| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | March 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | $5,793 (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): $7,113; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): $8,253–$10,744; 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): Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based scholarship (US citizens and permanent residents only): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: 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): Pre-college fee: $780; Optional housing per session: $2,542; Application fee: $50. Non-refundable; waived for applications submitted before the early-bird deadline.; Health insurance fee per session (international students only): $225; Need-based tuition scholarship: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; admitted students apply separately with essay responses.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Application fee: $75. Waived for applicants requesting scholarship consideration.; Non-refundable enrollment deposit: $800. $100 for admitted students receiving scholarships.; Need-based scholarship (US citizens and permanent residents only): Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 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 10–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
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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) | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 3.0 GPA; Requirement: Minimum TOEFL 90, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 115 when English is not the main language of instruction at the student's high school; Requirement: International students in on-campus classes need an F-1 visa and at least 6 credits | Minimum age 16; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: At least 16 years old by June 26, 2027; Requirement: Commuters must live within about 30 miles of the Pittsburgh campus or within Allegheny County; Requirement: International applicants applying after February 1 must have attended a U.S. high school for at least one year and be returning to one |
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| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Catalog terms: 5–8 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 26, 2027; Ends July 31, 2027; 5 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person / Online | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | 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 | Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Cruz, CA | Washington, DC | 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) | Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement; One letter of recommendation | Application materials: One letter of recommendation; Two essays (300-500 words each) |
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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 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-09Source 5 · checked 2026-10-09 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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