About

The Summer Pre-College Programs at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, are credit-bearing academic experiences for high school students interested in art, design, architecture, and creative writing. For 2026, the four-week Intensive runs from July 6 to July 31, while the two-week Explore session runs from June 20 to July 2. Students in the Intensive program select two concentrations from nearly 20 offerings—such as Industrial Design, Fashion Design, and Digital Arts—earning 4 transferable college credits and official grade and transcript. The curriculum is modeled after Pratt’s undergraduate first-year foundation, emphasizing portfolio development, technical facility, and conceptual thinking.

Admission is competitive and based on student eligibility and program capacity. To apply for the 2026 session, domestic students must submit their application by May 1, while the international student deadline is April 1. Residential tuition for the 2026 Intensive is $8,192, which includes housing on Pratt’s historic Brooklyn campus and a full meal plan. Commuter students pay $5,452. Need-based scholarships are available for those who applied by the February 1 deadline. Students should also budget an additional $300 to $500 for specialized art supplies.

Instruction is delivered by Pratt faculty and alumni who are active professionals in their respective fields. Students engage in four days of studio instruction per week, supplemented by evening studio hours and peer critiques. The program provides an authentic "deep dive" into studio culture, helping students strengthen their college portfolios while experiencing the rigor of a professional arts institution. Beyond the classroom, students explore New York City's cultural landscape through museum visits and gallery tours.

Pratt’s Pre-College programs are institutionally grounded in the institute’s reputation as a world-class leader in creative education, and graduates leave with a serious portfolio that can be used in college admissions.