College Preview
Dive into art school life—and earn college credits.
Ready to experience life as an art & design student? CCAD’s College Preview is the perfect opportunity to learn, create, and explore on our beautiful campus located in thriving downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Open to high school students in grades 10-12 who are considering a future in art and design, this program will introduce you to the art & design school experience. You’ll customize your experience by choosing a major area of study, such as animation, game art and design, or photography.
Registration is closed
Tuition balanced due: Monday, June 9, 2025
Move-in: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Classes start: Monday, July 7, 2025
Last day of classes: Friday, July 25, 2025
Exhibition, ceremony, and move-out: Saturday, July 26, 2025
THREE WEEKS. ONE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE.
THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
THE CAMPUS & COLUMBUS EXPERIENCE
Just like a full-time college student, you’ll live in one of our residence halls. See firsthand why Columbus is a vibrant arts destination through chaperoned trips to sites of interest such as the Scioto Mile, Otherworld, and the Franklinton Arts District. Plus, you’ll participate in a public-facing exhibition as the culmination of the program.
2025 College Preview Theme: Birds of a Feather
Artists and designers have long looked to the sky for inspiration. From Leonardo DaVinci’s bird-inspired ornithopter flying machine, the kingfisher-shaped nose of the Shinkansen high-speed train in Japan, to feathered Gitenga masks used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the annual Federal Duck Stamp contest in the United States; birds ignite our creativity and connect us to the beauty of the natural world.
Birds also remind us of the importance of building community. Migratory birds like Canada Geese fly in an elegant V-shaped formation to reduce wind resistance and allow the entire flock to fly farther. Emperor penguins survive brutal Antarctic conditions by forming close social groups, with individuals taking turns on the coldest edges of the huddle. Like our feathered friends, finding our flock as artists helps us strive for success together while making an impact as an individual.
At College Preview 2025: Birds of a Feather students will be encouraged to see the extraordinary in the everyday as they develop their own artistic voices and raise those voices alongside their peers.
Area of Study: Customize Your College Preview
Choose from one of the following areas of study.
- Animation
- Comics & Narrative Practice
- Fashion Design
- Film & Video
- Fine Arts
- Game Art & Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Interior Architecture & Design
- Photography
- Product Design
Program costs & scholarships
Below are the 2025 program costs and registration fees.
| Total program fees: $3,950 | Tuition and fees cover: |
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This includes tuition of $2,670 as well as a board and program fee of $1,280 Registration fee (goes toward the overall total): the Early Bird discount waives the $250 fee, subtracting it from the overall total! CCAD offers merit- and need-based scholarships to help students finance their College Preview Experience. Scholarship Application deadline: closed |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get about this summer experience (and their answers!). If you need more information, we’re happy to help.
- Registration fee is non refundable and non transferable.
- A 100% refund of tuition balance less $250 non refundable registration fee is eligible if withdrawn by June 16, 2025.
- A 50% refund of tuition balance less $250 non refundable registration fee is eligible if withdrawn by June 30, 2025.
- There are no refunds thereafter.
Please note that classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. Registrants with canceled sections will be offered an alternative class section for their young artist or a full refund for their class registration.
Due to the logistics of supply acquisition and class rosters, we do not allow students to change majors mid-program. CCAD prides itself on our highly trained teaching artists, who work hard to develop curriculum and request professional artmaking supplies before the session starts.
- A core tenet of the College Preview experience is creating a safe environment for students to grow and experience the independence of attending college. If you feel it necessary, you may visit your young artist outside of class time (lunch, noon–1 p.m. or after 4 p.m.). We ask that you schedule your visit around our scheduled activities, as these events have already been supplied with a full student headcount in mind.
- STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE CAMPUS, with a family member or otherwise, unless for a pre-arranged medical appointment. Please contact our program coordinator at [email protected] to alert them of any off-campus medical visits with your young artist. Failure to abide by this requirement may result in your student’s immediate dismissal from the program at your expense.
Students will receive 3 non-major elective art credits and have their application fee to CCAD waived upon completion of the program.
How these credits transfer to outside institutions is at the discretion of their registrar, and will vary on a case-by-case basis. Please contact CCAD’s registrar at [email protected] to request your transcript.
We're here to ensure your safety while you're at CCAD. That’s why residence hall advisors and campus security staff are available at all times. At College Preview Orientation, we’ll cover our CCAD Student Handbook, code of conduct, campus safety procedures, and other related information.
A detailed checklist of items to bring will be sent to all registered students who have completed payment of their tuition before move-in occurs. Generally, we advise students to bring basic linens (towels, sheets, etc.), appropriate seasonal clothing, and any personal technology devices they feel they may need. All art supplies, materials, software, and technology that would be necessary for a student to complete their projects will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring personal sketchbooks and any of their favorite art supplies as well!
