Pre-College FAQ

Space is limited, so we are selective in who we invite to participate.

Yes. A limited number of full and partial awards will be provided to students who demonstrate need and merit.

To be considered for financial assistance, students must include their Parents'/Guardians' most recent tax return and the number of dependents. This is REQUIRED for students applying for financial assistance.

Residents of Michigan can also apply for the Watson A. Young scholarship. More information and the scholarship application are available at the U-M Center for Educational Outreach website.

Visit our Spring, Summer, and Fall precollege program pages for information on each season's current offerings and application deadlines.

Sign up online to receive information about upcoming programs and be notified when applications go live.

We welcome students currently in grades 9-12 grade students to apply to our programs. Exceptions can be made for 8th grade students, but they must be 14 years old by the start of the program to participate: the University has strict supervision ratios for minors.

All materials are provided for both virtual and in-person programs for participants in the United States. Materials can not be shipped to international participants.

No.

Students will be able to walk from dorms to their studios and classes. Students can ride University of Michigan buses for free, with routes that go from North to Central campus and downtown.

We recommend packing the following supplies:

Art Supplies

• Sketchbook
• Drawing pencils
• Personal drawing materials you would like to have such as markers, colored pencils, paint, etc. (oil paints are not allowed).
• Camera

Personal Supplies

• Backpack/bag
• Laptop computer or tablet
• Required medication (if necessary)
• Toiletry items: Towel and washcloth, Toothbrush and toothpaste, Deodorant, Soap, Shampoo, Hairbrush or comb
• Shower caddy for toiletries
• Shower shoes
• Alarm clock/cell phone alarm
• Sunscreen
• First aid supplies / bandages
• Electric fan (rooms are not air-conditioned). Fans can be purchased locally and/or shipped to Stamps.
• Linens are provided for all residents, but students may wish to bring additional bedding (twin xl sheets, a blanket and a pillow)

Clothing

• Studio clothes (clothes that can get dirty)
• Hat for outdoor drawing or excursions
• Hoodie/long-sleeve shirt/light jacket (indoor studios can get cold)
• Sleepwear
• Rain gear and/or umbrella
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Socks

What NOT to Bring

• Valuable items. The University assumes no responsibility for personal property, therefore, the University of Michigan is not responsible for lost or stolen items within the residence hall.

Yes! Each student gets their own studio to keep materials, work on outside assignments, and work on their own projects. It’s YOUR space to make YOUR work.

The weather during July and August is pretty hot, with an average temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit - but evenings can cool down.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in Bursley’s Dining Hall.

Make sure you alert us of your food allergy by completing all your required forms in the registration process. Additionally, ensure you have access to self-administer required medication as needed.

Yes, a variety of options are available upon request. This includes gluten-free breads, buns, wraps, pasta and pizza crusts.

Yes! Michigan Dining serves a variety of menu items that are Halal certified and follow Halal practices in all dining halls.

Yes! Michigan Dining offers a variety of Kosher-certified menu items out of a Kosher-certified serving area.

Students enrolled in residential Summer programs live in Bursley Hall, an on-campus dorm at the University of Michigan.

At this time, we do not offer an off-campus residential component to our in-person Portfolio Prep course. We find that our participants receive a full undergraduate experience at the Stamps School of Art & Design with our current structure. An alternative option would be to participate in our Virtual Portfolio Prep program.

We coordinate shuttles to and from the airport on the arrival and departure day of the programs. More information will be shared close to the start of the program.

We will take care of packing and shipping art works to students that are not local to Ann Arbor. With the exception of international participants. No artworks can be shipped internationally.

Yes, we invite international students to apply to our programs.

We do not maintain strict language proficiency standards. All instruction will be in English, we recommend that students are conversational in the language in order to get the most out of the experience.

A B-2 tourist visa will suffice for our programs as they are not credit-bearing.

Yes, to be considered for financial assistance, students must include their Parents'/Guardians' most recent tax return and number of dependents. This is REQUIRED for students applying for financial assistance.

Unfortunately, due to customs regulations, we are unable to ship materials to international students. Students will be responsible for obtaining their own materials.