Think like an economist by analyzing economic data and policies
Expand your knowledge of economic issues around the world
The UCLA Economics Precollege Summer Institute is a three-week-long program designed to help you expand your knowledge of critical economic issues affecting the United States and the world.
Students in this program will learn about economic policy issues and principles of financial analysis. Students will complete the program with the necessary foundation to apply these methodologies and better understand the problems of economic institutions and policy.
UCLA’s Economics Department has two interlocking objectives: First, we conduct cutting-edge research by developing new methodologies and applying them to understand society’s most critical issues. Second, we seek to train the next generation of economic leaders in the private sector, government, and academia. You will have the chance to work with current undergraduate students and faculty as part of our Economics Precollege Summer Institute and build data analysis skills and the ability to think like an economist.
Economics Summer Institute
Working in small teams led by UCLA Economics undergraduates, students have the chance to apply their knowledge and skills while preparing case study presentations relevant to their coursework.
During the program, participants will engage in:
- Lectures on economics by UCLA faculty followed by workshops and discussion sessions led by UCLA Economics Peer Learning Facilitators.
- Team-based projects involving various economics topics and issues.
- Weekly PowerPoint presentations to demonstrate topic comprehension.
Planned topics will include:
- Analyzing empirical data
- Case studies
- Justifying various positions based on data
- Price ceilings and floors
- Discussing the pros and cons of rent control
- Costs of taxation
- International trade
- The Power of Trade
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 13th, is highly recommended.
The program has application requirements for admission. Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
- An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
- If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
- Value statement: At the time of registration, ALL applicants will be prompted to submit a few short sentences reflecting on their pursuit of participation in a UCLA Precollege Summer Institute. Please note that students are strongly discouraged from relying on ChatGpt/AI tools for their application responses and are encouraged to submit original and authentic answers.
- A personal statement that is ready to be submitted answering the following:
- In 250 words or less, tell us what distinguishes you from your classmates and peers. What do you expect to gain from participating in the Economics Summer Institute, and what do you hope to accomplish during the program?
- Proof of English proficiency – Citizens from non-English speaking countries ONLY (Citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, and Canada are exempt from English Proficiency requirements):
- TOEFL – Minimum score of 80 (iBT) or 550 (PBT); IELTS – 6.5 or higher;
- iTEP – 5 or higher;
- DUOLINGO (DET): 105
- CEFR/CAE/CPE – Level C1- Grades A, B, and C;
- International Baccalaureate (IB) or students attending a high school taught in English: students may submit a transcript or verification of enrollment from their school; OR
- Proof of completion in English as a language course
The Economics Summer Institute is a commuter program, there is NO on-campus housing available for the commuter program through the institute program or UCLA Summer Sessions. Additionally, please note that only students aged 17 and older as of June 23rd, 2025 are eligible to sign a housing contract, and not all program dates correspond to when contracts are available. Students interested in exploring this option should review information at UCLA Summer Housing.
Participants of the Economics Summer Institute must commute to the UCLA campus each day of the program. Specific location information (e.g. classroom) will be provided to enrolled students closer to the start of the program.
Parking
Summer Sessions parking permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students have the option to purchase a summer term permit or a daily permit.
Please review the Transportation and Parking Services web page and read the “Summer Quarter Parking (All Students)” section for more information on all permit types, including cost.
Coursework
Economics 1; 4 units
Grading
Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. However, if you would like to change your grade type to Pass/No Pass (P/NP), please contact your instructor. To receive a “Pass” notation, students must earn a letter grade of C or better. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
In order to successfully complete the program, students must not have more than 2 excused or unexcused absences.
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 9th – 11th in Spring 2025 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. Students must be 15 years old by the first day of Summer Sessions 2025 on June 23rd in order to participate in a Precollege Summer Institute and/or apply for Summer Scholars Support. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Summer 2025 deadline to apply: March 15.
Program Dates: July 14, 2025 – August 1, 2025
Program Type: Commuter
Program Eligibility: 9th-12th grade in Spring 2025*
Application deadline: June 13, 2025
Enrollment deadline: July 11, 2025
*All participants must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions 2025 on June 23rd, no exceptions allowed.
The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. Enrolled students will be given updated materials closer to the program start date.
Fees and Payment Info
The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.
Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.
Meet your instructors
Dr. Randall R. Rojas
Adjunct Associate Professor, Instructor Economics Summer Institute (In-Person)Dr. Randall R. Rojas is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Economics at UCLA. His research interests entail a highly interdisciplinary endeavor that transcends disciplinary barriers. His work in Economics is predominantly in the field of econophysics and financial engineering where he applies principles from physics, statistics, and psychology to the study of financial markets. He is also an active researcher in the field of Cognitive Science where he applies Bayesian methodologies to the modeling of knowledge acquisition by humans (human causal learning).
Dr. Rojas’s current work in Astrophysics (mainly astrostatistics) focuses on developing novel statistical analyses of the large-scale structure (LSS) of the universe to better understand its rich complexity and history. He is also highly committed to his teaching responsibilities and was awarded the ‘My Last Lecture Award’ by UCLA’s Alumni Scholars Club in 2015.
Education:
Ph.D. Statistics – University of California, Los Angeles
M.S. Statistics – University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D. Physics/Astrophysics – Drexel University
M.S. Physics – Drexel University
B.S. Astrophysics- University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Mathematics- University of California, Los Angeles
Economics Summer Institute FAQ
Participants in the program will need to have a laptop computer with access to Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, and a USB port. It is also recommended that students have a graphing calculator. Please reach out to the program instructor if you have an issue with technological accessibility.
Required Textbooks: Principles of Economics. N. Gregory Mankiw, 9th Edition. Electronic textbooks will be provided. The cost of the electronic text book will be assessed via BruinBill at the end of the program and typically ranges from $70-$80.
The program includes additional activities. Economics Summer Institute participants will be placed into study groups and work collaboratively to develop and provide PowerPoint presentations based on coursework.
Students do not need to have any background in economics, but they do need to have basic algebra skills.
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.