ELIGIBILITY:
Selection is competitive. The program will serve up to 150 students. Students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement in science and mathematics and are completing grades eight through twelve from all California public and private schools may apply. Some courses have prerequisites to ensure success in the program. UCI faculty teaching for COSMOS will review all applications. Admission is based upon:

*SPECIAL NOTE FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS: Only graduating 8th graders achieving academic excellence in science or math courses BEYOND the typical 8th grade level will be considered. These students must be mature enough to participate in a four-week residential program away from home and live independently -- at least Monday through Friday. Only a small percentage of 8th grade applicants are admitted to COSMOS each year. Parents should also consider if they are ready to have their son or daughter be away from home (at least from Monday through Friday). Students may check out Friday afternoons and return Sunday night each week.

RETURNING STUDENT POLICY: COSMOS alumni may only apply to a COSMOS site at which they have not previously attended -- you cannot return to the same UC campus. Due to the cost of the program, with significant underwriting from the California Legislature, a student may attend a total of two COSMOS programs. Our goal is to broaden the number of participants who have not previously attended COSMOS. As the number of applications continues to rise, first year applicants deemed qualified to participate, and submitting a complete application prior to the deadline, will be given priority. Previous attendees may be placed on a waiting list, and enrolled only when space becomes available. Each cluster in the Irvine program enrolls no more than 22 students. Returning students are required to identify the campus at which they previously participated, and the course cluster taken. References will be requested from the site's program staff to aid in evaluating each returning application.

APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED MARCH 15. Applications are currently being reviewed.  Notification will begin no later than April 30.

TUITION:
Summer 2008 tuition will be $2,310 for California residents. Tuition is established by the State of California, reflecting a standard 5% increase. It covers housing and meals, educational materials and instruction, and academic field trips. Parents may be asked to cost share for some recreational and/or special activities. Some lab fees may apply. Non-California residents pay the full tuition cost of $6,500 as required by the enabling legislation. (Please note that the cost of room and board alone for the month is approximately $1,650.)

FINANCIAL AID:
Need-based financial aid is available. COSMOS has a strong financial aid opportunity. Please refer to online application and provide income tax information. About 40% of UCI COSMOS students receive financial aid. Financial aid does not cover special weekend recreational field trips.

APPLICATION FEE:
The non-refundable application fee is $30 for 2008.