Choosing the right college or university program can be challenging, with so many options available and things to consider. It can be hard to discover the right choice that will set you on your desired career path. UCLA programs for high school students can help you gain insight into college life and get your foot in the door academically.
High school students living in California are the best candidates for UCLA pre-college programs, and this article highlights the best UCLA programs for high school students. Learn more below about the many professional development opportunities for students and why enrolling in one of these UCLA pre-college programs will benefit you in the long run.
Why High School Students Should Attend a UCLA Program
UCLA programs for high school students offer benefits like networking with fellow program attendees and faculty, discovering what educational opportunities are available, and getting a feel for the college lifestyle. A school like the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) exposes you to students from a wide variety of countries and cultural backgrounds, making it an enriching experience when choosing your major and future career path.
High School Student Requirements for UCLA Programs
To qualify for the immersive and intensive UCLA credit programs, you need to submit a copy of your transcripts with your application and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Also, some programs may require some prior knowledge of the subject.
Can High School Students Attend a UCLA Program Online?
UCLA has both online and in-person programs for high school students. However, most of the programs take place on the college campus. For such programs, students are required to live in the dorms and attend classes.
How High School Students Can Get Into a UCLA Program
- Register. Interested high school students must register for the program by submitting the summer course registration forms for enrollment. This first step is important to even be considered for the program during the application process.
- Pay registration fees. After registration, you are required to pay a registration fee. This fee may be waived for select students, but typically the registration fee is non-refundable.
- Create your account. Paying the registration fees will generate a nine-digit identification number from UCLA. Be sure to follow the instructions to create your account and that you keep your account information handy for future use.
- Enroll. After creating your account, enroll under the “Classes” option on the website. When you are done, click on your study list to pay any other charges associated with your account.
- Order transcripts. After paying the additional charges, you must order your high school transcripts to be sent to the university for review. From here, and after acceptance, you should prepare to start physical classes.
UCLA Departments
Computer Science
The computer science department of the University of California, Los Angeles offers pre-college programs for high school students. The classes are taught by members of the faculty and enrolled college students. The department also has state-of-the-art tools to help students learn better and faster.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Computer Science Introductory Track
- Computer Science Intermediate Track
Engineering
The UCLA engineering department also offers some programs for high school students who are interested in similar fields. High school students in STEM pre-college programs make use of state-of-the-art learning facilities for the immersive study of key concepts in engineering.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Engineering Design Summer Institute Program
- Game Lab Summer Institute Program
Economics
The economics department at UCLA offers undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees, while its pre-college program for high school students helps students prepare for an undergraduate degree in the field.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute Program
Popular UCLA Programs for High School Students
| Program | Cost | Location | Duration |
| Applications of Nanoscience Program | $2,500 | Los Angeles | 14 days |
| Art Summer Institute Program | $2,250 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Computer Science Intermediate Track | $2,525 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Computer Science Introductory Track | $2,400 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Critical Thinking Summer Institute | $2,110 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Engineering Design Summer Institute Program | $2,220 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Game Lab Summer Institute Program | $2,425 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| International Development Summer Institute Program | $2,095 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
| Nanoscale Microscopy Lab Summer Institute Program | $1,160 | Los Angeles | One week |
| Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute Program | $1,485 | Los Angeles | Three weeks |
The Best UCLA Pre-College Programs
Applications of Nanoscience Program
- Discipline: Applied Physics
- Learning Method: In-person
This course is ideal for high school students with some knowledge of chemistry who want to learn more about pursuing the creation of viable technology and what it takes to bring it to the market. This educational program focuses on applications of nanoscience, so students will cover scientific literature reviews, entrepreneurship, and design thinking.
Art Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Arts
- Learning Method: In-person
This educational UCLA arts program exposes students to different contemporary art and media practices. Students witness presentations from visiting artists, as well as members of the UCLA art department. They also take part in studio work daily. Eligible students for this program must be above 14 years of age and below 18 years of age.
Computer Science Intermediate Track
- Discipline: Computer Science
- Learning Method: In-person
This three-week course offers a blend of lab touring and coding bootcamp experiences to develop skills in computer programming and fundamental concepts like statistical inference and social networks. It offers a hands-on experience where students work with geographical data, health data, and other real-world datasets.
High schoolers interested in this program need to be knowledgeable on probability, basic matrix analysis, and statistics. Computer science experience and basic programming skills can increase your chances of getting in.
Computer Science Introductory Track
- Discipline: Computer Science
- Learning Method: In-person
This track is an introductory course for computer science students. It also offers a blend of lab touring and UCLA coding bootcamp experiences. Students attend classes related to the computer science field. For this class, students do not need to have programming skills or computer science knowledge, as it’s an introductory track for beginners.
Critical Thinking Summer Institute
- Discipline: Philosophy
- Learning Method: In-person
This academic program introduces critical thinking in theory and practice for high school students. It offers credit for the Principles of Critical Reasoning course. It is a hands-on program where high schoolers will take part in a workshop and attend guest lectures from the University of Queensland and UCLA.
Engineering Design Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Engineering
- Learning Method: In-person
This UCLA program introduces prospective college students to engineering design where they develop useful skills such as communication and teamwork. Students examine the engineering majors in the university and complete hands-on projects. They also work on result presentations and short report preparation. These campus activities help make the program fun for the students.
Game Lab Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Engineering
- Learning Method: In-person
This summer institute program is for students who want to pursue a future career in game development. It focuses on game making as an artistic practice and teaches students the tools and techniques needed to develop both digital and analog games. Students do not need any prior game-making experience or skills to get in. However, an interest in visual arts and gaming is required.
International Development Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Social Sciences
- Learning Method: In-person
This summer program offers intensive three-week training for high school students. It is ideal for students who want to develop innovative strategies that solve critical challenges of the world today. The program engages students with debates on policies, interventions, and widening patterns of power, wealth, and privilege disparities. They also debate on forms of citizen engagement.
Nanoscale Microscopy Lab Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Health Sciences
- Learning Method: In-person
This one-week program provides hands-on training for high school students from grades 10 to 12 that focuses on scientific imaging, which is often an advanced college course. During the program, students explore microscopy techniques like scanning probe microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy, and receive an introduction to nanoscale microscopy.
Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute Program
- Discipline: Economics
- Learning Method: In-person
This UCLA pre-college program introduces students to Python for economists. This three-week course focuses on the Python programming language for data science. Students learn how Python can be used to make histograms or fit complex machine learning models. It also introduces students to Python for basic data analysis, exploration, and visualization.
Next Steps After Your UCLA Program for High School Students
High school students who have completed their UCLA program will have an easier time choosing their major when it comes time to apply to universities. Using your experience, you will have better insight into your interests. As well, your UCLA pre-college program will familiarize you with the UCLA system before you enroll officially.
UCLA Programs for High School Students FAQ
Yes, high school students can take classes at UCLA summer programs. These pre-collegiate programs give students a chance to learn college-level courses, gain insight into college life in a higher institution, and meet new people. Some of the classes in this program include creative arts, social science, and STEM, providing them with undergraduate experience.
Yes, UCLA offers pre-college summer institutes for high school students. Some of them include the Applications of Nanoscience Program, Art Summer Institute Program, Critical Thinking Summer Institute, Engineering Design Summer Institute Program, Game Lab Summer Institute Program, and the International Development Summer Institute Program.
Yes, UCLA summer sessions are worth it for students who want to attend an affordable pre-college program for high school students. Most of the pre-college summer institute programs last for three weeks and are in-person. Students spend time in the college dormitories and take part in lab practice and seminars from guest speakers.
A pre-college program in a public university like UCLA helps high school students to transition into college life with ease. In some cases, they can earn college credit for the courses they take. This exciting opportunity also gives you a chance to meet students from all over the globe.
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