Extracurriculars for a Career in Architect

17 high school activities and programs that build real experience toward a career in architect.

Destination Imagination · Multiple · In-Person

Creative project-based competition emphasizes design thinking and spatial problem-solving through visual arts and engineering.

Early College Program Online Summer Institute

School of the Art Institute of Chicago · Virtual · Virtual

Art and design fundamentals from this program build foundational visual and spatial reasoning skills for architecture.

From the Ground Up

Wonderworks · Houston, TX · In-Person

Direct focus on architectural design fundamentals, studio work, and portfolio development for architecture school applications.

Camp ARCH

Texas A&M University College of Architecture · College Station, TX · In-Person

Students experience design studio environment and learn architectural tools and methods used by first-year architecture students.

Architecture in the City

College of Architecture and Planning, CU Denver · Denver, CO · In-Person

Direct hands-on experience in model building, drawing techniques, and design-build projects core to architecture practice.

Access ASU Summer Programs

Arizona State University · Arizona State University · In-Person

Visual arts and design components of the program connect to architectural visualization and creative design.

Construction Management Summer Academy for Young Women

Auburn University McWhorter School of Building Science · Auburn, AL · In-Person

Experiential learning with construction drawings and collaborative team exercises on building projects.

Springboard to Design

Unknown

CAD design and engineering foundations align with architectural design and technical visualization practices.

embARC Summer Design Academy

University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design · Berkeley, CA · In-Person

Direct focus on architecture studio with 2D/3D design, sketching, drafting, and model-building instruction.

Introduction to Architecture Online: Foundation Studies and Portfolio Development for High School Students

The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union · Virtual · Virtual

Direct focus on architectural design principles, 3D modeling, and portfolio development for architecture careers.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Virtual Architecture Summer Camp Academy

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture & Urban Planning · Milwaukee, WI · Hybrid

Students learn architectural design fundamentals, digital modeling tools, and how to communicate design ideas through drawings and presentations.

Summer Academy – Global (Online)

Boston Architectural College · Virtual · Virtual

Students explore architecture through design challenges, sketching, digital design, and model-making with practicing professionals.

AFSF Summer Design Institute

Architectural Foundation of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA · Virtual

Students learn design process, sketching, and CAD tools while working on original architectural design projects with professional mentor guidance.

Washington University Summer Programs for High School Students

Washington University in St. Louis · St. Louis, MO · In-Person

Students complete intensive design studio work and architectural drawing projects for their portfolios.

NAIOP-Drexel Summer Real Estate Program

Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA · In-Person

Program introduces architecture as a commercial real estate career path with site visits to high-profile buildings.

National High School Design Challenge

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum · New York, NY · Hybrid

Students propose designs addressing community needs and futures, mirroring architectural design challenges.

Norwich University of the Arts FREE Creative Summer Workshops

Norwich University of the Arts · Norwich, UK · Virtual

Game art and architecture workshops expose students to spatial design and world-building concepts central to architecture.