MPulse

A burst (or pulse) of meaningful instruction, relationship building, and growth. MPulse is a residential performing arts summer program designed for high school students who have interest in pursuing their area of study in a higher education setting. Welcoming students from around the globe, MPulse is a transformative experience for young artists that launches them into the college audition process with a newfound confidence, sharpened skills, and heightened passion for the arts.

MPulse participants study with our world-renowned faculty and guest teaching artists at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance in our state-of-the-art facilities. Programs range from one to four weeks in duration with room and board provided.

Center Stage Strings

June 15 – July 12, 2025

Clarinet Institute

July 13 – 26, 2025

Head sculptures outside the Moore building entrance

Composition Institute

June 15 – 21, 2025

Dance Institute

July 13 – 26, 2025

Flute Institute

June 29 – July 5, 2025

Harp Institute

July 20 – July 26, 2025

Jazz Institute

July 6 – 12, 2025

Musical Theatre Workshop

July 6 – 26, 2025

Organ player seated while playing, with silver organ pipes adorned with fancy gold trim rising high above them

Organ Institute

July 20 – 26, 2025

Percussion Institute

July 6 – 12, 2025

Saxophone Institute

June 29 – July 5, 2025

Theatre design & production

Theatre Design & Production Workshop

June 15 – June 28, 2025

Theatre & Drama Academy

June 15 – 28, 2025

A group all dressed in black shirts & jeans stands with a euphonium and a tuba on the group

Tuba & Euphonium Institute

July 6 – July 12, 2025

Vocal Arts Institute

July 20 – 26, 2025

FAQ

Application

Each institute has it’s own set of unique audition requirements. Please visit the individual institute page to view each programs audition guidelines.

How do I begin an application?

To start your application, please visit https://app.getacceptd.com/mpulse. Select the institute you would like to apply for and create an Acceptd account.

How will I know if my application is complete?

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation message in the email account you registered with Acceptd. A member of our staff will review all submitted applications and will reach out to you if you are missing anything.

I have submitted an application. When will I hear the results?

Applications will begin to be reviewed by Faculty after our Priority Deadline. You can expect to receive a decision notification within one month of your application submission date.

Financial Aid

How do I request an application fee waiver?

Please view this page to review the qualifications and the documentation you will need to provide. Qualified students/families will reach out to the Acceptd Support team to request a waiver code to waive the $75 application fee. Fill out this fee waiver form to request a code.

Are scholarships/financial aid available?

Yes! We offer both merit and need-informed scholarships to all MPulse institutes. Merit scholarships are decided solely by the faculty reviewer based on your application. If you would like to be considered for need-informed financial assistance, please make sure to complete the financial aid section in the application. A limited number of need-informed scholarships are available to families. We highly encourage students to apply by the Priority Deadline to ensure their financial aid request is reviewed in a timely manner.

What are the qualifications for need-informed scholarships?

Families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $125,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances, are qualified to apply for financial assistance. To be considered you must upload the required financial materials by the application deadline. This process is part of the application. This includes:

  • Monthly expenses
  • Previous year’s tax return
  • Statement of need

When will we know if we received need-informed financial assistance?

Once you have been accepted to an MPulse institute, your financial assistance materials will be reviewed. If you are awarded a need-informed scholarship, you will receive an email one to two weeks after your acceptance notification.

Are there other opportunities for scholarships?

Yes! We work with organizations within and outside of the University of Michigan to provide tuition assistance to MPulse students. If you plan to accept scholarships from outside sources, please have them contact us at [email protected].

What is the Watson A. Young Scholarship?

The Watson A. Young Scholarship promotes academic excellence and college aspiration among students with financial need. These need-based scholarships support middle and high school students’ participation in summer opportunities at U-M that seek to develop students’ interests and abilities in academic disciplines and expose students to the experiences and possibilities provided by higher education. This scholarship is only available to Michigan residents. Information about the Watson Scholarship can be found at ceo.umich.edu/youthhub.

Programming

Will there be a final performance and are parents/guardians allowed to attend?

Yes! Each institute has a final performance either on the final Friday night or Saturday morning of their program. This is decided at the discretion of the institute faculty director and can be found on the institute schedule. Guests are encouraged to attend!

I’m interested in attending the University of Michigan. Will there be opportunities to tour the campus or learn more about SMTD?

Yes! All MPulse students participate in both a Central Campus tour and an admissions session led by a member of the SMTD Admissions Office. 

Are social activities included and what do those look like?

Yes! Activities vary by institute. If there is not a performance or class scheduled during the evening session, MPulse students will participate in fun, engaging activities led by our MPulse counseling team. Examples of these activities include visiting downtown Ann Arbor, exploring the Ann Arbor Art Fair, visiting Fuller Pool, movie nights, and game nights. 

Resident Life

Are housing and meals provided?

Yes! The program cost includes tuition, room & meals for your entire stay.

Where will I live while on campus?

Minor MPulse participants (under 18 years old at the start of the program) reside in Bursley Hall on U-M North Campus. Adult participants that elect to stay on campus will reside in Baits Housing on U-M North Campus. University of Michigan Campus Map. 

Are students allowed off-campus?

Students are not permitted to go off-campus. Occasionally, there will be an activity where students travel off-campus as a group. Per U-M Children on Campus policies, minor students must be accompanied by a trained MPulse counselor. 

What happens if there’s inclement weather?

We follow U-M Children on Campus protocol and shelter in place when inclement weather is detected. MPulse counselors and staff are trained in these procedures.

What security measures are taken to ensure the safety of the students?

The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety & Security monitor all university buildings 24/7. All residence hall exterior and interior doors are locked and can only by accessed by authorized key card holders. All MPulse faculty and staff have gone through U-M Children on Campus training and passed a background check. MPulse counselors and the Assistant Camp Director live on the same floor as MPulse participants and perform nightly checks. They are available 24/7 in case of emergency. 

What should I do if I need to contact the MPulse Office in an emergency outside normal business hours? 

The MPulse Assistant Camp Director can be reached from 5PM-8AM via an emergency duty phone. 

 

Travel

I will be flying to MPulse. Where should I fly to?

All students flying in for MPulse should plan to arrive at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW). 

How will I get to and from campus and the airport?

For an additional cost, we provide a shuttle service to and from Bursley Hall and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Minors will be escorted from the airport to campus by an MPulse counselor who will meet them at arrivals.

What time should my flight be?

When possible, we highly encourage students to book a flight that arrives betwen 7-11AM EST. This will provide ample time for the shuttle to pick you up and get to campus before our Welcome Meeting.

For departures, we send one airport shuttle from Bursley Hall at 1PM. We recommend all domestic flights depart after 3PM and international flights depart after 4PM.

I have a conflict with the institute dates. Can I arrive/leave early or late? 

Early arrivals/late departures are something we review on a case-by-case basis. Generally, for an additional fee, we can accommodate this request, but is not something we can guarantee. Please email [email protected] if you anticipate this being a factor.