UC Santa Barbara's Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) is an innovative six-week experience designed to immerse newly admitted freshmen in a vibrant and supportive learning community. FSSP students take immediate advantage of the academic excellence and numerous resources of UC Santa Barbara, while fostering meaningful connections with peers from around the world.
FSSP participants benefit from getting a head-start at UC Santa Barbara while making friends and learning about our beautiful campus. Students can select from more than 70 courses to build an academic schedule that aligns with their educational goals and interests. The entire FSSP cohort participates in a two-unit common course that introduces students to various campus resources, esteemed faculty, and unique opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research. FSSP students will curate their schedules and receive guidance from peer mentors who will orient them to campus life.
Beyond academics, FSSP provides students with many opportunities to connect socially, from exploring the hidden gems of Santa Barbara to participating in tutorials, game nights, or watch parties. By getting involved early, students build a social foundation that they can rely on throughout their time at UC Santa Barbara.
View the 2025 FSSP brochure
View the 2025 FSSP brochure in Spanish
Program Dates:
- Move-in: Friday, August 1, 2025
- Program: Saturday, August 2 - Saturday, September 13, 2025 (Session B)
How to Enroll: Starting April 14, 2025 students can submit their enrollment application via the application portal. Enrollment will remain open until June 30, 2025 and students will be admitted on a rolling basis.
Questions? Reach out to fssp@summer.ucsb.edu