Gain the tools to begin a personal financial plan and explore careers in investing

During the Introduction to Investments Summer Institute, students will attend and participate in lectures on economics with a focus on investment options by UCLA faculty, as well as discussion sessions, led by UCLA Economics majors, to share their ideas in smaller group settings.

Students have the chance to apply their knowledge and foundation while analyzing case studies relevant to coursework.

Planned topics will include but are not limited to:

• Financial Markets, how they work and why they exist
• Stock Ownership, bonds, commodities
• The Federal Reserve, Economics cycles
• Financial panics through time
• Valuation Styles and Quantitative analysis
• Personal Investments
• Global Markets, Efficient Markets
• Money, Banking and Cycles
• International Investing
• Other Investment Types
• Venture Capital
• Private Equity and Hedge Funds
• Careers in Finance
• Investing Educational Paths to Prepare for Careers in Finance and Investing

Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience 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 short essay responding to the following prompt:
  • In 250 words or less, tell us a little about yourself and your learning style. What do you expect to gain from the Investments course, and what do you hope to accomplish? Do you have any background in investments and financial topics? If so, please describe.
• 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 or higher;
  • 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 Introduction to Investments Summer Institute – Session A is a commuter program. UCLA Summer Institutes do NOT provide on-campus housing for commuter programs. However, students who are 17 or older as of June 23, 2025, may independently apply for housing through UCLA Housing. Students interested in exploring this option should review information at UCLA Summer Housing.

Participants of the Introduction to Investments Summer Institute – Session A 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.

As an alternative, The Introduction to Investments Summer Institute – Session B will be conducted virtually (online). All meeting times will take place in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), unless otherwise noted on program schedule and syllabus. Participants must log-in to virtual sessions at the times indicated on the program schedule.

Students in the virtual program will not be offered housing.

Coursework
Economics 4; 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.