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Carnegie Mellon Summer: Pre-College Design
Overview
A 6-week intensive design program for high school sophomores and juniors taught by Carnegie Mellon School of Design faculty. Students gain hands-on studio experience in product, communications, and environmental design while developing foundational skills through design drawing, photography, research, and problem-solving methods.
At a glance
Deadline
Mar 1110 days
Sessions
Jun6 wk sessions
Formats
Residential / Commuter
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Cost
$7,000+from $8,862
Entering grades
10th, 11th
Acceptance
Fixed admissions (non-rolling); selectivity percentage not stated.
Application requirements
Academic Average
B (3.0/4.0) or better
Age Requirement
At least 16 years old by June 20, 2026
Current Grade Level
Current sophomore or junior in high school at time of application
Application Form
Completed online application
Transcript
Unofficial transcript
Standardized Test Scores
Optional
Letter of Recommendation
One required
Essay
Two essays (300-500 words each)
Portfolio
Optional but highly recommended; 5-10 images of original work in single PDF
Laptop
Required, capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud
Camera
Required (preferably with manual focus, aperture, and shutter controls; 10+ megapixels recommended; smartphone accommodated if necessary)
Cost & sessions
Cost not stated on program page. Scholarships available; early deadline (February 1) applies for scholarship consideration. Design Kit provided by CMU Art Store upon arrival (included in program cost).
Financial aid
Scholarships available; specific amounts and eligibility details not stated on program page.
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