Academic Connections International

Academic Connections International (ACI)

Who should take this course?

Academic Connections International (ACI) is a summer 3-week UC San Diego academic and residential immersion program for secondary school students who are 16 - 18 years of age, and who would like to have an insightful American pre-university preparation experience with American teenage students. Prospective ACI students must have strong academic records and advanced English proficiency.

Admission Requirements:

The minimum requirements to be accepted into this program are listed below. We carefully review the background and qualifications of each applicant to ensure that those admitted into the Academic Connections International (ACI) program will have a successful experience. Please submit all admission requirements and documents to: ipadmission@ucsd.edu. Please do not submit the application incomplete.

Language Requirement:

Students are not expected to provide official test-results with their application to attest to a specific English proficiency score. However, prospective ACI students must provide a completed Recommendation Form from a secondary school English instructor, attesting to a proficiency level equivalent to the internet-based TOEFL 80 or Advanced Cambridge level.

Other Requirements:

2013 Dates:

  • July 7 - 27

Length of Program:

  • 3 weeks

  • Schedule varies depending on classes chosen

What this program includes:

  • On-campus housing with American students July 7 - 27, 2013

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at campus cafeteria through July 7 - 27, 2013

  • Approximately 25 hours of UC San Diego academic instruction per week

  • An opportunity to take various chaperoned field trips to local sites

  • Access to laboratory equipment as part of class work

  • Guest speakers

  • Project supplies

  • Transportation to and from scheduled field trips during the program

  • Constant adult supervision

The following courses are examples of what is being offered during 2012 Academic Connections International:

  • Creating an Artist Portfolio

  • Gray Matters: Brain Function and Neural Plasticity

  • Introduction to Bioinformatics

  • Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

  • Introduction to Psychology

  • Robot Ruminations

  • Social Problems and Civic Action

  • and more!

Click here to see a complete list of the courses offered during 2013 Academic Connections International. Students will be asked to select their top three course choices. Of the three course choices selected, students will be assigned one course to study for three weeks.

Cost (In U.S. Dollars):

Application fee: $200 (non-refundable)
Tuition: $4,985 (this price includes all tuition and fees, activities, mandatory medical insurance, on-campus housing and meals in dormitories with American students and chaperones on all field trips and in residence with the students at all times)
San Diego airport pick-up fee: $75*

Transportation to San Diego airport for departure: $75*

(*available only to ACI students, as needed)

One night on-campus accommodations/meals on July 5, 2013 or July 6, 2013: $120 per night

SAT Workshop: $100