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SCIP+ Courses Co-Curriculars Research Attendance Applying Fees FAQ

Discover the Foundations of Research

The UCLA Summer College Immersion Program SCIP+ offers exceptional high school students the opportunity to experience a comprehensive introduction to research and college life with a focus on academic discovery.

Designed to emulate the undergraduate experience, SCIP+ provides students access to a broad range of UCLA’s academic expertise and resources through UCLA Summer Sessions and the Undergraduate Research Center (URC). SCIP+ students will receive college credit, a certificate of completion, and the introductory research skills to successfully manage college academics.

This theoretical introduction to research does NOT include physical lab work.

Please visit the SCIP+ Bruin Guide for more information.

Summer 2025
Application

The 2025 SCIP Early Action Application will open on January 3.

RSVP for the SCIP Webinar on Friday, January 3 from 12-1pm (PDT) to learn about the program’s eligibility, application, benefits, and more!

SCIP+ Courses

Students may choose 1 or 2 Approved SCIP+ Courses that do NOT conflict with the program’s mandatory co-curriculars from 3:30-4:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, or mandatory SCIP+ Seminars on Thursday from 3:00-4:50pm.

SCIP+ students will also be enrolled in a Research Practice Course to maintain enrollment in the program. This course carries 1 unit of Pass/No Pass (P/NP) credit. We encourage students to not take more than 10 units total given the immersive nature of the program and workload.

This course is a theoretical introduction to research and does NOT include physical lab work.

International students who require a visa will need to be enrolled in at least 6 units to meet the eligibility for an F-1 visa, required for study.

If accepted to the program, students will receive more information on the course enrollment process.

Research Component

SCIP+ is a highly competitive “Research 101” program designated for students who want to gain an introduction or better context of research. The theoretical research component asks questions such as “What goes into the research process and what types of questions should be asked during interviews?” 

Research Practice 97XD is a mandatory course to attend on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:20pm in the UCLA Geology building. You may review the RES PRC 97XD Syllabus which includes section details, curriculum topics, activities, speakers, and more.

Students will work together in a cohort-based experience as well as in 1-on-1 advising sessions through Research Practice 97XD (RES PRC 97XD). There will be opportunities to hear from and mock interview UCLA faculty and researchers on their specialty areas of interest. Those who successfully complete the program will be able to share a research article to their cohort while practicing their presentation skills.

*Please note that students will NOT be working in labs or on practical STEM based research; this program is geared towards giving students an insight into the theoretical “Research 101” practices.

Co-Curricular Component

SCIP+’s co-curricular components are designed to introduce students to topics that will foster success during their time in the program, the rest of their high school career, and beyond.

SCIP+ students are required to attend the mandatory co-curricular workshops in-person at the scheduled times from 3:30-4:30pm in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Non-attendance may result in disciplinary action up to program dismissal.

Co-Curricular Workshops

A professor speaking with a student as five other students watch them. All students are seated at a table while the professor is directly looking at one student.

SCIP+ Co-Curricular Workshops help participants gain knowledge and skills that are necessary to navigate college admission and academic life. Students will be expected to join the mandatory, live presentations in person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30-4:30pm (PDT) in Physics and Astronomy 1425.

Hear directly from representatives from UCLA Undergraduate Admission and get answers to your questions on everything revolving around the UC Application. In addition to the student workshop, UCLA Admissions will offer an exclusive parent workshop, led by Gary Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission at UCLA.

As a world-class research institution, UCLA provides students with the opportunity to develop practical research skills and conduct their own research beginning at the undergraduate level. This workshop, led by staff from the UCLA Undergraduate Research Center, will introduce you to techniques for successful collegiate research.

Learn helpful tips to navigate and maximize your college experience in this insightful workshop presented by a UC alum. Topics will include choosing a major, succeeding in your studies, and getting involved in campus life and some of the 1,000+ campus life and organizations UCLA offers.

What do you hope to achieve during your summer at UCLA? Learn how to make the most of your time at UCLA by applying that plan to your own undergraduate journey. UCLA’s College Academic Counseling advisors will give exclusive academic advice on how to get the most out of your time on campus.

Leadership
Seminars

Student answering question in a classroom. Two students behind him are listening to his answer.

SCIP seminars are intended to build and foster leadership and resilience that are critical for student success.

Developing leadership skills is important to anyone who wants a successful career, but those skills are essential to getting the most out of college and high school as well.

The Basics of Mindfulness for Self-Care and Stress Management.

In a seminar presented by staff of the UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center, you will examine the science of mindfulness for mental and physical health, including reduced stress, improved attention, and greater mind-body awareness.

 

Community Engagement and Cohort Building Activities

SCIP community engagement and cohort building activities provide students opportunities to become more deeply involved in the UCLA community while creating lifelong bonds with their program cohort. Cohort activities will support your success and help you make new friends from around the world.

 

Bruins uphold the five True Bruin Values at UCLA and onward: Responsibility, Accountability, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. Students will have the chance to embody the True Bruin Value of Service and give back to the UCLA community by participating in a volunteer project in collaboration with the UCLA Volunteer Center.

SCIP students will have the opportunity to connect with UCLA undergraduate mentors, who can advise students based on their own experiences with academics and extra-curriculars at UCLA.

Students come from many different backgrounds and locations all around the world. Throughout the six-week session, students can connect with other participants who share similar passions and interests through a series of activities designed to foster a meaningful cohort experience. In addition to the program orientation and closing ceremony, students will have the opportunity to participate in study groups, team presentations, breakout sessions, and more.

Lecture Series

The program’s lecture series includes curated lectures by UCLA’s renowned faculty and experts to introduce students to a variety of exciting topics in the sciences and humanities beyond their enrolled courses.

Guest speakers are updated yearly, however, past speakers have included:

Dr. Todd Presner
Author, Chair of UCLA Digital Humanities Program, Associate Dean of Digital Innovation in the Division of Humanities at UCLA, Professor of Germanic Languages and Comparative Literature at UCLA

Dr. Jessica O’Connell
Chief of Vascular Surgery Service at the Los Angeles VA Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery in the Division of Vascular Surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

A Day in the Life of a Vascular Surgeon 

Dr. Christopher Walthers
Former UCLA Project Scientist; Scientist at Orca Bio, a biotechnology company focusing on creating cell products for leukemia patients.

CRISPR Faster, Stronger: the Past and Future of Cell and Gene Therapy  

Attendance and Expectations

Students are expected to attend all required co-curricular components at the designated times from 3:30-4:30pm (PDT) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in-person. As a mature high school student, you should plan to arrive on time and stay for the entirety of the co-curricular out of respect for the speaker and for your benefit.

Active participation in the co-curriculars is a significant part of the program and will only enhance what you get out of this unique experience. An Attendance Form is required the same day of attendance for each co-curricular workshop.

We highly encourage students to attend all co-curriculars, however, we understand that events arise that may not allow you to attend every co-curricular. Such events may include an emergency, illness, appointment, etc.

Students are allowed up to two absences without submitting any forms. Missing more than two co-curricular workshops may result in ineligibility for the program’s Certificate of Completion and/or dismissal from the program.

If you will not be staying the residential hall overnight past the 11pm curfew check, please submit a Curfew Exception Request Form.

General Inquiries

The Summer College Immersion Program SCIP+ is a rigorous, six-week long academic experience designed for exceptionally high-achieving high school students about to begin their junior or senior years. The program provides participants not only the opportunity to study at UCLA and earn UC credit alongside UCLA undergraduate students, but also real-world knowledge to prepare them for college.

In addition to one or two UCLA courses of their choosing, students will have access to various academic resources and other services to support their success at UCLA and in their future academic careers. Among these include symposia and workshops on college-level research and writing, the effective use of libraries, as well as resilience training, stress management, and mindfulness components.

SCIP+ is a fully immersive six-week college experience that lasts the duration of a regular summer session term at UCLA. Students are able to select from roughly 100 different UCLA courses approved for high school students and will attend these courses alongside UCLA and visiting undergraduate students for an authentic college class experience.

In addition to academic courses, students will have access to co-curricular components designed to teach the foundation of research, support students’ college academic readiness, resilience and wellness, and ability to successfully navigate college life for a truly holistic experience.

SCIP+ students receive exclusive 1-on-1 advising, check-ins, and guest speakers from UCLA research labs and beyond. Upon successful completion, SCIP+ students will be awarded a certificate of completion designating their involvement in the research component of the program.

SCIP+ is intended for students who have completed two years of high school with highly competitive academic credentials. Students that will have graduated from high school by the time the program begins are not eligible. We invite students from all around the world to apply as long as they are ready to commit to the program’s schedule.

Students must submit a supplementary essay response specific to their interest in research, please see Application Requirements above.

 

SCIP+ is one of our most academically competitive precollege programs, therefore, unfortunately there are no exceptions to the minimum 3.8 unweighted, cumulative GPA requirement as this requirement is strict.

If your GPA is lower than the minimum requirement, we recommend considering Summer Courses (no minimum GPA) or Precollege Summer Institute (3.2+ GPA, some programs may require higher GPAs). You are welcome to apply to SCIP for Summer 2026 if your GPA meets the minimum eligibility requirement.

Enrollment in SCIP+ does not have any bearing on future admission to UCLA or any other University of California campus. With that being said, participating in a college-level program such as this one will prepare students for success in their future academic careers at any leading college or university around the world and may strengthen their college applications.

SCIP+
Application

Students are encouraged to apply during Early Action from January 3 through January 31 (11:59pm PDT) to have their application reviewed sooner compared to those who wait to apply until the Official Application becomes available on February 15.

If you are accepted during Early Action, you will be required to submit your official Application with the same uploads starting February 15, but your application will be approved within 3-4 business days allowing earlier course enrollment.

If you do not apply during Early Action, you must complete the Official Application starting February 15.

The Application Deadline is April 1 from the “Registration” button on the top of the program page.

The Enrollment Deadline is May 1 when students need to decide if they wish to enroll in the program (and housing, if applicable) by paying the registration fee and enrolling in an Approved Course on MyUCLA.

Once you have applied through Early Action (January 3 – January 31) or applied through the Official Application (starting February 15) you will be prompted to upload your supporting documentation. Please note the required file formats for each upload, as not all file types are accepted by our registration system.

Once you have successfully uploaded all of your required application materials, you will receive a confirmation email outlining the next steps.

You will receive an email once your application has been successfully submitted. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the application is filled out correctly and proper documents are being uploaded. The Summer Sessions Office will not contact students about errors on their application.

Admission is on a rolling basis, during which time decisions will be emailed within three weeks after an application is submitted.

The Enrollment Deadline of May 1 is when students must decide if they wish to enroll in the program (and housing), pay the registration fee, and enroll in an Approved Course via MyUCLA.

Yes, in lieu of an official transcript, homeschooled students must submit two letters of recommendation/character references from non-relatives who can attest in detail to their academic ability and potential for success in a college-level academic program.

Standardized test scores are not a part of the SCIP+ admissions requirements, with the exception of proof of English Proficiency if you are an international student whose high school is not primarily taught in English (see Application Requirements).

Please follow the steps in your acceptance email which includes the following steps:

  1. Access your registration with the 5-digit registration number in your application confirmation email
  2. Select Pay Now on the left hand side
  3. Have your parent/guardian complete the Participant Agreement/Waiver
  4. Submit payment of the non-refundable $350 registration fee

Grades
and Transcripts

Students outside the UC system should verify their school’s credit-granting process. Transfer of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Students who apply to a University of California (UC) school should provide information on their participation in UCLA Summer Sessions during application.

No, but the course(s) you take will generate an official UCLA transcript. In rare cases, a high school will accept a course to fulfill a high school requirement. Check with your high school counselor about this possibility.

UCLA is on the quarter system and awards quarter units. To convert quarter units into semester units, multiply the quarter units by .66*. For example,

  • 4 quarter units from UCLA transfers as approximately 2.67 semester units
  • 5 quarter units from UCLA transfers as approximately 3.33 semester units

*This is an estimate and conversion may differ between schools. Be sure to verify with your home institution.

Students can order a transcript online through MyUCLA under the “Classes” tab and then “Grades and Transcripts” or by submitting a Transcript Request Form to the Registrar’s Office.

If you have trouble logging in to your MyUCLA account, please contact the UCLA IT Support Center for MyUCLA assistance at 310-267-4357 or help@it.ucla.edu.

Campus Life

Yes, SCIP+ students will have access to many of UCLA’s campus amenities, including recreation facilities, libraries, study areas, computer labs, and the Undergraduate Writing Center.

No, a BruinCard is highly recommended but not required.

A UCLA BruinCard is a student identification card used to confirm status and eligibility for services. Below are select features of the BruinCard:

  • Official University ID
  • Debit Card
  • Library Card
  • Gym Pass
  • Meal Card
  • Access Card for Residence Hall
  • Laundry Card

The BruinCard process can be started online by submitting a photo or completing the process in person at 123 Kerkhoff Hall. Please reach out to the BruinCard Center for more information.

Academics

The Study List on MyUCLA records all classes in which a student is enrolled for a term.

There is a Class Planner feature on the Study List that helps students plan classes for a term. Students are responsible for avoiding class conflicts or multiple same-day final examinations.

Students cannot receive credit for classes not shown on the Study List as this is the official enrollment tool. Please note the grading basis for each class as listed on the study list. The study list should be checked after all enrollment transactions.

Students will be responsible for preparing for all required materials for their enrolled courses. Check the class textbook information of each enrolled course; if not listed, please contact your instructor or the department.

Students are encouraged to plan for classroom materials such as notebooks, pens, etc. that they would use for any other class.

Laptops and mobile devices are not required for students to participate in SCIP+, but they are encouraged. Students who are on campus may have access to UCLA computer labs and other computing resources at multiple locations across campus.

SCIP+ students may take 1-2 courses from the Approved List. With the additional 1 unit of research credit, we encourage students to take no more than 9 units (2 four unit courses + 1 unit of research). If you plan to take two courses, we strongly recommend attending office hours with your profession to ensure you are on track.

To qualify for F-1 student visas, international students must enroll in 6 units or more. This can be through one 5 unit course + 1 unit of research or two courses.

Email us at scip@summer.ucla.edu with the course you are interested in for our consideration. Please note that exceptions from the list of approved courses are not guaranteed and a petition process may be required.

Yes, every course will require homework and/or study time outside of class.

No. SCIP+ courses are regular ten-week courses compressed into six weeks, so missing any portion of the course will put you at a great disadvantage. It is crucial to attend all of the course meetings.

Please let your instructor or teaching assistant (TA) know that you are having difficulty with the material and they will be able to help you. Every instructor and TA is required to have at least one office hour every week. Utilize office hours to get the questions you have answered.

If you need to drop the course, be sure to follow all deadlines and procedures for doing so. Important: The deadlines to drop a course and the refund deadlines may not be the same.

Feel free to reach out to us at scip@summer.ucla.edu if you need assistance.

Let the instructor know well in advance and they will determine if other arrangements can be made. Please note that the instructor is not required to schedule an alternate exam time to accommodate your needs*.

A course may not be dropped or removed from your record if you take the final exam.

*In compliance with Section 92640 of the California Education Code, the University must accommodate requests for alternate examination dates for any test or examination at a time when that activity would not violate a student’s religious creed. This requirement does not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably be avoided.

Health and
Safety

Students must maintain sufficient health, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance while traveling to and from the program, as well as throughout participation in the program. By registering in the program, you have certified that you have sufficient insurance coverage.

In the event that students are ambulatory and need minor medical attention during the program’s activities on campus, they will seek medical attention at the UCLA Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center within normal university business hours. Treatment at the Ashe Center may result in additional fees for such services.

In other cases that require medical care or involve a medical emergency, paramedics may be called. UCLA and the Regents of the University of California shall not assume responsibility for any of the student’s medical expenses. UCLA will make reasonable efforts to inform parents/guardians of those instances of which it is aware that medical attention was required.

Residential
Plan

The dorm rooms include a bed, desk, closet, and trash bin. Bedding basics (sheets, blanket, and pillow) will also be provided.

Two meals, breakfast and dinner, are provided as part of the Precollege Residential Plan. Students are responsible for their own lunch. UCLA has several on-campus dining options for students of all dietary needs.

No meals are provided for students who opt for the non-residential option.

Roommates are pre-arranged based on gender and date of birth. Roommate assignments are shared upon check-in and may not be requested.

The safety of students is our top priority. Safety precautions include 24-hour front desk service, surveillance cameras, key access only, UCPD, and limited supervision including curfew enforcement.

High school students are expected to adhere to the participant agreement and Campus Regulations. For example, we have a ZERO-tolerance policy for alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Students who violate the Participant Agreement may be subject to disciplinary action up to dismissal with no refund.

Limited supervision throughout the program is provided by trained staff who will be housed in the residence hall with program participants.

Yes, students must be in assigned rooms by 11:00 p.m.