Application deadline
3 July 2026
2026 commuter session application deadline.
In-person Program
Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series
Discovering College Math develops creative mathematical thinking through discrete math, small-group problem solving, college-style lectures, and a concluding math fair.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Algebra II; GPA 3.2+
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
UCLA, Los Angeles, United States
Cost
$2,757
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
3 July 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 reminderAccommodation: No program housing
Campus experience: Math Circle; lectures; math fair
Academic outcome: Math 61; 4 quarter units
Teaching faculty: Marcus Roper; Tyler Arant
Daily study pattern: Morning groups; afternoon lectures and problem sets
Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series summary
Discovering College Math treats mathematics as a creative activity, with discrete math at its center. The emphasis is on reasoning about logic, sequences, counting, and graphs.
Students combine collaborative Math Circle problems with college-style lectures and independent problem sets. Research talks, mathematical games, and a concluding math fair add variety to the academic work.
It suits students who enjoy explaining why a solution works and exploring unfamiliar mathematical ideas. The strongest motivation is curiosity about college mathematics.
What is Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
Discovering College Math is an academic program offered through UCLA Summer Sessions and the UCLA Mathematics Department. It introduces discrete mathematics through the undergraduate Math 61 curriculum, covering logic, sequences, counting, graphs, and rigorous arguments. Its purpose is to develop mathematical creativity alongside precision.
Students work through small-group Math Circle activities in the morning, then attend college-style lectures and complete individual problem sets in the afternoon. Faculty research lectures and mathematical games connect the course with wider mathematical ideas. A concluding math fair welcomes friends and family.
Why Succeed highlights Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series
The discrete mathematics focus gives students a substantial alternative to treating calculus as the sole route into advanced math.
Math Circle activities and individual problem sets combine collaborative exploration with independent reasoning.
Math 61 credit and a UCLA transcript provide a concrete academic outcome.
Marcus Roper and Tyler Arant bring university teaching experience and recognized teaching awards.
Research lectures, games, and a family-facing math fair make mathematical discovery part of the experience.
Who is Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series for?
Best for
Students who enjoy mathematical puzzles, explaining arguments, and exploring ideas beyond routine school exercises.
Not ideal if
You want a supervised residential camp or mainly need revision of familiar school mathematics.
Is Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series worth it?
This program is worth considering if you want to test whether you enjoy the reasoning and independence of college mathematics. The combination of Math Circle work, lectures, and graded Math 61 coursework offers more academic substance than an informal enrichment activity. College credit is a useful outcome when it fits your longer-term study plans.
The value depends on your willingness to tackle unfamiliar problems and manage the practical demands of commuting. Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution, and attending UCLA Summer Sessions does not provide an admissions advantage to a UC school. Choose it for the learning experience rather than an expected admissions benefit.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,757; includes Math 61 coursework and its unit fees..
Accommodation
No program housing
Supervision or safety information
Students are expected to manage themselves with college-level independence. Independently contracted UCLA Housing provides no high school residential activity program, curfew, or supervision beyond general housing staff.
Provider details
Review the UCLA Summer Sessions provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; UCLA, Los Angeles, United States.
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 Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series need?
Effort level
High academic commitment.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before a published application deadline to prepare essays and arrange the teacher recommendation.
Main challenge
Demonstrating mathematical readiness while adapting to independent college-level work.
Typical preparation
Choose a mathematical result you can explain clearly and describe how you encountered it.
Reflect on coursework, math circles, competitions, camps, or reading that demonstrate your readiness.
Ask your mathematics teacher early and confirm that the recommendation is submitted.
Plan your commute and gather the required notebook, writing tools, and coloring pencils or pens.
Useful if
You want to explore proof-based thinking and discrete mathematics.
What do students do on Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
You explore discrete mathematics through collaborative problems, formal teaching, and individual practice. Research lectures, games, and a concluding math fair place that academic work in a broader mathematical setting.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Begin the daily study pattern with small-group Math Circle problems.
- 2
Attend a college-style lecture on discrete mathematics.
- 3
Work individually on problem sets that reinforce the day's ideas.
- 4
Take part in research talks, mathematical games, and a student-experience panel during the program.
- 5
Participate in the concluding math fair with friends and family invited.
Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series 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
Programme dates
13-31 July 2026
Enrollment deadline
10 July 2026
Admitted students must complete enrollment.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 13-31 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Enrollment deadline | 10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Grades 9-12 in Spring 2026.
At least 15 years old by 22 June 2026.
Successful completion of Algebra II.
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from Grade 9 onward.
Evidence of mathematical maturity and curiosity.
Complete application and mathematics teacher recommendation.
How much does Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series cost?
Program fee
$2,757 — High school student fee, including Math 61 unit fees.
Funding or discounts
- Registration fee: $350 — Required for non-UC students and non-refundable.
- IEI fee: $61 — Instructional Enhancement Initiative fee.
- Document fee: $50 — For first-time Summer Sessions students.
- Estimated first-time total: $3,218 — Program, registration, IEI, and document fees.
- Summer Scholars Support: Full or partial funding — Need- and merit-based awards for qualifying California students.
- Optional UCLA Housing: $1,362.87 — Separate three-week 2026 contract with a triple room and 14 meals per week.
What's included
Math 61 coursework and its unit fees.
How to apply to Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series
- 1
Prepare your unofficial transcript, value statement, and two essays of no more than 400 words each.
- 2
Use the program's Apply Now link and select Discovering College Math under Summer Precollege Focus Series.
- 3
Complete the registration questions and upload the required application materials.
- 4
Enter your mathematics teacher's recommender details and ensure the letter is received.
- 5
Allow up to three weeks after a complete submission for an emailed admission decision.
- 6
If admitted, follow your acceptance instructions to pay the required fees and complete the waiver and Participant Agreement.
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What does Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Logic and rigorous arguments
Practice the reasoning and argument construction needed for college mathematics.
Sequences
Study sequences as part of the Math 61 discrete mathematics curriculum.
Counting
Explore counting problems through collaborative activities and individual practice.
Graphs
Investigate graphs within the undergraduate discrete mathematics course.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
A typical day during the program.
Math Circle activities
Work on mathematical problems in small groups.
College style lecture
Study the day's discrete mathematics material.
Individual problem sets
Practice independently to clarify and reinforce the day's concepts.
Who teaches on Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
Program director Marcus Roper is a UCLA Professor of Mathematics and Computational Medicine and a recipient of the Sorgenfrey Distinguished Teaching Award. Instructor Tyler Arant holds a UCLA mathematics PhD and received the Liggett Teaching Award in 2022.
Where do students stay on Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
Residential plan
- Independent housing option: Students meeting UCLA Housing's separate age requirement may apply for their own housing contract.
- Optional housing rooms: The separate 2026 UCLA Housing offer uses Olympic Hall Deluxe Triple rooms.
- Optional housing dining: The separate housing contract requires a 14 Regular meal plan.
Non-residential plan
- Daily commuting: The program provides no housing and requires students to commute to UCLA each day.
- Campus meal access: Students may purchase lunch at campus eating establishments.
- Campus study resources: UCLA libraries offer study spaces, equipment lending, and research consultations.
Independently contracted UCLA Housing provides no high school residential activity program, curfew, or supervision beyond general housing staff.
What happens after Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn four units of UCLA Math 61 credit.
Receive a course grade on an official UCLA transcript.
Develop rigorous argument skills for further college mathematics.
Explore mathematical research through faculty lectures.
Take part in a concluding math fair with friends and family.
Credit transfer outside the UC system is determined by the receiving institution.
Where does Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series take place?
The program takes place on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, with classroom details shared with enrolled students before arrival. Students commute daily and may purchase a summer-term or daily campus parking permit.
Parking permits are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Discovering College Math Summer Precollege Focus Series FAQs
The program covers Math 61, an undergraduate discrete mathematics course. Topics include logic, sequences, counting, graphs, and constructing rigorous mathematical arguments.
Successful completion of Algebra II is the minimum prerequisite. Applicants should also demonstrate mathematical maturity through coursework, math circles, competitions, camps, or independent reading.
Students receive four units of Math 61 credit, recorded on an official UCLA transcript. Credit transfer outside the UC system is determined by the receiving institution.
Students receive a letter grade by default and may request Pass/No Pass through the instructor. A Pass requires C-level work or better, and successful completion permits no more than two absences.
The program is commuter-only and provides no housing. Students meeting the separate UCLA Housing age requirement may apply independently for a housing contract.
Students must supply their own notebook, pencils, pens, and coloring pencils or pens.
Students are expected to manage themselves with college-level independence. Independently contracted UCLA Housing provides no high school residential activity program, curfew, or supervision beyond general housing staff.
Summer Scholars Support offers limited full or partial need- and merit-based awards for qualifying California high school students. Awards cover program and course fees, excluding materials, textbooks, housing, and travel.
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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 & verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer - UCLA Mathematics
- 2026 Summer Sessions Housing Rates | Housing
- Summer Sessions Housing | Housing
- Application Management
- Scholarships - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Housing for Minors - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Summer Bruin Guide - Summer Precollege Focus Series - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Calendar and Deadlines - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Summer Precollege Focus Series - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Fees, Payment and Financial Aid - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Registration - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Payment Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Fees, Payment and Financial Aid - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
- FAQ - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Discovering College Math - UCLA Summer Sessions
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Program dates verified
Application deadline checked
Admission requirements reviewed
High school fees checked
College credit verified
Independent housing policies reviewed
Scholarship eligibility reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
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.
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