Illustration (Commuter)

Columbia College Chicago's pre-collegiate Summer at Columbia program is an intensive three-week program offering college-level courses specifically tailored for high school students age 15 - 18 interested in exploring the arts, media, and communications fields. Our courses are uniquely designed by Columbia faculty to challenge you to explore your creative ideas and develop the technical skills to bring them to life, all while earning college credit that can be used towards your major should you attend Columbia College Chicago in the future. From the very first day of class, you'll get hands-on experience in the creative field of your choice and get a feel for what it's like to pursue your passion on a campus in the heart of downtown Chicago. Columbia College Chicago is an arts and media-focused college dedicated to rigorous academics, hands-on learning, collaboration, and career preparation. We encourage students to take creative risks, develop their authentic voices, and author the culture of their time. Columbia gives you the opportunity to practice and perfect your craft from day one while grounding you in a liberal arts curriculum. Our location in Chicago— one of the most vibrant, forward-thinking cities in the world— provides you with access to an array of cultural and professional experiences, and our award-winning faculty of working professionals prepare you for successful careers in your field. Columbia College Chicago has been a destination for high school summer learning for over 30 years. Thousands of high school students from across the country and around the world have studied on Columbia's campus. Our Summer at Columbia program immerses high school students in an urban college setting by providing access to accredited college courses during a three-week intensive that is open to commuters as well as students wishing to live on campus.