Just minutes from the beach in the heart of Los Angeles, this Summer Discovery pre-college program offers high school and middle school students the chance to attend America’s top public university while exploring the world’s entertainment capital. We've partnered with UCLA for more than 35 years - the longest partnership running for summer programs! We currently partner with UCLA Extension, UCLA Recreation, UCLA Anderson Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Sports, & Entertainment, and UCLA Conferences to bring one-of-a-kind programs and activities to create a truly campus-collaborative experience for our students.
Connect with industry-leading instructors that bring the real-world to the classroom. The Summer Discovery program at UCLA has 100+ course offerings and specialty programs including our intensive academy programs in business, sports, leadership, screenwriting, and acting. Whether you want to learn to surf the high seas or decode the criminal mind – we’ve got something for everyone! Plus, with 60+ staff on campus dedicated to the health, safety, education and social needs of students with a dedicated office in our residence hall, safety, security, and student development are always top-of-mind.
Can't wait to spend every minute with your friends for your UCLA program or want to meet new people before the program begins? Now, students can fly together! Group Flight rates are available to fly from JFK to LAX for select UCLA program dates if you live in NY/NJ/PA area. Please contact flights@summerdiscovery.com for details.
Enjoy the benefits of the Summer Discovery at UCLA experience without living directly on-campus. Many students living within 1 hour from the UCLA campus join us for morning and afternoon courses and optional afternoon activities. Resident counselors are available to supervise and support students throughout the program.
Learn MoreOur combination programs allow you to have both experiences so you can maximize time in the classroom and time on and off campus with friends.
With our UCLA and University of Michigan combination summer program, you can compare life on two spirited campuses and take courses from all areas of interest to really see which major you'd like best. You can also spend up to six weeks away from home - that means the most time with your friends, old and new.
Explore Your OptionsHave a talented middle school student? Our engaging program allows students to prepare for high school while exploring their academic interests.
After class, explore the iconic Westwood Village with new friends (either by foot or jumping on our prive shuttle) or soak up some sun by the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center pool. Follow in the footsteps of fame with our organized trips to TCL Chinese Theater and Hollywood & Highland. Shoot some hoops at the John Wooden Sports and Recreation Center – and maybe even run into some NBA legends and UCLA alums while you are at it!
Our students live in their own air conditioned residence hall in Hedrick Summit Suites, right next to the Sunset Rec Pool and Hitch Basketball courts. This residence hall is exclusive to Summer Discovery students, so you can get to know your peers in a comfortable setting that’s separate from the university students. Whether you’re watching a movie or working on a group project, it’s great to live with your friends. And if you have any questions, your resident counselor (RC) lives down the hall and is there for you, 24/7.
Just outside our door is Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Explore the city famous for theme parks, television and movie studios, theaters, museums and more. Discover the neighborhoods of L.A., which include Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Melrose. Prefer the outdoors? Los Angeles has some of America’s greatest beaches. Spend your summer discovering everything that Los Angeles can offer. It’s all included in your tuition and with class ending daily at 3:00pm, the possibilities are endless.
*All on campus activities are subject to change based on current safety protocols.
Living: Our home on campus is Hedrick Summit Suites. Students live in a single room in a suite of 10 people, or in a double or triple room in a suite of 4-6 people. Students share an in-room bathroom with just their suitemates. Every air conditioned room includes a bed, study desk, closet, and free Wi-Fi. Lounges, game rooms, laundry facilities, and the Summer Discovery Office are all in our residence hall. We are located only a short walk from Rieber & Rendezvous Dining Halls (with gluten-free and vegan options), academic buildings, and the John Wooden Sports & Recreation Center. Did we mention that you’re right next to the Sunset Canyon Pool?
Dining: Unique to Summer Discovery is our all-inclusive meal plan. Enjoy three meals every weekday, and two on the weekends in the modern Rieber or Rendezvous Dining Halls. Choose from daily options at the salad bar, deli counter, pizza oven, stir fry station, dessert bar, and more. Are you a vegetarian? Do you have food allergies? Special diets are not a problem.
Health & Safety: Our RCs are committed to the support and supervision of Summer Discovery students. Daily sign-ins and room checks are enforced for your safety. You are free to walk around campus or you can take the Summer Discovery's private UCLA shuttle bus to Westwood Village (our ‘home area’) with friends at night. If you have a question, RCs are on duty to help.
Not feeling well? The Summer Discovery staff can make all medical appointments, accompany students to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications, and notify parents after medical visits. Appointments are made with local doctors or the UCLA Medical Center.
Tuition includes: Term fees, academic enrichment program, comprehensive welcome orientation and ice-breakers, use of facilities, housing in UCLA Residence Hall, 3 meals daily while on campus (2 on weekends), use of UCLA Athletic and recreation facilities, activities, blanket and pillow, and sheets and towel.
Not included: Application fee, $95 student ID/technology fee, airfare, airport transfers (Available for $85 each way), course materials and supplements, meals eaten off campus, medical expenses, laundry, souvenirs, and personal spending money. COVID-19 Supplemental Fee.
Commuter tuition includes: Term fees, comprehensive welcome orientation and ice-breakers, academic program Monday-Thursday (some Fridays) with morning and afternoon courses and optional on-campus afternoon activities including college admissions workshops, and lunch. Note: Commuter students are not permitted to attend other evening or off-campus activities and excursions.