Admissions Portfolio
For some majors, submitting a portfolio of your work is a required step in the admissions process; other majors offer the opportunity to submit a portfolio to support your application.
Portfolios Can Help Your Application
The purpose of the portfolio submission is to evaluate your development as a creator and assess your ability to thrive in the program you’ve selected.
- Portfolio submissions are required for Game Art and Game Design.
- Portfolio submissions are optional for Animation, Creative Media, Filmmaking, and Graphic Design & Visual Communication.
All Game Art and Game Design applicants must submit a portfolio with their application and transcripts by the submission deadline in order to receive an admission decision by the release date. All other applicants may choose to submit portfolios at any time.
All portfolio submissions will be reviewed by the faculty of each respective major. Please upload your portfolio to the major in Slideroom that corresponds to the one in which you are applying for admission.
Majors that Require Portfolio Submissions
-
Game Art (BFA)
Required submission: work that demonstrates skill, visual aesthetics, artistic practice, subject matter, and art appreciation.
-
Game Design (BS)
Required submission: design and document a simple board game with its own board, pieces, and optional elements that incorporate the given theme.
Majors with Optional Portfolio Submissions
-
Animation (BFA)
Recommended but not required: artwork that demonstrates your aesthetic skills and passion for creating artwork in traditional and digital media.
-
Creative Media (BFA)
Recommended but not required: works that demonstrate your creative process, sources of inspiration, and goals.
-
Filmmaking (BFA)
Recommended but not required: work that demonstrates your ability to portray an engaging story or idea through video, writing, or photography.
-
Graphic Design & Visual Communication (BFA)
Recommended but not required: work that shows your observational drawing skills, creativity, visual communication and concept.
Application Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Dates | Decision Release Date* |
|---|---|---|
| Application Type Early Decision | Application Dates November 15, 2024 | Decision Release Date* December 16, 2024 |
| Application Type Early Action | Application Dates December 15, 2024 | Decision Release Date* January 3, 2025 |
| Application Type Regular Decision | Application Dates Rolling | Decision Release Date* January 15, 2025 |
| Application Type Transfer | Application Dates Rolling | Decision Release Date* Rolling |
| Application Type Spring Regular Decision | Application Dates Rolling** | Decision Release Date* Rolling |
All deadlines are 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Decisions are released online only. To view your decision, sign into your Application Dashboard. Don’t have a one? Create your account.
*Decision release dates are contingent on receiving all requisite application materials by the stated deadlines, including transcripts and portfolios, if required.
**Certain majors are not eligible for Spring enrollment.
More Inside How to Apply
Animation Portfolio Instructions
Portfolio is recommended but not required: Students should concentrate on demonstrating the depth of their artistic talent—quality is preferred over quantity.
Creative Media Portfolio Instructions
Portfolio recommended but not required: You can demonstrate your readiness through the combination of creative works and a written statement in your portfolio.
Filmmaking Portfolio Instructions
Portfolio recommended but not required: You should submit work that shows your creative spark, ideas, and the passion you want to share with the world.
Game Art Portfolio Instructions
Required Portfolio: Students should concentrate on demonstrating the depth of their artistic talent.
Game Design Portfolio Instructions
Required Portfolio: Students should concentrate on demonstrating creative interpretation, meaningful integration of the theme and good communication, both visual and written.
Graphic Design & Visual Communication Portfolio Instructions
Portfolio recommended but not required: Your portfolio can demonstrate your observational drawing skills, creativity, visual communication, and concept.