months, you’ll meet twice a month to brainstorm ideas, conduct experiments, and build prototypes addressing real-world questions. The program culminates in presentations at local and state science fairs, as well as a formal symposium at Stanford.
FAST emphasizes independent inquiry, project design, and communication of scientific results. In addition to mentorship, you’ll have access to online college readiness workshops covering admissions, financial aid, and academic pathways. The program is free and specifically designed to increase access to research experiences for students from underserved schools in the Bay Area.
Bonus!
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $2,290; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; Summer cohort: 10–15 weeks
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines; Summer deadline: May 25
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; Fellowship applicants should have prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard alumni, offers virtual AI education programs tailored to different experience levels. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational AI concepts through guided projects in domains like healthcare, finance, and sustainability. You’ll gain experience using Python and machine learning libraries while working on real-world datasets.
If you already have a background in coding or AI, the AI Fellowship allows you to work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research project. You’ll build and deploy AI models, analyze data, and receive support to publish or present your work. The programs are structured to emphasize the intersection of algorithmic skills and societal impact.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starting at $2,990
Program Dates: Year-round cohorts (Summer: June–August, Fall: September–December, Winter: December–February, Spring: March–June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; typically 1–2 months before start date
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
Lumiere is a research mentorship program founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, designed for students seeking a structured pathway into academic research. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop and execute a research project in fields like data science, psychology, AI, or international relations.
The program supports literature review, methodology design (e.g., statistical analysis, Python scripting, or theoretical modeling), and culminates in a research paper. Optional add-ons include pathways to publication or conference presentation. Upon completion, participants receive UC San Diego academic credit, providing further validation for college applications and future study.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – University of California, Los Angeles