Learn How to Get in to the Best Art and Design Schools

Help With Getting in to the Best Art and Design Schools

The Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design is a consortium of 42 top non-profit independent art and design schools. Though each AICAD school has slightly different admissions requirements and deadlines, all require an application, a portfolio and a written statement.

Application Deadlines

Some AICAD schools accept applications on a rolling basis, which means candidates may apply after the posted application deadline, but consideration is given based upon space availability.

Early Decision (also know as Early Action) deadlines are typically in early November with notification arriving sometime in December. Regular Decision deadlines are typically in late January or early February with admissions notification arriving in March.
Early Decision deadlines are binding, which means students must commit to attend should they gain admission. Students should only apply for this deadline if they are absolutely sure they want to enroll.
Important to note: A student's 4th year/senior year grades are not considered in the Early Decision application process, as academic transcripts will not yet reflect these grades in early November.
In some cases, Early Decision deadlines are slightly more competitive then Regular Decision deadlines. Depending on how many students choose this deadline in a given year, there may be a lower acceptance rate to ensure enough available seats for the Regular Decision applicants.

Portfolio Tips

One of the most important materials you will submit with your college application to an art and design school is the portfolio. Although there are many differences in the admissions requirements across the 42 AICAD schools, all view a strong portfolio as fundamental criteria for admission.

While it is true that each of the AICAD schools is looking for something different within the portfolio (and you should be sure to familiarize yourself with the admissions requirements of the schools you are applying to), there are some portfolio guidelines that are universal.

When in doubt, work from life. Set up a still life, draw your friends and family, draw the view outside of your bedroom window - the possibilities are endless.
Submit your favorite pieces, as they are likely your strongest pieces.
Do not include old work in the portfolio. Always select pieces that you have done within the last two years.
Your portfolio is only as good as your worst piece. Edit wisely.
Stay away from drawing/painting portraits of celebrities and other pop culture figures. This work can appear juvenile and unoriginal to admissions counselors who are looking for unique and creative candidates.

Pay attention to your composition. Are your pieces utilizing the space? If you are submitting several self-portraits with your face in center frame, you may want to vary your position and attempt a more dynamic composition.
Present your work in the best possible way. Even the best pieces will fail to impress if you are using poor lighting and an unsteady hand when photographing your work.
Get feedback on your portfolio well before college applications are due. Visit a National Portfolio Day, submit your work to the AICAD Portfolio Review Portal and get feedback from your art instructors.

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

NATIONAL PORTFOLIO DAY EVENTS SCHEDULE

Meet with AICAD school admissions counselors and alumni at a National Portfolio Day near you. Events are free and held in locations across the country throughout the fall. Students get valuable in-person feedback on their artwork and make connections with admissions staff. No registration is necessary.

College for Creative Studies

AICAD PORTFOLIO REVIEW PORTAL

We invite you to upload your artwork to receive feedback from admissions counselors at 35 AICAD schools on the AICAD Portfolio Review Portal.This Portal provides a special opportunity for informal advisement on developing your portfolio. The Portal is open to all students from 9th-12th grade as well as college students interested in transferring.

Currently the AICAD Portal does not offer reviews for graduate Programs. Students interested in exploring graduate level programs at AICAD schools are encouraged to attend a Graduate Portfolio Day.

Transcripts

Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work through the most recent grading period. It is important to understand that the cumulative GPA on a student's transcript may not be the final number considered by admissions. Though some admissions will take the cumulative GPA on student transcripts at face value, others may recalculate the GPA using only the last two academic years. Some admissions may even recalculate the GPA using only the core academic courses (math, science, Enlish and history).

Advanced Placement Credit

Many AICAD schools will grant college credit based on AP Exams of the College Board, should students attain a minimum score (usually of four or five) on the final exam. These credits can sometimes be applied towards a college level art history, English, literature, natural sciences, math or social science course.

SAT & ACT Tests

For some AICAD schools, applicants are required to submit the results of the SAT or the ACT, including the writing component as part of their application. Though results of these tests are usually not the deciding factor in the admissions process, a competitive score can set an applicant apart from other applicants with similar credentials. It's always a good idea to prepare for these tests and to take them at least twice. Schools will usually only note the highest achieved score.

It is important to note that these tests were designed for students whose first language is English, and many admissions committees will take this into account when reviewing non-native English speakers.

English Language Tests

Many AICAD schools require minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test scores for applicants who speak English as a second language – including US Citizens. Given the heavy emphasis on communicating ideas and participating in critiques, applicants must demonstrate the ability to communicate both written and verbally in English. Minimum scores vary across AICAD schools and applicants should take these tests well in advance of the school application deadlines as it can take up to six weeks for scores to be sent out.

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