With the historic city of Philadelphia at your doorstep for two exciting weeks, you'll experience college life by living on campus in Drexel University's dorms, and work in the design studios. Our program will introduce you to the all encompassing profession of interior design and experience what it's like to study interior design in college.

The core of this program emulates the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism’s curriculum in interior design and architecture, employing:

• The process of design thinking
• The iteration of ideas
• Individual critiques with faculty
• History/theory context
• Sustainability and systems thinking
• Drawing and sketching development
• Presentation preparation
• Portfolio guidelines
• Student presentations to professional jurors as they defend their design decisions

Our 2025 application is now live! Please see instructions below on application requirements and how to submit.

About the program

Drexel University Discovering Interior Design summer program has been running continuously since 2000. You'll experience what it's like to study interior design in college. You'll attend classes taught by Drexel Interior Design faculty members in studios, just like Drexel interior design students. You'll attend lectures by distinguished speakers and try your hand at interior design while working closely with an instructor. Our program will introduce you to this fascinating profession while helping to build your portfolio.

Explore

• Travel about the city of Philadelphia discovering magnificent spaces, furniture, furnishings and the rhythms of the city
• Experience the rich and diverse museums taking time to observe and sketch
• Meet and make new friends from around the region, around the country and even around the world who share the same interests in the arts
• See first-hand the types of projects interior designers work on, how they go about it, and the environment of a professional multi-disciplinary design office

Discover

• Enjoy a strong foundation of sketching and drawing principles along with computer design

• Meet distinguished speakers and guest lecturers

• Experience classes taught by Drexel Interior Design faculty members in studios and labs used by Drexel students

• Meet professional interior designers while presenting your final project to them at a jury (a discussion of your finished project)

Create

• Create the beginning of your own personal design portfolio that can play an important role in applying to college

• Try your hand at designing the built interior environment in Drexel's design studios

• Utilize three dimensional computer programs that bring your designs to life

Program format

Studio

Design studio is at the heart of the program. Most afternoons will be spent in studio, developing design projects through drawings, sketches, models, and furnishings. We will do team building with cross-disciplinary collaboration to better promote cross-disciplinary perspectives and design ideation.

It is expected that students will spend some evenings at work in the studio as well. We will take advantage of being in Philadelphia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, by focusing on a topic currently relevant to the city.  The session will culminate in a presentation by students to faculty and invited professionals. Parents will have an opportunity to review the gallery show at the program’s closing reception.  

Computer

Students will be introduced to computer design, tutorials in 2D/3D software, including Sketch-Up Pro and Podium, a three dimensional modeling tool to help visualize and experience space in three dimensions. Using this latest technology, students will model three-dimensional forms on the computer and see its role in design.

Students will need to bring their own laptops to this program, we cannot provide rentals (Please see minimum requirements below).

Lectures

Lecturers from Drexel's Westphal College faculty and visiting professionals will speak about interior design and related topics. There will also be informal lectures related to studio work.

Field Trips and Cultural Events

We will visit an off-campus destination almost every day. Students will sketch important city buildings and sites, visit museums, architect's offices, and explore the urban environment. We will also tour a construction site and hear from contractors who bring professionals’ designs to life. All of these field trips are done via walking, with estimated distances between 1-2 miles each way. An all-day field trip outside of Philadelphia, via bus, is planned for the weekend, and may involve going to the New Jersey shoreline, which requires walking on sand. Philadelphia in the summer is alive with music and art. We have scheduled supervised trips to concerts, performances, and/or exhibits.

Special Activities

It is July after all! There will be opportunities to play volleyball in the evenings and enjoy other social events as a group and with students in other programs occurring during the same time, including architecture.

Computer requirements

Additional requirements

• 3-button, scroll-wheel mouse

General information

Faculty

Students will be taught by Drexel University Westphal College faculty members. In the design studio a faculty member and teaching assistants will work closely with each student.

Housing & Facilities:

Residential Option: Students enrolled in the residential program will reside together in a Drexel residence hall (Separate facilities for males and females). We are located in University City, adjacent to Center City Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, and many cultural and historic sites. Around-the-clock staff supervision will be provided.

Non-Residential Option: Students enrolled in the non-residential program will be required to arrive to studio at 9:00a.m. daily. There is an option to either be picked up by a parent at 5:30 p.m. each day or remain for evening studio/activities and be picked up by 10:00pm. Additionally, students are welcome to attend weekend activities at no additional cost. Weekend pick-up and drop-off times will vary.

About Interior Design at Drexel

The Interior Design program at Westphal College in Drexel University is ranked nationally in the Top 10 interior design programs by Design Intelligence's report. We offer an excellent and innovative program for students who wish to explore a career in Interior Design. The four year Bachelor of Science program includes a six month co-op experience, when students work in a firm as an interior design professional. This valuable work experience allows students to enter the work force early and gain a working knowledge of the interior design industry as well as gain a head start on their professional careers. The interior design program is accredited by CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) and NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art & Design).

Tuition Registration

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors that are at least 16 years old by July 2025 are welcome to apply. Enthusiasm and seriousness about work are the only prerequisites. (15 years old is possible with a strong teacher recommendation letter).  Admission and acceptance are rolling, but this program fills very quickly!  To better your chances of not being put on our waitlist, we suggest you submit your complete application (with deposit) before March 30th, 2025.

Tuition:

Residential Program Tuition: The tuition of $3,475.00* covers all program related expenses including:

• Supervised accommodations in residence halls
• Three meals a day
• Classes, seminars, and lectures/guest speakers
• Supplies and materials
• Academic field Trips
• Use of resources and library
• Recreational field trips and social events
• Cultural events and planned leisure activities
• The opportunity to interact with professional interior designers and interior design faculty
• The opportunity to meet other high school students from across the globe who are also interested in Interior Design

*$3,475 is the early bird rate. After March 30th, 2025, the price will increase to $3,675. Final payments are due no later than May 1st, 2025. If you are not paid in full by this date, your seat will be given to the next person on the waitlist and your deposit will be forfeited.

Non-Residential Program Tuition: The tuition of $2,770.00* includes the following program related expenses:

• Lunch
• Dinner if remaining for evening activities
• If participating in weekend activities: Saturday; Breakfast Lunch + Dinner; Sunday; Snack + Dinner
• Classes, seminars, and lectures/guest speakers
• Supplies and materials
• Academic field Trips
• Use of resources and library
• Recreational field trips and social events
• Cultural events and planned leisure activities
• The opportunity to interact with professional interior designers and interior design faculty
• The opportunity to meet other high school students from across the globe who are also interested in Interior Design

*$2,770 is the early bird rate. After March 30th, 2025, the price will increase to $2,970. Final payments are due no later than May 1st, 2025. If you are not paid in full by this date, your seat will be given to the next person on the waitlist and your deposit will be forfeited.

Application, Registration, Payment

OUR APPLICATION FOR THE 2025 SUMMER PROGRAM IS NOW LIVE! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE APPLICATION.

You will need to have the following documents for upload in your application:

• A 300-word personal statement of interest 
• A copy of your recent high school transcript
• A screenshot or PDF of your deposit confirmation. Pay your deposit here. Your deposit will be returned if you are not accepted into the program. Upon acceptance, your deposit is non-refundable.
• The balance of $3,075 (Residential Program - Early Bird Rate) or $2,370 (Non-Residential Program - Early Bird Rate) must be paid by May 1, 2025. A final balance payment form will be provided. No refunds will be made once the program begins.

If you have any questions, email archintr@drexel.edu.

FAQs

Q: I paid my deposit and I was accepted to the program. I am good to go now, right? 
A: No. If your payment in full and registration paperwork is not received by the deadline then your spot is forfeited and someone from the waitlist will be offered the spot. 

Q: Is there someone to manage medication distribution?
A: No. If a student takes regular medications of any kind it will be their responsibility to manage their own medications. 

Q: What can I expect on my first day?
A: If you are a residential student, you and your family/guardian will arrive at the dorm (specific location TBD) between 2-4pm. You will have time to unpack and get settled. Following check in there will be a tour of the area starting at 4PM, opening night catered reception for you and your family, and a presentation by campus security for all students. 

Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes, there is. During class time it is expected that students will dress in clothing with no profane language or images, no short shorts that expose buttocks, no mid-drif tops that expose bare skin, and no see-through clothing. For visits to professional offices students will need to dress in business casual attire. There will be a construction site visit and students will need hard toe shoes to attend. 

Q: My student is flying into Philadelphia. Is there transportation between the airport and campus?
A: No. There is no transportation offered by the university. Taxis and ubers are readily available at the airport and there is also the option to take the train that goes into the 30th street station. 

Q: Can my student leave during the program? 
A: Please contact the department in advance if you plan to take your child out of the program (whether it be for dinner or otherwise). 

Q: If my student is residential does the room come with linens?
A: Bed linens can be purchased at the time the final deposit is due. They are yours to keep after the program. 

Q: Is there a gym that can be used by my student? 
A: Yes, short term memberships can be purchased at the Drexel Rec Center. Please reach out to Tyisha Butler (e: tnb36@drexel.edu; t: 215-895-1481) at the Drexel Rec Center in advance of your child’s arrival, and be advised that they will still need 2 additional students to go to the Rec Center with them (as the program observes the rule of groups of 3).

Q: Will my student ever be alone? 
A: No. There is a strict policy that students must always stay in groups of three. Whether on a field trip in the city, or if someone is on cross country and wants to run around in the city. There must always be three students minimum. 

Q: How do you assign roommates? Will I know who they are ahead of time?
A: Roommates are assigned at random to same gender students and you will not be notified ahead of time. You do have the option for a single room for an additional charge.  You will receive a survey via email to opt into gender inclusive housing. More information can be found here. 

Q: Do the dorms have laundry facilities? 
A: Yes. There are laundry facilities available on sire for your student to use for free during their stay. They will need to provide their own detergent.

Q: I have been put on the waiting list, when will I hear if a slot has been opened?
A: Those who are currently accepted who have not paid in full and submitted all forms by the May 1st due date will be moved to the waitlist and those currently on the waitlist will have the opportunity to join the program. Applicants are moved off the waitlist in the order their application was received.

Discovering Interior Design Summer Program Testimonials

The Discovering Interior Design was an inspiring two weeks. My daughter gained practical tools, which will help her tremendously as she enters the world of interiors in a college setting.

I couldn’t believe the detail of the final project my daughter completed! It was clear this program was well thought out from beginning to end - from concept to finished project. Thank you Ada, and Drexel!

I came into the Discovering Interior Design knowing nothing and leaving with knowledge and experience I wouldn’t have imagined that I would have had before. The program is very dense and full of learning curves, but will give me the upper hand in college. I can see myself doing this same thing at Drexel for another four years! Thank you Ada!

Discovering Interior Design was a fabulous experience. It clearly defines for the students the work experience of a designer. The instructors were engaging and highly experienced. An overall excellent program; I would highly recommend.

Very impressive program and outcome. We selected this in lieu of another one because of the very realistic activities and opportunities students were given. Faculty and RA’s were excellent. Thank you!

General Questions? e-mail archintr@drexel.edu

Questions about Curriculum? Call 215-895-6931 or e-mail Ada Tremonte at amt42@drexel.edu