Michigan Architecture Prep

ArcPrep  ArcPrep 
Location
U-M Detroit Center
Contact Program Director
UMArcPrep@umich.edu

The University of Michigan Architecture Preparatory Program (ArcPrep) provides Detroit Public School (DPSCD) juniors with hands-on learning in architecture, urbanism, and studio design. U-M ArcPrep works to broaden career horizons, meet future demand, and bring diverse voices into the fields of architecture, planning, and design by serving students typically underrepresented in American architecture schools and thus the profession of architecture.

U-M ArcPrep strengthens participants’ ability to translate observations about the world into visual and spatial language and, through a spatial justice lens, works to expand students’ sense of agency in the built environment. Time is spent engaging with college-level instructors in developing design skills, as well as professionals from design-related fields, to demonstrate impact in their immediate communities. Students receive instruction through a series of thematic, interrelated modules structured to deliver fundamental design and research methodologies, offer techniques for critical analysis, shed light on the profession and its affiliate fields, and demonstrate pathways to design education.

Location
U-M Detroit Center
Location
U-M Detroit Center
Contact Program Director
UMArcPrep@umich.edu

ArcPrep’s Curriculum

The main components of the program include:

Five project-based workshops, two-days each, led by Taubman faculty and Ph.D. students 

Students will explore five “worlds” within architecture. For example; material reuse and circular design principles, spatial justice, critical representation techniques, participatory design, afrofuturism and other forms of speculation, digital immersive technologies, and others.

Field trips 

Students will have the opportunity to visit project sites and architecture offices, and to connect with active practitioners in Detroit.

A mentoring program led by the Equity in Architectural Education Consortium (EAEC) network

ArcPrep students will be connected with advanced-degree student mentors from the EAEC Program; Florida International University (FIU), Hampton University, Howard University, Morgan State University (MSU), Tuskegee University, University of Michigan (UM), University of Oklahoma (OU), and Florida A&M University (FAMU).

A closeout celebration event!
Students will showcase their work to family, friends, peers and invited guests. Details to be confirmed.

Why ArcPrep?

Since 2015, The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan has been running ArcPrep, a program specifically for high school juniors from Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). Our goal is to offer many different ways of thinking and ‘doing’ design. You’ll have a chance to meet and work with creative thinkers, researchers and designers, and receive mentorship to help guide your personal goals.

Since it started, ArcPrep has helped students land spots in top college programs for architecture, engineering, design, and the arts at more than 15 schools across the country. At the University of Michigan, nearly 44% of ArcPrep students who apply are accepted into Taubman College—one of the top architecture schools in the country. This high acceptance rate demonstrates how well ArcPrep can prepare you for the tough college admissions process.

After attending ten ArcPrep sessions, we hope students will: 

  1. Gain exposure to diverse career pathways and ways of making in architecture, urbanism, and related fields. 
  2. Have a space to ask questions directly to people in the field, and develop your personal interests. 
  3. Learn new skills from the fields of architecture, urbanism, and design. 
  4. Find pathways to become involved in Detroit’s future.

In addition, space will be held for select students in our summer ArcStart program. Learn more about ArcStart.

Personnel

Under the directorship of Gina Reichert, lecturer, and Anya Sirota, associate dean of Academic Initiatives, ArcPrep is led by Michigan Mellon design fellows and supplemented by an educational ecosystem composed of prominent academics from the University of Michigan. Additionally, the program is strengthened through its Detroit partnerships, bringing leading design firms, community advocates, artists, and civic leaders into the classroom.

Academic Initiatives Team

Anya Sirota, Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives

Jacob Comerci, Managing Director for Academic Initiatives

Ishan Pal Singh, New Media Specialist

U–M Faculty Collaborators

Past Fellows

  • Missy Ablin
  • Allen Gillers
  • Youngtack Oh
  • Suzanne Lettieri
  • Julie Pedtke
  • Paulina Reyes
  • Salam Rida
  • Torri Smith
  • Sara Timberlake

Select Professional Partners

  • 313 Creative
  • Berardi Partners
  • Equity in Architectural Education Consortium
  • Fielding International
  • Gensler
  • Hamilton Anderson and Associates
  • National Organization of Minority Architects
  • Rossetti
  • Smith Group

Partnering Cultural Institutions

  • 400 Forward
  • A Host of People
  • Design Core Detroit
  • Detroit Institute of Art
  • Detroit Public Library
  • Kresge Arts
  • Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
  • Scarab Club
  • Sidewalk Festival
  • Power House Productions

Select Academic Partners

  • Cornell University
  • University of Detroit Mercy
  • Lawrence Technological University

Application Information

Any student from a participating DPSCD high school is eligible. Students are selected by their principals and must meet the following requirements:

  • 2.5 GPA or better
  • Good attendance and academic standing
  • An interest in architecture

Apply

Applications are currently closed.