ArcStart
ArcStart is a pre-college, residential, architecture program that introduces high school students to the built environment, core design principles, and the academic culture of the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning. Within a rigorous university setting, students come to understand how a design education equips them to interpret and shape the world around them.
Participants take part in an immersive studio environment, engage in hands-on workshops that build analytical and conceptual skills, and work closely with peers in a lively and supportive learning community.
The program offers exposure to many dimensions of architectural practice. Students learn to use specialized drawing, drafting, and modeling tools, explore architectural history, develop original design proposals, and curate their work into a digital portfolio. They also participate in local site visits that highlight the region’s rich architectural landscape, tour professional architecture firms, and hear directly from designers, practitioners and educators about their work and careers.
College Preparation
Alongside the academic and social components of the program, students will also meet with the Taubman College Admissions team to learn more about the application and admissions process for undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Urban Technology.
Program Dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| January 6, 2026 | Application Opens |
| February 26, 2026 | Application Deadline |
| March 20, 2026 | Admissions Notification sent to Students |
| April 1, 2026 | $495 Deposit Due via Campdoc |
| Early April | Watson A. Young Scholarship Opens |
| May 15, 2026 | Remaining Tuition Balance Due |
| June 15, 2026 | ArcStart Welcome Packet Shared with Admitted Students |
| July 13-31, 2026 | ArcStart 2026 Program |
Logistics
Program Fee
The 2026 program fee is $6,250 and covers tuition, housing, meals, field trips, and instructional supplies.
Eligibility
Applications may be submitted by current high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as rising college freshmen. There is no minimum GPA requirement to be eligible to apply.
International Applicants
International students are welcome to apply. Because ArcStart is a summer program and not a formal or credit-bearing academic program, F-1 Visas are not required.
Application Details
The Summer 2026 ArcStart application opens January 5, 2026. In the meantime, join our mailing list to stay informed of when the application opens.
Application Requirements
To be considered for the program, you must submit the following by the February 27, 2026 application deadline:
- Online Application
- High School Transcript (Uploaded With Application)
- 250-500 Word Essay (Uploaded With Application)
- Scholarship Request (Uploaded With Application)
If there are more applicants than space available, Taubman College will utilize a waitlist.
Admitted Students
Applicants will be emailed an admission decision per the dates outlined above. Admitted students will receive an information packet by email that provides enrollment materials, including class schedule, liability, and health forms.
Students admitted to ArcStart 2026 must submit a $495 nonrefundable deposit upon accepting their admission/registering for the program by April 1, 2026. Full tuition will be due and fully refundable by May 15, 2026. All cancellations after May 15 are nonrefundable.
Computing
Students in ArcStart are encouraged to bring a laptop, as contemporary design workflows rely heavily on digital tools. If you are unable to do so, this will not affect your admission. Taubman College is able to support students who need access to computing resources.
For reference, you can view general computing expectations for incoming Taubman College students.
Financial Aid
ArcStart Scholarship Request
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for students with demonstrated financial need. To be considered, in your ArcStart application, you must indicate the amount of support you are requesting and upload a PDF of your most recent federal income tax return. Before uploading, remove or black out any sensitive information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details. ArcStart reviews eligibility using federal income guidelines and the Adjusted Gross Income listed on your return.
Watson A. Young Scholarship
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Reside within the state of Michigan.
- Be in the 6th through 12th grade when they apply.
- Demonstrate financial need (family income less than $75,000 per year).
- Complete the Watson A. Young scholarship application, including essays.
Terms and Conditions
- Scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and are awarded as funds are available.
- Priority is given to first-time applicants.
- Scholarships are awarded once the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) has verified that an applicant has been accepted into an eligible U-M summer opportunity.
- If awarded, scholarships are paid directly to the U-M school, college, or unit sponsoring the summer opportunity. Payment is made to the sponsoring U-M school, college, or unit once the CEO has verified a student’s participation.
How to Apply
Check the Youth Hub Portal beginning March 1. The application will go live and appear in the dashboard. If you are offered admission to ArcStart 2026 and are granted this scholarship, ArcStart will reach out to you directly along with your admission offer. Please notify us by emailing arcstartprogram@umich.edu when you submit your scholarship application.
Testimonials from Participants
ArcStart Team
ArcStart is supported by a dedicated team of graduate student instructors and residential counselors, along with essential staff at Taubman College.
Jacob Comerci
Director, ArcStart
Lecturer in Architecture
Managing Director of Academic Initiatives
Hyejin Lee
Staff Coordinator, ArcStart
Academic Advisor
Questions
Email us at arcstartprogram@umich.edu.
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