Summer programs are one of the clearest ways to find out what studying architecture actually feels like — and most of them send you home with work you can use in a portfolio. Here are programs built specifically for high school students.
A residential pre-college architecture program for high school students. Students explore architectural design through hands-on studio work, drawing, modeling, digital tools, site visits, and design projects. The program also includes visits to architecture firms and college-preparation sessions with Taubman College admissions staff.
https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/academics/michigan-design-sessions/arcstart/A studio-based pre-college program for rising 11th and 12th graders interested in architecture and design. Students explore architecture through drawings, models, lectures, field trips, discussions, and critiques, while learning from Tulane faculty in the cultural setting of New Orleans. The program also helps students develop projects that can contribute to a college portfolio.
https://summer.tulane.edu/explorations-architecture-designA pre-college program where high school students explore architecture through hands-on design projects, drawing, modeling, photography, digital tools, and field trips around Los Angeles. Students learn from USC architecture faculty and practicing architects while developing design skills and creating portfolio-quality work. The program also gives students the opportunity to earn three college credits.
https://precollege.usc.edu/summer-programs/exploration-of-architecture/Offers architecture-focused summer experiences through the School of Architecture. Students can explore architecture through hands-on design work, physical model-making, and software such as AutoCAD and Rhino. The program is designed to give high school students an introduction to the architecture school experience.
https://www.arc.miami.edu/academics/summer-programs-for-high-school-students/index.htmlA summer program for high school students interested in architecture and related design fields. Students explore design at different scales—from objects and installations to buildings and landscapes—through studio work, architecture history, theory, physical model-making, and digital tools.
https://aap.cornell.edu/aap-summer-programs/architecture-summer-programs/A residential pre-college program for rising juniors and seniors. Students explore architecture through drawing, physical model-making, digital 3D modeling, digital drawing, and collage. The program also includes lectures, discussions, workshops, and field trips, with a final pavilion project that can be included in a college architecture portfolio.
https://precollege.syr.edu/programs-courses/summer-college-residential/summer-college-residential-course-listing/architecture-on-campus/A hands-on summer studio where high school students explore what it's like to study architecture. Students work on an architectural design project using drawing, physical making, and emerging technology and software. The program also includes campus experiences, city tours, visits to architecture firms, and opportunities to meet Georgia Tech faculty and architecture students. Students leave with a design project that can be included in a portfolio.
https://arch.gatech.edu/pre-college-program-archAn intensive five-week summer program for high school students interested in architecture. Students explore architectural design through studio work, drawing, digital media, seminars, workshops, critiques, and field trips. They also learn tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Rhino while developing individual and collaborative projects that can become portfolio material. No previous architecture experience is required.
https://www.cmu.edu/pre-college/academic-programs/architecture.htmlOffers several three-week, college-credit options for high school students. Discovering Architecture focuses on architecture, urban design, careers, and a hands-on design project, while Intro to Digital Fabrication teaches CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC fabrication. There is also Building Sustainable Places, which explores architecture, urban design, planning, preservation, and sustainability.
https://arch.umd.edu/programs/high-school-summer-programsA summer program for high school students interested in architecture. Students learn to think and work like architects by exploring space, scale, proportion, form, and spatial relationships. They also develop skills in diagramming, mapping, and drafting, ending with a physical prototype of their own design. Architecture is one of RISD's majors, alongside required foundation courses in drawing, design, and critical studies.
https://precollege.risd.edu/compare-programs