STEM and engineering
EPIC (Engineering Possibilities in College)
EPIC is a 1-week residential program run by Cal Poly College of Engineering. Open to: currently in grades 6 to 11.
- Application deadline
- March 31, 2027
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 6 to 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 1 week
- Residential
What students do
Campers live in Cal Poly dorms for a week and take hands-on engineering labs taught by university professors and industry professionals. They design, build, and test their own projects across several engineering fields.
- Engineering
- Hands-on labs
- Design and build projects
Key facts
- Run by
- Cal Poly College of Engineering
- Where
- San Luis Obispo, CA (residential)
- Who can apply
- Currently in grades 6 to 11Session 1 is for grades 6 to 8 and Sessions 2 to 5 are for grades 9 to 11; out-of-state and international students are limited to Sessions 1 and 2; students graduating high school in spring 2027 are not eligible; U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Dates
- Five one-week sessions: June 13-18 (grades 6-8), June 20-25, June 27-July 2, July 4-9, and July 11-16, 2027 (grades 9-11)
- Cost
- 2026 fee was $2,100 (2027 fee to be determined), includes housing, meals, classes, activities, and camp merchandise
- Deadline
- March 31, 2027Application opens January 4, 2027.
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
One student essay of up to 250 words on why they want to attend; no recommendation letters, transcripts, or application fee.
How a mentor helps with your EPIC application
- Decide whether EPIC fits, and which similar programs to apply to alongside it.
- Work backward from the deadline so essays, recommendations, and forms are not left to the last week.
- Draft and revise the essays or short answers with one-on-one feedback.
Email me the EPIC deadlines and requirements
A link to this page, plus our list of similar programs.
Similar programs
| Program | Where | Who can apply | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPIREHarvey Mudd College | Claremont, CAResidential | Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders | Paid | March 31, 2026 (priority deadline; rolling admission afterward until full)Last cycle’s date |
| BSASUC Berkeley GLOBE (Global Learning and Outreach from Berkeley Engineering) | Berkeley, CACommuter | High school students ages 15 to 17 by the start of the program | Paid, aid available | March 31, 2026Last cycle’s date |
| COSMOSUniversity of California | CAResidential | Rising 9th through rising 12th graders | Paid, aid available | February 5, 2027 |
| Nanoscience Lab Summer InstituteCalifornia NanoSystems Institute at UCLA | Los Angeles, CACommuter | High school students, grade 9 and up, at least 15 years old | Paid, aid available | Not posted |
| ASPIREJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory | Laurel, MDCommuter | High school juniors and seniors | Free | Not posted |
| BWSIMIT Beaver Works (MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT School of Engineering) | Cambridge, MACommuter | Students entering their senior year of high school | Paid, aid available | March 31 (prerequisite online course registration); teacher recommendation due April 2 |
All stem and engineering programsPrograms in CaliforniaEvery program
Frequently asked questions
When is the EPIC application deadline?
The deadline is March 31, 2027. The application opens January 4, 2027.
How much does EPIC cost?
2026 fee was $2,100 (2027 fee to be determined), includes housing, meals, classes, activities, and camp merchandise. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to EPIC?
Currently in grades 6 to 11. Session 1 is for grades 6 to 8 and Sessions 2 to 5 are for grades 9 to 11; out-of-state and international students are limited to Sessions 1 and 2; students graduating high school in spring 2027 are not eligible; U.S. citizenship is not required.
What does the EPIC application require?
Essays or short answers. One student essay of up to 250 words on why they want to attend; no recommendation letters, transcripts, or application fee.
Read from the program’s own site and last checked 2026-10-09. Programs change dates, fees, and requirements each year, so confirm on the official site before you apply. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with this program.
