Frequently Asked Questions

ADMISSIONS

Who is eligible to apply to COSMOS?: Any student attending a public or private school completing grades 8th - 12th, but high priority will be given to 9-11 graders. Note: please see next question for 8th grade policy.

What are the chances of an 8th grader being accepted?: Students completing 8th grade must be able to demonstrate academic achievement beyond the typical 8th grade level. An example would be an 8th grade student enrolled in geometry.

Can non-California residents apply?: Yes. Each year, a limited number of students who reside outside of California may be admitted. Please be aware that there is a different tuition fee for non-California residents. Please see Tuition and Financial Assistance section.

What is admission based on?: Admission is competitive. The entire application is reviewed including your transcript, demonstrated academic achievement, participation in any math and/or science projects and/or competitions, teacher recommendations, and written comments.

Is there a minimum GPA to be accepted into COSMOS?: Since admission is competitive, students must have achieved academic excellence. Most COSMOS students have a GPA of 3.5 or higher; nearly half of our students have a 4.0, particularly in their high school science and math courses. While grades are important achievement is also considered.

Is COSMOS a first come first served process?: No. All applications are reviewed after the application deadline.

How do I apply to COSMOS?: The application period is February 1st - March 15th. The application link is available on the main page and only active during this time. The application must be completed and postmarked by March 15th.

Will it help my chances if I send in copies of all my awards and/or my portfolio of achievements?: No. Please send only what is requested. Additional material will be immediately discarded.

Can I apply to more than one campus?: No. You may only apply to one campus each year. But you may and should increase your odds by applying to up to 3 different clusters. We encourage applicants to review the various academic courses offered from each site to determine which campus will meet their interest.

May I attend COSMOS more than once?: COSMOS alumni may only apply to a different COSMOS site than the one previously attended. Since the number of applications continues to rise, qualified first year applicants will be given priority. It is highly likely that a returning student will be placed on a waiting list, and enrolled if space becomes available.

How much is the tuition?: For California residents-$2,550. Non-California residents must pay the full program cost of $6,500 as required by the state legislature.

What does the tuition cover?: The tuition covers room and meals in the university residence halls, all course and lab materials, and all academic field trips. Nearly everything you will need while you are at COSMOS is covered. Students can bring spending money for the weekend field trips or to shop at the campus bookstore.

Does COSMOS offer financial assistance?: Yes. For students who cannot afford the tuition, need-based financial assistance is offered. Note that the actual program cost per student is over $6,500, so each student is already subsidized by the State of California in the amount of $4,000 (non-California residents excluded). See next question.

Who is eligible for financial assistance?: Families who can demonstrate and verify financial need and based on income. As part of the financial assistance application, families will be asked to include a copy of the current year's income tax forms or other appropriate income documentation. Students who reside outside of California are not eligible for Financial Assistance.

If my family doesn't qualify for free or reduced lunch at my school would I qualify for COSMOS Financial Assistance?: Possibly. Our financial assistance funding comes from private corporations and foundations, which allows us greater flexibility compared to state standards. The two most important factors we consider when reviewing financial assistance applications: the size of the family and the household's income.

What is the curriculum like at COSMOS?: Participants will have the opportunity to study topics in mathematics and science in a way that they will probably never encounter in high school. Some courses have prerequisites to ensure student success in advanced concepts.

Who teaches the courses?: Teams of our very own University of California faculty, scientist, post doctoral fellows, and/or graduate students teach for COSMOS.

What is a typical day at COSMOS like?: On a typical day, COSMOS students attend lectures, participate in labs, visit campus research facilities, or are on academic related field trips. Study groups and recreational activities are built into the evening and weekend schedules. Special activities and field trips are planned for the weekends.

Does COSMOS offer field trips?: Yes. Field trips vary by COSMOS campus and year, and relate to the cluster topic. Please read the course descriptions at the campus to which you intend to apply for a list of possible field trips.

What is residential life like at COSMOS?: Living in campus residence halls, students will have the opportunity to form friendships with peers from all over California who share an interest in mathematics and science. Students participate in various athletic and recreational activities.

Who supervises the students in the dormitory?: The COSMOS staff at each campus includes a Residential Director, professional live-in staff, and UC undergraduate Residential Assistants. Prior to the start of COSMOS, all staff goes through extensive training and are CPR/First Aid certified.

Can I get my own room?: No. For safety reasons all students are paired up with a roommate by gender and age. In the case that there are an odd number of a girls or boys, students will be placed into a triple-bed room.

What if I live near one of the COSMOS sites, can I commute?: No. A big part of the COSMOS experience is the residential aspect. All students must live on campus for the duration of the program. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss maturity and readiness to participate in a month-long residential program away from home.

Can I get high school or college credit for COSMOS attendance?: COSMOS is an academic enrichment program. COSMOS is not meant to replace a yearlong high school course, and therefore does not grant academic credit.

Since COSMOS doesn't offer credit how would I benefit if I attend?

COSMOS participation does help students demonstrate their academic excellence. When applying to the University of California, students may reference their participation in the program directly on the UC application.
COSMOS gives students an exceptionally unique opportunity to work closely with UC faculty. Our student to academic staff ratio is about 5:1.
We can provide a distinctive opportunity to explore topics that may interest you as a future area for study and/or possible career.
We provide an opportunity for students to develop integrated skills for success in a college residential learning community.

If I get accepted and participate in COSMOS, am I also guaranteed a spot at a UC campus for college?: No.

What do I do if I have more questions?: Contact a campus directly or contact us through our AOL Screen Name: AskCOSMOS (one word, no case sensitivity.)