| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 31, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | $5,793 (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): $5,990–$7,390; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Need-based financial assistance for application and program costs: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on family income, family size and available COSMOS resources. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded upon acceptance; applications reviewed first-come, first-served.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Application fee: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Non-refundable; fee waivers can be requested.; Need-based financial assistance for application and program costs: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Based on family income, family size and available COSMOS resources. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Refundable damage deposit (2026): $150; Financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded upon acceptance; applications reviewed first-come, first-served.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Housing: $0; Meals: $0; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 11–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grade 12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Residency: California high school students only; Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: Demonstrated academic excellence (a typical COSMOS student has a GPA of 3.5 or above) | Ages 16–18; Requirement: Open to rising grades 11–12; Requirement: Has completed sophomore year of high school and is returning to high school in the fall; Requirement: A diagnosed learning difference is not required | Residency: PA; Requirement: Open to rising grade 12; Requirement: Must have completed junior year immediately before the program |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts July 10, 2027; Ends July 31, 2027; 3 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 27, 2027; Ends July 31, 2027; 5 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz, CA | Putney, VT | Pittsburgh, PA |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Each of six campuses accommodates roughly 160-200 students, and clusters typically enroll 20-25 with a commonly reported 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Admissions are competitive and based on academic merit relative to the selected topic, but applicant count and statewide acceptance rate were not published. Application materials: Online application with one personal statement; One teacher recommendation (two recommended) | Selection: Admissions reviews fit for the structured program; no applicant, cohort or acceptance count is published. Financial aid is limited and first-come after acceptance. Application materials: Educational recommendations (form included in the application); Parent/guardian statement; Interview by phone or online | Selection: PGSS describes a statewide application and admission process but the current official pages publish neither cohort size, applicant count nor acceptance rate. Application materials: Narrative essay introducing yourself and why you want to attend PGSS; Topical essay on a significant influence on your interest in science or an achievement; Two teacher recommendations from different PGSS core subjects; School counselor recommendation |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22Source 6 · checked 2026-08-22Source 7 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-08-22Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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