Summer Springboard
Located at UC Berkeley, Summer Springboard (aka Springboard or SSB) offers students a 2-week residential opportunity to take hands-on courses within a specific industry—such as medicine, economics, biotechnology or engineering. Students will have the chance to select and dive into a field they’re interested in, learn directly from professionals in that industry, attend field trips, and develop friendships with youth from around the world. Please note, spots are limited on this course.
Location
UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
Length
2 weeks
Dates
Session 1: June 14-26, 2026
Session 2: June 21-July 3, 2026
Session 3: June 28-July 10, 2026
Session 4: July 5-17, 2026
Session 5: July 12-24, 2026
Session 6: July 19-July 31, 2026
Participants
Mix of students from all over the world. You may not have another Summer Searcher at your session.
Travel
Students coordinate transportation, if possible. Summer Search can support if needed
Housing
Dorms, sharing a room with another participant
Bathrooms
Shared dorm bathrooms
Phone Access
You'll have your phone during the program
During the week, attend a 3-hour workshop where you'll learn more about your chosen academic field of interest through hands-on opportunities (e.g. labs, hands-on lectures, field trips)
In the afternoons, participate in electives - such as college admissions, athletics, service learning, or digital arts - or join their True You program to explore your leadership style while learning how to use your Summer Springboard experience in your journey towards applying to college or a future job.
You'll be taught by someone who's an expert in their field, like college professors, health directors, licensed architects, and attorneys
Go on field trips on the weekends to have fun, tour San Francisco with your new friends, and go to Great America
Navigate relationships with your classmates and roommates
Please note: Summer Springboard has eligibility requirements in order to attend.
An idea of what it's like to be a college student, attending classes, living on-campus and eating in the dining halls
A glimpse of what it's like to study or work within a field of interest, potentially informing your future career or college choices
Build connections to expand your network
Interact with other participants coming from all over the world
Need or want my program to be local to the Bay Area
Want to know what it's like to live on a college campus, especially exploring the social aspects of campus life
Am interested in a specific career field I want to learn and explore more about
Am comfortable navigating new systems and spaces on their own
Have a high follow-through, meaning I can:
Own the responsibility of completing the application
Register for courses that may fill up quickly
Manage time between class and social activities
Have a strong grasp of English
Am on track to graduate from high school
