Apply to the
B.S. in Architecture (First-Year)

Deadlines & Timeline

Early DecisionEarly ActionRegular Decision
Status of planNon-BindingBindingNon-Binding
Application DeadlineNovember 1November 1February 1
Portfolio DeadlineNovember 1November 1February 1
Financial Aid ApplicationsDecember 15 (suggested)
March 1 (required)
November 15December 15 (suggested)
March 1 (required)
Taubman College DecisionBy end of JanuaryBy end of DecemberBy early April
Dual Degree ApplicationPossible with LSA, Stamps*, and EngineeringNot possible at time of applicationPossible with LSA, Stamps*, and Engineering
Other College DecisionBy end of JanuaryN/ABy early April
Enrollment Confirmation DeadlineMay 1Early/Mid JanuaryMay 1

*Applicants to Stamps and Taubman must submit two separate portfolios. Follow the instructions from Stamps for your portfolio submission to their school.

Begin Your Application

General Application Instructions

All first-year applicants submit their applications using the Common Application.

Review and be sure to send the additional required materials for your application. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions processes all undergraduate applications and can answer all inquiries about application requirements and submission. You can use the “Ask Blue” Admissions Chatbot for questions you have.

There are three application plans for first year application: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Find out more general information about these First-year Application Plans available to U-M applicants.

Early Decision

Dual degree application/admission is NOT available for Early Decision applicants.

Early Decision is binding. Early Decision ​​is appropriate for students who are committed to attending ​U​-M if they are admitted. The applicant, a parent or guardian, and the high school counselor must sign the Early Decision Agreement, indicating the student’s commitment to attend ​U​-M if offered admission. If the student is admitted to ​U​-M through Early Decision, they must immediately withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities. Students who participate in Early Decision could receive these possible outcomes: admit, deny, or postpone decision. Students postponed will no longer have a binding commitment if admitted.

Learn more about the policy.

Architecture Only Common Application Instructions

In the “General” section of the University of Michigan Common App: select “Early Decision” as your “Preferred Admission Plan.”

In the “Academics” section: select “Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Applicant.”

Deadlines & Timeline

Submit your Common Application and related materials by November 1.

Submit your Taubman College Portfolio by November 1.

You should expect a final decision by the end of December.

Early Action

If you apply Regular Decision, you can apply as a dual degree student or a non-dual degree student.

Dual Degree Common Application Instructions

In the “General” section of the University of Michigan Common App: select “Early Action” as your “Preferred Admission Plan.”

In the “Academics” section: select “Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Dual Applicant.”

Select your second program choice (LSA, Stamps, Engineering) in the “Dual Program” section.

Architecture Only Common Application Instructions

In the “General” section of the University of Michigan Common App: select “Early Action” as your “Preferred Admission Plan.”

In the “Academics” section: select “Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Applicant.”

Deadlines & Timeline

Submit your Common Application and related materials by November 1.

Submit your Taubman College Portfolio by November 1*.

*If you are applying to Stamps and Taubman College, be sure to submit a separate portfolio to each program and check the requirements and deadlines for the Stamps portfolio. 

You will receive a decision (Admit, Postpone Decision, or Deny) from Taubman College by the end of January, and if you submitted a dual degree application you will also receive a decision from the other unit by the end of January.

Regular Decision

If you apply Regular Decision, you can apply as a dual degree student or a non-dual degree student.

Dual Degree Common Application Instructions

In the “General” section of the University of Michigan Common App: select “Regular Decision” as your “Preferred Admission Plan.”

In the “Academics” section: select “Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Dual Applicant.”

Select your second program choice (LSA, Stamps, Engineering) in the “Dual Program” section.

Architecture Only Common Application Instructions

In the “General” section of the University of Michigan Common App: select “Regular Decision” as your “Preferred Admission Plan.”

In the “Academics” section: select “Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Applicant.”

Deadlines & Timeline

Submit your Common Application and related materials by February 1.

Submit your Taubman College Portfolio by February 1*.

*If you are applying to Stamps and Taubman College, be sure to submit a separate portfolio to each program and check the requirements for the Stamps portfolio.

You should expect a final decision from both schools/colleges by early April.

Dual Degree Applicants

Students who have an interest in architecture and another discipline may be interested in pursuing and earning two undergraduate bachelor degrees (which will take 5+ years, depending on the dual degree combination). For example, a student may be interested in engineering and architecture. Dual degree application is only available with one of the following schools/colleges: College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), College of Engineering, or Stamps School of Art & Design. Students can apply for dual degree consideration for Early Action or Regular Decision, but not through Early Decision. Carefully review the important information for each application option below as well as instructions for selecting your plan in the Common Application.

Portfolio

Portfolio

Suitable Work for Portfolio Inclusion

Portfolio content may include, but is not limited to:

  • Architectural design (technical drafting is discouraged)
  • Ceramics
  • Costume design
  • Digital media
  • Fashion design
  • Freehand Drawing
  • Graphic design
  • Industrial design
  • Interior design
  • Mechanical Drawing
  • Other crafts
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Sewing
  • Stage design
  • Two- and three-dimensional pieces
  • Woodworking

Generative AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) encompasses machine learning technologies that create original content like text, images, and code by identifying and replicating patterns from large datasets. While Taubman College’s architecture program supports critical and responsible engagement with these tools for experimentation and innovation, their use requires careful consideration of issues related to authorship, originality, bias, and academic integrity. These powerful systems should be approached with care and critical reflection, as they can obscure your voice, introduce inaccuracies, and flatten the distinctiveness of your work.

Required Reading

Learn more about the use of Generative AI in Application Materials.

Formatting

Required Cover Page

Must include:

  • Your last name, first name
  • Street address, city, state, postal code, country
  • Email address

Document and File Information

  • One Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file
  • 20 MB maximum
  • Not to exceed  8 ½”x 11” (portrait or landscape)
  • 8-10 pages, in addition to one cover page
  • Artist/Maker Statement (see checklist for details)

Each project or piece of work should be labeled neatly with the following information:

  • Title of the work
  • Media
  • The year it was produced
  • Whether the work was undertaken independently or as part of a group effort (for group projects, the label should indicate the type and extent of the applicant’s personal involvement).
  • Context in which it was produced (a class, in an office, etc.)
  • (Optional) Brief Description. 50 words maximum (per piece). Many works are enhanced by adding a small amount of background, detail, or description.

 

Artist/Maker Statement

Page 2 of your portfolio submission should be this Artist/Maker Statement.

125 words maximum.

Please provide a brief biographical statement about yourself as a creative maker. Information about your background, including your artistic training (if any) should be included. You may also write on your general artistic interests, themes, mediums, or motivations. As we are trying to know our applicants better, use this statement, in your voice, to introduce yourself personally to the review committee.

Submit

The portfolio is required and is submitted through Slideroom. Use this one-page checklist to stay on track with your portfolio submission.

There is a $6 fee to submit your portfolio. Students who receive an application fee waiver will also receive a SlideRoom fee waiver.

Please email taubmancollegeadmissions@umich.edu to notify us of your application fee waiver.

Application Status and Evaluation

Enrollment Connect is a U-M website for all application needs: track your checklist and application status, receive important messages from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, view your application decision, and more. To log in, use the login credentials from the email sent from Michigan.Admissions@umich.edu verifying your application submission has been successful. If you have not received your login credentials, please visit Verification Email Not Received.