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The Corcoran College of Art + Design admits new students to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in either the fall or spring semesters. The Committee on Admissions notifies candidates of decisions approximately two weeks after the submission and review of all required application materials. Applications for admission are accepted throughout the calendar year. However, it is advantageous for applicants for the Fall term (beginning in September) to submit their applications by March 1, and for applicants for the Spring term (beginning in January) to submit their applications by November 1.


Students interested in attending the College and their families are strongly encouraged to visit the campus for an interview and a tour to become familiar with the programs and facilities that the Corcoran has to offer. To schedule a visit, please contact the Office of Admissions approximately two weeks in advance by calling (202) 639-1814 or toll-free at (888) CORCORAN.


The following items are required before the Committee on Admissions considers an application complete and ready for a decision:

  1. Application for Admission: A non-refundable application fee of $45 payable by check, money order, or credit card must accompany the application.

    Click here to apply >

    Note: For all online applicants, be sure to complete and mail or fax the signature page. The page will appear once you have submitted your online application. Click here if you need an extra copy >

  2. Portfolio of Art Work: Applicants who live within a radius of approximately 200 miles are required to present their portfolios in person. International applicants and those living outside the area are not required to attend a portfolio review in person. All applicants are required to submit a hard copy of their portfolio. Digital images or 35 mm slides are acceptable forms of media. We recommend digital portfolios be submitted in tiff or jpeg formats and request that applicants do not submit images in Power Point or Photoshop formats. Each image should be no larger than 2 MB.
    Please click here for specific portfolio requirements. >

  3. Secondary School Transcripts: Transcripts must be submitted by all candidates for admission, including those applying for advanced standing. Candidates must receive their high school diploma (or equivalent) prior to their attendance at the Corcoran. Official copies of all high school transcripts, including work in progress, must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions. Final high school transcripts certifying graduation are required to finalize admission to the Corcoran.

  4. College Transcripts: Transcripts are required of candidates who have completed any post-secondary coursework whether or not they intend to seek credit for the work. Official transcripts must be sent from each institution attended.

  5. SAT I/ACT Test Scores: If scores are on an official high school transcript, applicants are not required to have them sent independently. Candidates may request test score reports be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency. The ETS school code for the Corcoran College of Art + Design is 5705. Transfer candidates who have successfully completed one semester of academic coursework including at least two liberal art courses at the post-secondary level with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or higher are not required to submit results of standardized tests.

  6. Personal Statement: A written statement is required of all candidates who have been out of school for more than one semester. Candidates should provide a complete list of activities or employment conducted during the period not enrolled at an educational institution. All applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement.

  7. Recommendations: Letters from individuals such as teachers or employers who can provide a recommendation for the candidate are encouraged. They should come from individuals who can provide the Committee on Admissions with insight into the candidate’s academic, artistic, or personal qualities. Please ensure that the full name of the candidate appears in each letter of recommendation submitted to the Office of Admissions.

 

Students may begin the BFA degree sequence in January through admission to the Mid-Year program, which includes a summer semester. Upon successful completion, students resume the regular academic sequence in the following Fall term. Admission and financial aid priority is given to candidates whose applications are complete by November 1.

Students are reminded to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) in order to be considered for financial aid in the Spring semester.

In some cases, former candidates who did not complete their applications, did not receive favorable decisions, or chose not to enroll may reactivate their files. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (202) 639-1814 to discuss reactivation and requirements for admission.

In addition, former Corcoran BFA students who have not been enrolled for one year or more may apply for readmission using the application for readmission form, available from the Admissions or Registrar’s offices. The College reserves the right to request additional admission information when necessary.

The two most important considerations of the Committee on Admissions are:

First, the applicant's artistic potential, as demonstrated through the presentation of a portfolio of art and/or design work and through grades achieved in studio art classes; and

Second, the applicant's ability to succeed in a scholastic environment, as measured by the applicant's academic records. Standardized test scores are also reviewed and evaluated as a part of the academic record.

Personal qualities and achievements are taken into consideration when documented through letters of recommendation from counselors and teachers, listings of extracurricular activities, and other similar forms of information. Applicants may submit a short essay or personal statement describing their interests, activities, and educational goals.