Graphic Design MFA

MFA Graphic Design – Admissions & Portfolio Requirement

1.     Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

Deadline: January 10, 2014

2.     Yale University School of Art

Deadline: January 1, 2014

3.     Maryland Institute College of Art and Graphic Design (MICA)

Deadline: January 15, 2014

 4.     Art Center College of Design

Deadline: February 1, 2014

5.     California Institute of the Arts

Deadline: January 3, 2014

 6.     School of Visual Arts

Deadline: January 15, 2014

 7.     Parsons School of Design

Deadline: January 10, 2014

1.Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) 238 Madison Avenue

Contact:

Admissions Office
Rhode Island School of Design
Two College Street
401 454-6300
or
800 364-7473

admissions@risd.edu

Deadline: January 10, 2014

Checklist:

• Online Application
• Application Fee
• Official transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• TOEFL / IELTS
• Three letters of recommendation
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. Application form online
2. Application fee $60
3. You must provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate study indicating satisfactory completion, or evidence of anticipated completion, of an undergraduate degree program from an accredited college or university. If you are attending a school in a non-English-speaking country, your academic credentials must be translated into English by an approved translator.
4. Statement of Purpose:  Graduate applicants must submit a written statement (500–750 words) outlining their interest and goals in pursuing graduate study. Certain programs suggest more specific ideas or written requirements as outlined below.
5. TOEFL or IELTS: RISD requires a minimum result of 93 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS. Plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS well in advance of the application deadline since it may take six weeks for your scores to be sent to RISD.
6. Three letters of recommendation written by teachers or other professionals who have first knowledge of your art or academic achievements.

Portfolio:

• You must submit your portfolio through SlideRoom, an online portfolio service that charges a $10 fee.
• Graduate applicants are required to submit 10–20 examples of visual work

Notes:

2.Yale University School of Art

Contact:

Yale University School of Art
1156 Chapel Street, POB 208339
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520-8339
(203) 432-2600

Deadline: January 1, 2014

Checklist:

• Online Application
• Application Fee
• One-Page statement
• Three references
• Student copies / unofficial transcripts
• TOEFL / IELTS / PTE
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. Online Application
2. Non-refundable application fee $100
3. A one-page statement that addresses your influences, interests, brief life history, current direction, and reasons for applying to a graduate program at this time. Statements should be no more than 500 words.
4. References from three persons practicing or teaching in the field in which application is made, attesting to the applicant’s ability and competence in that field.
5. Student copies or unofficial transcripts of the academic record for the bachelor’s degree and/or transcripts from professional art schools attended are uploaded for the preliminary jury. Official transcripts will only be required for applicants invited to interview. Neither junior college transcripts nor Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.
6. Resume
7. English proficiency requirements:
   1. a.       Students at Yale must be able to express themselves fluently in spoken and written American English.  If you are not a native English speaker and you haven’t received at least two years of secondary education in an English-medium curriculum, Yale strongly recommends that you take any one of the following tests for non-native English speakers.
   2. b.      TOEFL

i.      The following minimum scores are required:

ii.      100 on the internet-based TOEFL

iii.      600 on the paper-based TOEFL

iv.      250 on the computer-based TOEFL

1.You may submit the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum        acceptable score is 7.

1.  You may submit the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum acceptable score is 70.

Portfolio:

• The portfolio should represent your best work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your ability; at least half of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months, and all should be from within the last three years.
• Chronological order of year is embedded in our system, and you will not be able to override it.
• One image from the portfolio should be designated as a “representative work.” This selection will be printed for the application file as the piece you feel most strongly represents your body of work.
  • File format
  • Portfolios are submitted online as part of the online application. The portfolio submission interface will allow you to label each image with a title, a date of completion, the materials used, and a brief description of the work. Please do not embed your name in the titles of your work and limit titles to thirty (30) characters. Digital files must adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below.
  • Upload a total of twenty (20) still images and/or moving image files. A significant number of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. Three-dimensional works should show the surrounding space and context. Do not include detail photos of work in your portfolio unless you consider them absolutely necessary. Under no circumstance should more than two detail shots be included. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups with all still images followed by all moving images. Within these groups, place all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Chronological order of year is embedded in our system, and you will not be able to override it.
  • File format for still images
  • To conform to our viewing format, each still image file may be no larger than 16 MB. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still image files may be sent in jpeg, png, bmp, or tiff format.
  • File format for videos and moving images
  • Videos will be accepted in QuickTime, AVI, FLV, MP4, or WMV format. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length, and the size of your video uploads is limited to 64 MB. If you upload a video that is longer than two minutes, it will automatically time out at two minutes. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of twenty files and should not be used as a method of showing examples of additional still images. Do not include titles or credits within the video files.
  • If you are primarily a video artist and wish to submit a longer video, you may post the video to your own Web site and provide the link in the portfolio section of the application. This will embed the video in your application for later review.

Notes:

3.Maryland Institute College of Art and Graphic Design (MICA)

Contact:

1300 W Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore MD 21217-4134
(410) 669-9200

Deadline: January 15, 2014

Checklist:

• Online Application
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Application Fee
• Statement of Purpose
• Transcripts
• English proficiency requirements
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. You can apply online here
2. Resume
3. Three letters of recommendation: Recommendations are submitted online via mica.slideroom.com.
4. $70 Application fee
5. Statement of purpose: Applicants should submit a written statement discussing their design background, both professionally and academically, and outlining their interest in graduate study. Applicants should address their work and goals in relation to the broader discourse of design practice, explaining what draws them to advanced study in this field. Applicants with a background in a different discipline should address how their previous experiences have prepared them for advanced design work.
6. Proof of degree or equivalent: Send transcripts from ALL post secondary schools attended. Transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission in sealed, institution-issued envelopes.
7. English proficiency requirements and translations of all documents:
   1. International candidates whose primary langauge is not English must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. Additionally, certified translations of all letters of reference, transcripts and school documentation must be provided. For additional information on international applicant requirements, please visit Information for International Graduate Applicants.

Portfolio:

• A portfolio of visual work is required from all applicants to the MFA in Graphic Design. This portfolio may consist of professional and/or student design work, or visual work produced in another discipline. A portfolio of writing may also be considered. Applicants should submit 18-20 digital images or time-based work for review online viamica.slideroom.com.

Notes:

4.Art Center College of Design

Contact:

admissions@artcenter.edu

Admissions Office,

Art Center College of Design,

1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA 91103

626.396.2373

Deadline: February 1, 2014

Checklist:

• Online Application
• Application Fee
• Resume
• Statement of Intent
• Letters of recommendation
• TOEFL / IELTS
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. Online Application
2. Non-refundable application fee $50 for US citizens, $70 for non US citizens
3. Official transcript from all colleges attended
4. Resume: A CV summarizing the applicant’s educational and professional background. It should highlight relevant academic studies, project work, awards and achievements, and work experience.
5. Statement of intent: Applications must include a personal statement of intent. The essay should outline the applicant’s motivation for pursuing graduate study in Media Design Practices at Art Center, discuss personal goals for the future, along with areas of interest and relevant experience. Applicants also need to answer the writing assignment listed below for their chosen track only. The statement of intent should be clear and concise, between 500-1500 words in length.
6. Letters of recommendation: References should be from people who are familiar with the applicant’s work and experience, and should speak to an ability to conceptualize, execute and communicate design.
7. Required English proficiency testing:
8. Graduate applicants whose bachelor’s degree was achieved in a language other than English must score at least 100 on the Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) or 7 on the I.E.L.T.S to be considered for admission.

• Visit www.TOEFL.org or www.ielts.org for testing and procedures information. Art Center does not accept institutional scores, and all scores must be sent directly from the testing service. We do not accept electronic download scores from I.E.L.T.S. In addition, the College may require minimum scores on each section of the test.

Portfolio:

• The design portfolio is the cornerstone of the application. The portfolio should be a curated body of work that demonstrates the applicant’s expertise in the conception and creation of sophisticated design and other relevant works (e.g. creative or critical writing, business plans, software, curriculum, research, grants, etc.).
• The portfolio must demonstrate versatility, criticality, rigor, point of view, willingness to discover, and accomplishment working with graphic, visual, interactive, spatial, or experiential media. Projects can be professional, self-initiated, and/or class assignments. Applicants are encouraged to include work that demonstrates process, research, experimentation, and a spirit of inquiry. We encourage applicants from other fields but projects from outside of media design must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to cross boundaries and think about issues in the realm of communication and media.
• The portfolio should be edited to highlight the applicant’s best and most relevant work. Brief written descriptions of the projects should accompany each piece. Collaborative or commercial pieces should clearly state the applicant’s contribution or role.
• All projects in the portfolio should be presented through Slideroom. No physical portfolios will be accepted. Media Design Practices prefers all portfolios in the form of either a PDF or a website. The PDF or website should include stills, screen shots or photo documentation for all projects including print, interactive, motion or video. Where possible, dynamic media projects should be accompanied by links to working examples to ensure the full depth of the project is experienced. This content can be on a personal website or third-party service such as Vimeo or YouTube.
• Upload a PDF or document containing your URL to Slideroom at https://artcenter.slideroom.com. A nominal fee will be charged by Slideroom for this service. Full instructions are listed on their site.

Notes:

5.California Institute of the Arts

Contact:

California Institute of the Arts,

24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia,

CA 91355 | 661.255.1050

Preferred Deadline: December 3, 2013

Regular Deadline: January 3, 2014

Checklist:

• Application fee
• English proficiency
• Declaration of finances
• Christmas
• Letters of recommendation
• Artist statement
• Portfolio

Admissions:

     1.       Application fee:

Applications meeting the Preferred Deadline of December 3, 2013:

1. $50 for each domestic application
2. $65 for each international application

Applications meeting the Regular Deadline of January 3, 2014:

1. $70 for each domestic application
2. $85 for each international application
3. 2.       English language proficiency:
4. There is no intensive English language program offered at CalArts. Applicants are expected to be proficient in the English language before applying for admission. Applicants with a native language other than English must take the internet based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) or the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum scores for admissions are 80 TOEFL ibt or 6.5 IELTS for undergraduates and 100 TOEFL ibt or 7 IELTS for graduates. Students attending U.S. accredited high schools abroad or in the U.S. may submit a SAT Critical Reading and Writing scores of 500 or above in lieu of a TOEFL/IELTS. The TOEFL, IELTS or SAT score must be received by the Regular Application Deadline. Applications from international students may not be reviewed if they do not include a TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT score.
   1. Declaration of finances: All students who are not U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. must complete this form after they have been accepted and before the May 1, tuition deposit deadline.  This document is to verify that you have sufficient financial resources to pay all educational and living expenses while attending the California Institute of the Arts.  The U.S. consular office in your home country or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (if you are already in the U.S.) will require this document when you apply for a student (F-1) visa.
   2. Transcripts:Official high school transcripts are required of all BFA1 and transfer applicants.
   3. 6.       Letters of recommendation: We recommend that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when the letters are submitted.  However, if this is not possible, you may also download the Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf) and have your recommender send their letter by mail. Please choose only one method – either online or by mail – per recommender.
      1. Artist Statement: An artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:
         1. What issues and concerns inform your artmaking practice?
         2. Why are you applying to your program at CalArts?
         3. What are your artistic goals?

Portfolio:

• Submit a portfolio of your current design work with a minimum of 20 pieces.
• Your artist statement should concisely address your objectives and goals as a designer in the context of current issues in design practice, as well as how these goals serve as a basis for graduate-level study.
• Candidates who have passed the preliminary selection process will be notified in mid-February. At this time, candidates will be invited to visit CalArts in March for an interview and to meet faculty and students. The interview is required of invited candidates and is an important component of the final selection process.
• Video chat interviews can be arranged, however attending the interview in person is highly
  recommended.
  • Please use our online portfolio system to upload your portfolio with digital files. The system allows you to create a corresponding inventory of works, listing for each image the following information: title, date, medium, dimensions and notes. You may upload still images or video works.
  • Once your portfolio is uploaded, it can be viewed and rearranged until the final submission is made. No changes can be made following the final submission of your portfolio. Please be advised that CalArts is not able to view your work until the final submission is made and your payment is received. Be sure to submit your portfolio to the correct degree level and program. If you experience technical difficulties while uploading your portfolio, you may send an e-mail to support@slideroom.com for technical assistance.

Notes:

 

6.School of Visual Arts

Contact:

gradadmissions@sva.edu

Office of Graduate Admissions
School of Visual Arts
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-3994

Deadline: January 15, 2014

Checklist:

• Application
• Application fee
• Declaration of finances
• English proficiency requirements
• Official translation
• Statement of purpose
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Interview
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. The online application is available here
2. Application fees
3. Declaration of finances (+Verification of Finances)
4. English proficiency requirements (one of the following):
   1. Minimum score of 100 (internet-based) or 250 (computer-based) TOEFL
   2. Minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
   3. Minimum score of 6 in all categories of the English proficiency examination administered by the New York University American Language Institute in New York.
   4. Official translation from all academic documents
   5. Statement of Purpose (250-500 words) describing the applicant’s reason for pursuing graduate study.
   6. Resume: should include professional experience as well as related activities, such as research, awards and exhibitions.
   7. Three letters of recommendation
   8. Interviews
   9. Photocopy of Permanent Resident Card (only permanent residents of the United States)

Portfolio:

Applicants must upload their portfolio to the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom account.

The portfolio requirements for Slide Room are:

• 20 still images in .jpg format, not to exceed 5mb each in file size
• Application portfolios will be viewed on a 1280 x 800 resolution screen. Files should be sized approximately 1280 x 800 pixels at a resolution of 72 dpi.

• Writing Sample: Applicants are also required to submit a typed writing sample between 500 and 1,000 words long. Content is at the discretion of the applicant.
• Additional Skills: Applicants should be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

By mailing in a CD:

Office of Graduate Admissions
School of Visual Arts
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-3994

Notes:

7.Parsons School of Design

Contact:

Parsons Graduate Programs (PS 300)
Office of Admission 72 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011

thinkparsonsgrad@newschool.edu

Deadline: January 10, 2014

Checklist:

• Application
• Application fee
• Unofficial / Official transcripts
• Resume
• Statement of Interest and Intentions
• Recommendations
• GRE
• TOEFL
• Portfolio

Admissions:

1. Online Application
2. $50 non-refundable application fee
3.  Unofficial Transcripts: You must upload an unofficial transcript or academic record for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) in the Educational Background section of the online application.  Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation.
4. Official Transcripts: Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts (as well as official certified translations and evaluations of the transcripts/mark sheets and degree certifications if the degree was earned outside of the U.S.) to The New School.
5. All transcripts not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
6. Foreign Credentials with Transfer Credits: Applicants who would like to transfer academic credits earned at non-U.S. institutions are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), our preferred provider, or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript.If using WES, visit http://www.wes.org for instructions and to begin the application process. The “Required Documents” section will explain what to send. If you request your report online, search for “New School Parsons” when selecting our institution. WES will send your completed evaluation directly to The New School.
7. Electronic Transcripts: If your school sends transcripts electronically, The New School’s approved vendors are: Avow Systems, Inc. and Docufide Inc./Rebranded as Parchment, Inc.

National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance by Hobsons, Pearson, SCRIP-SAFE International

Xap Corporation. Electronic transcripts should be sent to GRtranscripts@newschool.edu.

1. Résumé: Submit a brief resume/vitae summarizing your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, volunteer/community work, travel, exhibitions, public speaking, or any other relevant experiences as they may relate to your field of study, including dates and positions held. Please also note any special language or computer skills that you have.
2. Statement of Interest and Intentions: Please outline your reasons for applying to this program. In what ways will you contribute to the subject matter of the program? You should include a thoughtful description of your background, tentative plan of study or area of inquiry in the field as you now envision it, your professional goals, and how this graduate program will help you realize those goals. If you have not been enrolled as a student in the past five years, please address anticipated opportunities and challenges in pursuing the degree, and future career expectations upon completion of the program.
3. Recommendations: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation from faculty or people with whom you have worked professionally.
4. TOEFL: If English is not your native language, submit results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The minimum score required for acceptance to the program is 92 for Internet-based exam. The minimum IELTS score required is a 7.0.

11. GRE: If English is your native language, submit your scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and general tests (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing).

Portfolio:

• Submit Portfolio through Slideroom ($15 Slideroom fee)
• Portfolio: The portfolio must be completed in Slideroom only. The purpose of the portfolio is to show your individual perspective and creative skills. Prepare a sequence of 15-25 images that best communicate your visual thinking. Include work that best demonstrates your skills from previous educational and/or professional experience. Sketches and conceptual work may also be included.
  We welcome students from a wide variety of disciplines. If you are an applicant without previous training in architecture or design related fields, you may demonstrate your aptitude by submitting examples of freehand drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, graphic design, three-dimensional work, furniture, product design or digital media, amongst others. Time-based works such as film, video, performance, installation or sound are also accepted. Do not combine images in a prepared presentation or slideshow of any type (e.g., PowerPoint or Keynote).

 

Notes: