Early College Program Summer Institute
Pre-College Summer Art Intensives for High School Students (15-18)
Enroll in the Early College Program Summer Institute (ECPSI) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the nation's most influential art and design school. Available on-campus or online, our intensive summer programs bring high school students from around the world together for the opportunity to create portfolio-quality work. Students will make connections with our world-renowned faculty, experience SAIC’s amazing facilities, and earn college credit. For on-campus students, campus housing is available in our state-of-the-art residence halls in the heart of downtown Chicago, and evening programming and skill-building workshops help you gain new skills and explore new ideas.
Students must be between the ages of 15 and 18 and have completed their sophomore year of high school by the time of the program.
"We want our students to be able to master not just one medium, but to have the freedom to move and explore throughout different disciplines; to experiment; to take risks; to find the right solution for each individual problem. Our interdisciplinary philosophy, accomplished by excellent, enthusiastic faculty, one of the largest collections of art in the world, and one of the most exciting cities in the country, make SAIC the whole package." —Rafael Vera, ECPSI instructor
Registration Opens November 1!
Summer 2027 On-Campus Session Dates
Session 1: June 14–25
Session 2: June 28–July 9
Session 3: July 12–23
Session 4: June 28–July 23
Session 5: July 26–30
Summer 2027 Online Session Dates
Session 1: July 12-23
Get More Info
RSVP for our upcoming info session.
About Early College Program Summer Institute at SAIC
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For each week students attend the Early College Program Summer Institute, they earn a college credit. These credits are accepted by most accredited institutions in the United States and abroad.
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All students are eligible to apply for merit scholarships. To apply for a merit award, select the $100 enrollment option and follow the prompts to upload your portfolio.
Need-based financial aid is offered for US residents. To apply for financial aid, select the $100 enrollment option and follow the prompts to upload your family’s 1040 tax forms.
Registration and merit scholarship applications are accepted and processed as space and funds allow. After the priority deadline, SAIC cannot guarantee funding will be available. -
Guided by our faculty of professional artists, students develop a body of work that will give them a competitive advantage in their applications for higher education programs in art and design.
Most courses include several smaller projects or assignments early on, which help you build skills and explore different ideas. By the end of the session, you’ll also complete a final project based on your interests and style. This is your chance to explore something personal and integrate everything you’ve learned. Expect to be busy and leave with two to three pieces for your portfolio. -
ECPSI classes are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. On Tuesday/Thursday evenings from 6:00–8:00 p.m., students participate in workshops designed to cultivate new skills and explore ideas. ECPSI is a credit-bearing, college-level program, and the work reflects that level of challenge. Most students spend around two hours each evening in the studios, working on assignments or continuing projects. While the experience is exciting and creative, it’s also academically demanding. This program is for students serious about deepening their skills and understanding in the visual arts.
All ECPSI courses are credit-bearing. Noncredit enrollment is not an option.
Courses that require specialized equipment, like computers, have a maximum enrollment of 12 to 14 students. Other courses are closer to 16. -
Can’t come to Chicago this summer? The Online Summer Institute brings SAIC’s pre-college art experience to wherever you are. Experience the flexibility and connection of our online classes, which meet live on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Central Time, with the freedom to learn asynchronously the rest of the week. Join a vibrant community in our virtual classroom for dynamic demonstrations, engaging lectures, hands-on studio sessions, and interactive critiques. Elevate your creative journey with exclusive workshops and portfolio reviews led by SAIC Admissions. With a blend of structured sessions and self-paced work, you’ll enjoy a learning experience designed to fit your life and inspire your art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers about residential life, financial aid, class sizes, supplies, and more by reviewing our frequently asked questions.
Chicago & On-Campus Living
Learn more about living in Chicago, travel to campus, meal plans, residence halls, and more.
Early College Program Summer Institute Exhibition
An exhibition of student work and reception open to all ECP Summer Institute students and families is held on the final class day of each session. You will receive an email invitation from saic-youth@saic.edu with the day and time following the start of the session.
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- Check-in will occur promptly at the start of the event.
- Guests are required to present a state/government issued ID. Any guests who are under 18 will not need a state/government issued ID.
- Exhibitions will take place in two SAIC campus buildings: Sharp Building (37 S. Wabash Ave.) and 280 Building (280 S. Columbus Drive). Look out for an email from saic-youth@saic.edu in the days before the exhibition to learn the location of your student’s exhibit.
- Guests will be provided a floor plan of the classes' locations when they check in for the event. We highly encourage all guests and students to visit both buildings to experience the work created by our ECPSI students in all SAIC departments.
