Architecture Internships and Summer Architecture Programs for High School Students

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Indigo Research Team

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Published:
April 30, 2024
Last Updated:
May 1, 2024
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Architecture internships are a blend of stem and non-stem thinking. Unlike other fields, it requires a thorough understanding of human behavior and technical finesse paired with the environment and the future outlook.  

When you head out to hunt for summer architecture programs, finding the right opportunities that match your interest is challenging. We've compiled a list of the best architecture programs to make the hunting process easy for you. 

1. Cornell University's Introduction to Architecture Summer Program

One of the best architecture colleges in the country, Cornell University offers an intensive six-week program for high school students. 

This is your chance to build your portfolio and begin your journey to study and practice architecture at Cornell. The Cornell Architecture summer program brings together students from around the globe with a shared passion for design.

Led by experts, the Cornell University architecture summer program covers the basics of architecture design classes. The leading faculty members encourage critical and creative approaches by pairing history and theory.  

The Cornell summer architecture program students use their imagination and distinctive interests to develop critical and creative design practice. 

The program covers architecture fundamentals to engage high school students by combining lectures with studio work and field trips. In the end, the students present their final presentation. 

Cornell University's Introduction to Architecture Summer Program

2.Columbia University's Summer Immersion: New York City

Columbia University's architecture undergraduate program is your once-in-a-lifetime experience to enjoy New York City as your backyard. Students can enjoy more than seventy (70) courses in about a dozen subject areas.

Columbia University offers three pre-college programs related to architecture. It includes two one-week courses: Introduction To Contemporary Architectural Practice In New York City and Looking At Architecture: A Primer On Style

Also, it offers Introduction To Architectural Design And Theory, a three-week course on art and architecture subjects. These architecture programs in NYC are led by expert instructors who encourage students to think creatively, independently, and critically. 

Columbia Architecture's acceptance rate is low as the program is highly selective and admits high achievers and students driven by passion. The program offers a blend of lectures and studio time where students learn open-mindedness and precision. 

Columbia University's Summer Immersion: New York City

3. UC Berkeley's embARC Summer Design Academy

Make your summers fun and challenging with this four-week program; embARC is an engaging program offered as part of the UC Berkeley architecture summer program.

It's one of the best landscape architecture internships in the summer of 2024 that is focused on environmental design. The program focuses on the ecological impact and the parameters involved. 

The curriculum also includes summer internships for architecture, sustainable city planning, and urban design. Prepare for a summer packed with lectures, one-on-one sessions, workshops, and live gallery shows.

You will get bookish knowledge and hands-on experience by working on a local non-profit for the final project. Also, you will earn a 1-semester unit of college credit by the time you finish the course.

UC Berkeley's embARC Summer Design Academy

4. Rhode Island School of Design's Pre-College Summer Residential Program

If you are interested in architecture, this is your chance to experience life as an RISD undergrad. This five-week program is designed especially for high school juniors and seniors.

The student architect internship will help you build a strong foundation in design. Following the college-level curriculum with day-long studio classes, critiques, and projects, you will know where you are headed as a college student. 

With this architecture summer program, you will have a chance to work with hundreds of like-minded, highly motivated, and passionate students from around the globe. 

Make full use of this opportunity to be challenged, inspired, and encouraged by this creative bunch of students. This architecture internship involves several lectures, demonstrations, and practical experience. 

Push your limits to produce the best of work. As an RISD student, you can access renowned resources and experienced instructors. This internship for architecture students will help strengthen your portfolio and change how you approach art and design. 

Rhode Island School of Design's Pre-College Summer Residential Program

5. Fallingwater Institue's High School Residencies

High school residencies at Fallingwater honor the legacy of Kaufmann by providing self-discovery opportunities and architecture for teens in a supportive environment.

Fallingwater Institute offers summer architecture internships at a world heritage site. The program includes projects related to drawing and design. It also talks about discussions related to Wright's principles regarding organic structure. 

High school residencies at Fallingwater are architecture internships for high schoolers where they can participate in different activities and build their portfolio. 

The program offers multiple sessions, one after the other including the Judy Cheteyan Collections Internship, the Fawcett Digital Multimedia Internship, the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape Internship, and the Robert and Harriet Kirkpatrick Education Internship. 

You can opt for either one or all of them. These high school architecture internships expose students to career exploration and creative expression opportunities.

Fallingwater Institue's High School Residencies

6. Met High School Internship Program

Good news for sophomores or juniors residing in New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey. You can get a free architect course at the Met High School Internship program. These architecture programs in NYC allow students to connect in teams with museum professionals. 

The placement for the architecture courses in NYC is based on interests, availability, and the department internship project. Previously, the fields involved marketing, museum conservation, and editorials. 

Architecture internships in NYC at The Met involve forty hours of department-specific work. You can participate in the design department, which allows you to work directly with the galleries and exhibitions. 

This is your chance to gain experience through these architectural internships in NYC.  Working with esteemed designers and prestigious events will help you get the exposure required to strengthen your portfolio.

Met High School Internship Program

7. Sasaki Foundation's Summer Exploratory Experience in Design

Sasaki Foundation offers paid architecture internships. SEED is a 6-week Summer Exploratory Experience in Design. This program introduces high school students to the mesmerizing world of design.

With these architecture internships in Boston, you get to work with distinctive students on collaborative projects, design fundamentals, and office culture. 

These Boston architecture internships are an excellent opportunity to work on your group project and seek guidance from Sasaki professionals in design workshops. You also get to polish your computer drawing skills and hand sketching. 

Suppose you want to join architecture internships in Boston but cannot commute; worry not. SEED started its online program in 2020; you can always opt for SEED Online!

Sasaki Foundation's Summer Exploratory Experience in Design

8. Chicago Architecture Center Summer Fellows

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) 's Teen Fellows program provides architecture internships in Chicago.  It is a fantastic opportunity for the youth to build foundational architecture skills. 

This architecture intern Chicago program is conducted over three semesters. This program allows sophomores, juniors, and seniors to earn college credit by exploring architecture and design careers. 

Working with industry professionals, you get to develop and design challenging projects. With Chicago architecture internships, you can start building your portfolios. You also get to create digital designs smartly with innovative software. 

The unconventional CAC's Teen Fellows internship gives you the exposure to address real-life challenges. It allows you to use various materials and work with physical models. So you get hands-on experience under the supervision of experts.

Chicago Architecture Center Summer Fellows

The Final Say

These high school student architecture internship programs help the students to excel in the field of architecture.  These programs help students polish their skills and build knowledge and passion for design.

Strengthening the foundation of their architecture skills, such opportunities allow young architects to have an impactful and fulfilling future. Also, internships are a great way to network and connect with people all around the globe. You will develop distinctive skills through lectures, demonstrations, and practical experience. 

FAQs

Why is architecture so hard?

Architecture is hard because it requires a distinctive blend of numeracy and design. The combination is odd because the high schools segregate students into arts/humanities or the maths/sciences. 

How to get an architecture internship?

To get an architecture internship, you should look for graduate or internship architect positions, and create a CV, cover letter, and portfolio. You also need to keep your network updated and research potential architectural firms.

What classes to take for architecture in high school?

It is recommended to take Math classes, including geometry, algebra, calculus, and trigonometry, which are all recommended classes for architecture in high school. Also, aspiring architects are advised to have a good understanding of physics. 

What is the Columbia architecture acceptance rate?

Ranked as one of the top architecture graduate programs in the country, the Columbia architecture acceptance rate is 5.8%.

If you are interested in architecture or art, you can also conduct academic research to make your college application stand out. Indigo Research’s curriculum is designed not only to enrich your knowledge but also to strategically use this knowledge in many areas of your future career. In addition, you will be guided by top mentors from top universities!

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