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 |
| Late February | Watson A. Young Scholarship Opens |
| March 20, 2026 | Admissions Notification sent to Students |
| April 1, 2026 | $495 Deposit Due via Campdoc |
| May 15, 2026 | Remaining Tuition Balance Due |
| June 15, 2026 | ArcStart Welcome Packet Shared with Admitted Students |
| July 12-31, 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 2026 ArcStart application deadline has passed. The 2027 application is expected to open in early January 2027.
Application Requirements
To be considered for the program, you must submit the following by the February 26, 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. International students must provide an official English version of their 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 $125,000 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
The Watson Scholarship Application is now open!
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
Contact
Email us at arcstartprogram@umich.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Logistics
How many students typically participate in the camp each year? What are the studio sizes and faculty-to-student ratios?
The number of participants varies by year, but the range is between 75-100 students. Our planned staff-to-student ratios for this year are 12:1 in studios and 8:1 in the residence halls.
What curriculum and coursework are covered during the program?
ArcStart introduces students to essential architectural design concepts through hands-on, studio-based learning, closely mirroring what a student might experience as an undergraduate architecture major at Taubman College.
Participants explore how architects think about space, use drawing conventions, and communicate ideas. Coursework includes basic digital tools like Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite, site-based projects, design exercises, and portfolio development. Optional workshops offer exposure to topics such as digital fabrication, parametric design tools, and photography (among others–it varies each year depending on what our teaching faculty specialize in). By the end, students gain practical experience and a clear sense of what studying architecture and design in college involves.
Can any of the program coursework be applied toward high school credit?
No. ArcStart is not a credit-bearing program.
Is there any preparation work students should complete prior to attending the program?
No preparation is needed.
Are factors such as advanced coursework or unique extracurricular experiences considered in the review process?
Any information provided in a student’s application will be considered as part of the review process. We review every application holistically and value all experiences and achievements that applicants share with us.
What does the college preparation component of the program include?
A college preparation presentation is delivered during the program, it typically includes a 90-minute presentation and Q&A session by a member of our Admissions team. They review the admissions criteria, the ways to apply, the portfolio requirements, etc.
Who are classes and studios taught by?
ArcStart is led by program’s Director,, a faculty member in architecture, and supported by student instructors who are current Taubman college undergraduate or graduate students. All staff members complete background checks and training to ensure proper supervision and compliance with University policies.
What does a typical daily schedule look like? Is a program itinerary or schedule available in advance?
Listed below is a sample schedule of a typical day in the program.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00am | Breakfast at Bursely Hall |
| 9:00am | Daily Design Gathering |
| 10:30am | Studio/Workshop Time |
| 12:00pm | Lunch at Bursely Hall |
| 1:00pm | Studio/Workshop Time |
| 5:00pm | Dinner at Bursely Hall |
| 6:30pm | Recreational Activities |
* Some days will include special events such as guest lectures, visits to other facilities on campus, field trips to Ann Arbor, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Detroit, and visits to local architecture firms.
What are the orientation, arrival, and departure procedures for students?
All ArcStart participants will move into the dormitory on Sunday, July 12, attend orientation on Monday, July 13, and move out on Friday, July 31.
Is early or late check-in available for students?
All students will be able to check in the dormitory starting on July 12 anytime between 2-5pm ET. If you and your guardian/parent plan to arrive in Ann Arbor before that date, you will need to arrange independent lodging for the days leading up to check-in. Here is helpful information about different lodging options in Ann Arbor. Due to the structure of the program, the latest an individual can arrive for the program is by 8pm ET on the first day, July 13—the day after move-in. This timeframe allows students to get acclimated, meet peers and staff, and learn important program guidelines and expectations.
Housing
Where do participants stay during the program?
All ArcStart participants are required to live in campus housing during the program and will reside and eat their meals at Bursley Hall on North Campus. This helps promote a strong sense of community within the cohort and also allows us to streamline logistics such as headcount and transportation.
Is a commuter (non-residential) option offered for students?
All ArcStart participants are required to use campus housing during the program. This helps promote a strong sense of community within the cohort and also allows us to streamline logistics such as headcount and transportation. We apologize for any inconvenience this requirement may cause. Students are permitted to leave campus for family events with parental approval.
Are accommodations single rooms or shared with roommates?
All ArcStart participants will be paired with a roommate.
Will there be supervision present for the entire duration of the camp? What safety measures, such as curfews and campus policies, are in place for students?
Residential counselors will live in the same residence hall as participants throughout the program, providing supervision and support. For safety reasons, participants are not permitted to leave campus on their own. Off-campus trips are only allowed if they are part of a scheduled group activity within the program, or under the direct supervision and approval of a program staff member. Exceptions can be made for family events, provided we have advance parental approval and coordination with staff.
Financial Aid
Who is eligible to apply for a need-based scholarship for non-Michigan residents?
Any student demonstrating financial need may apply to be considered for a need-based scholarship in their ArcStart application.
Are full-tuition scholarships available for high-achieving students with demonstrated financial need, including non-Michigan residents?
ArcStart offers a limited number of need-based scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need, including non-Michigan residents. The amount of support awarded each year depends on the level of financial need within the applicant pool and the available resources, so we are unable to guarantee full-tuition scholarships or comprehensive fee waivers.
Link copied