UC Davis Summer Academy
Davis, United States
About UC Davis Summer Academy
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) runs the UC Davis Summer Academy, a three-week residential college prep program. It's designed for international high school seniors who plan to apply to universities in the United States. The program is run by Access Programs, part of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education (CPE). Classes take place at the UC Davis International Center at 463 California Avenue in Davis, California. The first session ran in summer 2023. The program centers on the US university application. UC Davis says students work on critical thinking, writing, reading and research in English. They also practice answering the personal insight questions that are part of the application process. Students meet Undergraduate Education and Admissions representatives and talk with current UC Davis students about university life. Students who complete the program successfully earn two UC Davis academic credits. For the three weeks, students live in residence halls on campus. The 2027 session runs from 12 to 30 July 2027, and UC Davis has also published a 2028 session from 10 to 28 July 2028.
Teaching style
Expect a full academic day. UC Davis says the program has 30 hours of instruction a week, plus academic and extracurricular activities outside class. Classes are small, with about 15 to 20 students in most cases. Students do research, give presentations and work in technology-driven classrooms that use educational technology and AI. One stated goal is learning to use AI tools ethically in college work. In UC Davis's 2023 news story about the first session, a student said she wrote two college essays and got a detailed evaluation from her teacher on how to improve them. That story describes the first group of students, so it's worth asking whether the current program still includes essay feedback of that kind.
Reputation & Succeed take
The academy is young, so most of its standing comes from UC Davis itself. UC Davis says the university has more than 36,000 students and ranked 10th among US public universities, though its page doesn't name the ranking. It also calls itself a Tier 1 research institution. The Summer Academy began in summer 2023, and the program page gives no outcome figures for the academy itself.
Our take
In Succeed's view, the UC Davis Summer Academy is a sensible, focused choice for an international senior who wants structured help with US applications and a real taste of campus life. Its strengths are concrete: three weeks in a residence hall, small classes, time with admissions representatives and two UC Davis academic credits for successful completion. The limits matter too. UC Davis doesn't say that taking part affects admission to UC Davis or any other university, so treat it as preparation rather than an admissions advantage. The $4,700 program fee includes residence-hall housing. But the program page doesn't say whether meals or the optional weekend trips are covered, and it gives no application deadline. We'd suggest emailing early to ask about the deadline, meals and trip costs.
Of the four UC Davis youth programs listed on its cost page, the Summer Academy is the only one whose fee includes housing. The other three are U.S. College Study Skills, Communication Beyond Borders and Business Beyond Borders. They run shorter sessions, for example 5 to 16 July 2027, and their fees don't include housing. U.S. College Study Skills costs $1,400. Communication Beyond Borders and Business Beyond Borders cost $1,200 each. All four charge a $100 nonrefundable application fee. The Summer Academy costs $4,700 with residence-hall housing, runs for three weeks and is the one UC Davis designs around the university application process.
Who this provider suits
Who should choose them
This may suit you if you're an international high school senior who plans to apply to universities in the United States. It fits best if you want help with application writing, especially personal insight questions, and want to meet admissions representatives. It also suits students who want to try living on a US campus before college, since you'll stay in a UC Davis residence hall for three weeks.
Who it may not suit
Skip it if your English is below the required level. UC Davis requires an English Placement Test and a minimum of CEFR level B1+/B2-. It lists IELTS 5, Duolingo 90 and TOEFL iBT 3.5 as equivalents (the TOEFL figure is on the new scale from January 2026, which was 60/120 on the old one). It's also a weaker fit if you're still a few years from applying, because UC Davis designed it for seniors. If you want a shorter, cheaper program and can arrange your own housing, the other UC Davis youth programs may suit you better.
Accreditations & Recognition
SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification, authorized to host F-1 international students
Contact
Frequently asked questions
Programs by UC Davis Summer Academy
ProgramBusiness Beyond Borders
Organized by UC Davis Summer Academy
Dates
January 2027 to July 2028, 6 sessions
Cost
From $1,200
Duration
2 weeks
ProgramCommunication Beyond Borders
Organized by UC Davis Summer Academy
Dates
January 2027 to July 2028, 6 sessions
Cost
From $1,200
Duration
2 weeks
ProgramU.S. College Study Skills Program
Organized by UC Davis Summer Academy
Dates
January 2027 to July 2028, 6 sessions
Cost
From $1,400
Duration
2 weeks
