Frequently Asked Questions

2024 Program:

COSMOS is planning for a fully residential and in-person 2024 program. In case directives from public health and university officials prevent the residential, in-person activities from happening, COSMOS will then update applicants with their options. These options may include being considered for a remote instruction version of COSMOS with appropriately reduced tuition or to withdraw their application. Some planned clusters may not be suitable for remote instruction, and COSMOS will, for such clusters, attempt to identify alternatives. All tuition payments by admitted students will be fully refunded if the program is canceled or if an admitted student does not accept a remote instruction alternative. It is reemphasized that COSMOS intends to be a residential program.

Q: What is COSMOS?
A:
(The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science) is an intensive four-week summer program for talented high school students. COSMOS students apply to a specific “cluster”, with each cluster addressing advanced topics in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, including a variety of engineering disciples, pharmaceutical sciences, and computer science (to name a few).  See our clusters for more information and current offerings. Students have the opportunity to engage with distinguished university faculty, work on a research project, and explore topics that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum.

Q: Who may attend COSMOS?
A: California students completing grades eight through twelve by the summer in which they wish to participate may apply to COSMOS. Prerequisites may be required to ensure success in the courses offered. Participants apply in January and are selected in the spring on the basis of their academic performance, extracurricular math and science achievements, application essays, and recommendations.

*Please note that eligibility for the 2024 COSMOS program is limited to California Residents only. 

Q: How do I apply to COSMOS? 
A: Complete the 2024 online application that will be available at this COSMOS application website (you will be taken to the Statewide COSMOS website, which is run out of UC Davis) from January 10 – February 9, 2024. Completed online application, parent/guardian signature(s), application fee, financial aid application (optional) must be submitted by the stated deadlines. The application fee is $40.

IMPORTANT: The application contains personal statements and requires, among other things, letters of recommendation and parental consent. Please start the application process early to avoid complications with due dates. NO EXTENSIONS will be granted, for any part of the application, including letters of recommendation.

Please see the COSMOS application website (you will be taken to the Statewide COSMOS website, which is run out of UC Davis) for detailed information about the application requirements, application FAQs, financial aid process, application fee waiver request, and other important dates and deadline information.

Q: When will I find out if I am admitted into COSMOS?
A:
You will be notified of admission decisions on Friday, March 29, 2024 after 5pm (PDT) via email (the email address you supplied to the online application portal during the application process).  Waitlist admissions will take place on a rolling basis beginning April 12, 2024.

COSMOS is not able to give out early acceptance status. All applicants to COSMOS are informed of the application decision at the same time. Please DO NOT email the professor(s) of the cluster to which you applied asking for more information or with questions regarding the application/admissions decision.

Q: How much does COSMOS cost?
A:
Total tuition for an admitted student, for the 2024 program is $5,005, which includes the residential program and all classroom and lab materials. 1/3 of tuition will be due upon offer acceptance, and the remaining 2/3 will be due two weeks later.  Upon admission, payment dates will be clearly communicated via email.

Q: Is financial aid available?
A:
Yes, Financial aid (partial and full aid) is available and distributed based on need (further documentation will be required and outlined during the application process). Please ensure that you select that you would like to apply for financial aid on your online application. 

The (Optional) Financial Aid application and all supporting documents must be POSTMARKED on or before February 10, 2024.

Note that all required documentation needs to be mailed, and postmarked, to our Statewide Office in Davis no later than the application deadline. There are no extensions on this deadline.

See COSMOS Statewide’s Financial Aid tab for information on eligibility and consideration.

Q: Who do I speak with if I have a question regarding financial aid or payments?
A:
Please contact the COSMOS Statewide Assistant Director, Helen Barr, directly at cdirect@ucdavis.edu with any financial questions you may have. We DO NOT directly handle any financial documents at UCI.

Q: Where do I mail my financial aid documentation?
A:
COSMOS Statewide Office
230 Physical Sciences & Engineering Library
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

Q: Are transcripts required? and What is an official vs an unofficial high school transcript?
A:
At the time of application, you will be requested to provide (upload) unofficial transcripts that include your (unweighted) cumulative GPA. This can usually be uploaded as a PDF document to the application portal. If accepted into the program, you will be required to verify this unweighted cumulative GPA with an official transcript

Please note: only students who are officially admitted into the program will need to provide an official transcript by the acceptance deadline. Additional information will be provided regarding these details.

An official high school transcript is typically requested from your counselor or School Registrar. You must ensure that the document is signed, sealed, and sent out by the postmark deadline specified by COSMOS administration.  If using a transcript service like Parchment, the email must be sent to cosmos@uci.edu and be sent from your school’s registrar or college counselor.  Any missing, opened, or late submissions WILL NOT be considered.  If there are ANY discrepancies between your official and your unofficial transcript, or your reported GPA from the time of application, COSMOS will cancel your admittance into the program.

An official transcript is typically prepared by a school official, printed on official security enhanced paper, put into a sealed envelope and usually includes a seal and/or signature of the registrar/school on the outside of the envelope flap. Official transcripts should remain sealed. Any official transcripts that are opened will not be accepted.

Q: Are there prerequisites for the clusters?
A:
Most clusters require prerequisites and students who do not meet the prerequisites cannot be considered for that cluster. If a student feels that they have taken an equivalent class, they may mention this in the appropriate part of the application.  You can view prerequisite information (if applicable) on each cluster description page.

Q: Do “in progress” courses meet the prerequisites?
A:
Yes, courses that are completed before COSMOS begins meet the prerequisite and should appear as “in progress” on your official transcript.

Q: I’m in 9th grade – what if I don’t have an official high school transcript or grades?
A:
If accepted into the program, all 9th graders must submit an Official Transcript with their 9th grade courses, if available, along with a copy of their 8th grade report card.

Q: Can I change clusters after I am accepted?
A:
No, if you choose to accept our offer of admission, it is only to the cluster to which you are initially admitted. 

Q: How do the teacher recommendations work?
A:
On the application platform, applicants will submit one or two math or science teachers’ emails. An email is then sent to the teacher immediately after the student saves their application. The email will have a link to the online form that the teacher will complete and submit electronically. The student does not have to complete their application for the teacher to receive the link. The student should check with their teacher to see if the e-mail message was received and completed (please remind them to check their junk or spam folder). One recommendation is required, but two are recommended. Important: the teacher recommendation(s) must be completed by the application deadline in order for the application to be considered.

Q: Can I get high school or college credit for completing COSMOS?
A:
COSMOS is a summer enrichment program and does not grant academic credit. Additionally, there are no tests or grades associated with our program. However students who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion.

While academic credit is not awarded at the conclusion of the program, COSMOS is considered an Academic Preparation Program for which students who participate can indicate so on their University of California (UC) admissions application. Some UC campuses give special consideration to those who have participated in COSMOS. Non-UC schools may also be familiar with COSMOS. We encourage you to keep a copy of your COSMOS acceptance letter as well as your Certificate of Completion for verification of participation.

Q: What does the general schedule for the COSMOS program look like?
A:
Admitted COSMOS students will be required to attend all scheduled learning activities, including and faculty and teacher fellow lectures, labs, small group work, social networking opportunities and any additional presentations by outside lecturers that will generally take place between 9am-4pm (M-F),  *Some evening activities may be required, including some weeknight evenings and/or weekends to work on Cluster projects. The 9am-4pm (M-F) schedule will include time for breaks and lunch.

A more detailed schedule will be provided closer to the program dates.

Q: I may have some prior commitments during some of the days of COSMOS. Am I still allowed to participate?
A:
Participants must be available for the full duration of the four-week program and are expected to fully participate in all program activities. The courses are condensed and fast-paced, and to ensure the full experience, you cannot afford to miss any activities.  In rare cases, exceptions may be made, but it is up to the discretion of COSMOS staff.

Q: Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
A:
Email cosmos@uci.edu