Design and pitch your own social impact organization
Learn how to create an organization or nonprofit and put your knowledge into action
The Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute will introduce students to social entrepreneurship, including starting social enterprises and non-profits. In this hands-on program, students will design their own social good organization. They will learn the basics of starting, building, and running non-profit organizations and social impact businesses.
The program will focus on the creation of new organizations designed to contribute to the greater good. Students who are interested in learning how to start their own organization for social good or leading social impact movements are encouraged to apply!
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute Overview
In the first half of the program, students will learn the basics of researching and creating a mission-oriented venture. In the second half of the program, students will put that knowledge into action by creating their own ventures. Students will form teams to work on their startup ideas. Each team will prepare a 5-minute pitch to present to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors for feedback.
Application deadline: June 1, 2024 | Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2024
Applications are reviewed and admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis starting February 15th. Applying at your earliest convenience, prior to June 1st, is highly recommended.
The program has application requirements for admission. Eligible applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
- An unofficial transcript from grade 9 to present reflecting a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- If your school transcript utilizes a different grading system, please submit your transcript as is. If available, please attach a translation/equivalency guide.
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: If you are an international student, a transcript refers to your complete secondary academic record. To learn more about converting your grades into a US-based GPA, please click here.
- If your school has a translation/equivalency guide, please also include it with your transcript. If you do not have a translation/equivalency guide, please still submit your most up-to-date transcript as is for staff to review.
- Value statement: At the time of registration, ALL applicants will be prompted to submit a few short sentences reflecting on their pursuit of participation in a UCLA Precollege Summer Institute. Please note that students are strongly discouraged from relying on ChatGpt/AI tools for their application responses and are encouraged to submit original and authentic answers.
- Short essays answering each of the following prompts:
- Why are you applying for this program? What interests you about social entrepreneurship? (250 words or less)
- What strengths would you bring in terms of skills, passion, and knowledge to the program? (250 words or less)
- Do you have any experience with social entrepreneurship, such as working or volunteering with a non-profit or a business involved in social impact? (optional, 125 words or less)
The Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute (Virtual) – Session A & D will be conducted virtually (online). All meeting times will take place in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), unless otherwise noted on program schedule and syllabus. Participants must log-in to virtual sessions at the times indicated on the program schedule.
Students in the virtual program will not be offered housing.
Due to the intense nature of the Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute (In-person) – Session B & C, and the time commitment involved, living in on-campus housing is mandatory.
For more information on UCLA housing precollege programs, please see the Housing for Minors page.
Many of our precollege programs with mandatory housing (only) also feature non-curricular evening and weekend activities, the availability of which is at the sole discretion of the academic department offering the program, and are not operated by UCLA Summer Sessions. To learn more about whether (and when) your selected program will host such activities, please consult the schedules for each program or contact the department in question directly: robertjadon@gmail.com.
Most of our precollege programs with mandatory housing will hold check-in on the Sunday before the start of the program between 4-6pm, and hold check-out the Saturday after the final day of class at 11am. Please contact the department in question directly to confirm check-in and check-out times: robertjadon@gmail.com.
Coursework
CESC 98A; 2 units
Grading Basis
Students will be graded on a Pass/No Pass basis upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
In order to successfully complete the program, students must not have more than 2 excused or unexcused absences.
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 9th – 11th in Spring 2024 in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. Students must be 15 years old by the first day of Summer Sessions 2024 on June 24th in order to participate in a Precollege Summer Institute and/or apply for Summer Scholars Support. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Summer 2024 deadline to apply: March 15.
Session A: Virtual
June 24 – July 5, 2024
Session B: Mandatory housing
July 7 – July 20, 2024
Session C: Mandatory housing
July 21 – August 3, 2024
Session D: Virtual
August 5 – August 16, 2024
Program Eligibility: 10th-12th grade in Spring 2024*
Application deadline: June 1, 2024
Enrollment deadline: June 15, 2024
*All participants must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions 2024 on June 24th, no exceptions allowed.
The schedule and syllabus are subject to change. Enrolled students will be given updated materials closer to the program start date.
Fees and Payment Info
The program fee includes the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program and thus varies by UC student status. The program fee also includes the cost of UCLA Housing (for mandatory housing programs). In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.
Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid.
VIRTUAL PROGRAM FEES:
The program fees listed in the selection are for the Mandatory Housing version only. The following are the program fees for the Virtual version.
- High School Student = $1,768
- Incoming UCLA Student = $1,556
- Incoming UC Student = $1,556
All other fees listed will remain the same for the Virtual version.
Meet your instructors
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute FAQ
No. Exceptions to eligibility will not be considered. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements should not apply and are encouraged to explore other opportunities.
Still have questions? Check out the general Summer Institutes FAQ.