| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Cost | Unconfirmed — check official site | $695–$4,995 (2027 cycle) | $5,793 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid (up to 100% of base tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Open to Bay Area students completing grades K-10 and returning 11th graders; does not cover transportation, textbooks, supplies or program fees; not available to extended-deadline applicants.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | 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) |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): 2026 nonrefundable application fee: $60–$90. $60 for domestic students; $90 for students attending school outside the US.; Need-based financial aid (up to 100% of base tuition): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Open to Bay Area students completing grades K-10 and returning 11th graders; does not cover transportation, textbooks, supplies or program fees; not available to extended-deadline applicants.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: Frontiers application: $0. No application fee; this does not mean program participation is free.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | 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) |
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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 7–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 6–12; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 7–11 when applying; Requirement: Some courses have academic prerequisites; Requirement: Current 6th graders who attended ATDP before may apply for a small selection of courses with a very strong application | Requirement: Ignite grades 6–8, Launch 9–11, Frontiers 10–12, Summit 11–12. Detailed course/testing criteria vary; do not claim universal absence of prerequisites. | 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) |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 22, 2026; Ends July 31, 2026; 4–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Berkeley, CA | Unconfirmed — check official site | Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz, CA |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Applications are reviewed on academic preparation, materials and course fit as they become complete. Classes generally cap at 20-24 students; returning students receive early priority but are not guaranteed admission or first-choice placement. Application materials: Academic product or essay (at least 500 words) | Unconfirmed — check official site | 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) |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-21Source 5 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-09Source 2 · checked 2026-10-09Source 3 · checked 2026-10-09 | 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 |
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