Apply Now
UCLA, California
Join us this summer on our Pre-College program at UCLA, the cornerstone of California’s prestigious public research university system. Immerse yourself in challenging coursework with engaging instructors and like-minded peers as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community. Choose a seminar and dive deep into your subject matter as you take advantage of all that Los Angeles has to offer and enjoy access to the university’s top-notch facilities for learning and extracurriculars.
Safety in a Time of COVID-19
Since Putney’s founding 71 years ago, we have approached each participant’s summer experience with the same attention to safety and security that we give our own children. This summer is no exception. Please read our FAQ to learn more about 2022 programs, our refund policy, and our successes in offering programs in this new travel environment.
View FAQ
UCLA Campus
UCLA’s 400+ acre campus, set in the heart of Los Angeles and only five miles from the Pacific Coast, is ideally situated for experiencing college life in a beautiful setting. Live in dorms on campus and take advantage of full access to the university’s top-notch facilities, including the gym, pool, tennis courts, library, museums, and sports fields, in addition to classrooms and labs. On field trips and afternoon excursions, explore nearby Los Angeles neighborhoods as well as local beaches and coastal canyons.
learn more
Seminars
Choose a seminar and dive deep into a subject that inspires you, from Film & Video to Marketing, Scriptwriting to Entrepreneurship. Putney seminars combine experiential learning and global perspective, and are intentionally designed not to be like school, where learning is classroom-centered and text heavy. Instead, Putney Pre-College students learn by doing. Cap off your studies with a final project or installation to share your work.
learn more
Afternoons & Evenings
Join a soccer or volleyball game, take a salsa dancing lesson, visit a nearby flea market or thrift store, or join a behind-the-scenes visit of a movie studio. Pursue new interests such as yoga, African drumming, improv, or rock-climbing with your peers and friends. Rent bikes for a casual ride on the Venice boardwalk, spot marine life at the Aquarium of the Pacific, or take in the art exhibits at the Getty or UCLA’s own Hammer Museum. Explore the surrounding area on a hike in the nearby canyons or a visit to Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
learn more“We are so grateful for the exposure to teachers and the off-campus trips to see the sets in Hollywood. After the visit with the special effects firm, Caroline sent a text saying ‘I know where I want to intern next summer, and I need to learn to code.’ Just the fact that Caroline was so inspired to think about an internship is fantastic.”
— Kelly & Rick Hopkins, Charlotte, NC
Overview
Putney Pre-College at UCLA brings together motivated and like-minded high school students to grow intellectually and personally as they immerse themselves in a subject, learn from inspiring instructors and guest speakers, prepare for college, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Accommodations & Meals
At UCLA, we stay in college dormitory-style suites with bathrooms either ensuite or on the hall. Students have access to common space for community meetings and socializing. Leaders reside in the same dorm building and on the same floors as students throughout the program. Each day we dine in one of the many dining facilities across campus.
Community
Find a community of like-minded peers, invested in personal and intellectual growth. Like you, they are curious about the world and eager to have a positive impact on it. Everyone attends Community Meeting each evening, where the group shares ideas, successes, and goals, and sets plans for the coming day. Become part of a community that supports and nurtures your interests, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Guest Speakers
Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and professionals. Guest speakers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Whether an emerging filmmaker or a start-up entrepreneur, each speaker structures their workshop or lecture to relate to the seminars and their area of expertise.
Electives
In addition to your in-depth seminar, explore other interests and topics in elective workshops offered by instructors and students alike. Tap into the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of your peers and instructors to expand your Pre-College experience, learning on topics ranging from the natural history of the Los Angeles area to lessons on improv comedy.
“I was really nervous, but it was actually one of my favorite adventures and camps I’ve ever done, and I wish it wasn’t so short. Now I am trying to start my own business.”
— Alexa M., The Archer School for Girls, Santa Monica, CA
Instructors
Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.
Meet Our InstructorsDay in the Life
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day at UCLA.
Daily schedule
8 AM • Breakfast in the campus dining hall
9 AM • Seminars meet in classrooms, labs, studios, or outdoors
11 AM • Lunch and free time
1 PM • Seminars continue the day’s activities
3 PM • Afternoon activities, workshops, extracurriculars
5 PM • Dinner with your group
7 PM • Community meeting
8 PM • Evening programming, speakers, or activities
Outcomes & Final Projects
The Pre-College program at UCLA is designed to immerse students intellectually in their chosen seminar topic as they prepare academically and socially for the college experience. Over the course of their two-week Pre-College seminar, each student develops a final project based on their particular interests, which they present to peers and instructors at the end of the program. Display your photography in a pop-up gallery, present a business plan from your Entrepreneurship seminar, or conduct a reading of your script for a film short.