STEM and engineering
COSMOS (California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science)
COSMOS is a 4-week residential program run by University of California. Open to: rising 9th through rising 12th graders.
- Application deadline
- February 5, 2027
- Cost
- Paid, aid available
- Who can apply
- Grades 8 to 11
- current grade when applying
- Length
- 4 weeks
- Residential
What students do
Students live on one of six UC campuses for four weeks and study a STEM topic cluster with faculty and researchers. The coursework is lab-based and goes beyond the usual high school curriculum.
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Key facts
- Run by
- University of California
- Where
- CA (residential)
- Who can apply
- Rising 9th through rising 12th gradersOpen to California high school students only; the site says typical participants have a GPA of 3.5 or above.
- Dates
- 2027 opening and closing days to be announced
- Cost
- $5,518 for 2026, includes housing, meals, orientation, field trips and activities, and on-site support
- Deadline
- February 5, 2027Application opens January 6, 2027.
- Selectivity
- Each campus accommodates approximately 150 to 250 participants and the site describes selection as competitive.
What the application asks for
- Essays or short answers
- Transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Application fee
- Parent or financial forms
One personal statement, unofficial transcripts, one teacher recommendation required (two strongly recommended), a parent or guardian signature, and a non-refundable $48 application fee.
How a mentor helps with your COSMOS application
- Decide whether COSMOS 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 COSMOS 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 |
| EPICCal Poly College of Engineering | San Luis Obispo, CAResidential | Currently in grades 6 to 11 | Paid, aid available | March 31, 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 COSMOS application deadline?
The deadline is February 5, 2027. The application opens January 6, 2027.
How much does COSMOS cost?
$5,518 for 2026, includes housing, meals, orientation, field trips and activities, and on-site support. Financial aid is available.
Who can apply to COSMOS?
Rising 9th through rising 12th graders. Open to California high school students only; the site says typical participants have a GPA of 3.5 or above.
What does the COSMOS application require?
Essays or short answers, Transcript, Teacher recommendation, Application fee, Parent or financial forms. One personal statement, unofficial transcripts, one teacher recommendation required (two strongly recommended), a parent or guardian signature, and a non-refundable $48 application fee.
How hard is it to get into COSMOS?
Each campus accommodates approximately 150 to 250 participants and the site describes selection as competitive.
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.
