When is the enrollment deadline? What are the admissions fees?
Students are encouraged to submit their portfolios and applications by May 31st to ensure a spot for the coming school year, which starts in September. Archeworks has a rolling admissions policy meaning that applications are accepted until all spots in the program are filled. A non-refundable $30 application fee paid by check or money order must be submitted with applications. Upon acceptance, a $300 deposit (towards tuition fees) payable by check, money order or credit card is required by September 1st to begin the program.

How much is tuition? Do you have financial aid or a payment plan?
Tuition is $6,200 for the year. Archeworks offers financial aid scholarships as a work-study program for those students who qualify. Individuals interested in financial aid are required to fill out a CSS/PROFILE assessment form the with The College Board at www.collegeboard.com (there is a fee for this service.) We also offer a 9-month payment plan for all students.

I am an international student. Can I get a school visa through Archeworks?
Student visa opportunities are limited so please contact the Archeworks Executive Director at 312-867-7254 for information.

I don't live in Chicago, and I don't know anyone there. Are you able to help students find jobs (especially design-related jobs)?
Many of our students come to Chicago to join the Archeworks program. We do not have a list of jobs, however are able to pass along resumes to our friends at design firms and once you are here, give you names of firms to visit. We also have a list of alumni who have contacts as well. We can't guarantee anything, but most of our students have found jobs.

What kind of degree or certification do I receive once I’ve completed the program? Can I transfer Archeworks credits to another institution?
After one full enrollment year is completed students receive a Post Professional certificate in Alternative Design. Many students have been given credit towards an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited institution for their work at Archeworks. Students interested in using their Archeworks experience towards a degree at an accredited institution should consult that school’s administration or Dean’s office to find out if they qualify.

Can I begin the program in the second semester? Can I attend only one semester?
Archeworks is set up as a one year part-time evening program. Students admitted to Archeworks must complete both Fall and Spring semesters in the same school year to receive a certificate. New students are not admitted in the second semester as students are required to start the program at the beginning of the school year.

What's a typical week like?
A typical week is as follows:

Monday - Project work - teams meet with Facilitators 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday - Lecture (occasionally open to the public) 6-8 p.m.
Thursday – Project work - teams meet with Facilitators 6-9 p.m.

Is there any formal design instruction given?
There are no formal design classes in the program. However, all of our facilitators are accomplished architects and designers. They work with students in a ratio of no more than 5 to 1, so students will learn from their expertise. Other than this, weekly lectures from visiting experts, and learning from other students while working on your project, there is no formal instruction, just hands-on training.

Can I have a job while enrolled in the program? How much time will I be expected to spend at Archeworks in addition to class sessions?
Most of the work at Archeworks is done during studio time. Typically, it's only in preparation for critiques (held 4 times a year) that students are at Archeworks outside of class time. This varies by project.

What do people do after they finish this program?
Our goal at Archeworks is to provide an experience that sparks an "epiphany" in our students' thinking about their careers.

For those students working in professions other than architecture or design, Archeworks has exposed them to new ways of integrating socially conscious design within their current profession. Many alumni in this situation have used their Archeworks experience to be advocates for good design and have transferred the skills learned at Archeworks such as problem solving, team decision making, working with end-users and developing solutions to social concerns to their current professions. Other students have decided to change their career path and after Archeworks begin working in architecture or design firms, while other alumni have decided to gain an advanced degree in architecture from schools such as SCIARC, Yale, Harvard, Cornell, RISD and UIC.

For students coming to Archeworks from the architecture and design community, Archeworks provides a year of creativity and collaboration with other professionals to create products that directly address social concerns. Archeworks is used to advance careers and respond first hand to real-life situations.

The Archeworks experience exposes you to a huge network of people in Chicago addressing socially conscious design. Since Archeworks is a small program, we like to think of our students, alumni, and faculty as a family. We keep in touch with everyone and help people develop their careers.