The UMass Amherst Summer Design Academy provides an opportunity for high school students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, urban or interior design to learn more about these professions and experience the kinds of activities that take place in a university design program.
The Design Academy's interactive educational experiences include sketching, design exercises, model-making, the introduction to graphic and 3D computer programs, a visit to an architecture office, as well as lectures and reading discussions.
Students will create strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Location(s)
- UMass Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts
- UMass Mount Ida, Newton, Massachusetts
- Remote
Schedule
- UMass Amherst: June 29th - July 19th, 2025
- UMass Mount Ida campus:June 29th - July 19th, 2025
- Online: July 14th - August 1st, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- Application Fee: $45
- Residential Tuition: $5,927
- Commuter Tuition: $3,410
- Online Tuition: $2,845
Eligibility Requirements
- This program is available for rising sophomore through seniors.
Deadline
- May 1st, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- $45 application fee
- A completed online application
- A written statement of interest: a brief, one-page statement describing why you want to attend Summer Pre-College at UMass Amherst and specifically the program you have chosen.
- An unofficial high school transcript (PDF), including fall grades from the current school year. Rising sophomores should include a middle school transcript as well.
- A letter of recommendation written by a teacher or guidance counselor who can speak to your skills, abilities, maturity level and academic accomplishments that make you a suitable candidate for the program you are applying to. Letters of recommendation should be obtained by the applicant and uploaded into the online application system. If your reference prefers to submit their letter of recommendation directly, please upload a brief statement, in PDF format, indicating that your letter of recommendation is being sent directly, and instruct your reference to email the letter to: precollege@umass.edu.
- International students will be asked to provide additional information regarding English language proficiency. We accept TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. Students currently attending an English language or bilingual high school are exempt from test scores.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
- Several need-based partial scholarships are available for students of color with financial need.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Scholarship Application deadline: April 15th, 2025
Have other questions?
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a public research university located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1863 as the Massachusetts Agricultural College and is now the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. UMass Amherst offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields. A Carnegie-designated research university with over $200 million in research funding annually, the university has several research centers and institutes, including the Institute for Applied Life Sciences and the Center for Data Science.
