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Summer Institute students explore the methods and theories of the fields, experience the culture of design and planning studios, connect to faculty and practitioners, and build a portfolio for graduate school application.

Each program includes a lecture series, a design or planning studio, a seminar or media course, and site visits. After fulfilling the program requirements, participants receive a certificate of completion and an official UC Berkeley transcript. All classes are held in Wurster Hall, CED's home on the UC Berkeley campus.

Recent Summer [IN]STITUTE alumni have been accepted to graduate programs at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Rice, UC Berkeley, University of Michigan, UCLA, MIT, University of Washington, University of Illinois, Princeton, Cornell, and Yale, among others.

The Summer Institute was a life-changing experience. I would have never learned as much as I did without this course, met the people I met, and overall feel as inspired as I do. Not only do I have so many amazing things to add to my portfolio and my resume, but I've made friends and a great network.

“This program helped to reassure me that I can take my passion for social and environmental issues and have a successful and satisfying career in planning. It also gave me the confidence and experience needed to apply and get accepted into grad school.”