Application Information
Everything you need to know to apply for Discover UC San Diego
Launch your college journey early through Discover UC San Diego's summer 2027 5-week residential program, where high school students can access the same undergraduate courses taken by our university students.
Why Residential?
Discover UC San Diego allows students to take real UC San Diego courses while still in high school. Discover UC San Diego courses provide lower division credit. The courses are UC/CSU/CC transferable, and students will earn 4 quarter units at UC San Diego.
Headstart for Highschool Students
Transfer Credit to a UC/CSU/CC
Exploring UC San Diego Campus
How to Get Started
Follow the steps below to learn how to apply
Do you qualify?
To participate in Discover UC San Diego you must be a rising 11-12 grade high school student with a 3.5 GPA (unweighted) or higher.
Fill out the application
Application coming December 2026! Students should be responsible for filling out a majority of the application but please ensure that your parent or guardian is present to go over the application with you and sign where necessary. Learn what the application entails by scrolling down below!
Scholarship Qualification
In the application, you will be asked whether you are currently enrolled in a public high school within California District 52. If you are, select Yes to open the scholarship questionnaire, which you will then be prompted to complete.
Pay application fee & submit!
Once you've completed your application in it's entirety, pay the application fee and submit your application for review. Decisions will be sent to students on March 19, 2027!
Application Process
Application Process
Students must submit a completed application between December 2026 and March 5, 2027. A $100 application fee is required.
The application will include the following:
- Basic biographical (name, birth date, gender, etc.) and contact information
- Household information
- School Information
- Ranking preferred course of interest
- Roommate Questionnaire
- Academic Interest Questions
- Upload of Student Photo
- Photo Guidelines: You're easy to recognize. You're the only one in the picture. It's a head-and-shoulders view, with the entire face, both eyes, and hair clearly visible. (Head coverings worn for religious purposes are okay).
- Upload of Unofficial Transcript
- Note: A semester grade report will not be acceptable submission. Applicants will be required to submit a transcript that details their entire academic history and listed GPA.
- Video Essay
- 2–3-minute intro video where students answer the following:
- Name
- Grade
- “Why do you want to attend this program?”
- 2–3-minute intro video where students answer the following:
- 2 references from either a teacher, counselor, advisor, or coach
- Program Authorization Forms
- Emergency and Medical Information
- Permission to Dispense Over-the-Counter Medication Form
- Photography Release Form
- FERPA Form
Once students submit their completed applications, they will be notified of their admission decision on March 19, 2027. Students who are accepted will receive additional information about next steps, program preparation, and enrollment.
Fees
Full payment of all fees is required at the time of registration. Fees for Open Enrollment courses are assessed per unit at the rate of UC San Diego Summer Session tuition from the previous summer. All fees are subject to change without notice. The current fee is $1,672.00 per 4 unit course. Students can only take 1 UC San Diego Summer session course while participating in the program. Students will additionally pay a program fee, which will cover the costs of housing, dining, field trips, and all other activities during the program.
List of Courses Available for Discover UC San Diego Summer 2027
Stars and Black Holes
ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
Explore the life cycle of stars, from their birth to their final stages as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes, while uncovering the forces and physics that shape our universe.
Galaxies and the Universe
ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
Explore galaxies, the Milky Way, and the origins, structure, and expansion of our universe.
Astronomy in Science Fiction
ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
Explore the science behind science fiction through astronomy, novels, films, and critical discussions of the universe.
Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Explore electrical and computer engineering through circuit design, embedded programming, signal processing, sensors, and hands-on system building
Problem Solving for the 21st Century Changemaker
ENGINEERING
Build the skills to tackle real-world challenges through systems thinking, proven problem-solving strategies, and hands-on projects that prepare you to lead and innovate
Introduction to Structures and Design
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Learn the basics of how structural engineers design and create all kinds of structures.
Withdrawal and Refund Deadlines
Summer Cancellation/Refund Policies
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 6 weeks prior to the start date will receive a full refund
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 4 weeks prior to the start date will receive 50% refund
- Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal within 4 weeks prior to the start of the program will only be issued for serious illness (doctor's certificate is required) or extenuating circumstances only. Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program or who leave because of homesickness.
- For courses with pre-requisites of a prior course and/or instructor permission, a full refund will be provided if continuation is not allowed.
You must submit an official drop request through your Triton Student System account. Notifying your instructor, emailing an administrative office, or not attending is not an official drop.
Please note: Refunds will take approximately 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to UC Regents.
Additional Information
Policies
Open Enrollment students are part of the UC San Diego community and are expected to follow University and UC-wide policies, including the Student Conduct Code and UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship.
Open enrollment students earn full academic credit and participate in courses just like matriculated UC San Diego students, and are subject to the same conditions, requirements, and standards.
Unless enrolling on a non-credit basis, students may take courses either for a letter grade or pass/no pass grade (pass is a C- or better).
Admission to the University of California
Enrolling in Discover UC San Diego does not in itself provide preference in admission to the University of California degree programs. Students interested in applying to UC degree programs should refer to the UC Admissions website or the admissions office of the UC campus they wish to attend for details about the admissions process.
If offered admission, students will need to submit an official transcript from UC San Diego.
Students can request transcripts after course completion through Parchment. More information can be found HERE.
Have any questions?
Complete the form below to get in touch with a program manager today.