Dive into art school life—and earn college credits
Three weeks. One transformative experience.
July 9–29, 2023
Ready to experience life as a college student at one of the oldest private, nonprofit art and design schools in America? CCAD’s College Preview is the perfect opportunity to learn, create, and thrive on our beautiful campus located in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Over the course of three weeks, emerging artists and designers will experience college-level instruction in the morning and professional development, collaborative workshops, and electives taught by practicing artists in the afternoon.
Students will have the opportunity to see firsthand why Columbus is a vibrant arts destination. They’ll live on-campus during College Preview, and explore the city with chaperoned trips to sites of interest such as the Scioto Mile, Otherworld, and the Franklinton Arts District. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a public-facing exhibition as the culmination of this program.
See the campus
“The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the Living Infinite.”
—Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
College Preview:
2023 Leagues Under the Sea
For thousands of years, artists, scientists, and scholars have been fascinated by the ocean. Its churning waves bring life and destruction, while its countless depths have inspired poetry, paintings, and groundbreaking scientific studies. College Preview: 2023 Leagues Under the Sea asks students to think about what the ocean signifies today: a mysterious territory filled with undiscovered resources. The habitat of some of our most threatened species. An infinite source of inspiration.
Together, we will explore public art and conservation efforts local to Columbus such as Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed and global projects such as HighWaterLine. Students will attend their dedicated major classes in the mornings and in the afternoons, they’ll participate in multidisciplinary workshops and seminars that explore contemporary, ancient, and indigenous representations of water and its vital role in human history.
Choose from one of the following major areas of study:
Advertising & Graphic Design
Animation
Comics & Narrative Practice
Fashion Design
Fine Arts
Game Art & Design
Illustration
Industrial Design
Interior Architecture & Design
Photography
Film & Video
Program dates & deadlines:
Dec. 5, 2022: Early bird registration opens
Feb. 17, 2023: Early bird registration deadline (save $250)
May 5, 2023: Scholarship application deadline
May 19, 2023: Scholarship decisions received
June 1, 2023: Registration closes
June 9, 2023: Tuition balance due
July 9, 2023: Move-in and mandatory orientation
July 29, 2023: Commencement, exhibition, and move-out
Program costs & scholarships
The program fee of $3,600 (Cost is $3,350 plus $250 registration fee) covers three college credits, three weeks of on-campus residence, all meals, all required supplies, mentored portfolio development, and one-on-one admissions counseling.
Early Bird
Use the code EARLYBIRD23 by Feb. 17, 2023 to waive the $250 registration fee!
CCAD offers merit- and need-based scholarships to help students finance their College Preview experience. To be considered for a scholarship, please complete the form below.
Leisure time & evening events
Each day, you'll have studio time to explore the techniques demonstrated in your major area. Evening and weekend plans may include CCAD faculty lectures, excursions, and film screenings. Off-campus trips may include visits to:
- Franklinton Arts District
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Otherworld
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Orientation
All residential programs begin with a mandatory orientation to get you settled into campus. Housing can be made available if you need to arrive before the first day. Orientation will cover:
- CCAD Student Handbook
- Program schedule
- Campus safety procedures
Community standards
All students who enroll in College Preview are subject to the CCAD Code of Student Conduct and the CCAD Student Handbook. Learn more. CCAD’s Title IX Coordinator and contact information can be found here.
Safety & security
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. You’re simply expected to follow all campus housing regulations and our student code of conduct.
CCAD is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and will follow guidelines set by the state of Ohio regarding COVID-19 prevention, which may impact plans for College Preview. CCAD has numerous health and safety protocols in place throughout campus. Learn more.
This program is for rising 10th–12th graders.
- Full tuition is due on June 1 of each summer session. For more information or to discuss a payment plan, please email [email protected].
- Tuition for College Preview is all inclusive: room, board, meal plan, excursions, and art supplies are all included! Students are welcome to bring spending money for our excursions and to purchase food at The Hills Market next to our campus. Students are also welcome to have food delivered to campus, but all dining hall meals will be provided in tuition cost.
- 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.
- College Preview grants students three elective, non-major studio art credits upon completion. 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.
Students will receive 3 non-major elective art credits and have their application fee to CCAD waived upon completion of the program.
Refund and withdrawal policy
By registering for classes, you accept responsibility for paying for the entire session regardless of the method of payment and/or attendance in class. CCAD does not have an automatic withdrawal policy. Nonattendance does not constitute official withdrawal from one or more classes. To withdraw from a course and /or request a refund, you must a submit a withdrawal form. Tuition and fees are non-transferable.
Refunds are granted according to the following schedule:
Registration fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
A 100% refund of Tuition balance less $250 nonrefundable registration fee is eligible if withdrawn by June 10.
A 50% refund of Tuition balance less $250 nonrefundable registration fee is eligible if withdrawn by July 9 before 5 p.m.
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.
College Preview withdrawal form
Questions?
Email us at [email protected]