UC Davis YSP vs UC COSMOS: Which Program Is Right for You?
Two University of California summer science routes that look similar and aren't: COSMOS is a multi-campus academic cluster program — courses, labs, breadth; UC Davis YSP is an individual research placement where you run one project and produce a paper. Choose YSP to generate original research you can enter in competitions, COSMOS to explore a field with UC faculty.
Below is a live side-by-side comparison of UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP) and UC COSMOS, built from ExtracurricularHub's verified catalog.
| UC Davis YSP | UC COSMOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $5,600 | $3,500 |
| Application deadline | March 15, 2027 | February 6, 2027 |
| Grade eligibility | Grades 10–11 | Grades 10–11 |
| Format | In-person — Davis, CA | In-person — Berkeley, CA |
| Time commitment | ~40 hrs/week | Varies |
| Organizer | University of California, Davis | University of California |
UC Davis Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Immerse yourself in a competitive STEM summer program at UC Davis. Conduct hands-on research in biology, chemistry, or physics and boost college applications with publishable results.
UC COSMOS
4-week residential STEM program at UC campuses for California students.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, UC Davis YSP or UC COSMOS?
UC Davis YSP costs $5,600 and UC COSMOS costs $3,500, so UC COSMOS is the cheaper option this cycle. Check each program's site for financial aid — many paid programs offer need-based waivers.
Can I apply to both UC Davis YSP and UC COSMOS?
Yes — applying to both is common and there's no penalty. Selective programs reject strong applicants routinely, so treating UC Davis YSP and UC COSMOS as one combined chance is the smart strategy. Track both deadlines and reuse essay material where the prompts overlap.
Which is better for college applications, UC Davis YSP or UC COSMOS?
Neither is automatically "better" — admissions readers care about what you did there, not the logo. Two University of California summer science routes that look similar and aren't: COSMOS is a multi-campus academic cluster program — courses, labs, breadth; UC Davis YSP is an individual research placement where you run one project and produce a paper. Choose YSP to generate original research you can enter in competitions, COSMOS to explore a field with UC faculty. Pick the one whose work you'd actually finish, and go deep.
What grades can apply to UC Davis YSP and UC COSMOS?
UC Davis YSP: grades 10–11. UC COSMOS: grades 10–11. Eligibility can shift between cycles — confirm on each program's official page before planning your year around it.