Final admission deadline
17 May 2026
Latest verified general-admission deadline.
Forensic Science High School Course
A hands-on pre-college course where students investigate mock crime scenes, analyze forensic evidence and present findings through team casework.

A hands-on pre-college course where students investigate mock crime scenes, analyze forensic evidence and present findings through team casework.

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Current status
Recently closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Los Angeles; Nashville; New Haven
Cost
From $2,498
Duration
1-2 weeks
Format
In-person
Accommodation: Residential or commuter
Meals: All meals residential; lunch commuter
Sessions / cadence: 5 x 4h or 9 x 3h
Tutors / faculty: Working forensic professionals
Campus experience: Labs, excursions and campus life
This is a practical pre-college introduction to forensic science, combining laboratory concepts with simulated investigations and professional field experiences.
Students examine fingerprints, fibers, blood patterns and DNA, then use the evidence to reconstruct mock crimes in teams.
The strongest fit is a curious, methodical student exploring forensic science, criminalistics, laboratory work or related justice careers.
The Forensic Science High School Course is a Summer Springboard pre-college program built around the scientific investigation of crime scenes. Students explore forensic biology, fingerprint analysis, trace evidence, blood-spatter dynamics and DNA profiling through case studies and practical activities.
Team investigations lead into a realistic crime-scene simulation and a courtroom-style presentation of findings. Depending on campus, students may also visit professional laboratories and learn directly from forensic academics or working criminalists.
The course moves beyond crime-show stereotypes by teaching how evidence is collected, preserved, analyzed and presented.
Its mock crime scene gives students a practical investigation to complete rather than relying on lectures alone.
Laboratory and institute visits connect classroom techniques with professional forensic practice.
Named instructors bring experience from forensic laboratories, law enforcement, universities and expert testimony.
Residential and commuter options let families compare different levels of campus immersion.
Methodical students interested in crime-scene work, forensic laboratories, scientific evidence or justice-related careers.
You want an accredited qualification, a purely theoretical science class or a low-cost day activity without an application process.
The course can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test forensic science through realistic evidence work before choosing a university subject or career direction. The combination of simulations, professional instruction and laboratory exposure provides more insight than passive career research.
The limitation is the substantial tuition and, for residential students, the additional planning involved in campus travel. It should be chosen for genuine interest in forensic investigation and scientific reasoning, not simply for the host university name.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
From $2,498; includes Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Two-week residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, weekday lunch and excursions., Commuter programming generally runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays..
Accommodation
Residential or commuter
Meals
All meals residential; lunch commuter
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
1-2 weeks; Los Angeles; Nashville; New Haven.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsEffort level
Moderate to high during the campus week.
Best started
Begin four to six weeks before the next application deadline to prepare forms, payment, travel and any supporting documents.
Main challenge
Reaching careful conclusions from several forms of evidence.
Review basic scientific measurement and evidence-handling concepts.
Practise explaining how observations support a conclusion without overstating certainty.
Gather academic, health and travel documents early, particularly for residential participation.
Discuss accommodation or support needs with the provider before submitting the application.
Useful if
You enjoy biology, chemistry, observation, structured problem-solving and teamwork.
Students learn core forensic techniques and apply them through evidence analysis, casework, a simulated crime scene and a presentation of findings.
Study how forensic evidence is collected, preserved and used in legal proceedings.
Examine fingerprints, hair and fiber traces, blood patterns and DNA evidence.
Work in teams to analyze case studies and reconstruct simulated crimes.
Process a realistic mock crime scene and form evidence-based conclusions.
Visit a forensic laboratory or institute associated with the selected campus.
Present the team's findings in a courtroom-style or moot-court format.
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Final admission deadline
17 May 2026
Latest verified general-admission deadline.
Vanderbilt Session 1
14-26 June 2026
Two-week Nashville program.
UCLA Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week Los Angeles program.
Yale Session 3
28 June-4 July 2026
One-week New Haven course.
UCLA Session 2
5-17 July 2026
Two-week Los Angeles program.
Yale Session 6
19-25 July 2026
One-week New Haven course.
UCLA Session 3
19-31 July 2026
Two-week Los Angeles program.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Final admission deadline | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Vanderbilt Session 1 | 14-26 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCLA Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Yale Session 3 | 28 June-4 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCLA Session 2 | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Yale Session 6 | 19-25 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
UCLA Session 3 | 19-31 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Students in Grades 9-12
Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent
At least eighth grade completed before the program
English proficiency required for international students
Students must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria
Students must follow staff instructions in English
Program tuition
From $2,498 — Campus and residential choice affect tuition.
Funding or discounts
What's included
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Two-week residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, weekday lunch and excursions., Commuter programming generally runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
Ask a parent or guardian to register for the official application portal.
Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.
Create a new application from the portal dashboard.
Select the campus, session, Forensic Science course and tuition type.
Enter the student's information and complete the required application materials.
Pay the $600 deposit and application fee, then submit the application.
Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.
The program covers the following focus areas.
Crime-scene evidence
Identify and collect fingerprints, fibers, blood patterns and DNA evidence.
Forensic analysis
Analyze crime-scene data and form conclusions supported by evidence.
Team investigation
Use case studies and simulations to reconstruct mock crimes collaboratively.
Legal presentation
Explain evidence and findings clearly in a courtroom-style presentation.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
A typical day during the program.
Yale teaches 9am-1pm; UCLA and Vanderbilt generally teach 9am-noon.
Students join a course-specific laboratory visit, excursion, speaker session or activity.
Two-week programs may include college-readiness or personal-development workshops.
Dinner, clubs or social activities follow the academic day for residential students.
The named campus instructors include Professor Brooke Kammrath at Yale, retired forensic identification specialist Donna Thomas at UCLA and forensic biologist Benjamin DeBlanc at Vanderbilt. Their backgrounds span forensic laboratories, law enforcement, university teaching, DNA analysis and expert courtroom testimony.
Instructor assignments may differ by campus and cycle.
Room occupancy and dining arrangements vary by campus; published examples include shared Yale rooms and UCLA triple rooms with communal bathrooms.
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Clarify interest in forensic science, criminalistics or crime-scene careers.
Build practical experience discussing evidence-based conclusions.
Develop observation, analysis, teamwork and presentation skills.
Explore pathways such as forensic biology, laboratory analysis and pathology.
Use the experience to inform future science or justice-related study choices.
The course is exploratory and does not state that it awards academic credit or a professional credential.
The course runs on campus-based Summer Springboard programs in Los Angeles, Nashville and New Haven. Depending on the location, professional field experiences may include police crime laboratories, the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science or other active forensic facilities.
Summer Springboard operates independently of UCLA, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.
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Content reviewed by
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
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We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.