UCSC SIP

UC Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA

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In-person9 wksFeb 27Rolling AdmissionFinancial AidInternational OK

Collin Recommendation Index

Proprietary Application Analysis

Tier 1

8/10

Collin Index

Highly Recommended

Collin's Analysis

A selective program with a strong research reputation. Admits tend to show genuine curiosity and a concrete project rather than a long list of activities, and past cohorts skew toward students with some prior exposure to the field.

Application Strategy

Lead with one specific question you have explored, tie it to what this program teaches, and use the short answers to show range. Apply before the priority deadline and ask your recommender early.

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Successful essays

4 accepted essays across 2 prompts

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Admissions Timeline

Application Opens

January 16, 2027

Priority Deadline

—

Regular Deadline

February 27, 2027

Program Dates

Jun 15 – Aug 8, 2027

Rolling Admission

Yes

Financials

Tuition

$11,600

Application Fee

$68 application fee

Financial Aid

Available

Student Stipend

None

Offered Disciplines

Art: Environmental Art & Social PracticeDigital Arts and New MediaFilm and Digital MediaHistory of Art and Visual CultureMusicTheater ArtsApplied MathematicsBiomolecular Engineering & BioinformaticsComputational MediaComputer Science & EngineeringElectrical & Computer EngineeringStatisticsHistoryHistory of ConsciousnessLinguisticsLiteraturePhilosophyAstronomy & AstrophysicsChemistryEarth & Planetary SciencesEcology & Evolutionary BiologyMaterials Science & EngineeringMathematicsMicrobiology & Environmental ToxicologyMolecular, Cell & Developmental BiologyOcean SciencesPhysicsAnthropologyEconomicsEducationEnvironmental StudiesFeminist StudiesLatin American and Latino StudiesPoliticsPsychologySociology

Requirements & Selectivity

Eligible Grades

Grades 9–11

International Students

Eligible

Minimum GPA

No minimum

Acceptance Rate

~10%

Essay Required

Yes

Interview Required

Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: Why are you interested in conducting open-ended research, particularly in your subject(s) of interest? What do you hope to gain by participating in SIP? What skills or mindset will be most important to bring to SIP? (400-500 words, 12 pt. font) Prompt 2: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. (350 words maximum, 12 pt. font)