:: AIB Application guide

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

If applying for the January spring semester, submit your application by November 15. If applying for the fall semester, submit your application by February 15. After the priority deadlines, we consider applications on a rolling basis as space allows.

Your Counselor Advocate

When you apply to The Art Institute of Boston, you will not be alone. As soon as we receive your application to AIB, 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 is your AIB Admission Mentor.

Applying to AIB

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

First Time Freshman Applicants

In order for your application to be considered complete, please submit the following:

1. Application Form: Along with the $40 application fee (check payable to The Art Institute of Boston; fee waived if an online application was submitted)

2. Personal Essay: Select a piece of artwork from your portfolio and write a 1-2 page typed description of its inspiration, your creative process, and discuss the work's meaning and significance to you. Please mail in your essay to the AIB Office of Admission at our Boston mailing address. The essay is not included in the online application, and must be mailed or emailed separate from submitting the online application.

Design applicants my choose to write a 1-2 page essay on why you want to study design, or why you feel design is important.

NEW POLICY for 2008-2009 applications: Submission of an essay is considered optional for students who have visited AIB and interviewed with a member of the Admission Office staff. This does not apply to portfolio reviews or interviews at National Portfolio Days or College Fairs and is only for on-campus 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 that sealed, official transcripts of grades from all high schools and colleges attended 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. 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, and Advanced Professional Certificate applicants 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 a portfolio review in person, we will contact you 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 1 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.

International Students

In order for your application to be considered complete, please submit the following:

Items 1-7 as listed above and any items 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.
English Proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:

           1. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 500, 61 on the internet-based test or 173 on the computer based-test, www.toefl.org
           2. A comparable score on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 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 or demonstrated success in an English-speaking high school or college, in lieu of a proficiency exam. For specific questions relating to applying as an international student please contact the International Admission Advisor, Tim Blackman, at 617-585-6706 or tblackma@aiboston.edu.

Transfer Students

In order for your application to be considered complete, please submit the following:

Items 1-7 as listed above and any steps in the Optional Application Steps section. 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 the level into which you will be placed. We also consider work that you done professionally for clients or in 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 student to complete Foundation studio requirements in one semester. Students who transfer from another college may also be exempted from Foundation-level courses based on precious 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 where 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 65 credits. Our objective is to place you at the right level so that you will have a successful transition.

Life/Work Credit
AIB recognizes that you may have gained valuable knowledge and experience outside of 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's residency requirement for transfer students is a minimum of four full-time consecutive semesters for a BFA degree.

Last updated 08/13/08

Page maintained by: Ann K.