Explore fascinating topics while soaking up the sun and endless possibilities in the Bay Area—at the nation’s top-ranked public university. Explorations at Berkeley is a two-week pre-college experience where you’ll dive into project-based learning while stepping out of the classroom and into industry and research settings both on campus and around San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This is a real-world adventure on your way to college in a truly unparalleled location.
Explorations at Berkeley lets you choose from two areas of focus:
- Criminal Investigations | Learn from law enforcement officers and forensic scientists how crimes are investigated in the digital and physical worlds. Get hands-on with techniques such as fingerprint lifting, animal forensics, and explosives analysis.
- Psychology + Neuroscience | Explore the structure and function of the human brain, along with the complex interactions between brain and body. Then venture further into developmental psychology and the diagnosis and treatment of challenging neurological and psychological disorders.
Both areas take a transdisciplinary approach based on compelling, real-world questions like, What are the benefits and concerns of using AI tools to help solve crime? How does our understanding of psychology and neuroscience impact education and entertainment? You’ll uncover professional possibilities within each area of study that you may never have even considered, and learn how they intersect with one another and with the innovation environment of the Bay Area. And you’ll learn from passionate and accomplished instructors who are experts in their fields and work in the academic, entrepreneurial, and technological powerhouses surrounding San Francisco.
The University of California, Berkeley campus is home to leading experts and a diverse group of creative and accomplished students, energized by the high-tech giants and successful startups of Silicon Valley. This makes it a prime location for you to explore the research, new ideas, and cultural complexities within these disciplines.
Residential or Commuter
Live on-campus for the full collegiate experience in dorms and dining halls, or commute as a day student if you prefer. Either way, you’re immersed in challenging, real-world topics and meeting talented new friends, with the option to join weekend trips.
Have Summer Fun
You’ll spend two weeks exploring not only your area of study, but also the beautiful Berkeley campus, vibrant San Francisco, and the wider Bay Area with a tight-knit group of your fellow EXPLO students. Enjoy a range of memorable trips and activities, from game nights and sunset hikes to visits to San Francisco’s world-famous Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, or Chinatown.
Get College-Ready
Strengthen your college application with a written performance evaluation from your instructor commenting on your work, contributions, and areas of strength. Tour UC Berkeley, Santa Clara University, and Stanford University for a firsthand look at your collegiate options in this world-leading center for start-ups, new ideas, and high-tech advancements. Plus, get expert advice on the University of California application process with workshops, essay writing tips, and college interview skills.
Session 1: June 30 – July 13, 2024 (Residential)
Session 2: July 14 – July 27, 2024 (Residential)
Tuition: $6,400 (Residential), $3,190 (Commuter)
Tuition at EXPLO is all-inclusive in nature: it includes all programming costs, course supplies, room and board, food, evening events, social clubs, and entertainment.
Industry-leading Program/Travel Protection plans are available.