DET Lab FAQ

April 15, 2024 | 10:26 am

June 17—July 12, 2024

  • U.S. high school students entering their junior and senior years are welcome to apply.
  • International students of the same age and academic levels are welcome and eligible to apply.

Residential students: $12,499.
Non-residential or commuting students: $8,299.

Program fees include:

  • Academic tuition
  • Housing (UCB student dorms)
  • 3 meals per day, 7 days per week
  • Extracurricular activities and excursions (afternoon, evening, and weekend)
  • Transportation for included activities
  • Use of athletic and recreation facilities
  • Blanket and pillow
  • Safety and supervision

Not Included:

  • Application fee
  • Airfare and airport transfers
  • Meals purchased off campus
  • Medical expenses
  • Laundry
  • Linens
  • Spending money

Students stay at Foothills, which is suite style – single, double, or triple rooms arranged in suites that vary from 3 to 11 bedrooms

Students will have roommates, either within the same room or they could be placed in a single but then sharing the common areas/bathrooms with their suite-mates or they will be placed in a double/triple and sharing the common areas/bathrooms.

The residence hall requires a card to swipe in so no one outside of students with access are allowed inside.

Summer Discovery has Resident Counselors on site that are available throughout the student’s program. These RCs are responsible for checking in a certain group of students assigned to them nightly. They are all present at all activities and throughout the day/night.

Commuter tuition includes the academic program and any academic field trips associated with it. They are responsible for lunch each day.

Residential students receive 3 meals per weekday and 2 on the weekends. Students will have a swipe card to use at Foothill Dining Commons.

We collect any type of dietary restrictions on the student’s pre-summer forms. If the student requires dietary restrictions, we will work with them and the campus nutritionist to provide that support.

Summer Discovery provides scholarship assistance to students and their families, primarily through mentoring organizations. As our individual scholarships are limited, we encourage you to reach out to your school counselor and community for academic fundraising and scholarship opportunities. If needed, we can always provide paperwork detailing the academic value of our programs. We also suggest visiting Fund My Travel, an online fundraising website. If you are not selected for one of our scholarship opportunities, we will refund the application fee. This does not apply to our programs at Penn, Wharton, and the UC Santa Barbara RMP and SRA programs.

Yes, applications are admitted on a rolling basis until the program is full.

International students are not eligible for the scholarship programs that SD partners with.

Anybody filling out the application is charged the $100 application fee.

If the student’s primary residence is outside of the United states, they are charged an additional $379 upon enrollment which covers airport transfers and health insurance.

Detailed info on the international registration fee:

  • The International Registration Fee is a surcharge for all International Students (based on residency — primary address outside the US) attending a program in the US. This fee is for additional expenses to ensure that our International students are set up for success when they arrive on campus.  The International REGISTRATION Fee covers:
    • Visa support/communications ahead of the program.
    • Transportation to/from campus.
    • 24/7 Arrival/Departure support from campus.
    • Medical/Health Insurance for international students on domestic programs.
    • Support with securing a US cell phone number (SIM card) and setting up a calling plan for use while on campus.

*Please note that these fees are mandatory and all-inclusive. Should a student not need one of the services required, there will not be a refund for a portion of the fee.

The program will be conducted in English; English language proficiency is required.

  • Create an account and complete the application on the Summer Discovery website.
  • There is an application fee of $100.
  • Application requirements include uploading a copy of your school transcript, a short answer question about a “list of texts, resources, and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside. of academic courses…”, and contact information from a school counselor, teacher, advisor or Dean who will be notified about your application.

Admissions are usually sent out 72+ hours after the application has been submitted.

No, this is an enrichment program only, not for college credit. Students will receive a certificate of completion upon completing the program.

This is a full-time experience that will not lend the ability to have a job as well.

It is not required to live on campus, there is a commuter option available.

Summer Discovery sets up activities after class is over during the week as well as on the weekends. Examples may be an Oakland A’s game, amusement park, movies, etc.

There is a nurse on site that will be able to assist in medical situations. If the situation calls for urgent care/emergency room, our staff will take the student and help facilitate the process.

Commuters will need to be dropped off and picked up each day. Residential students will not need transportation.

Students are not allowed to park on campus.

Ideally students would have access to a smartphone and laptop (PC or Mac with sufficient processing to run Fusion 360).

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