The program tackles four critical issues of global importance. During the interactive game play, you will learn about the latest scientific research and discoveries that have promoted innovation and influenced global policy decisions in one of the four focus areas: climate crisis, energy innovation, artificial intelligence and internet governance.

All participants will receive an official transcript certifying one pre-collegiate credit from UC San Diego.

Part of the programming includes site visits to scientific institutes including:

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a leading research center where the modern era of climate change research began
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies, founded by Jonas Salk, the polio vaccine developer and home to six Nobel Prize winners since 1962
• Jacobs School of Engineering, one of the top-ranked engineering schools in the nation and the largest on the West Coast
• Qualcomm Institute, one of the four technology institutes in the UC system to devote to multidisciplinary research and technological innovation
• San Diego Supercomputer Center, one of the nation’s first supercomputer centers and a leader in data-intensive computing and cyberinfrastructure

Impact

Participant surveys conducted before and after previous programs showed that students gained new appreciation for peers from regions and countries different from their own.

This one-of-a-kind summer pre-college program offers students the opportunity to examine the world’s critical issues, build the skills needed to be changemakers in today’s complex world, and to cultivate a sense of purpose.

• Broaden your network by joining a community of passionate peers who share your interests in social impact and sustainability
• Building your skills in cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, team building, conflict resolution and leadership
• Spark your interest in the variety of future career paths in the topic areas

Using the Peace conferencing simulation platform developed by award-winning teacher Kristen Druker, Samantha Cash will be leading the program this summer. Samantha holds two master’s degrees, one in Education and the other in Learning Technologies, equipping her with the skills to communicate with high school students effectively. She has lived abroad as her professional volleyball career spanned 17 different countries, including Austria and Switzerland, where she mentored young athletes. During the school year, she coaches the women’s varsity volleyball team at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego.   

Guest speakers and renowned scholars from UC San Diego will provide lectures as part of the curriculum. Past lecturers include:

• Susan Shirk, Director Emeritus of 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mongolia in 1997-2000
• Lei Guang, So Family Executive Director of 21st Century China Center at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy
• Gert Cauwenberghs, Professor of Bioengineering, co-directs the Institute for Neural Computation at UC San Diego
• Ping Liu, Professor of Nanoengineering and the Director of the Sustainable Power and Energy Center at UC San Diego
• Paul Yu, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, key faculty member at UC San Diego's Integrated Technologies Laboratory
• Michael Yip, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC San Diego, and Director of the Advanced Robotics and Controls Laboratory (ARCLab)
• Ralph Keeling, Professor of Geochemistry in the Geosciences Research Division of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
• David Danks, Professor of Data Science, Philosophy, & Policy at UC San Diego

Apply now

To successfully submit this form, you must upload a completed Signature and Parental Approval Form and Teacher or Counselor Recommendation Form. You will also need to upload your official or unofficial high school transcript(s).

To pay the $75 application fee, please use the online payment form and enter the applicant's name along with FLSP2025 in the "Invoice number or Description" field.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis until the program is full or until the application deadline, whichever is earlier. Applications may be considered after the deadline, which is contingent on space availability. Round 1 applicants will be eligible for a 15% reduction in program tuition if admitted. Financial constraints should not prevent competitive candidates from participating in this program; therefore, a limited number of full and partial scholarships are available.

Note: Students are required to pay a nonrefundable deposit of $500 to secure their seat if accepted into the program. This deposit will be applied to the total program cost.

Arrival: Sunday, July 13

FLSP Administrative and Resident Advising (RA) staff will check in students at the On-campus Housing Hospitality Desk. Students will receive room assignments, keys, and meal cards. Prior to student arrival, RAs will inspect living areas.

• 4 p.m. Student drop-off / Dormitory Check-in
• 6 p.m. Group Dinner at Campus Dining Hall
• 7:30 p.m. Group Introductions and Surveys
• 8:30 p.m. Report to Dormitory
• 10 p.m. Lights Out – no exceptions

Final Day Events: Friday, Aug. 2

FLSP Final Day will be on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, beginning at 1 p.m. for students, families and friends. A small gathering at the beach with dinner for the students, faculty and staff will follow the ceremony.

• 1 p.m. Welcome and Introduction
• 1:30 p.m. Team Presentations
• 4 p.m. Certificate Presentation and Photos
• 4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
• 4:30 p.m. Refreshments

Departure: Saturday, Aug. 2

FLSP Administrative and Resident Advising (RA) staff will check out students at the On-campus Housing Hospitality Desk.

• 10 a.m. Free time / Prepare for check-out
• 12 p.m. Final Meal at Campus Dining Hall
• 1 p.m. Student pick-up

Cancellation Fees and Refunds

All cancellation requests must be made in writing to gps-flsp@ucsd.edu. Application fees or deposits are nonrefundable. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees and deposits, if processed before the program withdrawal date of May 14, 2025. The university will not refund tuition or room and board for students dismissed from the program or unable to enter the country due to an improper visa.

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