Berkeley Pre-College Scholars is UC Berkeley's flagship residential summer program for high school students. Participants live on campus, take two credit-bearing Berkeley Summer Sessions courses taught by UC Berkeley faculty, and earn an official UC Berkeley transcript. The published 2026 program offered two overlapping session alternatives.
Sessions (2026):
| Session | Dates | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session C | June 22 – August 14 | 8 weeks | $15,987 |
| Session D | July 6 – August 14 | 6 weeks | $14,687 |
The historical 2026 program fees covered tuition, housing, meals, orientation, excursions and activities, basic health insurance, and on-site support.
Academics:
- Two lower-division Berkeley Summer Sessions courses, numbered 1–99
- Students choose from a wide course catalog spanning sciences, humanities, social sciences, STEM, arts, and business
- Full-time enrollment required (6 units for Session C, 5 units for Session D)
- Official UC Berkeley transcript and personal letter of commendation from the Dean of Extended Education for passing grades
- Credit may be transferable to other institutions
Housing:
- Students live in Bowles Hall or Stern Hall with other Pre-College Scholars participants
- Under full-time supervision of residential program staff and resident assistant mentors (RAMs)
- Shared rooms (doubles or triples), walking distance from main campus
Scholarship: The 2026 media scholarship, valued at $15,987, covered Session C tuition and room and board for one domestic or international recipient who documented their experience. The page explicitly says its 2026 application is closed. A 2027 scholarship is not confirmed.
Other Berkeley Pre-College tracks (not included here):
- Virtual Track — online, credit-bearing, worldwide, per-unit pricing (~$635/unit + registration and document fees)
- Commuter Track — Bay Area students only, credit-bearing, on-campus courses
- Non-Credit Track (Summer CS Academy) — non-credit, short-term residential, computer science focus
Cycle status checked November 4, 2026: The residential page still publishes 2026 terms. Its March 17 application cutoff differs from March 9 in the official dates help article. This disagreement is historical; no 2027 opening or closing date is established. The eligibility help article also fixes its age reference to June 21, 2026 and permits graduates under 18. Students need their own health insurance; the included plan is for emergency use only. Flights, textbooks, supplies and personal expenses are additional.