Eligible students will have just completed their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school by summer 2023. Students must be at least 15 by July 2023, and no older than 18.

Your application to the 2023 Pre-College Program must include the following:

• CCA Pre-College Application: Online form
• High School Transcript (Fall 2022 grades must be included. If you apply before Fall 2022 grades are posted, you may submit updated transcript by email once your grades are available.)
• Application fee: $55 (nonrefundable)

All applications submitted after May 15 must be paid in full at the time of acceptance. Please contact the Pre-College staff at YouthPrograms@cca.edu to inquire about studio availability.

The following applicants have additional requirements:

• International applicants: Review International Students section below.
• Scholarship applicants: Review Scholarships section below for more information.

All Pre-College applications are submitted online. The Pre-College Summer 2023 application is now closed.

Please apply using an email address that you check regularly, as all communication from the program, including studio placements, scholarship decisions, and registration confirmation, will be sent via email.

You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been received and processed.

Accepted students will have admissions notifications added to your application homepage starting February 15. Admissions emails including studio placement and next steps for enrollment will be sent starting on March 1.

1. Go to the CCA Pre-College Application Page (This is the same page you used to submit your application.)
2. Access your applicant profile by clicking the blue button at the top right corner to log in.
3. Use the email address you used to apply to log in to the CCA Pre-College Application. Use the "reset password" feature if you are having trouble logging in.
4. Under the heading "Your Applications," select your application for Summer 2023.

Transcripts can be uploaded as a PDF file onto your online application, or emailed directly from your high school to the CCA Pre-College office at YouthPrograms@cca.edu.

Grades from fall 2022 must be included on the transcript. If you apply before fall 2022 grades are posted, you may submit updated transcript once your fall 2022 grades are available.

All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original. Home-schooled applicants should submit detailed syllabi of courses (equivalent to grades 9–12) and details of curriculum you are pursuing through any public or private agency (including community college transcripts, if applicable).

Early application is recommended. Completed applications are processed and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. An application will not be reviewed until all materials—including transcripts, fees, and scholarship materials, if applicable—are received.

Please note that space in each studio is limited and we cannot guarantee placement in your first choice. In the event that your first choice is full, you will be waitlisted and placed in the next available studio selection. You will be notified immediately if space becomes available in a studio for which you are waitlisted. If your first choice studio is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will work with you to move into a studio of your choice.

Tuition scholarship assistance is available to those with documented financial need. We do our very best to distribute our scholarship money so that as many applicants as possible are able to attend CCA Pre-College. Need-based awards range from $500 to $3,500. Tuition scholarships do not included required meal plan and $500 deposit.

Award amounts are based on a student's academic achievement, demonstrated artistic promise, financial need, and scholarship essays. Need-based scholarships are for US citizens only.

Students who submit all required scholarship application materials for a need-based scholarship by March 8, 2023 are automatically considered for a merit scholarship.

CCA offers a limited number of highly competitive merit scholarships in amounts ranging from $500 - $2,000. Awards are based on a student's creative ability (as demonstrated by their portfolio), academic achievement (GPA), and scholarship essay. Tuition scholarships do not included required meal plan and $500 deposit.

In addition to scholarships awarded by the college, at least one annual full-tuition scholarship is awarded in memory of Marcella Cleese through a generous endowment created by her friends.

This scholarship does not included required meal plan.

All required materials for application to the program including 2023 Pre-College application and application fee payment must be submitted in order to be eligible to apply for scholarships. The following items must be received by March 8 in SlideRoom for scholarship consideration. When setting up your SlideRoom account, be sure to use the same email address that you used for your Pre-College 2023 Application.

For both need-based and merit applications:

• Applicants may submit their portfolio and materials for review online using SlideRoom.
  • A half-page essay describing your artistic interests and goals, and the reasons for your interest in attending CCA’s Pre-College Program.
  • A portfolio consisting of five to eight pieces of your artwork.
    • Please label each piece with your full name, media, dimensions, and year completed.
    • If you submit photographs, please indicate whether they were printed commercially or personally.
    • If you submit writing samples, they must be in PDF format.

Additional Items for need-based scholarship applications:

• A copy of your family’s 2021 US federal income-tax return. Your family should also document any child support received (or paid) and any other money received that is not reported on the tax return.
  • On an individual basis, where necessary, CCA may request further financial documentation. You will not be considered for scholarships if you do not include the 2021 US tax return.
• A written statement by a parent/guardian, high school counselor, or art teacher describing why you need financial assistance to attend the program.

See FAQ for answers to commonly asked scholarship questions.

These partner organizations offer opportunities for high school students. Application requirements and deadlines vary per scholarship.

Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship Program: Submission deadline is January 6.

Bay Area Creative Foundation: Submission deadline is January 12.

Creatives Want Change: Applications now open for summer 2023.

International students are invited to enroll in CCA online or in-person Pre-College courses.

We are pleased to sponsor international student visas for attending in-person courses.

Accepted and deposited international students enrolled in our in-person courses will receive an I-20 in order for them to apply for an F-1 student visa to enter the United States.

International students must have strong English language skills as the Pre-College program is conducted in English only.

All applicants with citizenship from a country where English is not the national language are required to upload one of the following English language proficiency test scores with their Pre-College application:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

CCA Pre-College requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 PBT or 80 iBT

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

CCA Pre-College requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

CCA Pre-College requires a minimum Pearson score of 58

• Duolingo (online English test)

CCA Pre-College requires a minimum Duolingo score of 110

Alternative to the English proficiency test requirement

Minimum three years' attendance at an English-speaking secondary school in the U.S. or at an international school with English as a medium of instruction. We will review your transcript to evaluate that you have received the equivalent of a "C" or higher in your regular English classes. We do not accept ESL/ELL/ELD classes.

If you believe you should be exempt from taking a proof of English language proficiency test, please email YouthPrograms@cca.edu.