Application deadline
17 May 2026
Final general admission deadline for Summer 2026.
In-person Program
Nutrition & Food Science High School Course
A hands-on pre-college course exploring nutrition, food science, wellness, and the influences shaping food choices.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
In-person Program
Nutrition & Food Science High School Course
A hands-on pre-college course exploring nutrition, food science, wellness, and the influences shaping food choices.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
What Succeed checks
We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
What Last verified means
Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
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Nutrition and Food Science at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18 / Grades 9-12
Location / Region
San Luis Obispo, California
Cost
$2,998 commuter; $5,398 residential
Duration
Two weeks
Format
In person
Latest deadline
17 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Get next-cycle reminderBiologyMedicine & HealthcareScience
Accommodation: Shared campus dorms
Meals: All meals residential; lunch commuter
Academic outcome: 3 Continuing Education Units
Faculty: Cal Poly faculty
Campus experience: Courses, workshops and excursions
Nutrition and Food Science summary
This focused pre-college course explores the science and data behind nutrition, diet, exercise, and wellness.
Students analyze food labels and nutrients while considering how culture, social media, stress, and society influence food choices.
It suits students curious about nutrition, food science, dietetics, wellness, or related health careers who want a campus-based introduction.
What is Nutrition & Food Science High School Course?
The Nutrition & Food Science High School Course is a focused Summer Springboard pre-college course delivered on the Cal Poly SLO campus. Students investigate nutrition, diet, exercise, and wellness through data, scientific concepts, and hands-on learning.
The course examines macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, food labels, and the influences shaping everyday food choices. Students also explore nutrition and food science majors and careers while experiencing broader campus programming.
Why Succeed highlights Nutrition and Food Science
The course connects nutrition science to practical choices such as reading food labels and evaluating health claims.
Its subject scope goes beyond nutrients to examine culture, social media, stress, fitness, and relationships with food.
Students can explore nutrition and food science pathways with an instructor experienced in clinical nutrition and dietetics.
The wider Cal Poly experience combines focused study with college-readiness workshops, excursions, and campus life.
Students can choose a residential experience or attend as commuters.
Who is Nutrition and Food Science for?
Best for
High school students exploring nutrition, food science, dietetics, wellness, or health-related study who value practical, campus-based learning.
Not ideal if
You want a laboratory-only food technology course, a fully online option, or an unstructured residential experience.
Is Nutrition and Food Science worth it?
This course may be worthwhile for students who want to test a genuine interest in nutrition while experiencing focused pre-college study. The practical treatment of food labels, health information, social influences, and career paths offers more breadth than a purely classroom-based introduction.
The main limitation is the substantial tuition commitment, particularly for residential attendance. Its value is strongest when a student is genuinely considering nutrition or health-related study and will reflect on the experience afterward, rather than attending mainly for the campus name.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,998 commuter; $5,398 residential; includes Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, all meals, excursions, and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions, and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm., Need-based scholarships may cover up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition..
Accommodation
Shared campus dorms
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
Two weeks; San Luis Obispo, California.
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 programsHow much preparation does Nutrition and Food Science need?
Effort level
Moderate.
Best started
Begin six to eight weeks before the next published admission deadline, allowing longer for travel or support documents.
Main challenge
Preparing for intensive study alongside full days of campus activities.
Typical preparation
Review the grade, GPA, English, and essential eligibility requirements before starting.
Compare residential and commuter inclusions before choosing a tuition type.
Complete the application with the student present and prepare the required agreements and short answers.
Arrange travel, health documents, and any requested support information well before departure.
Useful if
You are seriously exploring nutrition, dietetics, wellness, or food science.
What do students do on Nutrition and Food Science?
Students focus on one course throughout the two-week session, combining nutrition science with practical analysis of food information and broader questions about wellness and behavior.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Examine data and scientific ideas surrounding diet, exercise, and health.
- 2
Study macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and their roles in the body.
- 3
Review and analyze food labels and common nutrition claims.
- 4
Explore how culture, family, society, and social media shape food choices.
- 5
Discuss the relationships between food, fitness, stress, and wellness.
- 6
Investigate nutrition and food science majors and career paths.
Nutrition and Food Science dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Session 1
5 July 2026 - 17 July 2026
Course-specific two-week session.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 1 | 5 July 2026 - 17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Open to students in Grades 9-12.
Entering high school and recently graduated students may enroll.
A 3.0 GPA or local equivalent is required.
International students must demonstrate English proficiency.
Students must meet the essential eligibility criteria.
Students must follow instructions and participate safely in English.
How much does Nutrition and Food Science cost?
Program tuition
$2,998 commuter; $5,398 residential — Two-week Cal Poly program.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable.
- Program deposit: $600 — Paid with the application to reserve a place.
- Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% or 60% — Residential or commuter tuition respectively.
- Tuition protection plan: $699 — Optional cancellation protection for campus programs.
What's included
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, all meals, excursions, and weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions, and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm., Need-based scholarships may cover up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition.
How to apply to Nutrition and Food Science
- 1
Open the official online application and enter basic contact information.
- 2
Confirm the verification email, return to the dashboard, and complete the account details.
- 3
Create a new application and select Cal Poly, the session, Nutrition & Food Science, and the tuition type.
- 4
Complete the student information and short-answer questions with the student present.
- 5
Sign the required agreements, pay the $600 deposit and application fee, and submit the application.
- 6
Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.
What does Nutrition and Food Science cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Nutrition fundamentals
Study macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and how nutrition supports health.
Food information
Practice reviewing food labels and navigating competing nutrition claims.
Food choice and society
Examine cultural, family, social, and media influences on eating.
Wellness and careers
Connect food, fitness, stress, wellness, majors, and career pathways.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Nutrition and Food Science?
A typical day during the program.
Academic course
Students take part in college-style, hands-on study in their chosen subject.
Activity or excursion
Students join recreation or a course-connected academic excursion.
College readiness
Workshops cover applications, interviews, essays, strengths, and goals.
Residential clubs
Residential students join clubs or scheduled evening activities.
Who teaches on Nutrition and Food Science?
The named course instructor is Dr. Susan Hawk, a registered dietitian with a PhD in Nutrition and more than 25 years of clinical nutrition experience. The Cal Poly campus program states that instructors are Cal Poly faculty who provide access to university facilities.
Faculty are selected for subject expertise and their ability to challenge and engage students.
Where do students stay on Nutrition and Food Science?
Residential plan
- Campus housing: Students share gender-segregated dormitory floors at Cal Poly.
- Meals: All meals are included, with most served in campus dining halls.
- Residential support: Hall mentors and other program staff live on campus and provide support.
- Campus security: Dorms use electronic keys, with 24-hour security and university patrols.
Non-residential plan
- Day attendance: Commuters attend weekday programming from 9am to 5pm and receive lunch.
- Activities and excursions: Commuters join course activities and excursions during program hours.
Residential students share dorm rooms with roommates and use common bathrooms.
What happens after Nutrition and Food Science?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn 3 Continuing Education Units from Cal Poly Extended Education.
Build practical confidence evaluating food labels and nutrition information.
Explore majors and careers in nutrition and food science.
Connect nutrition study with wider interests in health and wellness.
Use the experience to test interest in future subject study.
Continuing Education Units are the stated credential; no degree credit is claimed.
Where does Nutrition and Food Science take place?
The course takes place at Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, on California’s Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Students use university facilities and can experience the campus, nearby coastal landscape, and local attractions through activities and excursions.
Residential students live in campus dormitories; commuters attend during scheduled daytime hours.
Nutrition and Food Science FAQs
It covers macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, food labels, diet, exercise, wellness, and the influences that shape food choices.
Students may choose residential or commuter enrollment. Residential students live in campus dorms, while commuters attend weekday programming during the day.
Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, all meals, excursions, and weekend excursions.
Commuter tuition includes the academic course, lunch, excursions, and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm.
The named instructor is Dr. Susan Hawk, a registered dietitian with a PhD in Nutrition and extensive clinical nutrition experience.
The Cal Poly campus program states that students earn three Continuing Education Units through Cal Poly Extended Education.
Summer Springboard offers need-based scholarships that may cover up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- Cal Poly | Campus | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Tuition Protection Plan T&C
- Nutrition & Food Science | Cal Poly | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)
Course details checked
Tuition options verified
Eligibility reviewed
Session dates checked
Application process reviewed
Housing and meals checked
Policies reviewed
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