Gain the knowledge you need to make the most out of your major.
Summer Pathways aims to redefine what a single UCLA major can do for you by providing early intervention of thoughtful major selection and exposure to the different ways a major can advance your personal and professional development. Whether you are a new Fall admit or a rising sophomore, you will have the opportunity to connect with other students and immerse yourself in an area of interest while satisfying general GE requirements and/or major prep. Summer Pathways offers a Social Science Pathway and a Life Science Pathway. Students may select a pathway that aligns with their current major (if available) or a pathway that will introduce them to a new area of interest.
At the end of the program, students will:
- Have the knowledge and tools to confidently identify their major of interest
- Be able to think critically and engage in major courses
- Have gained knowledge regarding major trajectories and applicable skills
- Have satisfied general GE requirements or major prep that will assist with degree completion
- Have adjusted to university life and gained knowledge of campus resources
- Have gained a stronger sense of self and formed community of support with their cohort of pathway students
Have questions? Watch a recording of our informational webinar here.
Registered students may visit our Summer Pathways Bruin Guide for more program details.
Summer Pathways Overview
Summer Pathways is designed to provide early major intervention for undergraduate students. The program provides a bridge of support for students going into the Fall quarter.
To register for this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- New Fall 2024 freshman admits
- UCLA rising sophomores
Summer Pathways is open enrollment and open to any majors. If you have any questions concerning eligibility requirements, please email pathways@summer.ucla.edu.
Explore the various majors offered within the Social Science or Life Science Division at UCLA. Learn how a single major can advance your personal and professional development through undergraduate student panels, conversations with faculty, involvement opportunities, and engaging workshops.
Social Science Pathway: This pathway will focus on majors offered in the Social Science Division such as:
- African American Studies
- Anthropology
- Asian American Studies
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Sociology
- History
And much more! For a full list of Social Science majors and departments, click here.
Life Science Pathway: This pathway will focus on majors offered in the Life Science Division such as:
- Biology
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology (MCD Bio)
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG)
- Human Biology and Society
And much more! For a full list of Life Science majors and departments, click here.
- Get a head start on degree requirements: Enrolling in courses over the summer before the Fall Quarter allows students to get a head start on satisfying GE requirements and/or major prep. Summer Pathways provides an invaluable opportunity for students to become accustomed to the fast-paced nature of UCLA courses before their first quarter and to familiarize themselves with the campus and resources.
- Chart your unique academic path: Pathways students have access to exclusive and engaging co-curriculars that enhance the UCLA experience. Participate in thought-provoking panels with professors and UCLA upper classmen, learn about transferrable skills across various majors, participate in hands-on, immersive activities, and much more!
- Gain early access to college counselors: Students who register for Summer Pathways will have early access to College Academic Counselors through a special event. Get to know some of the counselors who will guide you throughout your time at UCLA.
- Build your Bruin community: Summer Pathways offers new Bruins unique opportunities to build relationships and forge connections with fellow UCLA students. Explore new academic avenues and find your path while striving towards your goals together in this welcoming community!
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Log in to MyUCLA.
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Click on the “New Students” tab.
- Click on “New Student Orientation”
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Proceed with Summer Pathways Registration form at the bottom of the page.
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Upon successful completion of the registration form, you will receive a confirmation email with enrollment instructions and important program information.
- Complete the Summer Pathways Registration form.
- Upon successful completion of the registration form, you will receive a confirmation email with enrollment instructions and important program information.
On campus housing is strongly encouraged to experience college life before the Fall Quarter. Participants are housed in our UCLA residential community, the Hill, conveniently located within easy walking distance of classrooms, libraries, sports facilities, and more!
New Fall 2024 UCLA admits who would like to participate in orientation are strongly encouraged to register for New Student Orientation session 103, July 30-July 31st.
How to Register:
Reservations for New Student Orientations begins May 28, 2024 at 3:00 pm (Pacific Time) via MyUCLA. For more information regarding registration and costs, visit the New Student Academic Programs page.
*Please note orientation costs are separate.
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Program Dates
August 4 – September 13 (Session 6C) – 6 weeks
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Program Type:
Open Enrollment/ In-person
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Program Eligibility
UCLA Fall 2024 Freshman Admits/Rising UCLA Sophomores
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Registration Opens
April 15
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Registration Deadline
June 1 (Students who require a visa)/ July 1 (Domestic U.S Students)
Additional Information for Incoming International Students Only
To study in the U.S., international students will need an I-20 and the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars will need to time to process. If you an international student, you must register by June 1, 2024.
Visa and Full-time Enrollment Requirement for International Students in Summer Pathways
The United States Department of Homeland Security requires all incoming international students to obtain an F-1 student visa. Newly admitted undergraduate students participating in Summer Pathways must hold F-1 status and maintain at least 8 units of enrollment for the duration of Summer Session C. International students may not participate in Summer Pathways while holding a business or a tourist visa (B-1 or B-2) (including those entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program).
Once your Summer Pathways registration is complete, a combined I-20 reflecting your Summer Sessions registration and Fall admissions status will be issued. Upon obtaining an I-20 from UCLA, you will need to apply for an F-1 visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
I-20 Request Deadline: I-20 requests for Summer Pathways students must be completed no later than June 1, 2023.
To obtain a UCLA I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant F-1 Student Status), you must first submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to confirm acceptance of your admission to UCLA. Once you have submitted your SIR, you will be emailed instructions on how to request a combined Summer/Fall I-20 online via the I-20 Request Portal. While completing your I-20 Request online, please indicate in the ‘Comments’ section that you will be participating in Summer Pathways.
If you have already completed the request for your Fall I-20 online via the I-20 Request Portal prior to enrolling in Summer Pathways, please message the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars (DCISS) at I-20 Message Center as soon as possible to request for an updated Summer/Fall I-20. You will not be able to participate in the program with the Fall I-20.
Newly admitted F-1 undergraduate students participating in Summer Pathways must complete a Confidential Financial Statement (CFS) and provide evidence of financial support to cover Summer Session C fees and living expenses in addition to one year of undergraduate tuition and living expenses at UCLA (exact required amounts will populate in the I-20 Request Portal).
Students currently in the U.S. holding F-1 status
If you are currently in the U.S. holding F-1 status and have a valid SEVIS record, you must initiate a SEVIS transfer with your current institution to transfer your SEVIS record to UCLA for the Fall Quarter, but you may not require a UCLA I-20 for Summer Session C. Please message I-20 Message Center if you will be transferring your SEVIS record to UCLA.
F-1 students must be enrolled full-time throughout the entire period of study. In order to meet full time enrollment required for the F-1 visa, students must meet the following requirements:
- Students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units for Session 6C
- At least 51% of those units must be in-person
For I-20 and F-1 Visa-related inquiries, please contact I-20 Message Center.
UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
Students must maintain sufficient health insurance coverage through September 23, 2024 in order to participate in Summer Pathways. As such, students will be automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), a comprehensive medical insurance program offered to UCLA students at a prorated fee, reflecting the Summer Pathways duration. UC SHIP coverage includes medical, vision, dental, behavioral health and pharmaceutical care.
Please check back for more specific information about 2024 updates including costs, coverage, and dates of coverage.
Important Dates & Deadlines
It is a student‘s responsibility to be mindful of summer deadlines when registering for Summer Pathways. Please carefully review each section below regarding fee dates and deadlines. For academic deadlines related to course enrollment, please review the approved course page.
Fees and Payment Deadlines
Program Fee: $400.00
- In order to reserve a spot in the program, students must submit payment of the $400.00 program fee. Please note the program fee does NOT cover the full cost of attendance. Student are also liable for course fees and housing fees (if applicable).
Payment Deadline for Program Fee: July 05, 2024 (5:00PM PST)
- When will the program fee be assessed? The $400.00 program fee will be assessed to your BruinBill on 06/03. If you register after 06/03, the program fee will be be assessed on 07/02. Please submit payment of the program fee by July 05, 2024 5:00PM PST. Submitting the program fee confirms your participation in the program.
Course Fees: Amount Varies
- Course fees are calculated based on student type and the number of units you enroll in. UCLA undergraduate students are charged $279 per unit, along with additional campus based referenda fees. There are NO additional out-of-state domestic student fees during the summer (international students may incur additional fees i.e. health insurance). For a fee overview and estimate, you may view our Fees page.
Payment Deadline for Course Fees: June 21, 2024 (5:00PM PST)
- When will the course fees be assessed? After enrollment, you will immediately have access to your current balance on your BruinBill account, the university’s billing system, via MyUCLA under the “Finances and Jobs” tab. Please note, changes in your Study List may increase your charges, therefore you should view your BruinBill after every enrollment transaction.
- Starting June 21, payment is due immediately to avoid drops for non-payment or financial holds.
Housing Fee: $2,747.00
- In order to reserve a spot in the residence halls, students must submit payment of the housing fee. If you would like to opt out of housing, please email pathways@summer.ucla.edu.
Payment Deadline for Housing Fee: July 05, 2024 (5:00PM PST)
- When will the housing fee be assessed? Similar to the program fee, the housing fee will be assessed to your BruinBill on 06/03. If you register after 06/03, the housing fee will be be assessed on 07/02. Please submit payment of the housing fee by July 05, 2024 5:00PM PST. Submitting the housing fee confirms your spot in the UCLA dorms for the duration of the program.
NOTE: If you are a new student participating in Orientation Session 103 (July 30-31st) and you would like to request a stayover between the end of orientation and the start of the Summer Pathways program (August 04), please check off the stayover request option on the program registration form. For more information about additional stayover fees, email pathways@summer.ucla.edu.
Drop & Refund Deadlines
Drop & Refund Deadline: Friday, Week 1 of the program August 09, 2024 (5:00PM PST)
- In order to drop the program and receive a refund of the $400 program fee, you will need to email pathways@summer.ucla.edu to request a drop. As long as you request a drop by the refund deadline listed above, you will receive a refund of the program fee. Please note, you must also drop your courses.
Drop Deadline
Impacted Courses: Friday, Week 1 of the course (August 09 by 5:00PM PST)
Non-Impacted Courses: Last day of the class (September 13 by 5:00PM PST)
- In addition to dropping the program, you will need to drop your summer classes. To drop a class, log into MyUCLA, click on the “Classes” tab and “Drop a Class”, select the pencil icon under “Changes” and “Drop”. Confirm the course no longer appears on the study List. Please note a $150 processing fee is assessed when UCLA students drop ALL summer courses to 0 units regardless of when the courses are dropped.
Refund Deadline
Impacted Courses: Friday, Week 1 of the course (August 09 by 5:00PM PST)
Non-Impacted Courses: Friday, Week 2 of the course (August 16 by 5:00PM PST)
- If you would like to receive a refund of course fees, you must drop the course BEFORE the refund deadlines listed above. The drop and refund deadline are not the same for most summer courses. Please check whether the course you are enrolling in is impacted or non-impacted.
Drop & Refund Deadline: July 29, 2024 (5:00PM PST)
- In order to drop housing and receive a refund of the housing fee, you will need to email pathways@summer.ucla.edu to request a drop. As long as you request a drop by the refund deadline listed above, you will receive a refund of the housing fee.
Program Courses
Students must enroll in two Approved Summer Pathway Courses that do not conflict with the program’s mandatory co-curriculars from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Tuesdays
and Thursdays.
Summer Pathway Courses
The recommended list for each pathway includes a curated list of courses that satisfy GE and/or major prep. Students must enroll in two approved courses with an optional 3rd course (University Studies 10A). Students may also mix and match courses from each pathway course list.
*International students in the program who require a visa will need to be enrolled in at least 8 units to meet the eligibility for an F-1 visa, required for study. At least 51% of those units must be in-person.
Click here to view the Summer Pathways Approved Course Page.
Co-Curricular Component
With so many majors to choose from, selecting the right one can feel like a daunting task. Summer Pathway Co-Curriculars are meant to help students think critically about the practical implications behind major options and the wide range of opportunities that a single UCLA major can offer. The program includes a combination of workshops that are pathway specific and general student development workshops for ALL students. Please review the section below for a look at some of our co-curriculars.
Pathway Specific Co-Curriculars
In this exclusive panel, you will get a firsthand look at the undergraduate experiences of UCLA upperclassmen currently majoring in the social science or life science division. Get answers to questions that will assist you in the process of selecting a major by talking to students who have been in the major for 2+ years.
Being a single student in a lecture hall full of hundreds of other students can feel overwhelming. The classroom environment and the different teaching styles can present a new set of challenges for students who are not familiar with the quarter system. In this panel, you will learn valuable advice from some of UCLA’s most well-known professors in the social science or life science division. Get to know these professors on a personal level as they answer questions such as how to make the most of their classes, how to do well in upper division courses, and why office hours matter. In this panel, students will learn the value of making meaningful connections with professors during their time at UCLA.
During your time at UCLA, you will take many courses that cover a large range of topics in your area of study. However, beyond the topics covered, it is important to think strategically about the practical skills you will be developing in these courses and how those skills can be translated across many fields and professions. Start your UCLA journey on the right path by learning how to use your undergraduate courses to develop the skills that are critical to your professional development.
This workshop will focus on a common area of interest for social science and life science majors.
Social Science – Law (Program Spotlight: Justice Corps)
Life Science – Pre-Med
General Co-Curriculars
Take charge of your education by familiarizing yourself with campus resources that aim to create an accessible, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for students.
Get to know UCLA faculty in a more casual setting. Join us for a fun social filled with engaging conversations and activities. This co-curricular will allow students to connect with faculty outside of the classroom environment and get to know them on a more personal level.
UCLA is a large university and it can be hard knowing how to navigate an unfamiliar space. However, connecting and creating community with your fellow Bruins has the power to enhance your college experience. Creating community allows you to make meaningful connections, explore interests, have social support, and fosters a sense of belonging. In this workshop, you will learn about some of the unique opportunities available to students through volunteer work. Volunteer work promotes both community and professional development.
Identifying goals and creating a plan of action can bring both clarity and direction to any area of your life. In this workshop, you will receive specific guidance on how to create and plan out your personal and professional goals.
As a college student, prioritizing your physical and emotional well being is crucial. Knowing your options can go a long way towards alleviating physical and mental stressors. Come learn about helpful resources on campus that not many students might know about!
In a college environment, unchecked stress can lead to burnout and exhaustion. In this workshop, you will learn how to effectively manage and overcome stress by creating a self-care plan. Come learn about mental health resources available to you!
Housing Component
Students are strongly encouraged to live in the dorms for the duration of the program. The university offers fully furnished residence halls and suites within easy walking distance of classrooms, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Residential Housing (Strongly Recommended)
ALL students will be assessed the housing fee. If you would like to opt out of housing and receive a refund of the housing fee, please email pathways@summer.ucla.edu by July 29, 2024 5:00PM PST.
Summer Pathway students will be housed in Sproul Landing.
Amenities
All students that purchase the residential plan will reside in a residence hall with following amenities:
- Triple occupancy rooms that are furnished, air-conditioned, and have internet access
- 24-hour front desk service and a secure facility entrance
- Access to world class recreation facilities
- Laundry facilities and a lounge located in each building
- Internet access
- Gender-specific shared bathrooms on each side of the hall; gender inclusive bathrooms on every other floor
- Access to laundry facilities
- One wardrobe, closet, or dresser drawer per student
- One desk per student
- Essential bedding: flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillow, and blanket
Meals
- Breakfast and dinner (two meals) are provided each day in the UCLA dining halls, nationally recognized for their excellent cuisine. Lunch, however, may be purchased by the student each day at any of the campus eating establishments on campusIf you have questions about dietary restrictions or food allergies, please contact the UCLA Dining Services Registered Dietitian (RD) at AsktheRD@ha.ucla.edu or 310-206-3193 (Office) / 424-535-4286 (Mobile). The dietician can assist only with residential dining hall inquiries.
For students in Summer Pathways, residential check in will be Sunday, August 04, 2024 1:00pm-3:00pm and check out will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 11:00am. More information will be provided to students as we get closer to the start of the program.
You will be assigned roommates based on age and gender and will be notified of the roommate assignment during check-in. In order to better foster a learning community that exposes students to a broader network of peers, we do not accommodate any specific roommate assignment request.
Our residential staff will be planning interactive, optional activities for students. These activities are designed to help students build community and make the most of their academic programming at UCLA. The social cohort bonding schedule will be shared with students closer to the start of the program.
Please note: Residential and social activities hosted on the hill and off campus will be open to BOTH residential and commuter students.
FAQs
Students must enroll in two Summer Pathway Courses that do not conflict with the program’s mandatory co-curriculars from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students may also enroll in a third optional University Studies 10A course.
Yes, you may still participate. Students have the option to select a pathway that aligns with their current major OR a pathway that will allow them to explore a new area of study.
On campus housing is strongly encouraged to experience college life before the Fall Quarter. Participants are housed in our UCLA residential community, the Hill, conveniently located within easy walking distance of classrooms, libraries, sports facilities, and more!
Please note, all commuter students will still have access to optional social cohort bonding activities hosted on the hill or off campus.
Yes, students will have the opportunity to participate in social activities in Westwood and the general Los Angeles area. A Pathway Leader (PL) will facilitate all social activities. Activities and schedules will be shared with students closer to the start of the program.
*All activities/transportation costs will be out of pocket.