About UC berkeley

The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus – envisioned as a “City of Learning” – was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world’s premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, and it is the oldest of ten university of California campuses.

In recognition of broad and deep excellence, respected sources have repeatedly ranked UC Berkeley at or near the top in fields ranging from engineering and the “hard” sciences to the social sciences, arts, and humanities. The National Research Council, in the most recent version of its highly regarded report on U.S. public and private universities, ranked Berkeley number one nationally in the number of campus graduate programs (35 out of 36), among the top 10 in their fields. Berkeley ranks first nationally in the number of graduate programs in the top 10 in their fields. There are 7 Nobel Laureates, 28 MacArthur Fellows, and 4 Pulitzer Prize winners among its active faculty. It is only 20 minutes driving distance from UC Berkeley to city of San Francisco, there are many excellent sightseeing places where students can go to experience California life. For instance, Cable Cars: an icon of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach, and more!

International Pre-Collegiate Program

Are you ready to experience a new way of learning?

The International Pre-Collegiate Program (IPCP) at UC Berkeley presented by Polychrome International Education (DBA: Sesame Consulting), offers you the opportunity to join the community of high school students coming from all over the world to enjoy a summer at UC Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Not only will students earn college credits and UC Berkeley transcript upon finishing this program, they will also be able to enrich and accelerate their academic pursuits as well as meeting other students who share the same interests and abilities.

As students participating in our program, you will live with other IPCP’s students in Berkeley supervised housing and attend classes taught by world-renowned Berkeley professors. There are many courses of different subject areas including engineering, maths, physical and biological science, social science, ethnic studies, and even foreign languages that will introduce students to topics not typically presented at high school level. We also have workshops and activities planned throughout the duration of the program to provide our students a variety of helpful advices on planning for academic life beyond high school.

IPCP understands and truly cares about the positive experience of our students. We believe that students need to have fun and feel comfortable in order to study well. That’s why we are pleased to provide our students weekly trips to different popular locations around the San Francisco Bay Area such as Silicon Valley, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Legion of Honor Museum, de Young Museum, Shopping Centers, etc. At the end of our program, IPCP staffs will accompany our students to a four-day trip to Los Angeles, where students will create many beautiful memories in Disneyland – the land of fantasy, as well as many other popular sights that define LA such as Universal Studios and Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The International Pre-Collegiate Program (IPCP) and our staffs humbly welcome all the students to join us in this exciting and life-changing journey that allows a unique experience of a summer of challenge, discovery, connection and growth – a truly taste of college life in the beautiful surroundings of UC Berkeley, the world top public university.

Letter from Dean

Time & Deadline

Since course registration is in high-demand, we strongly encourage students to apply as early as possible to meet our early registration deadline. Each year, we will start enrolling and registering students in early February. Once the classes are full, we cannot take any more students. Currently, we open two sessions for international high school students:

Session C (8 weeks): June 19 to August 11
Session D (6 weeks): July 3 to August 11

Sessions C: June 19 – August 11, 2017

Sessions D: July 3 – August 11, 2017

Courses

All the courses are college-level and taught by UC Berkeley faculty. Students will receive UC Berkeley course credits and an official transcript at the end of the session. Please note the course schedule is subject to change by the school. We recommend that students take no more than two courses for each session. These courses are not available to high school students. Please contact us if you want to take ESL courses in Session D or Session E.

Session C (8 Weeks) Session D (6 Weeks)

2017 Admission Process and Fees

IPCP Admission Process:

• Complete the Online Application
• Applicants must completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of program and must be 16 years of age by June 19, 2017.
• Submit (via email) the following required documents in English for program admission review:
  Official transcript of applicant’s high school/secondary school. (Must be in PDF format)
• Proof of English Proficiency. (Must be in PDF format)

If all your courses are taught in English, please contact us for further instruction.

• Copy of Passport (Photo Pages, must be in PDF format)
• One Letter of Recommendation. (Letter written by your school counselor, class teacher, or director, must be in PDF format).
• One Letter of Interest (200-500 words, must be in PDF format)
• Receive acceptance/rejection email from us.
• Accept/Decline the spot.

Program fee includes

• 5 (Session D) / 6 (Session C) units of UC Berkeley tuition fees. Students can add more units by paying an extra units fee, but they can`t take less than 5 (Session D) / 6 (Session C) units.
• Room & board.
• Chaperone management.
• Daily supervision.
• Emergency contact.
• Student access to UC Berkeley libraries, including an official UC Berkeley student ID card.
• Weekend excursions. (meals are not included)
• Workshops with representatives from the UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Admissions to discuss requirements and admissions process, how to choose a major / college and more!
• Trip after the end of summer sessions. (meals, tips, personal expenses are not included)

• Please note that the program fee does NOT include: textbooks, course materials fee, rec club member fees, personal expenses, international airfare, medical insurance, Visa application/US SEVIS fee, and other miscellaneous costs.
• Meals points will be purchased based on the Standard Meal Plan of school’s dormitory.
• If you are not a USA citizen/resident or Canadian citizen, you need to apply student (F-1) visa in order to enter the U.S. and attend our program.

Withdrawl and Refund Policy

The written cancellation policy is binding and can only be modified in writing. No verbal communication from Sesame/ Polychrome/UC Berkeley staff or any other person can modify the written policy.

Note：For the details of tuition refund, please refer to Here

• Both the students and the parents need to sign the Withdrawl Refund Policy.
• Refund after the starting of the Sessions toward the end of the first week of the Sessions will be determined based on our review.

Activities

We will organize supplemental activities to the educational program. These activities will be conducted mainly on the weekends and will include a variety of fun and educational experiences.

Some of the activities will be in-house using local facilities, while others will be field trips that require travel. Some examples are:

1) Information Session/Workshops: students will have a chance to hear from the UC Berkeley admission office on how to write a college application and personal statements.

2) Events with other UC Berkeley students: we will invite Berkeley students to interact with our students at organized events like BBQs or ice cream parties.

3) Weekend excursions: we will arrange weekend field trips to Stanford University, downtown San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf, art museums, Lombard Street, Silicon Valley, and Bay Area shopping centers. The itinerary is subject to change every summer.

4) End-of-session trip to Los Angeles: due to its success, it has become tradition to take a 4 day trip to LA with all the students in the program. Students will have the opportunity to tour universities, visit amusement parks such as Disneyland or Universal Studios, and explore the numerous sights that make LA world famous.

Daily supervision: Our staff will do roll-call every single night from 9:30 – 10:00 PM.

Chaperones management/Emergency Contact: All the activities will be chaperoned by a minimum of one staff member. We also have emergency contact staff available at all times and Residence Advisors (RAs) living in the same dormitory with the students in case there is an emergency.

F & Q

What are the dates for the International Pre-Collegiate Program?

International Pre-Collegiate Program participants choose from courses offered in Session C and Session D.
What grade do I have to be in to participate?

You are eligible if you have completed 10th grade by the start of program and be 16 years of age by June 20, 2016.
If I am graduating from high school in the summer of 2016, am I eligible to participate in this program?

Yes, students who are currently enroll in 12th grade are eligible for the International Pre-Collegiate program.
What else is required as part of my application?

In addition to the online application, you must submit an official transcript of all your high school course work (through the fall semester preceding your application) and a letter of recommendation from your high school teacher or guidance counselor.
How many courses may I take?

A summer sessions course is an accelerated version of a 16-week semester course. We advise that you take no more than 2 courses.
When does the application open?

Applications are available online beginning November 1st.
Is there an application deadline?

We recommend that you register no later than December 31, 2015. Please keep in mind that all courses and the program are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who can write my letter of recommendation?

Your letter should be written by someone who knows your academic background and progress, usually a teacher (preferably someone in the area of your summer course of study) or a counselor.
Is there a form or template for the letter of recommendation?

No. Usually the teacher or counselor will know what details to include.
How do I send my transcript and letter?

Please email your transcript and letter to us. No paper materials will be required unless you receive specific request from us.
How much does the International Pre-Collegiate program cost?

Please refer to our payment details.
When do I pay my fees?

Please refer to our payment policy.
Is scholarship available?

No. we do not offer any scholarships during the summer.
When will I find out if I was accepted to the program?

We review applications in the order they are received. We will update you with your application status within 5 business days of your application date.
How do I know which books I need for my class?

You can check the course website or contact the professors for the book list.
May I change or drop my course/s after I have enrolled and paid?

Yes. You may change the courses in which you are enrolled. However, you have to maintain at least 5 units to be a full-time student. For 8 weeks (Session C) students, it has to be 6 units.
Do the units I earn from the Summer Session apply to my high school GPA?

Because these are college courses/units, as a rule, these courses do not apply towards your high school requirements, AP credit, or GPA. For the most accurate answer, check with your school’s college counselor. Upon successful completion of your course(s), you will receive college credit at UC Berkeley, which you can submit when you are completing college applications.
Where will I live during the program?

You will live in a dormitory with other IPCP students. There will also be residence advisors there to supervise students and handle any disagreements that may come up. We will also have staff living nearby the dormitory.
Will you have “light-out” policy?

Yes, our staff will live nearby the dormitory and will do roll-call every single night at around 9:00 PM.
Who should I contact in the case of emergency?

If you are in the dormitory, you should contact the RA first, then our staff living nearby. If you are out of the dormitory, you should contact our staff directly.
Are there special activities offered through the International Pre-Collegiate Program?

Yes. Some of the workshops and activities available are: “How to Choose a College,” “Writing a Successful College Application”, “Writing a Successful Personal Statement” , and “College Life Q & A.” We will also organize weekend activities such as field trips and city tours. After the end of the sessions, there is also a trip to Los Angeles.
How long will it take until I receive my official transcript in the mail?

The Office of the Registrar begins mailing the official summer sessions transcripts around the second week of September. We update you once we receive the transcript and will mail it to you.
Why do students who live outside the United States have to register through the International Pre-Collegiate Program to attend Berkeley Summer Sessions?

Because the Pre-Collegiate Program offered by Berkeley Summer Sessions is not a residential program, and there are no special monitors or advisors in the residence halls to support or oversee high school students, Berkeley Summer Sessions cannot accept international high school students from outside of the United States. Instead, international students registering from outside of the United States may take Berkeley Summer Sessions courses through the residential program offered by Polychrome International Education DBA: Sesame Consulting.
Can I use B-1/B-2 Visa I currently have to enter the United States and attend the International Pre-Collegiate Program?

No, all the international students must go to their local US Embassy to obtain a F-1 student Visa with a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 visa document) that will be provided to you by Berkeley Summer Sessions.
Why do I need to meet the English Proficiency Requirement (EPR) before I attend the International Pre-Collegiate Program?

The English Proficiency Requirement (EPR) is to evaluate the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English and who want to enroll in regular UC Berkeley Summer Sessions courses. These requirements ensure that students will be able to understand and communicate successfully in an English-speaking environment.
Is there a way to waive the English Proficiency Requirement (EPR)?

Yes, waivers can be requested if any of the following criteria apply:
1. You reside in a country where English is the primary or official language.
2. You currently attend a university where English is the language of instruction for the majority of courses taught.
3. You have attended schools at the secondary level (high school) or above for at least three years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction (as in the United States, the United Kingdom, and in some international schools).
4. You are currently studying in an English-speaking country (or has studied in an English-speaking country) for at least one academic year.
Do I need health insurance for the summer?

Yes, health insurance coverage is required for all students. Health insurance policy should cover all medical and hospital costs, or provide you with a minimum of $50,000 (USD) for each accident or illness, have a deductible of $500 or less, and cover at least 75% of hospital and physician costs from the time you leave your current residence to the day you plan to return.
If insurance cannot be purchased before leaving home, information about health insurance enrollment can be obtained from the UHS website.

Do I need to check-in or report to anyone upon arrival?

Yes. All international students studying on a student visa are required to “check-in” with the Berkeley International Office with their passport, and visa documents and proof of health insurance at the beginning of the summer session. The check-in must be done before the end of the first week of classes and before a Cal student ID card is issued.
What benefits will I get from participating in the program?

You will receive the followings after completed the program:
Experience the taste of college life in the beautiful surroundings of UC Berkeley, the world top public university
Build relationship with UC Berkeley faculties, with potential opportunities to earn a letter of recommendation
Earn college credits and UC Berkeley transcript
Attend workshops and receive helpful advices on planning for academic life beyond high school
Make friends with students from other countries around the world
Explore the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area
Visit Los Angeles, play at theme park, and get a chance to visit either UCLA or USC