Programs for gifted
& talented youth ages 5–17
ABOUT
University of California, Berkeley is the leading public university in the country and is among the top Universities in the world. The roots of the University of California go back to the gold rush days of 1849, when the drafters of the State Constitution required the legislature to “encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement” of the people of California. Berkeley’s reputation for academic excellence combined with its beautiful campus and Northern California location make it a unique and exciting educational experience. Its proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area further enhances the University’s cultural opportunities for enrichment and self-discovery.
GENERAL
SIG at UC Berkeley is a Residential Program with two available sessions. A Commuter Program and Extended Commuter Program are also available.
- Choose from a wide variety of courses taught in Humanities, Math, Science, Technology, Multi-Disciplinary, Visual and Performing Arts, and Fitness and Recreation
- Experience independence within a secure environment living in a college dorm for 3 weeks (commuter option also available)
- Meet other gifted students from around the world who share common interests, abilities, and goals
- Enjoy a variety of fun social activities in the evenings and excursions on the weekends
FUN FACTS!
- Alumni include Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple, and Beverly Cleary, a renowned children’s author.
- Over 19 million fossil samples are housed in the Berkeley museum collections.
- SIG has been on campus since 2005!
SIG GLOBAL
While all SIG campuses are open to international students, the second session of SIG at UC Berkeley invites a larger percentage of international students to apply. SIG Global is intended to provide an experience where students can enjoy immersion in international citizenry, pursue topics of global interest in-depth, and fully realize the intense nature of our flattened world.
SIG at : Program Options
SIG at is a Residential Program. A Commuter Program and an Extended Commuter Program are also available.
Program Options Chart
Students may choose to live on campus (residential status) or commute daily (commuter or extended commuter status). Additionally, Day Programs are available for ages 5-12. Please refer to this chart for information regarding each option. Times vary by campus.
ACTIVITY |
RESIDENTIAL
|
EXTENDED COMMUTER
|
COMMUTER PROGRAM(8:30 am - 5:30 pm) * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | |||
| All 4 Academic Periods | |||
| Lunch | |||
| Recreation Hour | |||
| Dinner | |||
| Evening Study/Tutorial | |||
| Evening Activities | |||
| Saturday Getaway Trip and Saturday Activity Day | |||
| Sunday Activity Days | |||
| Dance | |||
| Student Talent Show | |||
| Academic Performance Program | |||
| Closing Ceremony | |||
| Dorm Residence |
* Not available at the Princeton University SIG program. Exceptions to the commuter student time schedules are not possible as safety procedures are compromised when staff must modify their supervision responsibilities to accommodate exceptions.
Options Available
Residential Students
Students choosing this option will participate in the full curriculum of SIG including a 4-period academic day, evening programs, Saturday Trip and Weekend Activity Days. Students staying on campus live in dormitory groups of approximately 10-14 students of the same age range and gender under the direct supervision of a Counselor. Students spend most of their free and recreational time with their Counselor group.
Extended Commuter Option
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 p.m.*
Extended commuter students also have the option to participate in evening and weekend activities! The extended commuter schedule begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 9:15 p.m. after the evening tutorial and activities portion of the evening. Extended commuter students also will join their fellow students on the Saturday trips.
Extended commuter students will participate in the full 4-period academic day, lunch, recreation period, dinner and all evening activities, as well as Saturdays for a getaway trip and on campus activties. Extended commuters do not reside on campus or take part in Sunday activities.
*Times vary by campus. Exceptions to the commuter student time schedules are not possible as safety procedures are compromised when staff must modify their supervision responsibilities to accommodate exceptions. Additionally, commuter students are not covered by SIG’s insurance policy beyond the noted times.
Commuter Students
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.*
(Excludes Princeton)
For students living within driving distance of SIG Residential Program campuses, SIG offers a convenient commuter option. Students can take advantage of the academic and social advantages of a SIG program while residing at home.
Commuter students will participate in the full 4-period academic day, lunch and recreation period. They do not participate in any weekend or evening activities. Commuter students must be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. and picked up at 5:30 p.m. Commuter students may participate in the final performance (if their classes are involved), and in the closing ceremony. In both cases and always after the commuter pickup time, students must be accompanied by their parent/guardian.
*Times vary by campus. Exceptions to the commuter student time schedules are not possible as safety procedures are compromised when staff must modify their supervision responsibilities to accommodate exceptions. Additionally, commuter students are not covered by SIG’s insurance policy beyond the noted times.
Program Conversion
Commuter students may convert to extended commuter status at any time during the first two weeks of the session. Conversion must be for the remainder of the session with the minimum being one week (7 days). Additional fees will be incurred and must be paid in full at the time of conversion.
Commuter and extended commuters may convert to residential status at any time during the first two weeks of the session, subject to dorm availability. Conversion must be for the remainder of the session with the minimum being one week (7 days). Conversion fees will be incurred and must be paid in full at the time of conversion.
Fee calculation: Residential program fee minus the original non-residential program fee divided by 20 days times the number of days for conversion.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Yes! Students may request to room with a specific person (same grade,
same gender). The residential staff will do its best to honor such
requests. However, there is no guarantee that the student’s
request will be fulfilled.
At many of the residential campuses, SIG provides a commuter student option for famlies who live in the surrounding area. In addition, SIG has several day programs for younger students ages 5-12.
Learn about SIG Commuter Student Programs
View the SIG Day programs
Learn about SIG Commuter Student Programs
View the SIG Day programs
Students are assigned to same grade, same gender groups that live
in a dormitory under the supervision of a counselor. A Residential Life Dean
and housemaster are also part of the overall house
residential supervision team.
Students do their own laundry. They may use the laundry facilities
located on campus in the dormitories. Staff will assist with any
laundry instruction that may be necessary.
Students, once on campus, are not allowed to leave campus unless
they are supervised by a SIG staff person. These trips only occur
within the structure of the program and with parent/legal guardian
permission.
Sometimes. SIG's academic courses are offered to students
of the same age grouping. However, the cultural and recreational
classes usually are open to all students. Class grouping can accommodate
varying ability levels.
Definitely. Students will always be chaperoned when going off campus
on SIG sponsored trips, as well as when they are on campus.
Yes! Courses may be changed during the first two days of the session
with the approval of the Academic Dean and the students’ parents.
Yes! An individual performance report for each course taken will be available on the student's login site a few weeks after the close of the program. Students’ performance reports and letters
can be mailed to schools, but only after SIG receives a written
request from parents.
Yes! Special meals can be provided during the session. Parents must
advise the Residential Life Dean at the session site of the student’s
special dietary needs.
Email is available at the sites. However, availability is limited
to specific areas depending on the session’s host facility.
SIG is pleased to offer shuttle transportation services to and from our campuses and nearby airports at the beginning and end of our sessions.
Campus specific shuttle times can be found here.
For full details about SIG Campus Transportation and Greeter Services, please visit the FAQs page.
Directions
UC Berkeley is easily accessible by car and public transportation. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Trains and AC Transit bus service provide service within two blocks of campus. The Oakland International Airport is approximately 15 miles from campus.
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SIG Programs Provide...
Dynamic and innovative approaches for supplementing the education of our world’s most gifted and talented students, ensuring that they receive the individual attention they require.
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