Rice Architecture
Summer Immersion

About Rice Architecture Summer Immersion Program

The Rice Architecture Summer Immersion program, offered in collaboration with the Rice Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM), is designed for Houston-based current (2025-2026 school year) 10th- and 11th-grade students interested in applying to architecture school. This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the principles of architecture and design. Students test design concepts through several media and exercises in two and three dimensions.

The goal is to explore architectural space at a range of scales and to produce creative works that participants can integrate into a design portfolio, a necessary component in the college application process for architecture programs. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with Rice University faculty and current students, as well as practicing architects, to learn more about the field of architecture.

Summer 2026 Rice Architecture Summer Immersion Program*

The Rice Architecture Summer Immersion is a tuition-free twelve-day/eleven-night residential program for current (2025-2026 school year) 10th- and 11th-grade students who are sixteen or older from targeted schools in the Greater Houston area. Participants will stay in a dorm room on the Rice University campus and have a roommate (roommates will be randomly assigned and grouped by gender). All campers will be in the same dorm building but remain in separate wings according to gender. Program staff members will be available at all hours in case of emergencies. Please verify the program dates and expectations for each session below.

Session

Dates June 7-18, 2026
Sunday–Thursday (12 days / 11 nights)

This opportunity is limited to current (2025-2026) 10th and 11th grade high-school students residing in the Greater Houston area. Participants are expected to stay on campus for the entire duration of the program (including the weekend) and to engage actively throughout the session. Participants will stay in a dorm room and have a roommate. All campers will be in the same dorm building but remain in separate wings according to gender. Program staff members will be available at all hours in case of emergencies. This opportunity is tuition-free and includes room and board.

Acceptance is based on the strength and thoughtfulness of each applicant’s responses, as well as overall program capacity, as space is limited. Final selections are made by the Rice School of Architecture. Please note that prior participation in Rice University programs or any Rice affiliation does not guarantee or increase the likelihood of acceptance. As this is a tuition-free program, it is designed to expand access and opportunity; therefore, preference is given to students attending Title I schools.

Program Benefits

Rice Architecture Summer Immersion includes:

• Learning the principles of architecture and design through hands-on projects;

• Experimenting with model making, freehand drawing, and other forms of creative production in both group and individual settings;

• Building a network of peers;

• Interacting with Rice faculty and students, as well as practicing architects;

• Receiving instruction and feedback on applying to architecture school and portfolio composition from Rice faculty and currently enrolled students;

• All necessary supplies, cost of living, meals, and a T-shirt are provided free of charge for each student participant.

Application

Space is very limited. Completing the application process does NOT guarantee placement in the program. Applicants must be current (2025-2026) 10th- and 11th-grade high school students. Applicants must complete all applicable forms and fields within the application. Preference will be given to students from Title I high-schools.

This program requires applicants to adhere to and agree to the Rice University Code of Conduct in order to participate in the program. In the event an accepted participant cannot adhere to this agreement they will be withdrawn from the remainder of the program.

This is a residential program where participants will be required to stay in Rice University student housing for the duration of the program. Selected participants will be assigned roommates following the selection process. We will not accept roommate assignment requests.

Apply now

Applications close: April 5, 2026 at 11:59PM CST
Application notifications will be sent no later than May 15, 2026.

Acceptance is based on the strength and thoughtfulness of each applicant’s responses, as well as overall program capacity, as space is limited. Final selections are made by the Rice School of Architecture. Please note that prior participation in Rice University programs or any Rice affiliation does not guarantee or increase the likelihood of acceptance. As this is a tuition-free program, it is designed to expand access and opportunity; therefore, preference is given to students attending Title I schools.

Program Flyer

To view and download the Architecture Summer Immersion program flyer click here.

Rice Architecture Summer Immersion Administration

Founded by Associate Professor Reto Geiser, the Rice Architecture Summer Immersion program is a tuition-free, two-week residential program for current (2025-2026 school year) 10th- and 11th-grade students who are also sixteen years of age or older, and attending high school in the Greater Houston area. During this hands-on workshop, students will be introduced to principles of architecture and design and experience college life by staying in a residential dorm at Rice for the duration of the camp. This opportunity is tuition-free, including room and board, thanks to generous donors and supporters.

If you have any questions about the Rice Architecture Summer Immersion program, please contact:

Reto Geiser
Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs
Rice University School of Architecture
archimmersion@rice.edu

^{*Program times, dates, and locations, subject to change before the first day of the program.}