- Cornell University | Fine Art, ArchitecturePortfolio Information:
Undergraduate Admissions: Architecture
In addition to the general requirements for applying to Cornell University, admissions requirements for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) program reflect the focused, professional nature of the curriculum. Applicants need to present evidence of creative ability and commitment to the field of architecture, in addition to having strong academic credentials. The interview and portfolio requirements help the faculty assess strengths in these more subjective areas. Both the interview and portfolio requirements must be met for the application to be considered.
Required Interview
The Department of Architecture requires a portfolio interview for every applicant to the B.Arch. degree program. The purpose of the interview is to explore an applicant's interest in architecture and to understand how that interest developed. A formal portfolio need not be presented at the interview, but the interviewers do expect applicants to bring samples of their artwork.
Important: The interviews are evaluative and carry significant weight in the admissions selection process. Please request an interview only if you are certain that you will be applying to the architecture major. First-year interviews are scheduled in the fall. Transfer interviews are scheduled in the fall and spring.
Interviews can be completed by:
Scheduling an on-campus interview with a Cornell architecture faculty member
Scheduling an interview with an architecture alum near the applicants home
The online interview request form will be available on August 15, 2017. Applicants are not able to request an interview before then. All requests must be made using the online interview request form.
Interview Request Form
The deadlines to complete an architecture interview are:
November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)
First-year, regular decision applicants must request an interview no later than Monday, December 18, 2017.
Portfolio Requirements
A portfolio must be submitted for an application to be considered. Applicants to the B.Arch. program may submit their portfolio either online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom(preferred) or in hard copy. The content of the portfolio remains the same regardless of the format of submission. Samples of freehand drawing are required. In addition to drawings, please include a variety of work from media such as painting, sculpture, graphics, art photography, woodworking, ceramics, or any other visual media that demonstrate interest, experience, and aptitude in creative and graphic areas.
Please submit 15–20 items and present the material in a neat, well-organized manner.
Label each portfolio item with:
Information on the medium used
Whether the project was done independently or in a class
The original size of the work
A few sentences describing the ideas/concepts that inspired the piece, and/or specific process details about the piece
If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, then the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified.
If submitting in hard copy, the first page of the portfolio must contain the following: "This portfolio contains the design work of [applicant's name here]." This is not necessary for online submissions. A hard copy portfolio should not include the original works. Reproductions should be high-quality photographs (minimum 3" x 5") or photocopies in a flat binder no larger than 10" x 13" with the applicant's name clearly displayed on the outside of the binder. Please include a loose piece of paper within your portfolio with the following information:
Date of birth
Type of applicant (first-year or transfer)
List of other colleges/universities you are considering
Hard copy portfolios will be returned at the end of the selection process only if a stamped, self-addressed envelope or mailing packet is included.
Please submit the portfolio either online or in hard copy — do not submit both ways.
The deadlines for portfolio submissions are:
November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)
If submitting a hard copy portfolio, please mail it directly to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Cornell University
235 Sibley Dome
Ithaca, NY 14853-6701
Portfolios are added to the applicant's admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee.
Undergraduate Admissions: Art
In addition to the university's general requirements, B.F.A. applicants are required to submit a portfolio online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom. A portfolio interview is strongly recommended but not required. The Department of Art considers the strongest applicants to be those who would like to study both fine arts and liberal arts in a university setting.
Portfolio Guidelines
Applicants must submit their portfolios online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. The portfolio should consist of high-quality images of 18–20 pieces of work, including at least four examples of freehand observational drawing. The portfolio should contain examples of work from at least three of the department's studio practice areas: drawing, digital media, painting, photography, print media, and sculpture. Applicants should choose the media that best reflect their highest level of skill and conceptual development. While there is no requirement that any particular subject or style of work be included in the portfolio, the faculty admissions committee would like to see a selection of work that has made been made both independently and in school or workshop settings. Step-by-step instructions for portfolio submission are available online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. Acceptable file formats include image files (JPG, PNG, GIF) and video files (MOV, MWV, FLV, MP4). Portfolios will be added to all other admissions materials for review by the Department of Art admissions committee.
The deadlines for portfolio submissions are:
November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)
Do not send CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, videos, cassettes, slides, or notebooks of photos. Do not send original works of art by mail.
The Department of Art admissions committee will not begin to consider an application until all requirements, including a portfolio, have been submitted.
Interview
A portfolio interview is strongly recommended but not required to apply to the Department of Art. The portfolio interview offers the opportunity to personally present work and discuss it with either a faculty member in the art department or a graduate of the B.F.A. program. Interviews with faculty are offered on campus on select Mondays and Fridays during the fall semester. External transfer applicants interested in a fall semester start are able to schedule interviews in February. Learn more about visiting the campus here. Alumni interviews are coordinated between the applicant and the alum, at the convenience of both parties.
The online interview request form will be available on August 15, 2017. Applicants are not able to schedule interviews before then. All interview requests must be made using the online request form.
The deadlines for fine arts portfolio interviews are:
November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
October 1 (spring transfer applicants)
March 1 (fall transfer applicants)
Interview requests must be made well in advance of the deadline. The last date to request an in-person interview is Monday, December 18, 2017.
About the interview:
Applicants will be expected to share their portfolio-in-progress with an art faculty member or B.F.A. alum. The interview is also a time to discuss art and other interests. Possible topics of discussion may include your interest in pursuing art in college, your experience with and exposure to art, and your personal creative and intellectual interests.
- Cooper Union | Fine Art, ArchitecturePortfolio Information:
SCHOOL OF ART
Admissions Process
*Please click here to view the requirements for transfer students to the School of Art. Admission after three years of high school will be considered for exceptional students. For more information click here.
EARLY DECISION: If The Cooper Union is your first choice, you may consider applying early decision. If admitted via early decision you must accept our offer and withdraw your other college applications.
STEP 1 Submit the first part of your application online by December 1, 2017.
STEP 2 You will receive a confirmation email.
STEP 3 You will have to prepare and submit by December 1, 2017:
• Your official high school transcript or GED certificate (required for all applicants)
• Any official college transcripts (sent directly from the college or university)
• Recommendation letter (1)
• Your SAT or ACT scores (must be sent directly from the College Board and/or ACT)
• Official TOEFL scores, if applicable*
Send all materials to the Office of Admissions,
30 Cooper Square, 3rd Floor,
New York, NY 10003
or admissions@cooper.edu
STEP 4 You will receive a Hometest in December which you must complete and submit by the deadline provided (approximately 3-4 weeks later).
The Hometest will be sent to all applicants via email on the same day in December after the application deadline.
The Hometest will include portfolio requirements. All portfolio work should be sent with the Hometest.
Please follow all instructions carefully.
STEP 5 You will receive an admission decision by the end of February.
REGULAR DECISION:
STEP 1 Submit the first part of your application online by January 8, 2018.
STEP 2 You will receive a confirmation email.
STEP 3 You will have to prepare and submit by January 17, 2018:
• Your official high school transcript or GED certificate (required for applicants)
• Any official college transcripts (sent directly from the college or university)
• Recommendation letter (1)
• Your SAT or ACT scores (must be sent directly from the College Board and/or ACT)
• Official TOEFL scores, if applicable*
Send all materials to the Office of Admissions,
30 Cooper Square, 3rd Floor,
New York, NY 10003 or admissions@cooper.edu
STEP 4 You will receive a Hometest in late January which you must complete and submit by the deadline provided (approximately 3-4 weeks later).
The Hometest will be sent to all applicants via email on the same day in late January after the application deadline.
The Hometest will include portfolio requirements. All portfolio work should be sent with the Hometest.
Please follow all instructions carefully.
STEP 5 You will receive an admission decision by the first week of April.
*Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from a secondary school in a country with English as the official medium of instruction are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit official scores to the Office of Admissions. Click here for more information regarding International Applicants.
Potential School of Art students who have received a preliminary review at National Portfolio Days, which occur after The Cooper Union’s regular admission deadline (see above), may be invited to apply after the regular admission deadline. All reasonable effort is made by the School of Art Admissions Committee to review these applications in a fair and timely fashion.
Admission After Three Years of High School
Candidates of exceptional merit may be considered for admission after completion of three years of high school. Engineering applicants must have excellent high school averages and test scores. Art and architecture applicants must have excellent high school records and exceptional ability. A recommendation from the high school principal, at least one recommendation from a teacher and an interview will be required. In accordance with the regulations of individual states, a student may or may not be eligible to receive an Equivalency Diploma after completion of a specific number of credits in appropriate subject areas at The Cooper Union. It is the responsibility of the applicant to investigate his or her state regulations in this regard.
THE IRWIN S. CHANIN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Admissions Process
*Please click here to view the requirements for transfer students to the School of Architecture. Admission after three years of high school will be considered for exceptional students. See below for more information.
EARLY DECISION: If The Cooper Union is your first choice, you may consider applying early decision. If admitted via early decision you must accept our offer and withdraw your other college applications.
STEP 1 Submit the first part of your application online by November 1, 2017.
STEP 2 You will receive a confirmation email.
STEP 3 You will have to prepare and submit by November 1, 2017:
• Your official high school transcript or GED certificate (required for all applicants)
• Any official college transcripts (sent directly from the college or university)
• Recommendation letter (1 strongly encouraged)
• Your SAT or ACT scores (must be sent directly from the College Board and/or ACT)
• Official TOEFL scores, if applicable*
Send all materials to the Office of Admissions,
30 Cooper Square, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10003
or admissions@cooper.edu
STEP 4 You will receive a Studio Test in November which you must complete and submit by the deadline provided (approximately 3-4 weeks later).
The Studio Test will be sent to all applicants via email on the same day in November after the application deadline. We highly recommend adding admissions@cooper.edu to your email address book in order to prevent important emails from going to spam.
Please follow all instructions carefully. For First Year applicants, no additional portfolio material should be sent.
STEP 5 You will receive an admission decision by the end of December.
REGULAR DECISION:
STEP 1 Submit the first part of your application online by January 8, 2018.
STEP 2 You will receive a confirmation email.
STEP 3 You will have to prepare and submit by January 17, 2018:
• Your official high school transcript or GED certificate (required for applicants)
• Any official college transcripts (sent directly from the college or university)
• Recommendation letter (1 strongly encouraged)
• Your SAT or ACT scores (must be sent directly from the College Board and/or ACT)
• Official TOEFL scores, if applicable*
Send all materials to the Office of Admissions,
30 Cooper Square, 3rd Floor,
New York, NY 10003
or admissions@cooper.edu
STEP 4 You will receive a Studio Test in January which you must complete and submit by the deadline provided (approximately 3-4 weeks later).
The Studio Test will be sent to all applicants via email on the same day in January after the application deadline. We highly recommend adding admissions@cooper.edu to your email address book in order to prevent important emails from going to spam.
Please follow all instructions carefully. For First Year applicants, no additional portfolio material should be sent.
STEP 5 You will receive an admission decision by the first week of April.
Calculus is a required first-year course for all architecture students. Entering first-year students must have completed Mathematics (including Trigonometry, Algebra II and Pre-Calculus). Any student who has not completed Pre-Calculus in high school must do so during the summer before enrollment, and must submit an official transcript documenting successful completion of the course.
*Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from a secondary school in a country with English as the official medium of instruction are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit official scores to the Office of Admissions. Click here for more information regarding International Applicants.
Deferral of an Offer of Admission- Architecture: Due to the small size of the programs, the deferral of an offer of admission to the Bachelor of Architecture (undergraduate) and/or Master of Architecture II (graduate) program is not permitted.
Admission After Three Years of High School
Candidates of exceptional merit may be considered for admission after completion of three years of high school. Engineering applicants must have excellent high school averages and test scores. Art and architecture applicants must have excellent high school records and exceptional ability. A recommendation from the high school principal, at least one recommendation from a teacher and an interview will be required. In accordance with the regulations of individual states, a student may or may not be eligible to receive an Equivalency Diploma after completion of a specific number of credits in appropriate subject areas at The Cooper Union. It is the responsibility of the applicant to investigate his or her state regulations in this regard.
- Yale UniversityPortfolio Information:
You should think carefully before submitting supplementary materials with your Yale College application. Most successful applicants submit only the required application materials. Because the Admissions Committee gives greatest weight to the required documents, it is recommended that you focus your energy primarily on those elements of the application.
If you have a substantial and well-developed talent that cannot be conveyed adequately in the rest of your application, you may consider submitting an audio recording, musical score, art samples, writing samples, scientific research paper, film, or dance video.
How to Submit Supplementary Materials
Applicants planning to submit academic work such as scientific research or creative writing samples should follow the instructions under Academic Work below.
Audio recordings, musical scores, art samples, film samples, and dance videos should be submitted through SlideRoom(link is external), an online platform that facilitates the submission of digital files to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If you are considering the possibility of submitting material, create a SlideRoom account before submitting your application. Once your application is submitted you will not be able to access the SlideRoom program. When submitting materials to Yale through SlideRoom, first select the specific category that corresponds with your chosen application platform (Coalition Application, Common Application, or QuestBridge Application) and application round (Single-Choice Early Action or Regular Decision). Next, select the program that corresponds with the type of material (e.g. music, art) you plan to submit. Applicants who are eligible for an application fee waiver through the Common Application or Coalition Application, and applicants who are QuestBridge Finalists, will have the SlideRoom fee waived.
Types of Supplementary Materials
• Art
• Music
• Film
• Dance
• Academic Work
• Extra Recommendations
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Supplementary Materials - Art
Whether or not you wish to major in art as an undergraduate, if you are an advanced visual artist you may consider submitting an art portfolio as part of your application. Please bear in mind that Yale School of Art faculty members review selected portfolios, not admissions officers. You should only consider submitting work if your artwork is a strong and important part of your application and demonstrates a high level of ability for a high school artist. You should limit the work submitted to between 5 and 8 pieces, which should include at least one drawing.
If you wish to submit images of your artwork as a supplement to your application, you must do so online through SlideRoom by the appropriate application deadline (November 1 for Single-Choice Early Action candidates; January 2 for Regular Decision candidates; March 1 for transfer candidates). Please do not contact faculty directly to request a portfolio review.
Supplementary Materials - Film
Whether or not you wish to major in Film and Media Studies as an undergraduate, if you are an advanced filmmaker you may consider submitting a sample of your work as part of your application to Yale. Please bear in mind that Yale film faculty review submissions, not admissions officers. You should only consider submitting work if your filmmaking is a strong and important part of your application and demonstrates a high level of ability for a high school filmmaker.
If you wish to submit a film as a supplement to your application, you must do so online through SlideRoom by the appropriate application deadline (November 1 for Single-Choice Early Action candidates; January 2 for Regular Decision candidates; March 1 for transfer candidates).
- Parsons School of Design | Fashion DesignPortfolio Information:
1.Parsons Challenge: Create a new visual work inspired by the theme within a piece submitted in your portfolio. Support your process by writing one 500 word essay describing how your ideas developed. You may also submit up to two additional visual pieces that document your process. All forms of media are acceptable—drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3D work, collage, and digital images. The Parsons Challenge helps the Admission Committee understand how a prospective student develops ideas, visually communicates those ideas, and defends the work in writing. The Parsons Challenge is completed in SlideRoom along with the portfolio.
2.Portfolio: The portfolio must be completed in SlideRoom only. Freshman and transfer applicants must submit a portfolio of eight to 12 images. Portfolios can include a range of media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, animation, performance, graphic design, or sketchbook pages. We encourage you to show experimentation and breadth, and the portfolio does not need to specifically address the major to which you are applying.
- RISD: Rhode Island School of Design | Graphic Design, Interior DesignPortfolio Information:
The Assignment
Choose one of the following three prompt options and create two responses using any medium you prefer (no restrictions).
We consider this assignment to be as much about process as presentation and encourage you to consider your submissions as exercises in experimental thinking and risk-taking more than as final presentations or examples of technical proficiency. No particular outcome is valued more than another, so feel free to explore the full range of possible expression in these works.
Each of these prompts has more than one meaning or usage and you might want to begin by referring to dictionary sources to expand your initial reaction about a direction.
• plastic
• collect
• threshold
Please upload your responses in the specific section of SlideRoom dedicated to these works. (Do not include them in the Portfolio area of SlideRoom.)
If the file size of either of your responses exceeds 10 MB, please embed a link to direct us to another viewing platform such as a personal website, Vimeo, etc.
In the SlideRoom submission section for your two works, we also ask you to reflect on the two responses that you are sharing and provide a brief response to this question: What are the other directions or ideas you would explore as a next step?
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPortfolio Information:
If you're applying to the Schools of Architecture, Art, Design, Drama or Music within the College of Fine Arts, you must complete audition or portfolio review requirements in order to be considered for admission. If you apply to more than one of these programs, you'll need to complete an audition or portfolio for each program. Audition and portfolio review days fill on a first-come, first-served basis. All fine arts applicants are required to submit the Common Application prior to registering for a pre-screening, audition or on-campus portfolio review.
Please review the information on our College of Fine Arts admission procedures website and be aware of the following:
• Design/Production applicants must register for an in-person portfolio review, after September 1. Directing applicants must register for an in-person audition/interview, after September 1.
• The Schools of Architecture, Art and Design require online portfolio submission through SlideRoom, with the option of then also coming to campus for a portfolio review/interview. Online registration for portfolio submissions and portfolio reviews opens October 1.
• Please review our application plans and deadlines, as some fine arts programs have early application deadlines.
College of Fine Arts Admission Requirements
The College of Fine Arts (CFA) is comprised of five distinct schools:
School of Architecture - School of Art - School of Design - School of Drama - School of Music
On this site, you’ll find details about the specific admission procedures for Carnegie Mellon’s Schools of Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music, which require a pre-screening, audition or portfolio review. If you apply to more than one of these programs, you’ll need to complete the registration process for each program’s required artistic component. Audition and portfolio review days fill on a first-come, first-served basis. All fine arts applicants are required to submit the Common Application prior to registering for a pre-screening, audition or on-campus portfolio review.
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Students interested in Carnegie Mellon's BXA interdisciplinary degrees must be accepted into one of the five CFA schools, as well as their second college of interest (e.g. the School of Computer Science, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences or Mellon College of Science). Early Decision applicants to the fine arts, who wish to be considered for a BXA program, should contact the Office of Admission.
Every applicant to the School of Architecture must use Carnegie Mellon's SlideRoom portal to electronically submit the architecture portfolio, for review by the architecture admission committee.
About the Architecture Portfolio
The portfolio consists of the completion of two forms and the submission of ten different creative works submitted to the architecture portfolio portal of SlideRoom.
In your portfolio, we seek evidence of your curiosity, critical thinking, innovation, problem solving, spatial reasoning/visual thinking, ability to synthesize, and desire to make and build things. The quality of the portfolio’s overall composition is as important as the quality of any individual piece. You should carefully curate and arrange your portfolio to tell a compelling story about yourself, your abilities and passions, and your commitment and motivation to study architecture.
Please keep in mind the following:
• Acceptable types of work include, but are not limited to: 2-D and 3-D design, drawing, painting, sculpture, performance, digital work, and inventions. All portfolios must be submitted electronically, so prepare high-quality digital scans or photographs of works where necessary. See a full list of specifications and acceptable file types in SlideRoom. You should include as varied a range of projects as possible, while highlighting your strengths.
• A portfolio cannot contain more than ten works, each uploaded separately. We understand that within these constraints, some larger or more complex pieces cannot be displayed in their entirety. In this case, please choose one representative image of the piece (or combine a maximum of no more than three images in an effective layout); do not attempt to represent a complex work with a collage of multiple images.
• All applicants are encouraged to include examples of drawings. Drawings can be observational or created from the imagination, but they should not be drawn from a photo or other two-dimensional image. CAD drawings should not be included.
• Your portfolio must be submitted electronically via Carnegie Mellon’s architecture portfolio submission portal in SlideRoom, where you must register/create an account before uploading content. You must submit the Common Application to Carnegie Mellon first, in order to submit your portfolio to SlideRoom. Only portfolios submitted through SlideRoom before the published deadline will be reviewed by the architecture admission committee.
• When uploading an image of each work, you'll be asked to provide a brief written description of each work. The descriptions should be considered as part of the arc of the portfolio and, as such, thoughtfully composed.
Portfolio Review Submission
Our School of Design faculty are an integral part of the admission process in determining incoming classes. While all applicants must submit an online portfolio, applicants are also encouraged to register for an on-campus review as a valuable supplement to the online portfolio submission. Applicants who participate in the on-campus review will have a brief personal interview with a design faculty member. A design project is also available for students with limited work.
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On-Campus Portfolio Review
On-campus reviews are highly recommended. If you select this option, you’ll visit Carnegie Mellon to review your previously submitted work, though you’re expected to bring actual samples of your work or design project (photos or video of large pieces that are difficult to transport is fine) with you as well. You can bring previously submitted work, a sketchbook or items that were not previously submitted online. Additionally, an on-campus review provides you the opportunity to speak directly with faculty in an interview, engage with students, sit in on available classes and tour the facilities.
2017-18 On-Campus Portfolio Review Dates:
November 12 (Early Decision applicants only)
January 21
January 28
February 4
February 9 (Transfer applicants only)
Register here!
If participating in an on-campus portfolio review:
• Early Decision applicants should attend the November portfolio review day (registering by November 1).
• Regular Decision and Transfer applicants should attend a January or February portfolio review day (registering by January 1).
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Online Portfolio Review
The School of Design requires an online portfolio submission, even if you register for an on-campus review. If you select only the online submission, an admission committee will review your portfolio online.
Visit SlideRoom to electronically submit your portfolio for the School of Design after October 1.
If submitting a portfolio online:
• Early Decision applicants should upload their portfolios by November 1 if only submitting online.
• Regular Decision and Transfer applicants should upload their portfolios by January 15.
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Design Project
If you have limited work in your portfolio, the design project is an option to supplement that work. If you have no portfolio or creative work, the design project will satisfy the portfolio requirement. The design project can be located on the School of Design website. Applicants who select the design project as their portfolio can either submit the project online - if also attending an on-campus portfolio review it would be beneficial to bring it with you as well.
Our broad-based, four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to develop the commitment, knowledge and skills necessary to work as an artist in a rapidly changing world. We seek creative students with a wide range of talents, aptitudes and backgrounds.
Many undergraduates receive minors or even double major in other fields, and go on to obtain Master’s degrees not only in fine arts, but also in a variety of fields spanning business administration to environmental law.
Undergraduate admissions is conducted through CMU’s University Office of Admission in cooperation with School of Art faculty and staff.
HOW TO APPLY
First: Choose a deadline: November 1 or January 1
Second: Start your CMU Admissions Application
Third: Register on SlideRoom to submit your art portfolio
Please note: Applicants admitted to one of the programs in Deitrich College of Humanities, Mellon College of Science, School of Computer Science and a school within College of Fine Arts are automatically admitted into the appropriate BXA degree, with some exceptions in the School of Drama. Please check with your admissions counselor in both colleges and schools.
DEADLINES
Nov. 1 – Early Decision: CMU Application & SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
Jan. 1 – Regular Decision: CMU Undergraduate Application
Jan. 15 – Regular Decision SlideRoom Portfolio Submission
Please note: All applicants are considered for fall semester admission only
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Admissions Requirements
Portfolio Requirements
Preparing Your Work
Application Materials:
Art portfolio review
High school grades
Standardized (SAT) test scores
Extracurricular activities
Recommendations
Personal statements
About Slideroom All application materials and portfolios must be submitted through SlideRoom. SlideRoom is an online service will allow you to upload, label, arrange and submit your portfolio electronically, allows digital images, videos, PDF files, audio files and links to external sites like YouTube.
Please note: SlideRoom charges $15.00 to manage your portfolio for the School of Art. SlideRoom is a private company contracted by Carnegie Mellon to manage applicant portfolios; this money does not go to Carnegie Mellon.
Carnegie Mellon Portfolio/Supplemental Submission
Applicants to the College of Fine Arts - Deadline has passed
Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture, School of Art, and School of Design each have a required portfolio review and/or design project as part of their individual admission process. Please submit the appropriate material for these schools via the links at the bottom of this page.
If you're applying to more than one of these programs, you must submit a separate portfolio/design project for each school. For details about the audition/portfolio requirements for the School of Drama and School of Music, please consult this site. Likewise, applicants to our BHA, BSA or BCSA programs should read this.
Early Decision: The application deadline is November 1. The portfolio/design project submission deadline is also November 1, 2017.
Regular Decision and Transfer: The application deadline is January 1. The portfolio/design project submission deadline is January 15, 2018.
Non-Fine Arts Supplemental Application Material - Transfer Applicants Only
Applicants to other divisions of Carnegie Mellon (those students who are not applying to the College of Fine Arts), who wish to share examples of their experience/talent in areas such as Maker projects, research, performing or visual arts, or writing, are invited to submit their work via the Supplemental Application Material link below. This material will be reviewed by the Office of Admission.
Early Decision: The application deadline is November 1. Supplemental materials should also be submitted by November 1, 2017
Regular Decision: The application deadline is January 1. Supplemental materials should be submitted by January 1, 2018
Login or Sign up to get started.
Select from the following categories
•
o Supplemental Application Materials for Non-Fine Arts Applicants, Fall 2018
Deadline: March 1, 2018 Fee (USD): $6.00
- MICA: Maryland Institute College of ArtPortfolio Information:
MICA 2018
Under the Regular Decision plan there are three deadlines and unlike the Early Decision option, these plans are non-binding.
1. Apply using the Common Application. The application fee is $70 total ($60 application fee; $10 portfolio submission fee).
If you are unable to use the Common Application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410-225-2222 or admissions@mica.edu.
2. The portfolio should be a selection of recent artwork that represents your artistic interests and demonstrates your technical skills and ability. You should include examples of artwork that reflect the full range of your ideas, interests, experience and abilities in the arts to date.
Applicants must submit a portfolio of 12-20 pieces of artwork. Please follow the instructions provided in the Common App to upload your portfolio submission.
If you would like a personal review of your original portfolio by a MICA admission representative, you may present it at a National Portfolio Day,* during a visit to your school, or when you schedule an interview and portfolio review as part of your visit to MICA's campus.
*Portfolio Days are hosted by MICA and other members of the National Portfolio Day Association. For information regarding dates, times, and locations, visit the NPDA Web site at www.portfolioday.net. You can also call MICA's Office of Undergraduate Admission for information about National Portfolio Days.
Please note: Freshman applicants who receive an "acceptable" review of an original portfolio by a MICA admission representative must still submit a portfolio with their application materials.
3. Choose one of the writing prompts listed in the Common Application and write an essay (250 word minimum).
4. The recommendations of teachers, college counselors, or other professionals who can comment on your art and academic experiences are important to your application.
Please follow the instructions provided on the Common Application to submit your recommendor requests and allow them to upload their letters of support through the application service you selected.
5. Compile a list of activities, interests, or honors as explained on the Common Application.
6. Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work. Your counselor may submit your transcript through Common App (if you have chosen that application option), Parchment, email (records@mica.edu) or mail. If you are attending school in another country, your transcripts must be translated into English by an approved translator. World Education Services (WES) is recommended, but not required. Homeschool applicants must provide the equivalent of a high school transcript with course or subject titles, duration of study for each title, content of study for each title, and an assessment of performance or "grade". Preferably, the courses completed at home are part of a curriculum developed and evaluated by a nationally recognized diploma granting organization or agency. If not connected with such an organization and an official transcript from a state homeschool association or sponsoring public high school is not available, homeschool applicants must obtain and submit GED, TASC or HiSET exam results as confirmation of completing a generally acceptable secondary school curriculum. Individual homeschool transcripts with date of completion do not suffice as official proof of graduation.
Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and/or American College Test (ACT) results are required for all first-time freshmen. The ACT Writing Test is recommended, but not required. MICA's CEEB Code for the SAT is #5399; our ACT Code is #1710. Test results are evaluated in relation to your other academic materials as well as your portfolio of artwork on file.
7. If English is not your first language, it is strongly recommended that you submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores with your application. MICA requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 or IELTS score of 6.5. Your application will not be reviewed for admission without at least one test score on file (TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, SAT).
8. As an applicant you are encouraged to visit the College. Student-guided tours of the classrooms, studios, and residential housing, and discussions about portfolio preparation, programs of study, student life, and financial assistance will be provided. To schedule an appointment, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410.225.2222. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Learn more about visiting MICA.
THERE ARE THREE FRESHMAN APPLICATION DEADLINES UNDER THE REGULAR DECISION PLAN: EARLY ACTION 1, EARLY ACTION 2 AND REGULAR
Deadlines
Early Action is non-binding and enables students with strong interest in attending MICA to learn of their admission decision and aid award earlier than Regular Decision.
Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1 to make their enrollment decision and make their deposits.
SPRING 2018 Enrollment
Regular Decision
November 1 Admission and financial aid application deadline-all materials in the packet must be received simultaneously for application to be considered (applications received after this date will be considered if space is available)
December 1 Admission notifications mailed with Financial Aid package
December 15 Candidate Reply Date: tuition and housing deposits due
FALL 2018 Enrollment
Early Action 1
December 1 Application deadline to be considered for Early Action I (Admission notifications mailed January 15)
Early Action 2
January 5 Application deadline to be considered for Early Action II (Admission notifications mailed February 15)
Regular Decision
February 1 Application deadline to be considered for priority admission and competitive scholarships. Admission notification mailed February 26-March 6.
April 1 Notification of competitive scholarship awards and final Financial Aid packages mailed.
May 1 Candidate Reply Date: tuition and housing deposits due
Transfer
Each transfer student brings to the College a different level of artistic capability and academic achievement based on a variety of post-secondary educational experiences.
Some students transfer to the College as freshmen, others as sophomores and juniors. A limited number of spaces is available each year within each department, and admission is competitive.
There are various reasons why students attend other colleges for one or two years before transferring to MICA. Some plan to gain additional experience before applying to MICA; some postpone their entry for financial reasons; and some need more time to define their commitment to the visual arts. For more information about transferring to MICA, please contact transferquestions@mica.edu.
The MICA Transfer Application for Spring 2018 and Fall 2018 will be available August 1, 2017 through The Common Application.
1. The application fee is $70 total ($60 application fee; $10 portfolio submission fee).
If you are unable to use The Common Application please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410-225-2222 or admissions@mica.edu.
2. The portfolio should be a selection of recent artwork that represents your artistic interests and demonstrates your technical skills and ability. You should include examples of artwork that reflect the full range of your ideas, interests, experience and abilities in the arts to date. For transfer students, the portfolio is also used to evaluate your post-secondary art experiences in order to determine equivalency to MICA coursework.
Transfer students should prepare a portfolio of 15-30 pieces of artwork that demonstrates a knowledge of college-level coursework. The portfolio should include items that represent basic skills in drawing, painting, color, and design. If enough coursework has been completed, the portfolio should also reflect experience in a major field of study.
The portfolio allows the review committee to evaluate which studio courses will transfer to MICA and determines class standing in your departmental major. Therefore, your portfolio should represent as much work as possible from all studio courses taken while attending other post-secondary institutions.
Please follow the instructions provided in the Common App to upload your portfolio submission to the MICA Undergraduate SlideRoom Portal in Slideroom.
If you would like a personal review of your original portfolio by an MICA admission representative, we would love to meet you at a National Portfolio Day,* during a visit to your school, or when you schedule an interview and portfolio review as part of your visit to MICA's campus.
*Portfolio Days are hosted by MICA and other members of the National Portfolio Day Association. For information regarding dates, times, and locations visit the NPDA Web site at www.portfolioday.net. You can also call MICA's Office of Undergraduate Admission for information about National Portfolio Days.
3. Choose one of the writing prompts listed on the Common App form and write an essay (250 word minimum).
4. The recommendations of teachers, college counselors, or other professionals who can comment on your art and academic experiences are important to your application. At least one letter of recommendation is required for your application.
Please follow the instructions provided in either the Common App or MICA Online Application to submit your recommender requests and allow them to upload their letters of support through the application service you selected.
5. Compile a list of activities, interests, and honors as explained on both the Common App and MICA Online Application forms.
6. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for admission to MICA's undergraduate degree program. Request that an official record of your grades be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission from your high school and from all accredited post-secondary institutions attended.
Note: Only courses carrying a grade of C or better will quality for transfer credit. Up to 60 credits required for the BFA degree may be transferred from other accredited colleges. Exceptions will be made in certain cases. Liberal arts courses in which the course content parallels that of courses offered at MICA will be considered for transfer credit. Transfer of studio courses is determined by portfolio review and course equivalency. In some cases, the academic dean will consider waiving course requirements after an evaluation of art achievements gained outside formal school programs.
7. The College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and/or the American College Test (ACT) are not required for transfer admission. However, if English is your second language, you must submit test scores from TOEFL or IELTS exams by March 1 (detailed instructions are included in Step 2 of Admission Procedures and Deadlines for International Students).
The Enrollment Status Report Form, detailing a list of courses in which you are currently enrolled, or plan to enroll, must be sent with your application. If you are applying online, you can email this form to records@mica.edu. It should include your name, college/university attending, semester/year, course titles, departments, course numbers, and course descriptions.
8. Transfer applicants must submit course descriptions for all courses for which they are requesting transfer credit. Course descriptions should be copied from your college online course catalog and pasted into a Word document. The document should be emailed to records@mica.edu.
9. Deadlines
Early Action is non-binding and enables students with strong interest in attending MICA to learn of their admission decision and aid award earlier than Regular Decision. Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1 to make their enrollment decision and make their deposits.
Timelines
Transfer Regular Decision - Spring Enrollment
November 1 - Both Admission and Transfer Scholarship Applications and Financial Aid Documents Due
December 1 - Admissions decisions mailed
December 15 - Candidate Reply Date: Tuition and Housing Deposits due.
Transfer Early Action - Fall Enrollment
March 1 - Both Admission and Transfer Scholarship Applications and Financial Aid Documents Due
April 1 - Admission Decision and Early Financial Aid Awards mailed April 1.
May 1 - Candidate Reply Date: Tuition and Housing Deposits due.
Transfer Regular Decision - Fall Enrollment
April 1 - Both Admission and Transfer Scholarship Application and Financial Aid Documents Due
April 25 - Admission Decision and Financial Aid Awards mailed
May 18 - Candidate Reply Date: Tuition and Housing Deposits due
OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION
1300 Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21217
- Pratt Institute | Architecture Interior DesignPortfolio Information:
CHECKLIST
If you’ve already submitted your application, check your application status online at the link below using your email address and the password you created when you submitted your application. Note that you will not be able to check your status until your application has been completed and submitted.
Check Your Undergraduate Application Status
DEADLINES
FALL
High School Applicant (Freshman) Deadlines
Early Action Deadline (non-binding): November 1.
Regular decision deadline: January 5. Note that all required application materials, including portfolio if required, are due by the deadline, except high school transcripts, which may be sent up to one week after the application deadline.
Early action decisions are mailed by the end of December/beginning of January.
Regular decision packets are mailed by April 1.
Transfers: February 1. All required application materials are due by the application deadline.
Associate's degree applicants
Priority deadlines: January 5 for high school applicants and February 1 for transfer applicants. Although applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, we urge you to apply by the priority deadlines. . Decisions are mailed on a rolling basis.
SPRING
Application Deadlines
September 1 (international applicants).
October 1 (US citizens and permanent residents) Decisions mailed mid-late November.
Associate's degree applicants: October 1.
Programs Open for Spring Entrance
High School Applicants: associate degrees, History of Art and Design, and Construction Management programs.
Transfers: all programs but architecture
Associate's: open to all high school and transfer applicants
Submission of Application and Supporting Documents
The online application should be submitted no later than the application deadline. All required documents including portfolio if required should be submitted by the deadline, however you have up to one week after the deadline to send highs school transcripts. The application should be submitted first before the other documents in order to file your documents with your application, but if supplementary documents arrive first, they will be filed and then assembled when your application arrives. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you by email to let you know what is missing in enough time for you to submit the missing document(s). Please check your email and spam filter for communications from Pratt. You may also check your application status online through the application portal.
Admissions Requirements
Select your level and read about our admissions requirements including portfolio requirements.
High School Applicants
Transfers
Associate
International
Undergraduate Application
Complete all items on the application and pay the non-refundable $50 application fee ($90 for international students) on-line. If you have questions, please call the Office of Admissions at (718) 636-3514 or (800) 331-0834, or email us at admissions@pratt.edu.
All items required are listed below. Portfolio requirements are described in more detail at www.pratt.edu/apply.
Application materials should be mailed to:
Pratt Institute
Undergraduate Admissions
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn. NY 11205
Application Requirements
Completed Undergraduate Application Form.
Application Fee payment is made on-line via Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express or e-check.
Official Transcripts are required from all high schools, junior colleges, colleges, or other schools attended. Transfer applicants must submit both a high school transcript and college transcript. A high school transcript is not required if the transfer student has attended at least four semesters of college full-time or has earned at least 48 credits by the semester for which he or she is applying.
SAT/ACT test scores (for bachelor programs only). Transfer students are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores.
International applicants whose first language is not English must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or SAT test score.
Portfolio and Writing Samples: see www.pratt.edu/apply for complete requirements.
Note: Pratt does not require a letter of recommendation for undergraduate applicants. Recommendations will not be tracked through the online application checklist.
Complete instructions may be found at www.pratt.edu/apply.
- SAIC: School of Art Institute of ChicagoPortfolio Information:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio
Submit 10–15 pieces of your best and most recent work. We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.
When compiling a portfolio, you may concentrate your work in a single media or show work in a breadth of media. The portfolio may include drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, film, video, audio recordings, sculpture, ceramics, fashion designs, graphic design, furniture, objects, architectural designs, websites, video games, sketchbooks, scripts, storyboards, screenplays, zines, or any combination of the above.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Art Education
Submit 10–15 pieces of your best and most recent work. We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.
When compiling a portfolio, you may concentrate your work in a single media or show work in a breadth of media. The portfolio may include drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, film, video, audio recordings, sculpture, ceramics, fashion designs, graphic design, furniture, objects, architectural designs, websites, video games, sketchbooks, scripts, storyboards, screenplays, zines, or any combination of the above.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Writing
We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.
The portfolio may consist of one or a combination of the following:
10 pages of poetry
20 pages of prose (fiction, creative nonfiction, or drama)
10 pages of a graphic novel
Please feel free to submit a visual portfolio with your writing portfolio if you also engage in studio practices.
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Writing Sample. Submit one writing sample that is 5–7 pages in length for incoming first-year applicants, 7–10 pages (1750–2500 words) for transfer students. Relevant illustrations and bibliography should be included with the text but are not considered when calculating page limits.
The writing sample is one of the most important parts of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History application and should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to express their ideas and knowledge in written form. Successful writing samples will demonstrate clarity of argument, facility with written language and grammar, and an ability to incorporate and cite research materials. Any expository essay that incorporates research will be considered, and a writing sample in art history is not required (though it is encouraged, especially for transfer applicants).
Portfolio. All BA in Art History applicants must include a visual portfolio as part of their application. In addition to the writing sample, submit 5–10 pieces of your best and most recent work as part of the portfolio. This collection should reflect your interests, skills, and willingness to explore, experiment, and express yourself.
The BA in Art History program incorporates studio practice as essential knowledge for work in art history, and all BA in Art History students take studio classes while at SAIC. Because the first-year studio foundations experience (Contemporary Practices) is shared with all SAIC BFA students, incoming applicants should expect to be immersed in visual and creative practices. While the writing sample and transcript are the most important parts of a BA in Art History application, applicants should use the portfolio to demonstrate their facility with visual making. In addition to conventional studio and design work, students may also submit alternative creative practices (for instance, video blogging, website design, or online curation).
Transfer applicants with little experience in studio or design practices are encouraged to consider these alternatives.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies
We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.
The Department of Visual and Critical Studies seeks applicants who are interested in exploring meaning and experience within the visual world through a rigorous academic emphasis, and also in exploring different forms, written and visual, through which this research could be presented.
There are two options for submitting your application portfolio and writing sample:
A portfolio showing 2D, 3D, or 4D studio work you've created, along with a writing sample that illustrates your critical skills
An alternative portfolio of collected images or objects, along with a critical writing sample that contextualizes the contents in the portfolio
Office of Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603
800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100
Fax: 312.629.6101
admiss@saic.edu
- FIT: Fashion Institute of Technology | Fashion design Jewelry DesignPortfolio Information:
STEP ONE - FILE THE SUNY APPLICATION ONLINE
After you apply, you’ll receive confirmation that your application has been received. The first letter will come from the SUNY Application Services Center. The second confirmation will be sent from FIT to the email address indicated on your SUNY application and will contain your username and password for your MyFIT account.
It can take 7-10 days to receive the email from FIT after submitting the SUNY application.
*Spring and Fall 2018 applicants will receive confirmation in early September.
STEP TWO – SUBMIT FIT’S SUPPLEMENTAL ADMISSIONS MATERIALS
ADMISSIONS ESSAY
After receiving the initial confirmation from FIT, you will receive a second email providing an individualized link to submit your essay, and, if you are a transfer student, a list of your in-progress courses.
Your essay should answer the following questions: What makes you a perfect candidate for FIT? Why are you interested in the major you are applying to? The essay is also your chance to tell us more about your experiences, activities and accomplishments. (No more than 750 words, please.) If you are a transfer student, you will be prompted to submit information about your in-progress courses, including course name and numbering and the name of the school you are currently attending.
SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Arrange to have all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts sent directly from your schools to FIT. Transcripts may be sent by mail or hand-delivered in the sealed envelope to the address below.
Fashion Institute of Technology
Office of Admissions, Room C139
227 W. 27th St.
New York City 10001-5992
FIT will only accept academic documents that have been officially attested (bearing the stamp and signature of the Registrar or designated officer) and placed in a sealed envelope by the issuing institution or awarding authority.
As an alternative to mailing, FIT will accept electronic transcripts from the following approved vendors:
• Parchment
• Naviance by Hobsons
• SUNY Counselor Connect
• Credential Solutions
Documents from all institutions must be provided (with no exceptions), regardless of the type of institution, subjects taken, or their relevance to FIT. Such documents should include all subjects taken, all grades/marks earned, and any degrees awarded. If you are a high school student earning college credit, please forward a transcript from the awarding college or university.
Home-schooled applicants are encouraged to review the SUNY policy for providing appropriate proof of graduation.
https://www.suny.edu/applysuny/
Official AP and/or CLEP scores, if any, are required when available. Official IB (International Baccalaureate) diplomas or certificates, if any, must be provided by the IBO.
International applicants:
If you have studied abroad, or you attended secondary or post-secondary school(s) outside the U.S., please submit your academic documents from schools outside the U.S. to a member of the Undergraduate International Applicants for more information on submitting transcripts.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS
PORTFOLIO
Art and Design applicants must submit a portfolio. You will be invited to submit your portfolio once your SUNY application has been received and processed by FIT. Please do not submit any artwork with your application.
Business and Technology applicants may not submit a portfolio and materials received for these majors will not be reviewed or considered.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY - TOEFL, IELTS, OR PTE SCORE
Students whose first language is not English must provide an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, or a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score regardless of the time lived in the United States. See the section under English Proficiency for more information.
SAT AND ACT SCORES
SAT and ACT test scores are not required for admissions purposes. They are, however, required for the Honors Program. They are also required for placement into your English and Math classes at FIT. Use FIT school code 2257 when sending SAT scores, and code 2744 when sending ACT scores. Learn more.
International Students who have not taken the SAT or ACT exams will take the FIT Placement Exams before registering for any English, Math and Science courses.
Please be aware that documents submitted become the property of FIT and will not be returned. This includes official transcripts, test scores and portfolio submissions.
For more specific information, see the following:
• When to Apply (Application Deadlines)
• Transfer Students/College Degree Holders
• International Students
• Portfolio Requirements
• Admissions FAQ
Application Deadlines
FIT's degree programs are highly competitive, and students are strongly encouraged to apply early.
PRIORITY DEADLINES
• Spring: October 1
• Fall: January 1
Please review the timeline below to ensure that all requested materials are received by the FIT Admissions office by the posted deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to allow enough time to complete FIT's Admissions requirements by applying as early as August.
Decisions will be rendered on complete applications only.
________________________________________
TIMELINE
Applications Available: August 1
Click here to access the State University of New York (SUNY) application.
FOR ENTRY TO FALL SEMESTER
JANUARY 1: APPLICATION DEADLINE
The SUNY application must be filed by January 1 to receive priority consideration for the fall semester.
FEBRUARY 1: SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS DEADLINE
All supplemental materials must be received by February 1 to receive priority consideration for the fall semester. These supplemental requirements include your academic documents, admissions essay, and for art and design applicants, a portfolio. In addition, all applicants whose first language is not English must provide an official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. It is important to allow sufficient time to complete all admissions requirements.
APRIL - MAY
Information for Recently Accepted Students will be mailed separately and additional information will be available online. All final transcripts and test scores must be submitted before students register for the fall semester.
FOR ENTRY TO SPRING SEMESTER
OCTOBER 1: APPLICATION DEADLINE
The SUNY application must be filed by October 1 to receive priority consideration for the spring semester.
NOVEMBER 1ST: SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS DEADLINE
All supplemental materials must be received by November 1 to receive priority consideration for the spring semester. These supplemental requirements include your academic documents, admissions essay, and for art and design applicants, a portfolio. In addition, all applicants whose first language is not English must provide an official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. It is important to allow sufficient time to complete all admissions requirements.
DECEMBER - JANUARY
Additional information for Recently Accepted Students will be mailed separately and additional information will be available online. All final transcripts and test scores must be submitted before students register for the spring semester.
Portfolio Requirements
To be considered for admission to an art and design major, applicants must submit a portfolio for evaluation by the FIT faculty. Below you will find the specific portfolio requirements for your chosen major. Only art and design applicants should submit a portfolio. Materials received for non art and design majors will not be reviewed or considered.
• Art and Design applicants must submit a portfolio through SlideRoom. Materials received through mail or in-person will not be reviewed or considered.
• After receiving confirmation that your application was received by FIT and reviewing the major-specific portfolio requirements below, you will receive an email from fit_admissions@fitnyc.edu that includes a link to the portfolio for your major.
• Check out Tips on How to Prepare a Portfolio and consider attending a National Portfolio Day or FIT Portfolio Preview Day prior to submitting your portfolio
• Applicants to BFA programs in Accessories Design, Advertising Design, Computer Animation & Interactive Media, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Packaging Design, Textile/Surface Design, Toy Design, and Visual Presentation & Exhibition Design should not submit portfolios through SlideRoom. Applicants will be contacted by Admissions or the major department regarding submission of a portfolio either in person or via email
• Tips on How to Prepare a Portfolio
• Although each Art and Design major at FIT has specific portfolio requirements, the following advice will help you prepare your portfolio.
• Your portfolio should consist primarily of work done from direct observation, i.e. drawing and painting from what you see. These drawings might include self-portraits, still lives, figure drawing, landscapes, or interiors. You should include work done in a variety of media like charcoal, pencil, watercolor, and acrylic and oil paints.
• You should already have strong drawing and two-dimensional design skills, as well as an understanding of colors and composition. Composition is very important; in many ways, it is at the heart of all of our Art and Design majors. For example, Interior Design is all about moving through a room and the relationship between one room and another. Communication Design concentrates the way you eye moves across the kind of graphic image used in advertising. Fashion Design is about the flow and movement of a garment on the body. Your artwork should reflect your understanding of how to move the eye across a piece of paper or canvas using line and color, light and dark, balance and rhythm, all of which help form the concepts of design and composition.
• While we encourage work from direct observation, we do not discourage any work that reflects your creativity and sense of design. Computer art may supplement your portfolio, but it should not be its main focus.
• Let your art teacher help you make a selection from your most recent work. Consider your portfolio a visual essay about yourself.
• If you are a high school student, you may want to consider taking a class through our Precollege Programs. These courses are designed to help you develop a portfolio, let you experience what FIT is all about, and introduce you to the industries our majors support.
• If you have completed high school and seek instruction in developing your portfolio, you may take a general art class through FIT's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies.
- Art CenterPortfolio Information:
1. A Fully Completed Application
Applications can be completed online or downloaded from our site. The application will include several essays of varying lengths
Apply Now
2. Application Fee
A nonrefundable application fee of $50 for U.S. citizens and permanent alien residents or $70 for non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. permanent alien residents is required. You may apply for a fee waiver through the College Board or provide a letter from your guidance counselor or teacher.
3. Official Transcripts
These should be sent directly to the Admissions Office from each issuing institution. Transcripts must be sent in a sealed official envelope from each institution you have attended, or electronically via secure electronic transcript service like Naviance, Parchment, National Student Clearninghouse, Scribbles, or eTranscript. Request your transcripts at the time of or prior to submitting your application. They will be held on file if they arrive before your application.
Students must have completed or anticipate completing high school or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) prior to their enrollment.
All students, except those who have completed a bachelor's degree at the time of application, must submit their high school transcripts or GED. Art Center considers applications from home-schooled students. Home school transcripts should include course titles, grades (with an explanatory scale if not letter grades), credits and signature of the home school administrator (the parent or other person who organized, taught and evaluated your home school coursework). Include transcripts from any work completed at the college level while in the home school program. College transcripts should be submitted from each school attended; records of previous college work will not be accepted in a condensed form on one transcript.
Transcripts from international schools that are not provided in English directly from the issuing institution must be presented both in the original language form and translated into English by a translation agency, official translator or World Education Services (WES).
If you have attended a non-degree school or program, be sure to list it on your application.
Please be aware that once submitted, all documents become the property of the College and cannot be returned to the applicant.
4. SAT or ACT Scores
Effective with applicants for Spring 2019 and forward, the submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional. We are happy to receive copies of your scores if you choose to provide them. However, submission of scores is not required for either students applying directly out of high school or who are in college.
5. English as a Foreign Language Proficiency
Undergraduate applicants who have not completed a high school or bachelor's degree in which the language of instruction was English must take the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or I.E.L.T.S. A minimum score of 80 is required on the iBT and a minimum score of 6.5 on the I.E.L.T.S. We do not participate in electronic download of scores from I.E.L.T.S. and no school code is required.
The score must be sent to the Admissions Office from the testing service and must have been taken within two years prior to the time of application. Institutional versions of the test are not accepted.
The Committee may request testing from any student whose command of English is in doubt, including students who took ESL classes in high school. In addition, the College may review the individual scores on each section of the test. Visit www.TOEFL.org or www.IELTS.org for information on testing times and procedures.
6. Portfolio Requirements
Your portfolio is the single most important aspect of your application. Your portfolio must be oriented specifically to the one major for which you are applying. Art Center does not offer an undeclared major option at entry.
In addition to your portfolio, a Video/Audio Essay is required along with your portfolio submission.
Portfolio requirements by major
Portfolio video or audio essay
How to submit your portfolio
Send all admissions materials to:
Admissions Office
ArtCenter College of Design
1700 Lida St.
Pasadena, CA 91103
- CCS: College for Creative StudiesPortfolio Information:
Send Us Your Portfolio
Portfolios should be uploaded to Slideroom
You will be charged a $10 upload fee
Upload Portfolio
NOTE: Any work submitted may be published in future CCS brochures or presentations. CCS reserves the right to print submitted works.
General Guidelines
Show us what you’ve got! One of the first lessons you’ll learn about becoming an artist or designer is the value of a strong collection of your work that you share with others. We want to see pieces that best convey your process and skills.
Requirements
All Majors:
The art work you submit with your application should demonstrate original thinking and should be a reflection of you and how you view the world.
It should include examples of work that indicates the type of student you will be at the College for Creative Studies.
It should provide us with an understanding of your interest in and commitment to the field of art and/or design.
Your work may show how other artists and designers have influenced you.
You may also want to show how other aspects of culture - i.e. literature, music, film, politics, fashion, etc. - have helped you develop both intellectually and artistically.
The art work you submit does not need to include examples of your work in your intended major. The work should emphasize your strongest skillsets and show us how you think.
Edit your work. Quality is more important than quantity. Limit your art samples to 5 to 8 consistent pieces. Work completed within the last two years is usually the strongest.
Specific Requirements for the following Majors:
Entertainment Arts (doesn’t apply to Digital Film)
Fine Arts
Illustration
Transportation Design
Strong drawing skills are a must for these majors. A minimum of 5 drawings from direct observation and/or imagination, in any medium, must be included.
Additional Tips & Recommendations
Guidelines for Observational Drawing
Draw from observation of objects, scenes, still lives, landscapes and people. Include descriptive or representational drawings of your surrounding environment.
Include accurate line drawings and examples of fully rendered compositions using a complete range of light, middle and dark values.
If possible, include figure drawings or partial figure drawings (hands, feet, etc.) or portraiture.
Consider the entire picture surface; try not to isolate one object in the center of the page.
Any medium is acceptable for these drawings, including but not limited to: charcoal, graphite, pen and ink, paint, pastel, colored pencil and digital rendering.
Guidelines for Imagination Drawing
When submitting original character drawings, include the surrounding environment you envision them working, playing and living in.
Consider filling the entire picture surface. Try not to isolate one object in the center of the page.
Character development should incorporate your own unique style as opposed to copying a pre-existing style (i.e. anime or manga).
You may combine one or more reference sources in combination when creating your own unique image. Copied images are not acceptable.
If submitting your own original inventions or concept design (i.e. products, fashion, transportation or furniture) you may include sketches, background research and inspiration used to develop them. Show us your thinking process!
Suggested assignments for those with little to no art background or portfolio for admission
A minimum of 5 to 8 pieces are still required for admission. You may complete any of these suggested assignments multiple times.
2 Dimensional Design project:Use a camera to create the following:
A portrait of how you see yourself.
A portrait of how others (or “the world”) sees you.
Documentation of your environment and how you interpret your environment.
Three Dimensional Design project:
Create a 3D sculpture from a variety of found objects or materials that you are drawn to. Explore color, texture, form and message. Photograph it in its environment.
Create a mask that transforms the wearer into a whole new character, creature or world.
Written project: Create a distress / “SOS” or “message in a bottle” letter. Contact the Admissions Office for more suggestions.
Submission Guidelines for the Visual Portfolio
Images of your final portfolio may be uploaded to http://ccs.slideroom.com. You will be charged a $10 upload fee. If it is not possible for you to upload your work, you may make other arrangements with your admissions counselor.
We encourage you to seek valuable feedback by presenting your work to an admissions representative, during a visit to CCS or at a National Portfolio Day.
In order to be considered for our highest scholarships - you must submit all parts of your application and upload your work to slideroom before December 1.
