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    Design Pre-College Program
    In-person Program

    Design Pre-College Program

    by Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs

    Carnegie Mellon’s design program combines studio projects, drawing, photography, and research with faculty critiques to help students explore college-level design and build portfolio work.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Design Pre-College Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    High school sophomores/juniors; B average

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16+

    Location / Region

    Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States

    Cost

    $8,862; $12,204

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Save deadline
    DesignPhotography
    Accommodation: Campus residence halls or commuter
    Meals: Dining plan; most weekly meals
    Outcome: Critiqued portfolio pieces; no college credit
    Campus experience: Personal studio; museum field trips
    Tutors / faculty: Full-time Carnegie Mellon faculty

    Design Pre-College Program summary

    Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Design offers a first-year-style introduction to design through studio learning, lectures, critiques, and guided faculty work.

    Students explore products, communications, environments, drawing, photography, and research while producing work for a concluding showcase.

    It suits students who want to test their interest in design through making and feedback, including beginners prepared for substantial independent studio work.

    What is Design Pre-College Program?

    The Design Pre-College Program introduces students to design principles and the processes designers use to solve problems. Carnegie Mellon University models the experience on first-year design study, combining studio learning, lectures, critiques, and guided work sessions with full-time faculty.

    Students investigate products, communications, and environments alongside drawing, photography, and design research. Each student receives a personal studio space, develops faculty-critiqued portfolio pieces, and shares completed work in a showcase for classmates, faculty, and parents.

    Why Succeed highlights Design Pre-College Program

    • Full-time Carnegie Mellon faculty teach and critique the work, giving students direct experience of university design expectations.

    • The curriculum connects research, drawing, photography, and studio making rather than treating design as software practice alone.

    • A personal studio space and substantial independent work provide a practical test of whether studio-based study suits you.

    • Portfolio feedback and a concluding showcase give students concrete work to develop and reflect on.

    Who is Design Pre-College Program for?

    Best for

    Students exploring design who want to learn through making, receive faculty feedback, and build original work for a portfolio.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light summer activity, college credit, or a program that leaves evenings and weekends free of coursework.

    Is Design Pre-College Program worth it?

    This is a strong option if your main goal is to test whether college-level design study suits you. Faculty critiques, personal studio space, and portfolio development make the experience useful beyond simply attending classes.

    The commitment deserves careful thought because students are expected to work on projects during evenings and weekends. Judge its value through the work and understanding you gain: it carries no college credit, and CMU says participation has no influence on undergraduate admission.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,862; $12,204; includes College-level classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty., Design Kit with basic materials and tools., Campus housing for residential students., Dining plan covering most meals per week., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access., Published airport shuttles for students traveling alone..

    Accommodation

    Campus residence halls or commuter

    Meals

    Dining plan; most weekly meals

    Provider details

    Review the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    6 weeks; Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Design Pre-College Program need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Allow six to eight weeks before your chosen application deadline for essays, recommendations, and an optional portfolio.

    Main challenge

    Developing and revising design work while managing independent studio time.

    Typical preparation

    • Request your recommendation early so it arrives with your completed application.

    • Draft both required essays and revise them to explain your interests clearly.

    • If submitting a portfolio, select five to 10 original-work images and assemble one PDF.

    • Plan for an Adobe Creative Cloud-capable laptop and the published camera requirements.

    Useful if

    You want to understand the demands of college-level design study.

    What do students do on Design Pre-College Program?

    You develop design ideas through studio projects, research, drawing, photography, and iterative making. Lectures, faculty critiques, guided work sessions, and museum visits connect those activities to college-level design practice.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Investigate design problems and gather meaningful research data.

    2. 2

      Explore ideas through sketching, diagramming, and prototyping.

    3. 3

      Use drawing and photography to communicate your thinking.

    4. 4

      Develop project coursework through guided sessions and independent studio work.

    5. 5

      Receive faculty critiques and refine your portfolio pieces.

    6. 6

      Present completed work in the concluding showcase.

    Design Pre-College Program dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Basic applications; 11:59 PM EST.

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Programme dates

    26 June-7 August 2027

    Upcoming

    Scholarship decisions

    1 April 2027

    Upcoming

    International arrival

    25 June 2027

    Check-in from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

    Upcoming

    Orientation Day

    27 June 2027

    Campus orientation and opportunities to meet other students.

    Upcoming

    Classes begin

    28 June 2027

    Upcoming

    Classes end

    6 August 2027

    Confirm your individual program’s finishing time before arranging departure.

    Upcoming

    Residential move-out

    7 August 2027

    Check-out between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • At least 16 years old by 26 June 2027.

    • Current high school sophomore or junior when applying.

    • Academic average of B (3.0/4.0) or better.

    • No previous art or design experience required.

    • Commuter families: approximately 30 miles from campus or Allegheny County.

    • Scholarships: demonstrated financial need and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

    • International applicants: applicable English proficiency and immigration requirements.

    How much does Design Pre-College Program cost?

    2026 residential fee

    $12,204 — Six-week residential option.

    Funding or discounts

    • 2026 commuter fee: $8,862 — Six-week commuter option.
    • Application fee: $75 — Waiver applies to qualifying scholarship-only applications.
    • Enrollment deposit: $800 — Non-refundable; credited toward the program balance.
    • Need-based scholarship: Tuition, housing, and dining — Very limited awards for eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
    • Scholarship deposit: $100 — Available for student spending through the CMU ID Card.

    What's included

    College-level classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty., Design Kit with basic materials and tools., Campus housing for residential students., Dining plan covering most meals per week., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access., Published airport shuttles for students traveling alone.

    How to apply to Design Pre-College Program

    1. 1

      Complete the official CMU Pre-College application and select Design in your program preferences.

    2. 2

      Upload your most recent unofficial transcript with all completed high school grades and courses.

    3. 3

      Enter your recommender’s email address to request the required recommendation online.

    4. 4

      Submit two essays of 300–500 words each about your goals and interest in design.

    5. 5

      Optionally upload test scores and a highly recommended portfolio of five to 10 images in one PDF.

    6. 6

      For scholarship consideration, select that option and submit the required financial documentation.

    7. 7

      Pay the application fee unless you qualify for a waiver.

    8. 8

      After admission, submit the enrollment reply form and applicable deposit within seven days.

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    What does Design Pre-College Program cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Studio Design for Products, Communications, & Environments

    Develop design solutions iteratively using sketching, diagramming, and prototyping.

    Design Drawing

    Use guided drawing exercises to communicate ideas and support problem-solving.

    Design Photography

    Learn camera mechanics and capture images that convey meaning and tell stories.

    Design Research & Problem-Solving Methods

    Gather meaningful data and apply research tools to design solutions.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Design Pre-College Program?

    A typical day during the program.

    Faculty led learning

    Studio learning, lectures, critiques, and guided work sessions.

    Independent studio work

    Significant additional studio time is expected to develop and complete coursework.

    Who teaches on Design Pre-College Program?

    Full-time Carnegie Mellon faculty teach the classes and provide guided work sessions and critiques. The program page profiles Wayne Chung, Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, whose work spans medical devices, robotics, and consumer and industrial products.

    Where do students stay on Design Pre-College Program?

    Residential plan

    • Campus residence halls: Rooms include twin extra-long beds, storage, desks, chairs, closets, and wastebaskets.
    • Dining plan: Most weekly meals are covered, with vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Halal options.
    • Absence and curfew rules: Overnight and private-vehicle absences require advance requests and parent or guardian verification.
    • Airport shuttle support: Free arrival and move-out shuttles serve students traveling alone at published times.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter option: Student and guardian must permanently reside approximately 30 miles from campus or within Allegheny County.

    Most students share a double room; pillows, sheets, and fans are not supplied.

    What happens after Design Pre-College Program?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop original work that may contribute to a design portfolio.

    Receive School of Design faculty feedback on portfolio work.

    Present completed projects in a showcase.

    Build an understanding of college-level design study.

    The program awards no college credit and does not influence CMU undergraduate admission.

    Where does Design Pre-College Program take place?

    The program takes place at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, with access to Design School workspaces and community spaces. Students traveling alone can use the published free airport shuttles, while the CMU ID Card provides Pittsburgh Regional Transit access.

    CMU does not issue I-20 documents for Design; international families should resolve immigration eligibility before arranging travel.

    Design Pre-College Program FAQs

    No. Previous art or design experience is not required, and specific computer skills are not required to succeed in the program.

    Yes. Students create faculty-critiqued portfolio pieces, and faculty are available to provide portfolio feedback at the program’s conclusion.

    It is optional but highly recommended. Five to 10 images of original work in a single PDF are preferred.

    No. Pre-College Design does not award college credit.

    Bring a laptop capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud. A separate camera is preferred, ideally at least 10 megapixels with manual controls, but smartphone-only students are accommodated.

    A Design Kit from the CMU Art Store is included in the program cost and provided on arrival.

    Yes. You and your parent or guardian must permanently reside within approximately 30 miles of the Pittsburgh campus or within Allegheny County.

    CMU states that admission to its Pre-College Programs has no influence on a student’s undergraduate application to the university.

    Alternatives to Design Pre-College Program

    Compare a focused branding course, an art program, and an engineering course to clarify which direction best matches your interests.

    Alternatives to Design Pre-College Program

    Art Summer Program

    A summer program centered on art

    Art
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £7400
    13-18
    St Andrews
    In-person

    Best for

    Students exploring art alongside design

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Pre-College | CMU School of Design
    • Pre-College Programs Application
    • Absence from Campus Request - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Move-Out Information - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Packing List - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • International Applicants - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admitted Students - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admission - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Cost and Scholarships - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Arrival - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Discover Sessions - Presentations and Q&As - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Design - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Program curriculum reviewed

    • Application deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Fee years distinguished

    • Scholarship conditions reviewed

    • Housing and travel reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.