UCSD Advanced Research Experience (ARE)

UCSD Summer Internship Welcomes You to Apply!

Important Dates to Remember

Program Dates: June 29 – July 30, 2026
Application process opens on January 2, 2026.
Application deadline is January 31, 2026.
Notification Window is March 1 –15, 2026.

About the Program

most widely used programming language in the United States.

This advanced and fast paced five–week research experience will give high school students the opportunity to learn and conduct research with some of the nation‘s top researchers. Work within five different research disciplines in one unique summer research experience! The program will begin the week of June 29 – July 2, 2026 with Dr. Paul Cao of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, who will teach students about AI and basic machine learning algorithms

who will students basic machine learning algorithms.

Pay Attention to Prerequisites

Application Window OPENS on February 1, 2025
Application Window Closes: March 7, 2 2025

The Application Process

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Students will submit their online applications as in the past.

Mentors will review applications and interview student applicants.

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Students who are selected for the program and who accept the opportunity will then be sent an ARE student registration link.

Registration will be due by the end of April. Please remember that students may only do one ARE internship in the summer.

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Program Fee

Application Fee: Free
Research Project: $ 2000

Due to the rising administrative costs associated with the REHS program, it has become necessary to now charge a $975 registration for this coveted eight-week experience. As a non-profit entity, it has become increasingly difficult these past few years to cover program expenses. We have embraced the support that you as a community have given to SDSC and REHS, and we hope that this registration does not impact the support you have given us for the past decade.

Financial assistance is available. In addition, students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be exempt from the registration fee.

Program Data

1

Years of Success

TBD

Students

73

High Schools

70%

We are predicting that ARE I I alumni will select computer science Data science and engineering as their college major

65%

of ARA alumni attended a college or university on the list of top 20 global educational institutions

Click Here to Complete Statistic Report.

How ARE Works

The UCSD ARE program is an opportunity for motivated high school students to work with a UCSD mentor on campus and at the San Diego Supercomputer Center for a for a week period during the summer.

Students may choose from a variety of individual project opportunities to learn more about a potential research or career interest through software instruction, assigned scholarly or practical readings and discussions with their mentor and his/her graduate student team members.

Students work in pairs or small groups, which allows students to learn and grow as they work with peers who have the same interest.

We encourage students to make the most of this opportunity, as they will have 1:1 access to the mentor’s expertise. With this internship, there is a specified number of hours required per week by the mentor. Each project description will have specified hours listed. Most are between 15-20 hours per week.

The opportunity to work with prestigious scientist and staff personnel is something very special, and we encourage you to make the most of it.

What the Program Does Not Offer

The ARE program is not a tutoring program. Please do not complete an application because you need assistance with AP Biology or AP Chemistry.

Administration of the ARE Program

The ARE Internship Program is administered by the UCSD San Diego Supercomputer Center.

The ARE Coordinators facilitate the administrative volunteer orientation and paperwork process for students and background check for mentors, as well as pairing of Faculty and Post Doc mentors with San Diego County high school students in grades 10-12.

The ARE Coordinator has four main responsibilities:

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Facilitate the matching and notification of mentoring pairs

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Provide a one-time Spring orientation for selected students, and maintain communication with students and mentors to discuss progress of mentor-student pairs

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Research, develop, and maintain a comprehensive university-wide resource list of all faculty development resources, programs, and opportunities on campus

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Maintain the REHS website for the mentors and students on which is posted a variety of resources and through which regular communication can be maintained with mentors, students, and interested campus and community members

Transportation Options

If you know that you will need transportation to get to the main UCSD campus, please do not worry. We will provide students with transportation needs through an MTS Compass card for the internship period.

Once we receive word from your mentor that you have been selected, we will email all selected students to ask if there are transportation needs. This will be your chance to let us know.

The ARE Mission

The mission of the ARE program is to enhance a student’s lifelong personal development in teaching, scholarship, and service. The mentoring relationships will support collegiality, effective communication, self-evaluation, and cultural competence, all of which enhance a stimulating and supportive university environment.

Guidance and Answers at Your Fingertips

Ange Mason of the San Diego Supercomputer Center (amason@ucsd.edu, 858 534-5064) is available to provide guidance and answer any questions you might have. Just ask!