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    Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series
    In-person Program

    Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series

    by UCLA Summer Sessions

    Study American politics through UCLA coursework, career panels, and graduate and undergraduate mentoring, with college credit for completed study.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Political Science 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

    $2,660

    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 reminder
    PoliticsSocial Sciences
    Accommodation: Independent housing only, age 17+
    College credit: 5 UCLA units
    Instructors: UCLA PhD students and alumni
    Career exploration: Guest career panels
    Academic support: Graduate and undergraduate mentors

    Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series summary

    UCLA's Political Science program introduces American politics through material drawn from its undergraduate curriculum. Students examine collective action, institutions, political history, and current events.

    Career panels and graduate and undergraduate mentors connect academic study with possible career paths. The experience suits students who want to test their interest in political science through college coursework.

    What is Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series?

    The Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series is a UCLA Department of Political Science program centered on introductory American Politics coursework. It uses undergraduate curriculum materials to explain how people act collectively, create institutions, and shape political life.

    Students study examples from political history and current American politics while hearing special guests discuss careers associated with a Political Science degree. Graduate and undergraduate mentors add a connection to university study, and successful coursework earns UCLA academic credit.

    Why Succeed highlights Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series

    • Undergraduate curriculum materials make this a concrete way to experience academic political science.

    • Five units of UCLA credit give completed coursework a documented academic outcome.

    • Career panels connect the subject with the range of paths a Political Science degree can support.

    • Graduate and undergraduate mentors offer contact with students further along the academic pathway.

    Who is Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series for?

    Best for

    Students curious about American politics who want college coursework, academic credit, and a clearer picture of political science careers.

    Not ideal if

    You want a supervised residential camp, an online course, or a program primarily focused on international relations.

    Is Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series worth it?

    This program has a clear academic purpose if you want to understand American politics and try university coursework. Credit-bearing study, career panels, and mentors offer several ways to judge whether political science interests you beyond following the news.

    Families should weigh that academic value against the full cost and commuting arrangements. Credit transfer depends on the receiving institution, and attending UCLA Summer Sessions does not confer a UC admission advantage.

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    Cost and what is included

    $2,660; includes Political Science 40 coursework and unit fees, Five UCLA units upon successful completion, Career panel component, Graduate and undergraduate mentoring.

    Accommodation

    Independent housing only, age 17+

    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.

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    How much preparation does Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series need?

    Effort level

    Substantial academic and logistical commitment.

    Best started

    Four to six weeks before a published application deadline; earlier for scholarship applications.

    Main challenge

    Coordinating admission, funding, and travel while preparing original application responses.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather your transcript and draft your value statement and short essay before starting the application.

    • Build in the published three-week admission review window when planning scholarship applications.

    • Arrange daily transportation and obtain the required laptop or tablet and textbook.

    • For departmental scholarship applications, give your recommender at least two weeks and prepare the requested financial documents.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in studying politics at college.

    What do students do on Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series?

    You take introductory American Politics coursework and explore how institutions and collective action shape political decisions. Career panels and mentoring connect that study with university life and possible professional paths.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Attend Political Science 40 on the UCLA campus.

    2. 2

      Study the facts and logic of American politics through historical and contemporary examples.

    3. 3

      Examine how collective action creates and sustains political institutions.

    4. 4

      Hear guest speakers discuss careers associated with a Political Science degree.

    5. 5

      Connect with graduate and undergraduate mentors.

    6. 6

      Complete the coursework and meet attendance requirements to earn academic credit.

    Political Science 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.

    Application deadline

    12 June 2026

    Program admission application; 5 p.m. PST as published.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-10 July 2026

    Reference date

    Enrollment completion

    19 June 2026

    Enrollment deadline; noon PST as published.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Enrolled in grades 9-12 in Spring 2026.

    • At least 15 years old by June 23, 2026.

    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 from grade 9 onward.

    • Unofficial transcript, value statement, and short essay required.

    • No prior political science knowledge required.

    • International applicants may submit their complete secondary academic record.

    How much does Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series cost?

    Program fee

    $2,199.00 — Included in the estimated total; covers coursework unit fees.

    Funding or discounts

    • Estimated program total: $2,660.00 — High school total, including first-time document fee.
    • Registration fee: $350.00 — Included in the estimated total.
    • IEI fee: $61.00 — Included in the estimated total.
    • First-time document fee: $50.00 — Included in the estimated total for first-time students.
    • Political Science scholarship: Full or partial — Need-based support for eligible California students; travel excluded.
    • Summer Scholars Support: Full or partial — Need- and merit-based support for eligible California students; program/course fees only.
    • Optional independent housing: $1,362.87 — Separate three-week triple-room contract with 14 meals weekly; age eligibility applies.

    What's included

    Political Science 40 coursework and unit fees, Five UCLA units upon successful completion, Career panel component, Graduate and undergraduate mentoring

    How to apply to Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series

    1. 1

      Review the Political Science eligibility requirements and prepare all required documents.

    2. 2

      Use the program's Apply Now link to access the official registration form.

    3. 3

      Select Summer Precollege Focus Series and Political Science, then complete the required questions.

    4. 4

      Submit your unofficial transcript, original value statement, and short essay response.

    5. 5

      Allow up to three weeks for an admission decision by email.

    6. 6

      Follow acceptance instructions to pay required fees and complete the waiver and Participant Agreement.

    7. 7

      Set up MyUCLA and verify and pay any remaining BruinBill balance.

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    What does Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    American politics

    Learn basic facts and the underlying logic of politics in the United States.

    Collective action and institutions

    Examine why people act collectively and how political institutions organize that action.

    Political history and current events

    Use historical and contemporary American examples to understand political processes.

    Social science inquiry

    Explore how social scientists learn about the world and explain political behavior.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series?

    Instructors are graduate students and alumni of UCLA's Political Science PhD program. The named instructor, Emily Ortiz, has taught American Politics, Latino Politics, Political Psychology, and the Politics of Race and Ethnicity at UCLA.

    The program also identifies graduate and undergraduate mentors.

    Where do students stay on Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series?

    Residential plan

    • Optional independent housing: Eligible students age 17 or older may apply separately to UCLA Housing.
    • Optional room arrangement: The 2026 UCLA Housing option uses Olympic Hall deluxe triple rooms.
    • Optional housing meal plan: The separate housing contract requires a 14 Regular meal plan.

    Non-residential plan

    • Daily commuting: Participants travel to the UCLA campus each program day.
    • Campus food options: Meals can be purchased at campus eating establishments.
    • Campus facilities: UCLA offers libraries, a student union, and museums and galleries.

    Independent UCLA Housing provides no high school residential activity program, curfew, or dedicated supervision beyond general hall staff.

    What happens after Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Earn five UCLA units through Political Science 40.

    Receive a course grade on a UCLA transcript.

    Build a foundation for further study of American politics.

    Explore careers associated with a Political Science degree.

    Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution; Summer Sessions participation does not confer a UC admission advantage.

    Where does Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series take place?

    The program meets on UCLA's campus in Los Angeles, with classroom details sent to enrolled students closer to the start. Families arrange transportation to campus; LAX is approximately 13 miles away.

    Political Science Summer Precollege Focus Series FAQs

    No. The core American Politics course teaches beginners the knowledge they need.

    Political Science 40 carries five UCLA units. Students receive a letter grade by default and may request Pass/No Pass grading; a Pass requires a C or better.

    No. It is a commuter program. Eligible students age 17 or older may apply independently to UCLA Housing, which is a separate arrangement.

    Students must bring a laptop or tablet and a textbook.

    Instructors are graduate students and alumni of UCLA's Political Science PhD program. Emily Ortiz is the instructor named for the verified cycle.

    Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution. Students should obtain advice or advance approval from their home institution.

    Students can authorize third-party access through MyUCLA. Parents do not automatically receive access to grades.

    No. Summer Precollege Focus Series enrollment is not eligible for F-1 visas. International students should consult a U.S. embassy or consulate about the appropriate visa category.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

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    Sources and 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
    • Campus Services and Resources - 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
    • Political Science - 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 checked

    • Session dates verified

    • Application deadline reviewed

    • Student fee tier checked

    • Scholarship restrictions reviewed

    • Commuter arrangements confirmed

    • Credit transfer policy 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.