School of Visual Arts is located in New York, USA. It was established back in the year 1947. In the fall of 2018, 4,364 students applied for the School of Visual Arts admissions. Notably, 70% of the total applicants were offered a place. Thus, seeking admission here can be a tough job for the prospective students and thus they need to be extra attentive while meeting the eligibility criteria for respective courses.
School of Visual Arts offers undergraduate and graduate programs in around 31 disciplines, with Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, Photography, Computer Graphics, Illustration, etc being some of the most popular courses.
- School of Visual Arts opens application for fall, spring, and summer sessions. But for graduate programs only fall applications are invited.
- SVA accepts applications on a rolling basis for the fall semester.
- Applicants may upload the supporting documents while making the online application or send them to the Admission Office post the application process.
- However, students applying for UG courses are recommended to complete the application by May 1
- Application for scholarships should be submitted by June 1.
- Transcripts must be sealed and mailed from the issuing authority itself.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online application |
| Application Fee | 50 USD |
| Acceptance Rate | 70 % |
| The student to faculty ratio | 8:1 |
| Academic Calendar | Semester wise |
| Intake Seasons | Fall/spring/summer |
| Work Experience | Optional |
| Financial Aid | Yes |
School of Visual Arts Admission Deadlines
Students are requested to submit their application prior to the deadlines for them to be considered for admission. Applications deadlines are different for international students in relation to domestic students. SVA does not entertain late applications. Here are the deadlines for the enrolment seasons:
| Term/ Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring | October 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
| Fall | May 1 |
For graduate courses, students must submit their application along with supporting material by January 15.
School of Visual Arts International Student Admissions
School of Visual Arts accepts international applicants, given that they have completed secondary education with college preparatory curriculum, fulfilled the minimum grade point equivalency, provided required official academic records, met the appropriate deadlines, and verified financial support for one academic year.
The admission process is similar for both international and domestic applicants. However, international applicants need some additional requirements.
Application Portal: Online application
Application Fee: UG: 50 USD
Graduate: 80 USD
Admission Requirements:
- High school and college-level transcripts (translated and evaluated by either ECE or WES)
- Statement of Intent
- Proof of English proficiency
- SAT or ACT scores for students who attended high school in the US (only if the aspirant has earned less than 24 college credits)
- Proof of Financial Support
- Recommendation Letters
- Resume/CV
Supporting Documents:
- Admission interview
- Credit requirements
- Portfolio
- Writing sample
- GRE or GMAT scores
Students must mail the admission materials to:
School of Visual Arts
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010 USA
English Proficiency Test Score for International Students
International applicants are required to present TOEFL, ESL, and/or SAT scores to demonstrate English proficiency. The minimum required scores by the School of Visual Arts are:
Visa Process for International Students
International applicants need to apply for an F-1 student visa to be able to study in the USA. Students whose application have been approved and enrolment fee have been received will be issued the I-20 Form and Certificate of Eligibility and based on these international students are required to apply for the student visa in their respective countries through the U.S. embassies located nearby. The I-20 Form is directly mailed to the students once the admission process is completed.
Students may direct their I-20 Form related queries to helpdesk@sva.edu. Students need to pay the visa processing fee of 160 USD and 350 USD SEVIS fee and preserve the receipt of payment in order to be used as evidence during the process.
Applicant will be required to submit the following documents while applying for a visa:
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Health Insurance/ Verification Form
- Declaration and Verification of Finances
- Completed DS-160 Online Application Form
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Original I-20
- Receipt of SEVIS fee payment
For further information regarding the Visa process students can visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Students whose visa has expired during their stay in the US and can’t move to their respective countries due to COVID-19, such students are allowed to stay in the US with the expired visa provided they maintain valid immigration status with a valid I-20.
US embassies and consulates have canceled all the routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments since March 18, due to coronavirus pandemic and would resume services shortly after situations are normal. Students should check the U.S. embassy website for operating status of the embassy in your domestic country.
School of Visual Arts Undergraduate Admissions
School of Visual Arts offers Undergraduate Admissions in Advertising, Animation, Cartooning, Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography and Video, and Visual and Critical Studies. Aspirants are required to submit transcripts, which should be in an unopened envelope stamped and sealed by the issuing institution directly to be considered official.
Where to Apply: Online Application portal
Application Fee: 50 USD
Admission Requirements: Applicants must submit the following documents at the time of admission:
- High school transcripts (translated and evaluated by either ECE or WES)
- Statement of Intent
- Portfolio (15-20 images or a film reel or two-part film essay)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Declaration and Verification of Finances
- Recommendation Letters (optional)
Students need to mail their application material to the following address:
SVA Undergraduate Admissions
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010 USA
School of Visual Arts Graduate Admissions
School of Visual Arts offers graduate degrees in Arts Practice, writing, computer arts, design, fine arts, interactive design, photography, video, and related media, social documentary film, curatorial practice, directing, branding, visible futures lab, and many more.
Students must submit their admission application through the online portal of SVA.
Graduate students must send the required applications and supporting material by January 15.
Here are some specific academic requirements for some of the popular graduate programs offered by the School of Visual Arts.:
| Requirements | MFA Fine Arts | MFT Design | MA Design Research, Writing, and Criticism | MA/ MAT Art Education | MPS Directing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (USD) | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| GMAT/GRE | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | GRE | Not Required |
| Statement of Purpose | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Professional CV/ Resume | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Letters of Recommendation | Three Required | Three Required | One Required | Three Required | Three Required |
| Admission Interview | Not Required | Not Required | Required | Required | Not Required |
| Portfolio | Required | Required | Required | Required | Not Required |
Graduate applicants are required to send their transcripts to gradadmissions@sva.edu (for electronic transcripts)
Or
Graduate Admissions
342 East 24th Street, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10010
Students are notified of the admission decision within approximately two months of the completed application process. All admission decision-related notification is sent directly on the applicant’s mail. Students can post their admission related queries at admission@sva.edu. During the pandemic times, students are required to regularly update themselves regarding the latest rules for the admission process, visa process, immigration rules, etc.
FAQs
Ques. Does SVA accept transcripts through email?
Ans. SVA prefers official transcripts if sent through mail but in unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19 students may submit electronic transcripts directly from the institution’s official email, self-reported transcripts are not acceptable. SVA also accepts electronic transcripts from Parchment Exchange, National Student Clearinghouse, or Scrip-Safe.
Ques. Can my application be accepted without TOEFL/IELTS test scores?
Ans. Students belonging to country where the primary language is not English are required to submit proof of their English Proficiency by either TOEFL or IELTS or Pearson PTE Academic test scores. But in times of COVID-19 SVA is accepting Duolingo scores as well on a case-by-case basis.
Ques. Does SVA offer scholarships?
Ans. Yes. Around 74% of the students receive financial aid and all the first-year full-time students are offered Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship program provided they possess a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate of School of Visual Arts?
Ans. 70%
Ques. Do international students qualify for online classes?
Ans. Yes. Due to these COVID-19 situations, the classes are being conducted online and all students are required to attend the same to maintain their full-time status irrespective of their location.
Ques. What if the student belongs to a country with poor internet connections?
Ans. Students residing in countries with low internet speeds are being provided a VPN network by SVA to attend regular online classes as per schedule.
