<p>Does anyone here have experience with this program for incoming freshmen? It seems like a great way to get used to life at UCLA and at the same time allow one to fulfill several requirements, but I'm just wondering if anyone who has gone through CSI has something to input. I do plan on applying for financial aid, though I'm not sure how much will be knocked off of the ~5000 cost. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I just did regular summer session. I had a great time meeting upper class men and other foreign exchange students. </p>
<p>I would recommend just taking regular summer session instead of CSI. There is less babysitting and you have more freedom of what to do. [UCLA</a> Summer Sessions and Special Programs](<a href=“http://www.summer.ucla.edu/]UCLA”>http://www.summer.ucla.edu/)</p>
<p>Hmm, do you have any recommendations as to what classes an incoming freshman should take? I’m planning to take a pre-med route, and possibly use summer to gain some credits and get rid of some requirements. However I am not sure what the requirements are nor what the best classes to take/best professors to have over summer are. Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>If you’re pre-med, you can start by taking Math/Chem/Physics, whichever one works out best for your schedule. You’re probably only going to be able to take 2 classes, so don’t feel like you’re going to have to knock out a ton of things in that first summer.</p>
<p>Take two easy/interesting GE’s. You don’t want to start off taking hard/competitive classes. Have some fun this summer!</p>
<p>[Schedule</a> of Classes General Education (GE) Search](<a href=“http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/gesearch.aspx]Schedule”>http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/schedule/gesearch.aspx) - Choose two GE’s
[BruinWalk:</a> Find what matters on and around the campus](<a href=“http://www.bruinwalk.com/]BruinWalk:”>http://www.bruinwalk.com/) - Check how good the professors are</p>
<p>I thought CSI was a great program with some minor setbacks. </p>
<p>Positive: meet a lot of freshmen that you become close to, even after that summer.
does make transitioning easier, since you do have people to help you do so</p>
<p>Negative- easier than the normal school year, so don’t think that that is what every quarter is going to be like.</p>
<p>6 week summer course can get UCLA college credits?</p>
<p>Most classes during the summer here at UCLA are 6 weeks long.</p>
<p>I attended College Summer Institute (CSI). It was an amazing experience, and there was no “babysitting” whatsoever. You’re completely independent, although you will be able to meet many incoming freshmen as well. After CSI, I felt like I was definitely ahead of the game and much more knowledgeable than other freshmen starting in the fall.</p>
<p>I took Political Science 40, English Composition 3, and Civic 10 (sustainability section). Although professor De Maio taught last year, I don’t think she’s returning this year. I had an absolutely amazing experience with De Maio in PS40, and with Popham in EngComp3.</p>
<p>The financial aid covered about 80% of the summer for me, including housing.</p>
<p>My son did not attend CSI but in hindsight I think he should of. His high school was not ultra-competitive and he did not have to put out a lot of effort to do well. In the fall he was thrown into very difficult/competitive classes (Chem 20, Math 31) with students who were better prepared than he was and he was a little overwhelmed.</p>