CAL ARTS undergrad admissions guidelines

California Institute of the Arts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Parkway Valencia, CA 91355
admissions@calarts.edu
800.545.ARTS

FOUNDED BY this guy: 

WALT DISNEY! 

Application Requirements

The requirements are as follows:

• Application
• Application Deadlines: 
• Preferred Deadline - December 3
• Regular Deadline - January 3
• Spring- November 1
• Applications on a rolling basis until programs close 
• Fees:
• $50 for each domestic application
• $65 for each international application
• Portfolio : https://calarts.slideroom.com/#/Login 
• Transcripts 
• Letters of Recommendation
• Artist statement

Transcripts

Official high school transcripts are required of all BFA and transfer applicants.  College transcripts should cover all work undertaken and should be sent from each institution attended.

• Transfer transcript requirements: As a transfer applicant you must submit official transcripts of all of your previous college work. If you have not obtained an AA or BA degree, you must also submit official High School Transcripts and evidence of graduation or the equivalent.
• High School/Home School transcript requirements: Home-schooled applicants must submit a transcript or detailed syllabi of courses (equivalent to grades 9-12) and a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or comparable regional test such as the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).

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.

Two letters of recommendation are required for BFA programs. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your artistic work. 

Artist Statement

An artist statement is very important in the admissions process and should answer the following three questions:

• What issues and concerns inform your artmaking practice?
• Why are you applying to your program at CalArts?
• What are your artistic goals?

Some programs have additional, specific topics and/or questions to be covered in this statement. This statement should be submitted with both your online application and your online portfolio.

Do not include your artist’s statement in your portfolio package; this will delay review of your file.

ASHCAN STUDIO STUDENT WORK for CAL ARTS APPLICATION 

by SOO CHOI