Ringling’s art and design summer program for teens.
Ringling College’s PreCollege summer art program is a transformational experience for emerging artists and designers currently in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in high school.
During the four-week intensive, students follow a robust curriculum of core classes for fundamental skill building, as well as two selected immersions for a deeper investigation of areas reflective of the College’s degree programs. Students receive hands-on instruction from world-class faculty as well as studio time, so they can develop as an artist and strengthen their portfolio for college admissions and scholarships. A co-curricular series of mini-workshops further broadens their introduction to a variety of creative practices and techniques. In addition, Student and Residence Life teams provide wellness, recreational, and community service activities throughout the program.
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2026 Program Information
PreCollege 2026 will be held on campus from June 21–July 18.
Applications are now open!
Apply NowWatch Course VideosRequest a Catalog
2026 Immersions
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2D Motion Graphics
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Computer Animation: 3D Animation
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Creative Coding for Artists and Designers
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Creative Writing: Stories and Scripts
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Film: Production
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Game Design
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Traditional Animation
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Virtual Reality Development
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And more!
Experience Ringling PreCollege
Ringling’s art and design summer program for teens.
- Breakfast
- 7:30–8:30 am
- Core Classes
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Monday–Thursday, 9–11:30 am
Week 1: 2D Design | Week 2: 3D Design | Week 3: 4D Design | Week 4: Drawing
- Lunch
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11:30 am–2 pm
Library Fitness Recreation Majors & Portfolio Presentations
- Immersions
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Monday–Thursday, 2–5 pm
Weeks 1 & 2: Immersion | Weeks 3 & 4: Immersion
- Dinner
- 5–7 pm
- Open Studio
- Monday–Thursday, 7–8 pm required optional until 10 pm
- Friday Explorations
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9–11:30 am and 2–5 pm
Explorations are mini-workshops providing students with a myriad of different experiences to inspire their artistic journey. Students are required to choose and attend morning and afternoon sessions each week.
Application Information
Application Requirements
Applicants must be between 16 and 18 years of age as of October 15 of the program year and currently enrolled in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in high school.
A complete PreCollege application includes:
- Review of the immersion descriptions and videos prior to ranking
- A completed PreCollege application form
- A $55 application fee (non-refundable)
Timeline
Application opens on November 1 of the year preceding the summer program. Early application is advised to help us reserve your higher-ranked immersion selections. Immersions are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Immersion enrollment is secured upon receipt of the Program Deposit due upon acceptance. Application closes May 1 or when the program is full, whichever comes first.
Program Fees
Residential Program Total: $7,480
Commuter Program Total: $5,345
Tuition Fees Breakdown
Tuition Total: $4,650
Application Fee: $55 due at application
Tuition Deposit: $500 due upon acceptance
Tuition Remainder: $4,095 due May 10
Residential Fees Breakdown:
- Room (June 21 to July 18): $1,215
- Board (81 meals): $1,315
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $300
Residential Fee Total: $2,830 due May 10
Commuter Fees Breakdown:
- Must live within 35 miles of campus
- Board (37 meals): $545
- Refundable Damage Deposit: $150
Residential Fee Total: $695 due May 10
Additional Fees:
- Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
- 4-week coverage: $200
- All students must provide current proof of health insurance to attend PreCollege. International students and those requiring or electing to enroll in SHIP will be billed $200, due May 10, 2026.
Need-based Financial Grant
APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE MARCH 18, 2026, no exceptions.
Complete applications will be reviewed in March based on the student statement and financial disclosure. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Funding is limited to tuition only. Room, board, and SHIP (Student Health Insurance Policy) are not covered by need-based financial grant funding.
We strongly recommend that the student and those advocating for the student reach out to their local network to request assistance. Your family, employers, local arts organizations, and other groups you may be affiliated with that may support your education. In addition, Google your county name followed by the phrase “Community Foundations”. Such as Sarasota Community Foundations for Sarasota County. This will pull a list of organizations that often have philanthropic funds available through application. You will need to research at each site and request their assistance.
Applying for Need-Based Grant funding is optional via your Portal once you have submitted your application and created an account.
Please direct questions to precollege@ringling.edu.
Application Process
STEP 1: Complete the PreCollege Application
.Be sure to review the Immersion Course descriptions & Videos to fully understand your selections before ranking your Immersion course selections on your application.
STEP 2: Create Account
You will receive an email shortly after completing your application prompting you to create an account.
STEP 3: Sign and Final Submission of Application
Once you have completed the final submission of your application, the PreCollege Team will review your application.
UPON ACCEPTANCE
Notification of acceptance will be emailed to you and Immersions reserved. For Applications submitted after May 1st, The full balance is due upon acceptance. Save precollege@ringling.edu, scs@ringling.edu and admissions@ringling.edu in your email contacts to prevent communications from going to spam.
PAYMENT
To submit a payment, please visit rcad.augusoft.net and use the login provided in your acceptance email. Click on Go to my dashboard, then select My Transactions. From there, you will see your balance.
What Students are Saying
“PreCollege was more than just a trial run for my major—it gave me hands-on experience with industry software I wouldn’t have been able to access before graduating high school.”
Tia Kassim ’26
“It was the first time I felt like I was truly surrounded by people like me—artists who are passionate, creative, and driven.”
Leo Motherway ’27
“PreCollege gave me the opportunity to see if I could truly pursue art and knowledge about the computer animation industry that I could not have found in my Texas high school.”
Lucía Elizondo-Collado ’27
“I got to connect with students already enrolled at Ringling College, some of whom have even become industry connections!”
Kiki Leung ’26
“Taking classes that excited me and working on projects that I was passionate about relieved any doubts I previously had.”
Siona Kalambi ’26
FAQs
After reviewing the Handbook and FAQs, email precollege@ringling.edu for the fastest response.
Program Overview & Requirements
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What are the dates for the PreCollege 2025 Program?
June 21–July 18, 2026.
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How much does the PreCollege program cost?
Please review the total fees on our website at www.ringling.edu/precollege.
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What are the requirements for PreCollege acceptance?
Students must be 16–18 years of age and currently enrolled in grades 10–12 in high school.
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Can international students attend PreCollege?
Yes! Students from all over the world attend this program each year.
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Can I apply for need-based financial assistance for PreCollege?
Yes. Please refer to page 6 in the Handbook. Applications close March 1.
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Can I work or attend other programs during the 4-week program?
No. PreCollege is a challenging, robust academic program. Students may not overlap their schedules while attending.
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Are Open Studio hours required?
Students are required to attend one hour of Open Studio Monday through Thursday, with optional Open Studios on Saturday.
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Is figure drawing nude?
All morning Core Class figure models will be clothed. Please refer to page 12 in the Handbook.
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Do I need a portfolio to get into PreCollege?
No. The intention of the program is to provide skill development so students can create their best portfolio.
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Will this program help me build a portfolio for art college applications?
Many completed pieces may be portfolio-worthy for the college application process.
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Does a student earn college credits?
Yes. If PreCollege is completed successfully, the student will earn 3 elective credits.
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Can I pay using funds from a 529 account?
Many 529 accounts support PreCollege tuition. Please check with your individual 529 provider.
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What percentage of applications are accepted into the summer program?
Very few students are denied acceptance. It is important to follow enrollment instructions to secure space once acceptance is offered.
Living on Campus
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Is there a curfew on campus?
Yes. See page 25 in the Handbook.
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Can students leave campus to see the city?
No, students may not leave campus individually. Field trips are arranged through academics and student activities programming. See page 26 of the Handbook.
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Prescription refills?
See page 16 in the Handbook.
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Am I able to leave campus, or can I have a guest visit campus?
Due to the brief and intensive nature of PreCollege, leaving during the program or inviting guests to campus is disruptive and strongly discouraged, barring an extenuating circumstance. We work diligently to maintain a safe and healthy community for PreCollege. If an exception is granted, students may not leave campus—even with family members—without prior permission of the PreCollege Director. Residential students are prohibited from leaving campus without written permission of the PreCollege Director.
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Will I be able to eat on-campus meals?
Yes. Meals are cafeteria-style, and students may choose from a range of traditional and vegetarian options at each meal. Students will have access to a fridge and microwave in their residence. Students with special dietary restrictions must monitor their own meals; however, the College will ensure options are available. Please complete the Food Allergy section in the Parental Consent form if you have dietary restrictions. Students with dietary restrictions are required to attend a lunch meeting with staff from Cunniffe Commons during orientation.
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Do I need to bring a laptop or a tablet?
No. However, if you have a preferred laptop or tablet, you may bring it. Students will have regular access to computer labs for assignments, research, and communications.
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Do I need a mobile phone?
A U.S. mobile phone is required for access to announcements and the emergency broadcast system.
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Can I ship my items prior to arriving on campus for check-in?
Students may ship non-perishable items to themselves one week prior to the start of PreCollege. Packages will be available at the mailroom once you are checked in. Please refer to page 7 of the PreCollege Student Handbook for instructions.
PreCollege
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