Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy

The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a rigorous 2-week experience designed for motivated students between ages 16 and 17 who are interested in computer science and wish to gain an excellent understanding of college-level student life. This summer academy is designed for all students regardless of previous coding experience; students will be assigned to one of two groups based on their prior coding experience.

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Students will experience immersion in coding, powerful computer science concepts, collaborative programming, and problem-solving. The Academy is based on the world-renowned Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum—the introductory computer science course that Berkeley undergraduates take—and is developed by UC Berkeley Computer Science Teaching Professor Dan Garcia, with day-to-day instruction provided by UC Berkeley BJC veteran teachers.

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Academy participants will take part in an intense, rewarding series of unique coding challenges every day using Snap!, a visual programming language. Participants will explore the core “big ideas” of computer science, going from an introduction to computing and coding languages to pursuing a programming project of their own design and interest.

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Your summer residential experience begins with orientation sessions, an interactive campus tour, and opportunities to meet with program staff and other participants. Activities and excursions are planned by UC Berkeley undergraduate Resident Assistants and Mentors (RAMs) and the program staff to help you meet other students in your program, make the most out of your time at Berkeley, and prepare for your future college experience.

• Open to both domestic and international high school students who will be 16–17 years old by the start of the program (June 16, 2024). All students must be at least 16 years of age by the time the program begins.

Domestic students must meet the following requirements to apply to the track:

• Have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
• Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
• Maintain their own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
• Require residential housing. (The nature of the academic program requires students to live on campus.)

International students must meet the following requirements to apply to this track:

• Have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
• Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework, or comparable qualitative evaluation
• Meet our minimum English Language Requirements, if applicable
• Maintain their own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
• 16 years of age by the June of the program year
• Require residential housing

• Mid March

• A completed online application
• Answers to two personal insight questions: 
  • What in your academic background prepares you to participate in this program?
  • The UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program seeks to create an engaged and inclusive community that is welcoming to students from various backgrounds, experience, and perspectives. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for the Pre-College Scholars program?
• A transcript

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• February 1: Applications open