Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
Q: What is COSMOS?
A: The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) at UC Santa Cruz is a rigorous, four-week residential program for talented and motivated high school students. COSMOS students enroll in short courses that are designed to introduce students to subjects not traditionally offered in high school. Courses will be offered in Astronomy, Robotics, Computer Science, Animal Behavior, Ocean Science, and more.
Q: Who may attend COSMOS?
A: California students completing grades eight through twelve by the summer in which they wish to participate may apply to COSMOS. Prerequisites may be required to ensure success in the course offerings. Parents are encouraged to discuss with their child his or her maturity and readiness to participate in a month-long residential program on a public research university campus. Participants are selected in the spring on the basis of their academic performance, test scores, extracurricular math and science achievements, and recommendations. A limited number of students from outside the state are considered each year. However, these students must pay out-of-state tuition.
Q: When and where is it held?
A: COSMOS 2008 will be held at UC Santa Cruz from June 29 - July 26, 2008. COSMOS is also hosted by UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego.
Q: How much does it cost to attend COSMOS?
A: Tuition for 2008 is $2,310 for California residents. This comprehensive fee covers room and meals in the residence halls as well as transportation costs and expenses for field trips. Students may apply for need-based scholarships. Non-California residents pay the full tuition cost of $6,500 as required by the enabling legislation.
Q: What is a typical day at COSMOS like?
A: Each student’s COSMOS schedule is built around a cluster consisting of two science or math courses and a science communication course. On a typical day, COSMOS students attend special lectures, take courses, or participate in labs or field trips. Recreation and study groups are built into the evening and weekend schedules. Special activities and field trips are planned for the weekends.
Q: What do I do if I have more questions?
A: Please visit www.ucop.edu/cosmos/faqs.html or contact the COSMOS office at UCSC via e-mail at cosmos@ucsc.edu, or call us at (831) 459-1763.
FAQs for Parents
Q: What is the level of supervision provided?
A: While students are ultimately responsible for their own conduct, administrative, instructional, and residential staff all work together to provide supervision. When students are not in class, they are supervised by residential staff who live in the dorms with the students. The residential staff consists of one professional staff member (Coordinator for Residential Education – CRE) who oversees a staff of 18 undergraduate Resident Assistants (RAs) from UC Santa Cruz. Students will meet with their cluster RA on a daily basis.
Q: Will my child be safe?
A: The COSMOS policies are put in place to keep the students safe at all times. Some of these policies include:
- Students must be in the dorms by 10 p.m.
- No traveling on campus alone. Students must use the buddy system.
- If going off campus, students must be accompanied by a COSMOS staff member.
- On field trips, students must check in with staff at designated locations and times.
Please read the Student Handbook for more specifics on COSMOS policies.
Q: COSMOS seems really strict. Can I authorize my child to have more freedom?
A: Inevitably, there will be students who are given more freedom at home and feel that the rules at COSMOS are too strict. There will also be students who have stricter rules at home and are surprised by the amount of autonomy they are given. The COSMOS policies were designed to help us ensure each student’s safety and manage a large group of teenagers on the campus. There is one set of rules for all students, regardless of their age or "freedom" allowed at home. Older students, or students who are used to operating more independently should consider this before coming to COSMOS.
Q: What is the best way to communicate with my child?
A: Students are kept very busy at COSMOS and often don’t have a lot of time to devote to writing letters, email, or calling on the phone. Even if you don’t hear from them, trust that they love to hear from you. Please visit the Parent webpage for suggesting on keeping touch.
Q: What should I do if my child is homesick?
A: Four weeks can be a long time to be away from home (for the student and the parents). Before coming to COSMOS, this should be discussed with your student. The first week is often the most difficult to get through. Our staff will work hard to make sure that students are connecting with one another and feeling like they belong. If you are concerned about your child’s homesickness, please contact the COSMOS office immediately. Our staff will work hard to help the student adjust to life at COSMOS. Nearly all students who initially experience homesickness ultimately enjoy their COSMOS experience.
While it can be extremely difficult, please do not respond to your child’s "rescue call" by coming to campus to talk them into staying. Once a student sees a ride home, there is rarely any turning back. If a student is begging to come home, please call a COSMOS staff member so that we can discuss different options. While it may be best for the student to go home in the end, we prefer to try other strategies first.
Q: Can I come visit?
A: As many families live too far to visit during the program, it is certainly not necessary to visit your child during the program. Weekend time allows students to establish friendships and become fully involved in residential life. For those who live nearby, parents and family members may wish to visit at some point during the program. If so, it is easiest for families to visit on Sundays as this is when there are no field trips planned. We ask local parents to limit their weekday evening visits as it can interfere with a student adjusting to the COSMOS schedule.
Q: Other questions?
If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
