Application deadline
12 June 2026
Economics application; allow up to three weeks for an admission decision.
In-person Program
Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series
UCLA's economics summer program combines economic policy, data analysis and group research presentations with faculty teaching and college coursework.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; GPA 3.2+
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
UCLA, Los Angeles, United States
Cost
$2,725
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
12 June 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 reminderBusiness & EconomicsFinance
Accommodation: Independent housing contracts only
College credit: Economics 1, 4 UCLA units
Tutors / faculty: UCLA faculty and undergraduate facilitators
Research outputs: Two 10-minute group presentations
Research group size: 4 students
Lecture cadence: Mon-Thu, 9:00-11:00 a.m. PT
Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series summary
UCLA combines Economics 1 coursework with faculty lectures and undergraduate-led workshops. The emphasis is on explaining economic issues with concepts and data.
Students collaborate on research presentations and complete formal exams. This suits someone who wants to test their interest in academic economics through both analysis and discussion.
What is Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
The Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series is UCLA Summer Sessions' academic introduction to economic analysis and policy. It combines Economics 1 coursework with additional collaborative activities led by UCLA Economics undergraduates. Faculty lectures introduce the concepts that students then discuss and apply.
Students examine supply and demand, taxation, trade, market efficiency and other microeconomic questions. Small teams develop research questions, analyze data and present their findings. Formal exams make this a college course experience as well as an opportunity to explore the subject.
Why Succeed highlights Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series
Economics 1 gives the experience a clear academic foundation and a graded college-credit outcome.
Undergraduate-led workshops offer a second setting for discussing concepts introduced by faculty.
Research presentations require students to support economic arguments with data and explain their reasoning.
Published assessment weights help families judge the academic commitment before choosing the program.
Who is Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series for?
Best for
Students curious about economic policy who enjoy algebra, data and collaborative discussion and want to experience graded college coursework.
Not ideal if
You want a lightly assessed enrichment experience or a supervised residential summer camp.
Is Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series worth it?
The strongest reason to choose this program is to find out whether you enjoy economic reasoning in a formal academic setting. Faculty teaching, team research and graded assessments provide several ways to test that interest. The presentations can also give students concrete work to reflect on afterward.
The value depends on your willingness to study for exams and organize daily travel. Credit transfer requires approval from the receiving institution, and attendance does not confer an advantage in UCLA admissions. Families should weigh those limits alongside the program fee and separate living expenses.
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Cost and what is included
$2,725; includes Economics 1 coursework and its unit fees., Faculty lectures and undergraduate-led workshops., Collaborative research presentation activities..
Accommodation
Independent housing contracts only
Supervision or safety information
Economics is commuter-only and does not provide housing. Students meeting UCLA Housing's age requirements may apply independently; that housing has no dedicated high school supervision or curfew.
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 Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series need?
Effort level
High for an introductory summer experience.
Best started
Begin preparing 4-6 weeks before the next application deadline, allowing for documents, statements and a three-week review.
Main challenge
Balancing economic concepts, team analysis and exam preparation.
Typical preparation
Gather your transcript and draft an original value statement and personal statement.
Refresh basic algebra and practise making simple charts in Excel.
Confirm daily travel arrangements and access to PowerPoint and Excel.
For scholarship planning, allow an additional admission-review window before the scholarship deadline.
Useful if
You want to test whether economics suits your future academic interests.
What do students do on Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
You learn economic concepts in faculty lectures, then use workshops and team projects to apply them to real questions. Research presentations and exams test both your analytical reasoning and your understanding of the course.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Attend Economics 1 lectures introducing economic principles and market behavior.
- 2
Discuss concepts in workshops led by UCLA Economics Peer Learning Facilitators.
- 3
Develop research questions with a four-person project group.
- 4
Collect data and explain your analysis using graphs, charts and references.
- 5
Deliver two 10-minute research presentations.
- 6
Complete the midterm and cumulative final exam.
Economics 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
22 June-10 July 2026
Midterm exam
30 June 2026
35% of the course grade.
Research presentation I
1 July 2026
First group research presentation.
Research presentation II
8 July 2026
Second group research presentation.
PLF review session
9 July 2026
Review before the final exam.
Final exam
10 July 2026
Cumulative exam; 45% of the course grade.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 12 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Midterm exam | 30 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Research presentation I | 1 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Research presentation II | 8 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
PLF review session | 9 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final exam | 10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Grades 9-12 in Spring 2026.
At least 15 years old by 22 June 2026.
Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Basic algebra skills; no prior economics study required.
English-proficiency documentation for applicable international applicants.
How much does Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series cost?
Program fee
$2,725 — High school student fee, including coursework unit fees.
Funding or discounts
- Registration fee: $350 — Non-refundable.
- IEI fee: $61 — Instructional Enhancement Initiative charge.
- Document fee: $50 — For first-time Summer Sessions students.
- Estimated billed fees: $3,186 — Program and listed administrative fees before textbooks.
- Summer Scholars Support: Full or partial funding — Need- and merit-based support for qualifying California students.
- Deferred registration payment: $350 — Eligible scholarship applicants may defer this fee; it is not waived.
- Optional housing and meals: $1,362.87 — Separate three-week UCLA Housing contract per person with 14 meals weekly.
What's included
Economics 1 coursework and its unit fees., Faculty lectures and undergraduate-led workshops., Collaborative research presentation activities.
How to apply to Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series
- 1
Prepare your unofficial transcript, original value statement and personal statement of up to 250 words.
- 2
Gather English-proficiency documentation if the requirement applies to you.
- 3
Use UCLA's application form and select Economics under Summer Precollege Focus Series.
- 4
Complete the required questions and upload your application materials.
- 5
Allow up to three weeks for an admission decision by email.
- 6
After admission, follow the acceptance instructions to pay required fees and complete the waiver and Participant Agreement.
- 7
Verify and pay remaining charges through MyUCLA BruinBill.
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What does Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Economic principles and trade
Study economic reasoning, interdependence and gains from trade.
Supply, demand and elasticity
Examine how markets respond to prices and changing conditions.
Government policy and taxation
Analyze market efficiency, price controls and the costs of taxation.
Firms and externalities
Explore production costs, competitive firms and economic externalities.
Research and presentations
Develop questions, analyze data and present evidence-based conclusions.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
A typical day during the program.
Economics lectures
Monday-Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Pacific Time; eight lecture hours weekly.
Instructor office hour
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in Bunche 8248.
Team research
Groups of four prepare two 10-minute presentations alongside coursework.
Who teaches on Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
Dr. Randall R. Rojas, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Economics at UCLA, is the named instructor. UCLA Economics undergraduate Peer Learning Facilitators lead workshops, discussions and study-group support.
Students can seek help through instructor and Peer Learning Facilitator office hours.
Where do students stay on Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
Residential plan
- Independent housing contract: Students meeting UCLA Housing's 17+ age requirement may apply separately.
- Optional room arrangement: The 2026 UCLA Housing offering uses Olympic Hall Deluxe Triple rooms.
- Optional housing meal plan: The separate housing contract requires a 14 Regular meal plan.
Non-residential plan
- Daily campus attendance: Economics participants commute to UCLA each program day.
Independent UCLA Housing has no dedicated high school supervision, curfew or residential evening activities.
What happens after Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn 4 UCLA units through successful Economics 1 completion.
Record your coursework and grade on a UCLA transcript.
Develop two collaborative research presentations.
Build a foundation for further study of economic policy and analysis.
Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution; participation provides no UCLA admissions advantage.
Where does Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series take place?
The program takes place on UCLA's campus in Los Angeles, with daily commuting required. The 2026 syllabus locates morning lectures in Fowler A103B.
Classroom assignments may change; UCLA provides updated details to enrolled students.
Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series FAQs
No prior economics knowledge is required. Students do need basic algebra skills.
The coursework is Economics 1, worth 4 UCLA units. Successful coursework is recorded on a UCLA transcript; another institution decides whether to accept transfer credit.
The 2026 syllabus assigns 35% to the midterm, 45% to the final exam, 10% to research presentations and 10% to participation. Letter grading is standard, with Pass/No Pass available by arrangement.
Students work in groups of four on two research projects, each culminating in a 10-minute presentation. Presentations cover a research question, data, analysis, conclusions and references.
Economics is commuter-only and does not provide housing. Students meeting UCLA Housing's age requirements may apply independently; that housing has no dedicated high school supervision or curfew.
Students need a laptop with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and a USB port. A graphing calculator is recommended, and the textbook is charged separately.
Summer Precollege Focus Series enrollment is not eligible for an F-1 visa. International students should consult their local U.S. embassy or consulate about an appropriate category for short-term study.
Summer Scholars Support offers limited full or partial need- and merit-based scholarships for eligible California students. It covers program and course fees, with textbooks, materials, housing and travel outside its coverage.
Alternatives to Economics Summer Precollege Focus Series
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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
- 2026 Summer Sessions Housing Rates | Housing
- Summer Sessions Housing | Housing
- Application Management
- Scholarships - UCLA Summer Sessions
- International Student Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Housing for Minors - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Calendar and Deadlines - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Registration - 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
- Principles of Economics Economics 1 UCLA Summer 2026
- 2026 PreCollege Schedule - Updated 1.21.xlsx
- Economics - 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 requirements reviewed
Reference dates checked
Student-type fees distinguished
Assessment weights verified
Scholarship conditions reviewed
Independent housing terms checked
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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