How to Apply to the Art Institutes

Art institutes help students to enhance and sharpen their creativity, earn degrees or diplomas and obtain gainful employment upon graduation. The schools are located throughout the United States and specialize in areas such as culinary arts, fashion, media and arts and design. Many of the schools offer financial aid, online courses and the ability to complete admissions requirements over the Internet.

Instructions

Complete Paperwork and Pass Entrance Exams

1. Meet eligibility requirements. Provide proof that you are a high-school graduate or that you have earned a General Educational Development degree (GED). Supply high school or equivalency transcripts. Include the date you graduated from high school. Provide the date of your GED certificate, if you did not graduate from high school, along with your GED test scores.

2. Submit an application. Contact the admissions office at the school that you are interested in attending (see Resources). Supply the required information, such as your name, mailing address and the name of the program you want to enroll in at the institute. Submit an enrollment agreement signed by you and your parents (if you are under 18 years old when you apply to the art institute). Keep in mind that you can also visit the school of your choice and complete an application online. Create a log-in and password to access the art institute's online application.

3. Complete a personal interview. Telephone the institute's admissions office. Schedule an interview with an assistant admissions director. Keep in mind that the purpose of the personal interview is to help you explore your interest, background and ensure that you are enrolled in the program that is best for you. Note that in some cases you might be allowed to complete the interview over the telephone or through email.

4. Write an essay that is approximately 150 words long. Submit the essay with your admissions application. Focus on how you think the art institute will help you to achieve your creative and career goals while you write your essay.

5. Take the ACT test. Contact the art institute to get its school code. Supply this school code when you take your tests so your scores automatically route to the institute.
   Keep in mind that you must achieve a score of 21 on the ACT test to be admitted to an art institute. Note that if you do not achieve the minimum score, you must take and pass the COMPASS test before you can enroll at the school.

6. Pay the nonrefundable application fee, which typically is about $50. Pay the refundable tuition deposit. Note that some institutes require you to submit your portfolio as an admissions requirement. Check with the particular art institute you are interested in enrolling at to see if you are required to submit your portfolio to complete the admissions process.

Resources

• Art Institutes
• COMPASS
• ACT