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.
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.
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.
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.
Location(s)
- University of California, Berkeley
Schedule
- June
Cost/Compensation
- Application Fee: $25
- Program Fee: $5,060
- Program Fee Includes: Tuition & fees, housing, meals, orientation, excursions & activities, basic health insurance, and on-site support.
Eligibility Requirements
- 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
- 16 years of age by June 22, 2025
- Maintain their own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
- Live in on-campus housing provided by the program during the entire program duration
- 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 June 12, 2025
- Do not require visa/I-20 support
- Live in on-campus housing provided by the program during the entire program duration
Deadline
- March 10th, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- A completed online application
- Answers to the personal insight questions
- A transcript
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- February 3, 2025: Applications open
Have other questions?
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is a public research university located in Berkeley, California. Founded in 1868, it is the oldest of the ten campuses of the University of California system and is one of the top public universities in the country. The university is home to more than 42,000 students and over 2,000 faculty members, making it one of the largest universities in the United States. UC Berkeley is known for its strong academic programs in a wide range of fields, including engineering, computer science, business, economics, political science, and the arts and humanities. UC Berkeley has produced 107 Nobel laureates, 25 Turing Award winners, and 14 Pulitzer Prize winners, among many other distinguished alumni.
