Spend your summer at VCUarts!
The Summer Pre-College Program at VCUarts is a three-week program that offers rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to take one non-credit course at VCUarts and explore your interests in the arts. Students study with VCUarts faculty while developing their portfolios or preparing for an audition.
The VCUarts Summer Pre-College Program offers rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to hone their creative skills, develop portfolio-ready art and design work, or craft their performance and audition skills while studying with distinguished VCUarts faculty. Students can live on the VCU campus in Richmond and will explore what makes it the perfect location for a top-ranked art school.
Program dates: July 6 – 25, 2025
At this time, we do not offer VCU credit for Summer Pre-College Program courses.
Apply to Summer Pre-College
July 6-25, 2025
Summer 2025 program
We are thrilled to offer both commuter and residential options for our Summer 2025 program!
For those who prefer to commute, we have designed a flexible option that works for you. Commuters participate in classes from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday. Commuter students are not required to be on campus on Saturdays or Sundays. VCU is not responsible for commuter students outside of class time.
Commuter students must be housed with a responsible adult (18 or older) during the program and live within a reasonable distance from the VCU campus for daily commuting. Parents/guardians and students are responsible for arranging transportation to and from campus each day. VCU parking permits are available for an additional $19.25/week. Lunch is included in the program cost, but breakfast and dinner are not provided.
Commuter students are expected to adhere to the same Academic Policies and Pre-College Code of Conduct as residential students, including when off-campus. Please note that commuter students are not permitted to enter residence halls.
As the program start date approaches, we will share more details, including the meeting location and any schedule updates. We look forward to welcoming you!
In this program, you will collaborate with other young creatives from across the country and around the world. Through working on common projects and sharing a living space strong bonds are formed among the participants. Many students have formed long-term friendships through the VCUarts Summer Pre-College Program.
At this time, we do not offer VCU credit for Summer Pre-College Program courses.
- Submit your Pre-College program application.
- Pay $50 nonrefundable application fee via credit card. At this time, we cannot accept cash, check, or mobile payments for this fee.
Priority and scholarship deadline: February 3, 2025. If you apply by this date, you will receive a response by February 28.
Students who apply after the priority deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 1.
December 2, 2024
Application opens
February 3, 2025
Priority and scholarship deadline
February 28, 2025
Priority and scholarship acceptances sent via email
Deposit must be submitted by April 1, 2025.
Full fee payment must be submitted by May 1, 2025.
If you apply after the priority deadline, you submit deposit within 2 weeks of acceptance. The full fee must submitted by May 15.
At this time, we cannot accept cash, check, or mobile payments for this fee.
Commuter program cost: $2,850
Residential program cost: $4,250
A $500 deposit is due on April 1, 2025, to reserve your spot. The remaining balance is due on or before May 1, 2025. Students may pay the balance in full or in two equal installments.
Refunds (minus the non-refundable $50 application fee and the $500 deposit) will be made for those who cancel enrollment before June 1, 2025. No refunds will be available after June 1. Once the program has started, refunds will not be made if the student leaves the program early for any reason.
The program’s fee must be paid via credit card. At this time, we cannot accept cash, check, or mobile payments for this fee. The Summer Pre-College Program is not eligible for the Virginia529 College Savings Plan.
VCUarts Summer Pre-College offers a limited number of partial scholarships. Students may apply when they fill out their online application. To request a scholarship, you will need a recommendation letter from a non-family member. That recommendation letter, along with your online application, will be used for scholarship consideration. Scholarships may not be used towards the deposit.
February 3, 2025, is the deadline for scholarship consideration.
Program dates
July 6 – 25, 2025
Sunday, July 6
Move in
Monday, July 7
First day of classes
Friday, July 25
Program showcase and move out
Courses & Student Experience
Course Offerings
View the course offerings for Summer 2025
Student Experience
View program information about packing, housing, dining, and more
About VCUarts
About VCUarts
We are a top-ranked art and design school housed within Virginia Commonwealth University — a pioneering public research institution in the heart of historic Richmond, Virginia. We are a place where artists are at the center of innovative thought, where they’re creating work that feeds the soul and serves society.
At VCUarts, you’ll find a diverse community of creators who are dedicated to honing their craft and driven to tackle challenges that go beyond conventional arts practices. You can choose from 18 undergraduate degree programs and 12 minors across the areas of design, fine arts, narrative media and the performing arts. You’ll delve into emerging and traditional mediums, seek out possibilities for interdisciplinary experiences, and master the skills you need for any creative endeavor.