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Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track
The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential track offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to live on campus and enjoy the summer at Berkeley. Pre-College Scholars participants will get the opportunity to earn college credit while experiencing university life to the fullest with other students from across the United States and around the world. During the summer, students will take two courses offered through Berkeley Summer Sessions and have the option to participate in extracurricular activities, excursions, and an exploratory workshop series delivered by skilled admissions professionals.
Your summer residential experience begins with orientation sessions, a campus scavenger hunt, and opportunities to meet with program staff and other participants. Activities and excursions are planned by UC Berkeley undergraduate Resident Assistants and Mentors (RAMs) and the program staff to help you build community with other students in your program, make the most out of your time at Berkeley, and prepare you for your future college experience.
Find courses to meet and challenge your desire to learn. Whether looking for the next set of courses beyond your high school offerings, exploring a possible college major, or seeking to try courses in an area of special interest, you can find it at Berkeley in the summer! Learn from and with the best, and our staff will work with you every step of the way.
Choose from courses offered in Session C (June 20 - August 11, 2023) and Session D (July 3 - August 11, 2023).
Program Benefits:
- Learn and engage with UC Berkeley faculty and students, as well as other summer visiting students, in a robust academic environment
- Chaperoned housing in campus residence halls along with a daily meal plan
- The addition of Berkeley Summer Sessions on your college application
- A Berkeley transcript that can be requested from the UC Berkeley's Office of the Registrar
- College credit that may be transferable to another college program*
- A personal letter of commendation from the Dean of Extended Education & Associate Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education for passing grades upon email request to precollege@berkeley.edu
- Welcome orientation, interactive scavenger hunts, local excursions, social activities, and more!
- College preparation workshops
- Support from designated program staff throughout the program
- If needed, I-20 issued by International Student Services
*Acceptance of transfer credit is always at the discretion of the accepting institution.
Important Dates:
Application opens - Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Application deadline - Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Program dates - Session C: June 20 - August 11, 2023
Session D: July 2 - August 11, 2023
Cancellation Deadline - Friday, April 14, 2023
The Pre-College Scholars program and the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) are excited to offer a scholarship to cover tuition and room and board for the residential track. Click HERE for more information.
Watch our program overview on YouTube
Pre-College Scholars Residential Checklist
1. Before You Apply
2. During Application
3. After You Apply
Pre-College Scholars Residential Parents & Legal Guardians
"I got an amazing experience of life as a UCB student and I love it so much! It got me thinking about how I could prepare even better for college now that I know what it is like. I was also able to speak to a lot of professors and undergrad and grad students and they were all very insightful, helpful and welcoming. The Berkeley community is amazing."
—Pre-College Scholar Program Participant, 2022
Have a question?
• Sign up for an Online Information Session
• Virtual Advising available by appointment or by dropping in
• Contact our Pre-College team
• Connect with a Program Ambassador to get more insights about your future summer experience at UC Berkeley!
The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential track is open to both domestic and international high school students who will be 16-17 years old by the start of the program (Sunday, June 18, 2023).
Students must be in good academic standing in their home institutions. International high school students must meet the Summer Sessions' English Language Requirements.
The track is designed for domestic and international high school students who may live outside the local San Francisco Bay Area and are seeking housing during the summer academic session. San Francisco Bay Area local residents are also welcome to apply.
Domestic students must meet the following requirements to apply to the summer residential track:
- Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
- Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
- 16 years of age by June 18, 2023
- Require residential housing
International students must meet the following requirements to apply to the summer residential track:
- Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school in the subsequent fall
- Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework (or comparable qualitative evaluation)
- Meet our minimum English language proficiency requirements, if applicable
- Maintain your own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
- 16 years of age by June 18, 2023
- Require a visa**
- Require residential housing
High school graduates: Students who have graduated from high school before the start of summer classes are not eligible for the Pre-College Scholars program. High school graduates can attend Berkeley Summer Sessions as a visiting student and need to apply using the visiting student application.
*All students are required to have valid health insurance coverage for the duration of the program. If you do not have health insurance, you should purchase coverage before your arrival to Berkeley. For suggestions regarding health insurance options, please visit this page.
The program provides an "Emergency Use Only" insurance plan that can be used locally. When using this plan for doctor's appointments, emergencies, prescriptions, or other health care visits, students might be asked to pay the healthcare provider out of pocket, and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
**All international students are expected to attend the program on the appropriate student visa. For visa questions, contact our Pre-College team. Attending the program on a non-student visa may result in the violation of your status in the country, and we are unable to provide any advising or support to non-student visa holders.
The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential track is a program designed for domestic and visiting international students who may not be living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Students should not apply for housing as room and board are provided by UC Berkeley, and all participants are required to live in assigned residential housing. Students will live with other Pre-College Scholars program participants in a residence hall within walking distance of the main campus. They will be under the full-time supervision of residential program staff Resident Assistant Mentors.
Students will be housed in Bowles Hall. All students will be sharing rooms (doubles) and will receive their housing assignments upon arrival. Room and roommate assignments are done at random. The assignments are not negotiable. Our residence hall includes a historic library, study rooms, high speed wifi, game room, washers and dryers, and a large lounge area. Rooms will have dressers, desks, mirrors, and closets. As Pre-College Scholars, students will be subjected to a daily curfew from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Meals
Students will receive a meal plan that offers 3 meals per day during weekdays and 2 meals per day on the weekends and on holidays. If you are rushing to class, unable to eat in the dining area, or simply would like to eat later, you will be able to prepare a sandwich or something else to take with you.
Pre-College Scholars Residential students are required to enroll in two lower-division courses and meet the full-time unit requirement based on the session. Students may select from a large catalog of Berkeley Summer Sessions courses that are available to high school students.
(Full-time enrollment in Session C is six units, and full-time enrollment in Session D is five units)
Summer Sessions Courses
Pre-College Scholars students may enroll in Berkeley Summer Session courses that are numbered between 1 and 99 (undergraduate, lower division) offered in Session C (eight weeks: June 20 - August 11, 2023) and Session D (six weeks: July 3 - August 11, 2023), as long as the course is available to high school students and students have met all course prerequisites.
View the full list of summer session courses.
Click here to view a sample of courses completed by past Pre-College Scholars participants.
Once students submit the Course Enrollment Request Form, they will no longer be able to change the session they plan to attend. All further changes to course schedules must be made by submitting the Petition to Change Class Schedule Form directly to summer staff at Contact our Pre-College team. Please note, course enrollment may be impacted by class schedule, availability, and academic department's discretion. It is crucial to come up with alternative course options (just like any college student would) in the event we are unable to process first-choice selections.
• If you applied for Session C (8 weeks: June 20 - August 11, 2023), you may enroll in two Session C courses, or one Session C course (8 weeks) and one Session D (6 weeks: July 3 - August 11, 2023) class. You will NOT be able to enroll in two Session D courses.
• If you applied for Session D (6 weeks: July 3 - August 11, 2023), you will enroll in two Session D courses. You will NOT be able to enroll in any Session C courses.
Withdrawing from the program due to not being enrolled in a preferred class will not result in a refund unless the student withdraws prior to the cancellation deadline, April 14, 2023.
Interested in studying Law? We invite you to explore the Legal Studies course options and supplemental events and programming offered by Berkeley Law - Legal Studies: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Summer Sessions application fee: $25
Eight week - Session C (June 20 - Aug 11, 2023): $15,800
Six week - Session D (July 3- Aug 11, 2023): $14,500
Pre-College Scholars Residential track fee includes tuition & fees, housing, meals, orientation, excursions & activities, basic health insurance plan, and on-site support.
Please note that the cost of any necessary flights to and from the Bay Area and all other miscellaneous or personal expenses are the responsibility of the student. See here for more information.
Fees are subject to change.
For information on how to pay the charges on your account, visit our Student & Billing Services webpage. Fee Payment Plan and Third Party Contracts are not accepted payment options for Pre-College Scholars students
Cancellation Deadline: Friday, April 14, 2023
All fees are non-refundable, and no partial refunds will be issued should a student withdraw from the program or drop a class after this deadline.
The Pre-College Scholars program and the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) are excited to offer a scholarship to cover tuition and room and board for the 8-week residential track. Click HERE for more information.
Withdrawal Process
To withdraw from the program, you must submit the Withdrawal Request Form via your admissions portal. This form must be completed by any student admitted to the program who seeks to cancel their participation. Email and phone withdrawal requests will not be accepted.
The deadline to withdraw and receive a full refund (minus the application fee) is Friday, April 14. If you cancel or are dismissed from the program after April 14, you are still responsible for the full program fee.
Refund:
Refund of Credit Card Payments
If your fees have been paid with a credit card, and you are eligible to receive a refund, you will receive a refund to the original credit card used to pay the fees. Refunds from cancellations and withdrawals will be processed within 15 business days from the day of the cancellation/withdrawal.
Refund of Non-Credit Card Payments
If your fees have been paid with a method other than a credit card and you are eligible to receive a refund, you will receive an email notification within 15 business days that the refund is available either via Direct Deposit or as a paper check that will be mailed to you.
Refund Appeal
We understand that situations occur that may prevent you from attending or completing the Pre-College Scholars Residential track. If you need to drop or withdraw from the Pre-College Scholars program after the deadline, you may request an appeal to the refund policy.
Do not hesitate to contact our Pre-College team if you have any questions or concerns about the withdrawal or refund process.
In addition to taking Berkeley summer courses, Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Residential track students will have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities, workshops, and excursions. These activities are planned to help you meet other students in your program, make the most of your Berkeley learning experience, and prepare for your university studies. Dates, times, and events are subject to change.
Pre-College Orientation
To ensure your smooth transition to UC Berkeley your orientation will be a three-step process beginning with a video recording, a pre-arrival live webinar, and finally an in-person session. All Pre-College Scholars participants will be required to attend their orientation to the program. Important topics include academic success and integrity, health/safety and wellness, and much more will be discussed in detail.
College Exploration Workshops & Extra-Curricular Activities
Typically, on Tuesdays between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, we will offer academic enrichment and college exploration workshops designed to help students prepare for the college admission process and beyond. Past workshops have included: "College in Perspective," "Anatomy of the College Application", and "Personal Narrative."
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explore the exciting attractions the Bay Area has to offer and enjoy various social activities organized by the staff. Past activities and excursions have included a visit to the San Francisco Ferry Building, a walking tour, exploring the Cal Academy of Sciences and De Young Museum, an ice-cream and boba social, a trip to Silicon Valley, board games, movie nights, and bowling.
The application for this track is now closed! Check back early 2024 for more information on the next cycle!
Applications open: Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at 9:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Application deadline: Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
Cancellation deadline: Friday, April 14, 2023, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)
Your Application: What to Expect
Before starting your application, please be sure to carefully read the Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track Help Center starting with this article which contains information to answer your most frequently asked questions. Pay special attention to:
- Admissions and Enrollment
- Eligibility requirements
- Finances, Billing, and Payment
- Academics and Coursework
- Important Dates and Deadlines
- Program Policies
If you need more information or didn't find the answers that you were looking for, please email precollege@berkeley.edu.
Complete the following steps to apply for the Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential track:
- Application: Gather the following information before you begin:
- Basic biographical (name, birth date, gender, citizenship, etc.) and contact information
- Emergency contact information**
- The student email address and parent/guardian email address must be different. Failure to comply with this policy will result in a significant processing delay and/or denial of your application. If you have any questions or concerns, please email precollege@berkeley.edu.
- Complete the personal insight questions:
- What in your academic background prepares you to participate in this program?
- The UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program seeks to create an engaged and inclusive community that is welcoming to students from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for the Pre-College Scholars Program?
- Upload a PDF copy of your most recent high school transcript, showing all high school work through fall 2021 (official or unofficial). The transcript must include the student's full name and cumulative GPA. Report cards are not acceptable.
- Review the Waiver of Liability & Authorization Form
- Review the Release of Authorization for Emergency Treatment Form
- Review the Consent to Release Student Information Form
- Review the Student Code of Conduct Agreement
- Review the Storage and Administration of Medications Form
- Review the COVID Community Compact
- Review the Program Travel During a Pandemic Notice Understanding Form
- English Proficiency Requirement (if applicable): All students who attend high schools outside of the United States are required to provide documentation of meeting the English Language Proficiency Requirement unless their school country is exempt from the requirement, OR they will enroll only in English as a Second Language course. You will need to provide this documentation during the application process.
Complete applications are reviewed by Program staff on a rolling basis. If your application is complete, you will be notified of your admissions decisions to the program via email. If you are admitted to the program, you will have 48 hours to accept your offer of admission on your student portal before the offer expires.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will delay a student's admission to the Pre-College Scholars Residential track. Please be sure to check your email regularly as staff may email you regarding incomplete application materials. Email precollege@berkeley.edu if you have questions regarding the status of your application
Admission Acceptance, Course Enrollment & Tuition and Fee Payment: What to Expect
To confirm your enrollment in the Pre-College Scholars program, you will need to:
- Accept your offer of admission within 48 hours. You will receive an email about your admissions decision. You must accept your offer of admission in your application portal within 48 hours of receiving your offer. Failure to do so will result in your offer being withdrawn and your spot will be offered to another student.
- Set up your UC Berkeley CalNet account within 48 hours. Within 48 hours of accepting your admission, you will receive an email with your student ID number and instructions for setting up your CalNet ID and passphrase. If you encounter any issues with receiving your CalNet information, please contact our Pre-College team
- Log in to CalCentral & complete your required pre-enrollment tasks within 7 days. Once you create your CalNet ID and passphrase, you will be able to log in to the CalCentral to pay your fees, and access information about UC Berkeley. You will see an active hold "Visiting High School Student" under your Status and Hold section. This is normal.
Under Tasks, you will see several required action items including: Student Financial Agreement and COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement. You must complete these tasks as soon as possible. You will NOT be enrolled in the program until you complete these tasks.
Pay all tuition and fees within 7 days. The program fees will be assessed to your CalCentral account and must be paid in full within seven calendar days of admission to the program. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your admission. To withdraw from the program without the financial penalty, all applicants must submit a formal withdrawal request via their admissions portal before the Friday, April 14, 2023 cancellation deadline.
Admission
You will be notified of admission to the program via email. If you are admitted to the program, you will have 48 hours to accept your offer of admission in our student portal before the offer expires.
Admission to the Pre-College Scholars: Residential track at Berkeley Summer Sessions is conditional on compliance with program eligibility requirements & University policies, and may be revoked at the discretion of the Dean of Extended Education & Associate Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education in accordance with the Summer Sessions and the Student Code of Conduct. By accepting our offer of admission, you agree to the rules and program policies outlined regarding fees, cancellation deadlines, refunds, enrollment changes, and student conduct, included but not limited to those listed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions, please contact our Pre-College team.
Course Enrollment
When you accept your offer of admission, you will complete an online Course Enrollment Request Form. Program staff will enroll you in your course(s) based on your selections. You will be limited to course offerings based on the session you selected in this application:
- If you selected Session C (8 weeks - June 20- August 11, 2023), you may enroll in two Session C courses OR one Session C course and one Session D course.
- If you selected Session D (6 weeks - July 3 - August 11, 2023), you will enroll in two Session D courses.
Pre-College Scholars students are not permitted to enroll in online courses or courses offered outside of Session C and D.
Pre-College Scholars students may enroll in courses that are numbered between 1 and 99 (undergraduate, lower division), as long as there is space available in the course, the course is available to high school students, and all course prerequisites have been met. Pre-College Scholars will not be permitted to enroll in upper-division coursework.
Course enrollment may be impacted by class schedule, availability, and academic department's discretion. It is crucial to come up with alternative course options in the event that we are unable to process your enrollment request
Note: You MUST enroll in courses based on the session dates you selected:
Failure to enroll in the correct session courses may jeopardize your participation in the Pre-College Scholars Residential program.
Waitlisted Courses
All program participants must be enrolled in two courses and meet the full-time unit requirement (based on the session). Students will not be enrolled in any course with a waitlist.
Conflicting Courses
The two courses that are selected should not conflict or overlap with each other's scheduled time. Summer staff will be unable to process your course enrollment if there are any meeting time conflicts, and you will be asked to select a different schedule. This will delay your enrollment and your ability to pay for the program and move forward with the next steps.
Enrollment Changes
All program participants must be enrolled in two courses. All program participants must consult with program staff regarding any enrollment changes (drop or add a new course) after the initial submission of their Course Enrollment Request Form.
CalCentral Account
After you accept your offer of admission, you will receive an email with instructions for setting up your CalNet ID and passphrase. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within 48 hours of accepting your offer. If you encounter any issues with receiving your CalNet information, please contact itcsshelp@berkeley.edu.
Once you create your CalNet ID and passphrase, you will be able to log in to the CalCentral system to pay your fees and access information about UC Berkeley. In CalCentral, you will also need to sign the Student Financial Agreement checklist item listed as an active hold on your CalCentral dashboard. You will not be able to enroll or be enrolled in summer classes until you have read and signed the agreement.
As detailed above, Pre-College Scholars do not have access to course registration in the CalCentral system. Please note that when you log in to CalCentral, you will see the following active hold "Visiting High School Student" under your Status and Hold section. You can disregard this message as this will not impact your course registration in any way. All new and revised enrollment will be processed by program staff. Once you are in CalCentral, make sure to keep an eye on any tasks you are required to complete, which include uploading your photo ID, submitting the Visiting Summer International Student form to get your I-20 (international students only), confirming your local address after arrival, among others. Failing to complete those tasks on time will interfere with your ability to participate in the program.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory.
If a student becomes ill or misses class due to a personal emergency, they should be sure to notify their Resident Assistant and Mentor (RAM) immediately and request their assistance if medical attention is needed. Students should plan to present a note from their hospital or doctor to request an absence be excused due to illness. Students should also notify the instructor and ensure they read the course syllabus regarding the course policy on making up work or an exam. Students are responsible for making up any work missed due to an absence, whether it is excused or unexcused.
Course Syllabus
At the start of each class, students should receive a course syllabus that outlines the course content, objectives, policies, expectations, and any other information deemed important by the course instructor. Students should read through this document carefully and keep it as a reference for the duration of the course.
Textbooks, Supplies, and Course Materials Fee
Students will be responsible for purchasing their textbooks and other required supplies (e.g. scientific calculator). Textbooks are generally available at the UC Berkeley Campus Bookstore located at 2495 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720. It is up to students to ensure they purchase the correct books, including the required editions, as assigned by the course instructor. Students are not expected to purchase the textbooks before their first class unless specifically instructed to do so.
Some academic departments charge a Course Materials Fee for specific courses, such as those with science or computer labs, photography labs, art supplies, or similar costs. This fee is assessed by the academic department at a later time, directly to each student's account.
Cal 1 Card
The Cal 1 Card is UC Berkeley's official photo ID card and access card to many campus benefits. It functions as a key card to residence halls and campus buildings, as well as a meal card for many Cal Dining locations. It can also be used as a debit card to make purchases at a variety of on and off-campus vendors. For more information and to add funds to your Cal 1 Card debit account, students should visit the Cal 1 Card website. It is critical to upload your photo in CalCentral as soon as possible (consult with the deadline listed in your post-admissions, next step video) and prior to your arrival at Berkeley. Failure to do so may result in delaying your ID card being issued, which will impact your ability to access your residence hall and meals upon arrival. In this case, you will be responsible for paying for your meals until your card is ready for use.
Grades and Transcripts
Information regarding the UC Berkeley grading scale can be found on this page. Information regarding how to order your transcript can be found on this page.
Visa Information
International students should be aware of all policies and requirements related to their visa for the program. All international students are expected to attend the program on the appropriate student visa. For visa questions, contact our Pre-College team. Attending the program on a non-student visa may result in the violation of your status in the country, and we are unable to provide any advising or support to non-student visa holders.
How to Obtain My Visa?
After you have completed all admissions tasks (see above), you will receive an invitation via email and see a new task in your CalCentral to access the International Student Services (ISS) Portal. Once you login to the ISS Portal and submit all of the necessary information, we will issue you a Form I-20 by email. The Form I-20 is needed for you to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy in your country, which is required for entry to the U.S.
Session C I-20 Request Deadline: May 12, 2023
Session D I-20 Request Deadline: May 26, 2023
To prevent possible visa delays, we recommend that you submit your request for a Form I-20 as soon as possible. Failure to submit your request for a Form I-20 on time will prevent you from participating in the program and no refunds will be issued.
Upon receiving your Form I-20 by email you will need to complete the Form DS-160 and schedule an F-1 Visa interview at your nearest U.S. consulate. If you have questions about the visa application process, please do not hesitate to email visiting-intl@berkeley.edu.
Payment of Program Fees
All program fees will be assessed to your CalCentral account and must be paid in full within seven calendar days of admission to the program. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your admission.
For information on payment options, visit our Student and Billing Services webpage here. Note that Fee Payment Plan and Third Party Contracts are not accepted payment options for Pre-College Scholars students.
Withdrawal from the Program
To cancel your participation in the Pre-College Scholars Residential track, please review our withdrawal process listed under the Fees tab. We understand that situations occur that may prevent you from attending or completing the program. If you need to drop or withdraw from the Pre-College Scholars program after the deadline, you may request an appeal to the refund policy by contacting our Pre-College team. For more information on our appeal process, please visit summer.berkeley.edu/registration/refund.
Refund
The deadline by which to cancel your participation in the Pre-College Scholars Residential track is Friday, April 14, 2023. If you cancel by this deadline using the Withdrawal Request form, you will receive a full refund.
There is no refund if the deadline has passed. However, we understand that situations occur that could interfere with your ability to attend or participate in the program. For more information on our appeal process, please visit this page. Some fees are non-refundable regardless of deadlines.
If you have further questions regarding refunds, please contact our Pre-College team.
Cancellation Fees
Cancellation means you are dropping all courses and canceling your participation from the program.
For international students, the International Service Fee becomes non-refundable if a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) has been issued at the time of cancellation.
If you have further questions regarding cancellation fees, please contact contact our Pre-College team.
Student Responsibilities
All students are considered "UC Berkeley" students for the duration of the Pre-College Scholars Residential track and are responsible for adhering to the Berkeley Student Code of Conduct.
Students are also expected to attend all parts of the program, including enrolled classes and mandatory orientations, excursions, and program-related events.
Overnight Guests – Overnight guests and visitors are not allowed. Only students enrolled in the Pre-College Scholars track and assigned to the residence hall are permitted housing access. Guests and visitors outside the program are only limited to the public spaces, cafeteria, and library on the ground level. No guests and visitors are allowed inside your room.
Drugs & Alcohol – The use of drugs or alcohol while attending the program will not be tolerated. Students in violation of this policy are subject to immediate dismissal from the program.
Smoking & Vaping – UC Berkeley is a smoke-free campus. Students found in violation of this policy are subject to program dismissal.
Program Code of Conduct
Students are responsible for adhering to the Pre-College Scholars Code of Conduct, as well as the general Code of Conduct established for students living on campus.
Leave/Overnight Stay Requests
Students requesting late curfew or seeking to spend any overnight away from campus during the weekdays or weekends must submit a signed Late/Overnight Stay Request form by their parent or legal guardian. Requests for such permission must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance, during regular business hours (9:00 am-5:00 pm PST). Any requests conflicting with required program activities and excursions will not be approved. The Pre-College Scholars Program retains final authority on late curfew and leave requests. Once submitted, students will receive a follow-up email regarding their request decision.
Early Release Requests
Students request an early release from the program before Friday, August 12, must submit a signed Early Release form by their parent or legal guardian. Requests for early release must be submitted via email directly to Soukaina Elbani, the Risk Management Specialist, at selbani@berkeley.edu, at least 72 hours in advance, during regular business hours (9:00 am-5:00 pm PST). It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have completed all final exams and class requirements as this form does NOT exempt a student from final exams or class requirements. Once submitted, students will receive a follow-up email regarding their request decision.
Classroom Diversity
Studying at UC Berkeley is an opportunity for students to meet new people, be exposed to different cultures, and enjoy a global experience. We hope that when students come to Berkeley, they will spend the summer outside of the comfort of their first language and culture. We strongly advise that students select from the full range of course offerings and take classes that are different from those they would typically take back home. This is the best way to have an authentic Berkeley experience while enhancing their cultural and academic learning opportunities.
Campus Safety Resources
In order to be familiar with the various safety resources available at UC Berkeley, all Pre-College Scholars Program students are highly encouraged to download the UC Berkeley Summer Sessions Safety Brochure, as well as the Safety Resource Contact Card for their smartphones.
Berkeley offers comprehensive free night safety services: BearWalk Escort (trained student employees of UCPD, uniformed and radio-equipped), night shuttle buses, and door-to-door service. BearWalk provides a walking escort to nearby residences, public transportation, or parking facilities during evening hours. All services are free and available to all.
Health Insurance
All Pre-College Scholars Residential Program participants will be automatically enrolled in a secondary/emergency use health insurance plan. The plan provides emergency and non-emergency medical benefits, prescription benefits, and more. A comprehensive Benefits Summary will be provided to all participants during the on-site orientation.
Medical Information Form
After acceptance in the Pre-College Scholars Program, students will need to submit the Medical Information form. While providing information on this form is voluntary, students are encouraged to disclose any accommodations (physical, mental, academic, etc.), health conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions on the form. We will try our best to support any students with accommodation requests and/or health needs.
Existing Medical or Mental Health Conditions and Injuries
If you suffer from an existing medical or mental health condition (short term or chronic) or injury, you must do the following:
- Talk to your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned departure date to:
- Determine whether it is safe for you to travel with your condition
- Develop a plan that ensures you can get enough required medication for the duration of your program
- Ask about any changes to taking your medicine once you are in a different time zone
- Ask how to store your medicine and check if it needs to be refrigerated safely (your residence hall rooms are not equipped with a fridge so an advance notice is required)
- Develop a plan of care that will ensure you remain well for the duration of the program
- Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Ensure that they are clearly labeled with your full passport name, doctor’s name, generic and brand name, and exact dosage
- Bring copies of all prescriptions (preferably in English), including the generic names for medicines
- Leave a copy of your prescriptions at home with a friend or relative in case you lose your copy or need an emergency refill
- Be prepared to store and administer your own medication safely. All Pre-College Scholars students are required to fill out and sign the Storage and Administration of Medications Form before the start of the program.
Measles and Varicella Vaccines
All Pre-College Scholars Program students are required to get the Measles (MMR) and Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines before their arrival. The Varicella vaccine is only recommended if you have never had the chickenpox virus.
If you are unable to obtain the MMR and/or the Varicella vaccines prior to your arrival to Berkley, you can visit UC Berkeley’s University Health Center once you arrive and receive the needed vaccine(s). The fee for the MMR vaccine is $95, and the fee for the Varicella vaccine is $153. For more information, please visit the immunizations page on the University Health Services website. For a complete list of services provided at the University Health Center (Tang Center), and associated costs, click here.
Vaccination and Booster Requirement
All students must comply with the University of California Vaccine Program Policy which requires the primary vaccine series of the COVID-19 vaccination and up-to-date boosters. Pre-College Scholars Program participants must provide proof of compliance with this mandate or be approved for an exemption before the start of the program. For more detailed information, please visit University Health Services (UHS).
Student Learning Center
The Student Learning Center (SLC) is a community of 18 professional staff with disciplinary expertise, 300 trained undergraduate peer tutors, and 20 Graduate Student Instructors. The SLC is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and is driven by the philosophy that students working with students promotes academic and personal success. Summer services include study groups and drop-in tutoring in math, science, and statistics, tutoring and coaching in writing, and a study lounge.
UC Berkeley Libraries
Ranked among the top 10 libraries in the US by the American Library Association, Berkeley's library system includes over 30 libraries on campus, offers more than 11 million volumes (including books, microforms, maps, newspapers), and a wide variety of tools to help students complement their classroom education. Students looking for a quiet place to study will find that the libraries are an ideal environment.
Computer Centers
The general access computer facilities provide convenient and secure on-campus computing facilities for students. Staff provides up-to-date and relevant software and hardware, coupled with outstanding customer service and technical support.
Two microcomputer facilities are available to Summer Session students for general access. The Wheeler Microcomputer Facility, located at 211 Wheeler Hall, has 35 computers, and the Evans Microcomputer Facility, located in the basement of Evans Hall, has 60 computers. Both facilities support standard application software and are connected to the campus network and the internet. Open hours are listed on the Workstation & Microcomputer Facilities website.
Recreational Sports
Cal Recreational Sports is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge, wellness, fitness, personal skills, and quality of life for students, faculty, staff, and the community. Rec Sports provides facilities, programs, activities, and the opportunity for cooperative and competitive play. The Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) on campus is the University's largest, most complete fitness center with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, three weight rooms, seven basketball courts, seven racquetball courts, six squash courts, treadmills, elliptical trainers, stairmasters, rowing machines, and stationary bikes. Pre-College students have free access to RSF throughout the program.
Additional Links and Resources
University Library
Tang Center and University Health Services
Student Learning Center
bCourses
Disabled Student Program
Parking & Transportation
Undergraduate Admissions
Pre-College Residential Code of Conduct
Medical Information Form
Late Curfew & Overnight Stay Request Form
Early Release form