Undergraduate Application

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All Bachelor’s degree applicants must submit their applications with the $45 non-refundable application fee. Access additional admissions requirements anytime during your application process here.

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BA Application Requirements

Application Checklist

• Application and non-refundable $45 fee
• Prompted Essay topic
• Portfolio of artwork and portfolio statement
• Official transcripts
• SAT I/ACT test scores
• Personal statement ( 1 page)
• Letters of recommendation (optional, but encouraged)
• FAFSA (for financial aid consideration)

The Committee on Admissions notifies candidates of decisions approximately two weeks after the submission and review of all required application materials.

Admission and Scholarship Criteria
The Committee on Admissions considers artistic potential and the ability to succeed academically as the two most important considerations for admission. These same criteria are used to consider accepted students for multi-year merit scholarships at the time of admissions. No additional forms are required. Students applying for need-based aid should complete the free federal application form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information on Corcoran financial aid, please click here.

Essay Information
Candidates for the BA Art Studies programs are required to complete an essay based on one of the provided topics. The essay should be no more than two pages in length and give us a clear idea of how you think and express yourself.  

Portfolio Information
In addition to having their original portfolios viewed, students must submit a digital portfolio on a CD or DVD. Please format still image files as TIFs or JPEGs set for the optimum quality you wish your work to be viewed. Video clips should be formatted in QuickTime or on a DVD. Please print your name and address on each CD or DVD. Do not submit your only copy. Please check your disk to see that the files are readable before submitting and accompany your digital portfolio with a list of the disk’s files and the title, medium(s), size, and date of the depicted works. The entries should also describe the file type (i.e., .jpg, .html, etc.) and indicate if the files were generated using a Mac or PC.

Bachelor of Arts Essay Requirements

Please select one of the following topics for your application essay. This is not a test; we are simply interested in learning how you think and express yourself.

• Today the web is a major site of visual experience, and some museums are responding by placing their collections online or devising “virtual museums” on the Second Life website.  What are the essential differences between a virtual museum and one made of bricks and mortar, and how should museums respond to the virtual world?

• In a recent poll conducted by theNew York Times, a large majority of art critics said they wouldn’t try to define the term “art.” Why do you think they feel that way?

• For this question, we ask you to write a personal response occasioned by a particular word. Your answer can take you in any direction you wish and be in any written form. This year’s word is “Engagement.”

BFA Application Requirements

Application Checklist

• Application and non-refundable $45 fee
• Porfolio of artwork and portfolio statement
• Official transcripts
• Official SAT I/ACT test scores
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation (optional, but encouraged)
• FAFSA (for financial aid consideration)

Admission and Scholarship Criteria
The Committee on Admissions considers artistic potential and the ability to succeed academically as the two most important considerations for admission. These same criteria are used to consider accepted students for multi-year merit scholarships at the time of admissions. No additional forms are required. Students applying for need-based aid should complete the free federal application form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information on Corcoran financial aid, please click here.

Portfolio Information
In addition to having their original portfolios viewed, students must submit a digital portfolio on a CD or DVD. Please format still image files as TIFs or JPEGs with pixel dimensions of 800 x 600 or lower. Video clips should be formatted in QuickTime or on a DVD. Please print your name and address on each CD or DVD. Do not submit your only copy. Please check your disk to see that the files are readable before submitting and accompany your digital portfolio with a list of the disk’s files and the title, medium(s), size, and date of the depicted works. The entries should also describe the file type (i.e., .jpg, .html, etc.) and indicate if the files were generated using a Mac or PC.

• Secondary School Transcripts must be submitted by BFA candidates who have not completed 24 college-level credits prior to applying. Candidates must receive a high school diploma or equivalent prior to their attendance at the Corcoran. Official copies of all high school transcripts, including courses in progress and final transcripts must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions.

• College Transcripts are required of candidates who have completed any post-secondary coursework, regardless of whether or not they intend to seek credits for the work. Official transcripts must be requested from each institution attended.

• SAT I/ACT Test Scores are required if the applicant has not earned a C or above in a college level English class.

• A personal statement is required of all candidates. Candidates should provide a complete list of activities or employment conducted during any period of unenrollment at an educational institution.

• Interview and portfolio reviews are required for students who live within 200 miles of DC.  

• Advanced Placement Credit may be awarded to students who take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations offered by The College Board. Candidates are encouraged to have official results of the AP exams forwarded to the Office of Admissions for credit evaluation. (optional)

• Letters of Recommendation from teachers or professors qualified to evaluate the candidate's academic, artistic, or personal qualities. The full name of the candidate must appear on each letter of recommendation submitted to the Office of Admissions. Letters should be written on official letterhead. (optional)