AIB Undergraduate Application Guide
MFA Applicants: consult our MFA Admission section for information on the graduate application process.
Applicants to the Advanced Professional Certificate program: See the APC Guide to Application.
Questions regarding undergraduate applications should be directed to the Admissions Office:
700 Beacon Street
Boston MA 02215-2598
Phone: 617.585.6710 or 800.773.0494 ext. 6710
Fax: 617.585.6720
Email: admissions@aiboston.edu
When To Apply
You are encouraged to apply as early as possible to reserve a place in the program of your choice and to meet financial aid and scholarship deadlines.
Priority Deadlines
The Art Institute of Boston reviews applications for admission on a
rolling basis. Although we encourage students to complete their
application materials by our priority dates (February 22 for fall semester consideration and November 15
for spring applicants), we are happy to consider applications for
admission received or completed after these dates. Students who complete
their files after these dates will also be considered for AIB's
merit scholarship awards.
Your Counselor Advocate
As soon as we receive your application, we will assign you a counselor
advocate to assist you through the process. Your advocate will be
available to address your concerns and find answers to questions you may
have regarding applying, your portfolio, financial aid, or housing.
Your advocate becomes your AIB Admissions Mentor.
Jump down to specific info for...
First Time Freshman Applicants
To complete your application, please submit the following:
1. Application Form
Submit the application form and a $50 application fee (check payable to
The Art Institute of Boston). This fee is waived if you apply online.
2. Personal Essay
Select a piece of artwork from your portfolio and write a 1-2 page typed
description of its inspiration and your creative process. Discuss the
work's meaning and significance to you. The essay is included in the
online application, or you can email or mail your essay to the AIB
Office of Admissions. Don't forget to include your name and address on
the essay if you are sending it separately from your application. Our
email address is admissions@aiboston.edu.
Design applicants: you may choose to write a 1-2 page essay on why you want to study design or why you feel design is important.
Submission of an essay is considered optional for students who have
had an individual visit at AIB and completed a portfolio review or had
an interview with a member of the Admissions Office staff. This does
not apply to portfolio reviews or interviews at National Portfolio Days,
College Fairs, or Campus events such as Open Houses or Visit Days; it
only applies to on-campus individual portfolio reviews.
3. Accomplishments/Activities
A list of accomplishments and co-curricular activities including awards,
exhibits, athletic participation, leadership roles, community service,
and other interests outside of art.
4. Academic Transcripts
Request sealed, official transcripts of grades from all high schools and
colleges attended to be forwarded to AIB's Office of Admissions.
Applicants must have received a high school diploma or GED to be
considered for enrollment.
5. Test Scores
SAT or ACT scores are required of all freshmen BFA degree applicants.
Request that the College Board send a score report to the AIB Office of
Admissions using the AIB code 3777. Students taking the ACT should use
AIB's code of 1781. If your test scores are reported on your official
high school transcript, you do not need to request a separate score
report. Transfers with 30 college credits, international students,
Advanced Professional Certificate applicants, and adult students more
than three years out of high school are not required to submit SAT or
ACT scores.
6. Slides or Electronic Portfolio
All applicants who wish to be considered for our undergraduate or
Advanced Professional Certificate programs are required to submit a
portfolio. For more information about the portfolio requirements, please
visit our portfolio guide page.
7. Portfolio Review
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to have a portfolio review
with one of our Admissions Counselors. This allows you to receive
feedback on your work and to tour our studio facilities. If you are
unable to schedule an in person portfolio review, you may choose to
schedule a phone interview. You may also choose to attend one of our on
campus events or the National Portfolio Days; to see if AIB will be
attending one in your area, please visit our online travel schedule.
Optional Application Steps
Letters of Recommendation
You may send 1-3 letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or professionals to support your application.
Advanced Placement Test Scores (AP)
If you have taken AP tests, request that reports of your scores are sent
to AIB. Transfer credit is awarded if you have received a score of 3 or
above in the AP program examination of the College Entrance Examination
Board (CEEB) for English, Art History, Studio Art, and most other
subjects. Credits may also be awarded for Subject Examinations of the
College Level Examination Program (CLEP), subject to individual review. A
maximum of 12 credits can be applied to Liberal Arts requirements.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
AIB recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum as a
challenging program of study and takes that into consideration when
evaluating an applicant's record. Based upon the receipt of official
results, students completing the IB Diploma may receive 18 credits, the
equivalent of one semester of work. In addition, students who are not
pursuing the full Diploma but are taking IB courses may receive 3 units
of credit for each Higher Level IB examination with a score of 4 or
better; if the score is 5 or higher, six credits will be awarded.
Portfolio Preparation
Need help with your portfolio? AIB offers affordable, four-week online
courses in your area of interest. For more information and to register,
click here.
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International Applicants
To complete your application, please submit the following items by
October 15 for the Spring semester and May 1 for the Fall semester:
- Items 1-7 as listed above and any items listed in the Optional Application Steps section. SAT or ACT scores are required only for international students who have graduated from an American high school.
- Translations of your transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended; all communication must be in English.
- If you've not attended a school in which English is the primary
language of instruction, English Proficiency demonstrated by one of the
following:
- A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) internet-based score
of at least 80 (or 213 on the computer based-test, 550 on the
paper-based test): www.toefl.org
- An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of six or higher: www.ciee.org
- An English Proficiency Certificate (available from any US embassy or consulate)
In certain circumstances, AIB will also consider advanced study at an
intensive English Language program in lieu of a proficiency exam. For
specific questions relating the international student application
process, please contact the International Admissions Advisor, Bob Gielow,
at 617-585-6701 or gielow@aiboston.edu.
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Transfer Students
To complete your application, please submit the following:
- Items 1-7 as listed above and any items listed in the Optional Application Steps
section. For item number two, a transfer essay is required, regardless
of having completed an interview on campus. The required transfer essay
is as follows: Please submit 1-2 page essay that describes your progress
as a visual artist. The format may follow a chronological account of
your experiences through high school and college and how that progress
relates to the Art Institute of Boston as your next destination.
- Transfers with 30 college credits and Advanced Professional Certificate applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- For your portfolio, please include an additional 8-10 works from
advanced courses that you have taken at the college level. This work
will be used to consider your placement level. We also consider work
that you have done professionally for clients or on your own time. Your
level of transfer placement at AIB will be determined in part by your
portfolio, so it is important to submit examples of your most advanced
level of accomplishment in your intended major.
Transfer Student Information and Policies
Accelerated Foundation Option
AIB offers a unique Accelerated Foundation Option in the spring semester
that allows transfer students to complete Foundation studio
requirements in one semester. Students who transfer from another college
may also be exempted from Foundation-level courses based on previous
course work and/or a portfolio that demonstrates competency in
Foundation studies.
Transfer Credits
AIB makes every effort to transfer as many previously earned college
credits as possible. We accept credits when you have earned a C or above
in courses that are among the requirements of the program to which you
are applying. AIB transfers a maximum of 66 credits. Our objective is to place you at the right level, providing successful transition.
Life/Work Credit
AIB recognizes that you may have gained valuable knowledge and
experience outside the classroom environment. If this experience is
reflected in the quality of your portfolio, you may earn an exemption
for a particular required course, and in some instances, credit. For
more information on Life/Work credit contact the Director of Academic
Advising at 617.585.6722.
Residency Requirement
AIB requires that transfer students complete a minimum of four,
full-time consecutive semesters at AIB before they can earn a BFA
degree.
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