Summer Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the program start?
- What does the program cost?
- How much do supplies cost and where do I get them?
- Can I keep my projects/supplies at the end of the program?
- How many students are accepted?
- What are the selection criteria for applicants to the program?
- When will I find out if I am accepted?
- When should I submit my $400 housing deposit?
- What is the refund policy?
- Who do I make my payment to?
- Is financial aid available?
- What is the minimum age of students allowed into the program?
- I have a college degree, I am a high school student, I am a college-aged student - Is the program right for me?
- When do classes meet during the day?
- What is a typical day of the program like?
- What are the topics covered during the morning lectures?
- What kinds of projects do we work on in studio?
- Are students assigned an instructor and a TA? Or are students expected to choose their instructor?Are there opportunities for participants to work with other instructors on other projects?
- Is there an opportunity to talk about college advising or career guidance?
- What do Academy students do on evenings and weekends?
- Can I get school credit for the program?
- Will acceptance to Summer Academy increase my chances of acceptance into School of Architecture at the University?
- What if on-campus housing is full? Is there a waitlist or optional housing?
- Can I request a specific roommate?
- Does on-campus housing come with a meal plan?
- Where do I park?
- What is the last day to submit payment for tuition?
- When does the program start?
- Monday, June 10, 2013 – 9AM
- What does the program cost?
- Tuition: $1350
- Program Fees: $250 supply kit
- Application Fee: $25
- Optional Fees:
- On-Campus Housing: $1470, approx., includes meals
- Parking: $120, approx.
- Recreational Sports Gym Membership: $100
- How much do supplies cost and where do I get them?
- Summer Academy supply kits will be made available at the University Co-op (located at 2246 Guadalupe Street) for a discounted rate of approximately $250 beginning May 31.
- A list of all items included in the program supply kit is available from the Summer Academy office and will be provided upon acceptance. Students may opt to provide or purchase their supplies via alternate sources, or purchase only select items from the supply kit as needed. At the end of the program, the Academy will buy-back a limited number of gently used kit supplies for half-price from students wishing to sell them. In addition to supply kit materials, students should plan on spending approximately $ 100-150 for additional model building materials that may be necessary for their individual project constructions.
- Can I keep my projects/supplies at the end of the program?
- Yes, your supplies are yours to keep and any projects can be taken with you upon your departure from the program.
- How many students are accepted?
- The Summer Academy in Architecture typically admits 80 students per year. Typically, students come from all over the world and range in age of 17 to 65. Students will be assigned to studios with others of similar age.
- What are the selection criteria for applicants to the program?
- There are many things that we consider — but the answer to the essay questions posed in the program application is the most crucial part of the application. We are looking for students who show promise and a keen interest in the field.
- When will I find out if I am accepted?
- Generally, notifications are emailed/mailed two weeks after a deadline. For example:
- Applications (with or without housing) received in full by the Early Decision Deadline of March 1 - early acceptance notification letters will be emailed/mailed on March 15.
- Applications (with housing) received in full by the Housing Deadline of April 12 - acceptance notification letters will be emailed/mailed on April 26.
- Applications (without housing) received in full by the final Application Deadline of May 1 - acceptance notification letters will be email/mailed by May 15.
- When should I submit my $400 housing deposit?
- A $400 housing deposit (applied toward full housing fee) should be sent to the Summer Academy office to secure requested room space along with your program application by the “application with housing” deadline of April 12, or by March 1 for early acceptance notification. After May 1, the $400 housing deposit is non-refundable, and the housing fee balance is due by May 22.
- What is the refund policy?
- TUITION FEE: If for any reason a participant must leave the program, a pro-rated refund of the program tuition fee, minus the $200 non-refundable program deposit and an additional $100 administrative fee, will be made upon written request provided to the Summer Academy office by 5:00pm, June 28. After June 28, no tuition refunds will be possible.
- HOUSING FEE: After May 1, the $400 room deposit is non-refundable. After June 10, the first day of the program, remaining housing fees may be refunded for extenuating circumstances only at the sole discretion of the Division of Housing and Food Service. Dining dollars are not refundable under any circumstance.
- ADD-ON FEES: After purchase, no refunds for parking permit or recreational sports pass fees are possible.
- Who do I make my payment to?
- All tuition and housing payments should be made payable to: The University of Texas at Austin and submitted to the Summer Academy office. Payment is accepted the form of check or money order only.
- Is financial aid available?
- The Summer Academy is an entirely self-funded program and is thus able to offer only limited financial assistance in the form of partial tuition waivers (maximum $1000 value) to a minimal number of applicants each year on the basis of need and scholarship. Applications for Financial Aid are due to the Summer Academy office by April 12, with assistance awards announced May 1. To apply for financial aid, applicants must submit: (1) complete application, (2) the Summer Academy Application for Financial Aid Form, and (3) a portfolio or samples of their creative work for consideration by April 12. Applicants should not send original artwork, but digital scans or photocopies of their creative work samples. Materials submitted for application will not be returned to the applicant.
- What is the minimum age of students allowed into the program?
- The Summer Academy is open to anyone 17 years of age or older, as of June 10, 2013, who is seriously interested in exploring architecture as a field of professional study, regardless of experience. There are no specific academic standards for this session. However, the admission process attempts to identify students who have the interest and initiative, discipline and ability to take full advantage of the program. All minor-age students must also submit the parental/guardian statement of consent acknowledging the program policies regarding the supervision and personal liability of minor-age students.
- I have a college degree, I am a high school student, I am a college-aged student - Is the program right for me?
- The Summer Academy is a preparatory program geared toward people who have little to no background in architecture and who wish to test and refine their interests in the field. Applicants range from age 17 to older adulthood and are typically considering applying to undergraduate or graduate degree programs in architecture at the University of Texas at Austin or other comparable institutions of higher education.
- When do classes meet during the day?
- Summer Academy classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM in the studios of School of Architecture’s Goldsmith Hall (GOL on campus maps) for the program duration. Studio projects however, typically require students to devote significant time during their weekend and evening hours for successful completion due to assignment deadlines. Students will be given access to Goldsmith Hall and their studio during these times and Teaching Assistants will be on hand to answer questions.
- What is a typical day of the program like?
- Class time is devoted to individual studio work, student reviews, lectures, discussions, readings, and film series. Program field trips and site visits in the area take place during the regularly scheduled class time, with the exception of the field trip to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which takes place on Saturday, June 22. This trip is optional for students to attend. Typically, mornings are devoted to project assignments, lectures, and exercises with afternoons spent on site visits and project work.
- What are the topics covered during the morning lectures?
- There are a wide range of topics covered that includes technical considerations, historical references, theoretical positions, practical help, etc.
- What kinds of projects do we work on in studio?
- Daily studio assignments encompass ideas that span the breadth of architectural practice and theory such as structure, materials, site, light, view, context, and experience. A majority of studio time is spent on architectural drawings and model construction. There are typically 3-4 larger studio projects of various topics which will be focused on heavily. Students typically use these projects to help build a portfolio to showcase their work for future college applications.
- Are students assigned an instructor and a TA? Or are students expected to choose their instructor?Are there opportunities for participants to work with other instructors on other projects?
- Students are assigned an instructor. Typically, there are about 10-12 students of similar age per studio. There are several TAs that assist all the instructors, but they are not assigned to particular classes. Students may approach any faculty member and/or instructor as they prefer — and there are several organized opportunities where other faculty are directly engaged with each studio class.
- Is there an opportunity to talk about college advising or career guidance?
- Yes. Periodic meetings and lectures are held that emphasize students’ more practical concerns, i.e. application procedures, general admissions policies, and the preparation of a portfolio or résumé.
- What do Academy students do on evenings and weekends?
- On evening and Weekends, Academy students are generally “on their own” schedules - however due to the intense workload of the program, Academy students usually find it necessary to spend much of their free time back the studio working on their design projects in order to successfully fulfill all of the program requirements. (When we said the program is “academically rigorous,” we weren’t kidding!)
- Can I get school credit for the program?
- The Summer Academy in Architecture is a non-credit preparatory program and does not appear on university transcripts. However, dependent upon the particular institution and program in which each student enrolls, credit for the Summer Academy may be granted by that institution. Participants leave the Summer Academy with a certificate of completion and a written evaluation of their performance from their studio instructors mailed within 60 days of their departure from the program.
- Will acceptance to Summer Academy increase my chances of acceptance into School of Architecture at the University?
- The Summer Academy will not increase your chances of acceptance into the School of Architecture. However, you will be able to increase your skills and contribute to your portfolio which you can use for application to architecture programs. The Academy also gives students access to the School’s resources, as well as staff and faculty.
- What if on-campus housing is full? Is there a waitlist or optional housing?
- On-campus housing is limited; therefore applicants should apply early. Once rooms are filled, you may be placed on a waitlist, however, with no guarantee of on-campus housing. As an alternative to applying for on-campus housing, Summer Academy applicants may coordinate their housing independently via private apartment sublets or private dormitories in the campus area such as The University Towers, The Goodall Wooten dormitory, or The Castilian dormitory. Individual meal plans may be purchased at the Dobie Center Dormitory. The Summer Academy office provides a list of recommended off-campus housing options to students upon request.
- Can I request a specific roommate?
- Roommate requests are not accepted by the Summer Academy office. However, roommates are assigned via age similarity and gender. Academy students only share rooms with other academy students.
- Does on-campus housing come with a meal plan?
- Yes. Meal plans are included and all Dining Dollars must be used by the end of the program. No refunds are available for Dining Dollars.
- Where do I park?
- Parking is available in the University Co-Op Parking Garage with a purchase of a parking permit. This is the closest parking garage to the School of Architecture. Students must reserve parking spaces through the Summer Academy office and then pay the University Co-Op directly on the first day of class.
- What is the last day to submit payment for tuition?
- All tuition and housing payments are due in full by May 22, 2013.
