AIB Application Guide

Direct all questions to the Admission 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 fully considered for AIB's merit scholarship awards.

Your Counselor Advocate
When you apply to The Art Institute of Boston, you will not be alone. 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 Admission Mentor.

First Time Freshmen Applicants

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 Admission.  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 Admission 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 Admission. 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 Admission 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 Admission 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:

1. 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          
2. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of six or higher: www.ciee.org
3. 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 Admission Advisor, Bob Gielow, at 617-585-6701 or gielow@aiboston.edu.

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Transfer Students

• 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

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Applying to the Advanced Professional Certificate program?  Please visit the APC Guide to Application.