Learn how you can make an impact on our nation’s future

As the title suggests, this course is an introduction to politics in the United States of America. Politics is the process through which people engage in collective action. Understanding politics requires understanding why people engage in collective action to begin with, how they do so, and what the consequences are. In particular it will be important to understand how they create and sustain evolving institutions that organize this collective action, and how these institutions work. Although American politics may not always seem logical, the political system was created and persists to serve certain needs, and so it has a certain logic.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with basic facts about American politics, some explanation of the logic of American politics and an introduction to how social scientists learn about the world. Along the way we will engage with numerous examples from political history and current American politics.

Application deadline: June 13, 2025 | Enrollment deadline: June 20, 2025

Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15^th. 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.
• Short essay response

The Political Science Summer Institute 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 Political Science 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

Political Science 40; 5 units

Grading Basis

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 3 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.

UCLA Political Science Scholarship

POLITICAL SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The UCLA Department of Political Science offers full or partial, need-based scholarships. The award is not intended to cover travel costs and may not cover textbooks or other course materials. The final award amount will reflect the fees of the POLITICAL SCIENCE Summer Institute in which the applicant is enrolled.

IMPORTANT DATES

• February 15: POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship Application is available
• April 1: POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship Application is due by 5 p.m.
• April 26: Award announcements are emailed at 5 p.m.
• May 1: Students who have been awarded support must confirm acceptance by replying to the award announcement email.

ELIGIBILITY

To apply for the POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship, you must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• You are currently attending a high school in the state of California;
  • Enrolled in grades 9^th – 11^th during Spring 2025
  • 15 years of age or older prior to June 23, 2025
• You have not received a POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship in the past;
• You will be a continuing high school student in Fall 2025 (seniors graduating in 2025 are not eligible);
• You have a family annual adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Submit the POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship Application online. The application requires:

1. Student Information
2. School Information
3. High School Transcript (does not need to be official)
4. Parent/Guardian Information
5. Essay Question 1: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. (2-page limit)
6. Essay Question 2 (optional): Please describe any additional information that you have not had the opportunity to share, including financial hardships or obstacles that have impacted you. What steps have you taken to overcome it, and how has it affected your academic achievement? (2-page limit)

Students will need to upload the following to the POLITICAL SCIENCE Scholarship Application online:

1. *Federal Income Tax Form (1040) of your parent/s or legal guardian/s
2. *W-2 Tax Form (if eligible)
3. Letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor commenting on your ability to successfully complete a rigorous program. Please allow your recommender at least 2 weeks to write a complete letter of support before uploading the letter to the application.

*Before uploading your tax information, please redact social security numbers on the documents.

For questions, please contact us at gradinfo@polisci.ucla.edu.