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GET A TASTE OF COLLEGE IN THE CITY BY THE BAY
USF Pre-College Program
July 5 to July 18
A two-week summer experience for students entering 9th-12th grade
Come to the Hilltop for two weeks of college life in San Francisco. Live in a residence hall on campus. Take classes with professors who know your name. Explore the city with your classmates. Discover what it’s like to live, learn, and grow at the University of San Francisco.
Courses Offered
Come to USF and take one of these college classes. Each course includes hands-on work, skills labs, and excursions in San Francisco. You learn by doing, not just by listening.
AI in Action: Turning Data Into Solutions
Learn the fundamentals of AI and data science in team projects. Use Google Cloud Platform and the latest AI technologies to define, analyze, and tackle real-world environmental and health challenges. Present your solutions in a datathon challenge. Walk away with a project that demonstrates your ability to turn data insights into actionable solutions — great for college applications.
Sport Marketing & Sponsorships
Do you love sports or gaming? In this class we’ll work on real-world issues with sport industry companies, go behind the scenes at sports facilities, analyze sport marketing and sponsorship examples, and meet sport industry professionals. You’ll build a sports brand, develop and present a sport sponsorship proposal, and design viewing and attendance experiences that create memorable moments.
Biotech Entrepreneurship Academy: Where Science Meets Business
In this class, you take on the role of a biotech startup founder. You and your classmates work on teams to learn the fundamentals of business strategy, research & development, marketing, and finance; work with project management software (Monday.com) and data visualization software (Tableau); meet biotech researchers and project managers from the Bay Area's biotech industry; and learn how to craft business proposals and elevator pitches.
Biochemistry of Aging: Protein Structure, Function, and Disease
This course blends biology, chemistry, and artificial intelligence to explore how proteins change as they age. Using AI tools like AlphaFold, you’ll visualize protein structures, model aging-related changes, and analyze how even small alterations can contribute to disease, tissue degeneration, and loss of cellular function. Through hands-on projects, you’ll formulate and test hypotheses and learn to communicate scientific findings through posters and presentations. No prior coding or computational experience is required.
What to Expect
Hands-on Learning
Dive deep into our academic immersion courses taught by industry professionals.
Career Exploration
Hear from guest speakers and go on city excursions to meet experts in your field of interest.
College Preparation
Gain insight and advice on the college admissions process. Learn to live as a college student.
Why USF?
Come live and learn at San Francisco’s first university, located in the world hub of innovation and within easy reach of everything the city has to offer.
Explore San Francisco
From Here
See the Sights
Golden Gate Park, Baker Beach, Tunnel Tops… find beauty in every direction.
Soak Up the Culture
Music, museums, galleries, thrift shops, bookstores, cafes — they’re all here and they’re all near.
Discover Career Paths
Learn about different careers in San Francisco: tech, sports, biotech, AI, and more.
Program Information
Dates
Sunday, July 5 to Saturday, July 18, 2026
Application period opens in early March 2026
Program Types and Tuition
Residential: $5795
Stay on campus for the entire program. Participate in classes, afternoon activities, excursions. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included.
Commuter: $3495
From 9:00am–5:00pm weekdays, participate in classes and activities. Lunch is included but breakfast and dinner are not included. (Option to participate in weekend activities for an additional fee.)
Application fee: $95
Requirements: Rising 9th–12th graders (students must have finished 8th grade and not yet graduated from high school).
Takeaways: Each student will receive a certificate of completion.
Lodging: Students will stay at Toler Hall on the USF campus. Traditional style residence-hall living with bathrooms down the hall, rooms separated by gender. Campus staff will live in the halls with students.
Excursions: Weekend excursions include sightseeing in San Francisco and a trip to an amusement park. Take a break from academics to enjoy SF.
Schedule
| 8-9am | Breakfast |
| 9-12 | Class or Excursion |
| 12–1:30pm | Lunch |
| 2-5 | Class or Excursion |
| 6-7 | Dinner |
| 7-8 | Clubs and activities |
| 8–9:30 | Free time |
| 9:30 | Residence hall curfew |
| July 11 | Saturday: Amusement park |
| July 12 | Sunday: Tour of San Francisco |
USF Pre-College Program
Amy Martin
The USF Pre-College Program gives college-bound teens a supportive environment where they can explore their personal and academic passions. Pre-college summer programs combine the benefits of an academically challenging summer experience with tools and frameworks for personal leadership development and self-discovery. We ensure high-quality programs and student safety through rigorous staff training and our 5-Point Safety System.
Leveraging the years of success enjoyed by its sister organizations, Global Leadership Adventures and Discover Corps, Summer Springboard operates pre-college programs for teens at Yale University, Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Georgetown University, and other elite colleges.
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