Are you a high school junior or senior interested in learning more about careers in architecture, construction, or engineering? ACE may be for you! The ACE Mentor Program of Oregon is a free after-school program that runs from January to May. Seniors interested in these career paths are eligible to apply for ACE scholarships to a four-year university, community college or apprenticeship training program. Download our 2026-27 ACE Student Flyer here.
2026-27 applications ARE OPEN!
ACE is open to high school juniors and seniors. Sophomores are accepted if there is space in the program. Participating students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average or teacher/counselor recommendation, have successfully completed 2 years of high school level math, have a good school attendance record and be drug/alcohol free.
Our program is from January - May of every year. Students and mentors will be assigned to a Tuesday or Thursday team:
Tuesday and Thursday teams will meet from 4:30-6:30 pm (in-person)
Locations vary depending on team. Most sessions are held in person at employer firms downtown.
To apply in the Fall of 2026, a two-part application will be updated below. Both parts must be complete to be considered for the program by November 4, 2026:
Part 1 (Oregon Affiliate):Complete and submit the Oregon Local Application below (approximately 10 minutes).
*Note: Part 2 includes the required parent/guardian consent form. If you are a new student to ACE, scroll down and create a student account. If you are a returning student, log in to your account (contact [email protected] if you need assistance logging in).
Notification Process Students will be notified about their application status by late November. See the Program Calendar for more information.
Who works with the students and how are they vetted?
ACE’s volunteer mentors are practicing professionals with a special interest in helping young people and supporting the future of their profession. They provide individual mentoring in a team setting. All mentors are required to undergo background checks and mentor training.
Where and when do students meet?
Students in ACE meet once a week on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 pm for two weeks on then one week off for a week off. Sessions are held at local firms located in or near downtown Portland. Some may take field trips to job sites. For more information please visit the Program Calendar.
Does ACE include food?
Yes, a typical session will include a light meal, such as pizza or sandwiches, provided by the team's hosting firm.
Does ACE provide transportation?
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation. TriMet Hp passes are available to students facing transportation barriers. Students can start the process of requesting passes during the application process.
Are there any scholarship opportunities?
Yes! Since 2006, the Oregon Affiliate has awarded more than $1 million in local scholarships to ACE students.
Available scholarships to ACE Oregon Students:
ACE Junior Summer Camp Scholarship
ACE Senior Scholarship
ACE Alumni SEA Scholarship(By Invitation)
CMiC Scholarship (National)
Can students join ace with their friends?
Yes, students can request (up to 2) to be paired with their friends during their application. Students should confirm which day they're available with each other beforehand. Pairings are not guaranteed.
Is there extra homework?
No, work associated with ACE takes place during the two-hour sessions. Some teams may choose to do additional work in preparation for their final presentation.
What is the attendance policy for participating students?
Regular attendance is essential to the success of each ACE team. ACE has the following attendance policy: • Students are expected to be on time and attend all meetings. • In the event of illness or unavoidable conflict, two “excused” absences are allowed. Students must notify ACE staff and their Mentor Captains in advance. • Additional absences may result in dismissal from the program. • A “no-show” is an unexcused absence and may result in dismissal from the program. • If experiencing barriers to attending sessions regularly, it is the student's responsibility to communicate with their Co-Captains and ACE staff.
How are students and mentors selected for each team?
Each team has 12–15 students and is guided by 8–10 professional mentors. Team assignments are decided based on the overall balance of all twelve teams. Students are assigned teams so there is a balance of interests in each of the A/E/C industries. Students may include a request to be paired with a friend or mentor that has selected the same meeting day. Pairing requests are not guaranteed.
How do students balance ACE with other commitments (i.e. sports, clubs, jobs, etc.)?
ACE Oregon offers two different meeting days for students to choose from. Students are responsible for picking and confirming the day that works best for them and their prior commitments. If there is a scheduling conflict during the program, students are expected to communicate with ACE staff and mentor co-captains.
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