Summer Exploration 2026

Welcome to UM Summer Exploration Program Application!
Summer Exploration invites rising high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates to unlock new possibilities during a transformative two-week residential experience at the University of Montana.

Students can choose between a residential option, living on campus and enjoying full immersion, or a commuter option, attending classes, lunch, and activities on weekdays, while returning home each evening.

Before you begin, please scroll through the full application to ensure you have all the required information ready. You will need:

Your parent/guardian’s consent (you must have their approval to apply)
Your high school counselor's contact information
Your high school transcript
Your personal statement (Tip: We recommend writing your statement in a separate Word document first, then copying and pasting it into application form.)

Although the application is short, navigating away from the page may result in lost progress. To avoid this, please plan to complete the application in one sitting.

You will NOT be able to edit your application once it has been submitted.

The University of Montana does not discriminate in admissions, or the provision of services, or employment policies on the basis of race, gender, national origin or ancestry, material status, creed, religion, color, political ideas, sexual preference, age, or physical or mental disability.

*NOTE* This application is for students who are entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year in the fall of 2026, as well as seniors graduating in the spring of 2026.

Round: SP

Always Create Rounds: Yes

Submitted: Yes

Generate Pin: Yes

Term: Extended Summer 2026

Major: Nondegree (Univ of Montana)

Mode: On-Campus

Applicant Type: Dual Enrolled

Residency: Out-of-State

Housing Preference

Please indicate how you plan to participate in the program:

Student Information

First Name

Last Name

Preferred First Name

Birthdate

Legal Sex

Citizenship

Student Contact Information

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

High School Information

High School Name

Grade Entering in Fall 2026 | Graduating Senior

High School Counselor's Name (First and Last)

High School Counselor's Email

Please upload a current high school transcript

Parent/Guardian Information

Please note that email is our primary form of communication throughout the admissions process. Parents/guardians will be copied on all correspondence related to your application.

If your parent's or guardian's email address changes after you submit your application, please notify us as soon as possible to ensure continued communication.

Parent/Guardian First Name

Parent/Guardian Last Name

Parent/Guardian Relationship to Student

Please explain:

Parent/Guardian Preferred Email

Parent/Guardian Preferred Phone Number

Course Information

Admitted students will be enrolled in one of the two available courses listed below. Please rank your preferences by selecting your first and second choice.

Please note: Your course selections do not guarantee your acceptance into the program or placement in your top choice course. Final placements will be determined based on availability and program fit.

CSI Missoula (University of Montana instructor), 2 credits

Traditional Eastern European Arts (University of Montana instructor), 2 credits

Personal Statement (500 Words or Less)

In your own words, please explain why you want to attend the Summer Exploration program. Please be specific about:

Relevant experiences you have had
What you are interested in learning
Why this program would be a meaningful opportunity for you.

Tip: We recommend writing your statement in a separate Word document first, then copying and pasting it into the field below to avoid losing your work.

Safety & Security

Have you been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to any crime, including in any military proceeding, regardless of location?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violation of federal, state, or local weapons laws

Other

Please explain:

Information on pending criminal charges can help us connect students with resources to support their safety and success. Do you have any pending criminal charges against you (felony or misdemeanor, including military proceedings), regardless of location?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violation of federal, state, or local weapons laws

Other

Please explain:

Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, or placed on probation (including pending charges) from any academic institution, collegiate or high school?

Yes

Select all that apply:

Arson (or attempted arson)

Assault (or attempted assault) with a deadly weapon or an assault that caused serious bodily injury

Distribution (or attempted distribution) of drugs

Hate crimes

Murder or manslaughter (or attempted murder or manslaughter)

Robbery or burglary (or attempted robbery or burglary)

Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking (or attempted sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, or stalking)

Two or more instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Violating institutional weapons laws or policies

Other

Please explain:

Have you ever been required to register as a sexual or violent offender?

Yes

Please explain:

Additional Information

How did you learn about the program? Please check all that apply.

Counselor

Friend

Parent/Guardian/Family

Search Engine

Social Media

Summer Exploration Flyer

UM Alumni

UM Summer Website

Other

Please indicate here:

If you were referred to the program, please share that person's name, relationship to you, and contact information.

Race

American Indian or Alaska Native

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - Fort Belknap Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - Fort Peck Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Assiniboine - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Blackfeet - Blackfeet Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Blackfeet - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Little Shell Band

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Rocky Boy Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Chippewa - Turtle Mountain Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Cree - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Cree - Rocky Boy Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Crow - Crow Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Crow - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Gros Ventre - Fort Belknap Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Gros Ventre - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Kootenai - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Kootenai - Salish/Kootenai Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Northern Cheyenne - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Northern Cheyenne - Northern Cheyenne Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Salish - no reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Salish - Salish/Kootenai Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Sioux - Fort Peck Reservation

American Indian or Alaska Native - Sioux - no reservation

Asian

Black or African American

Decline

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific

White

Other - Unknown

Hispanic or Latino?

Yes

Is the student a child of a Veteran or Service Member?

Certification

By entering my name below, I certify that the information provided in this application is complete and accurate. I also confirm that I have completed this application with the full knowledge and consent of my parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

Student's Name

Today's Date

Parent/Guardian's Name

Today's Date