Applying to college can be a daunting task. That’s why at The Cleveland Institute of Art we believe very strongly in providing a personal approach at this most important time of your life.
We encourage you to contact us early in your college search so we can help you prepare the best possible application. Our admissions counselors will answer any questions you have and confirm if your application and portfolio meet our submission requirements.
Visit us! We welcome the opportunity to meet you and review your portfolio in person. When you visit, you can tour our campus, meet our faculty artists, and see our students at work in their own studio spaces.
Your application includes:
A $30 application fee
A personal statement outlining your reason for applying
Official high school/college transcripts
A letter of recommendation (preferably from an art teacher or counselor)
Official SAT or ACT test scores
For more information, visit the helpful links below.
First-Time Freshman Students
Transfer Students
International Students
U.S. Veterans
Special Admissions Students
First-Time Freshman Students
We admit first-time freshmen (candidates with no prior college experience) into degree-seeking status for the fall semester only.
We strongly encourage you to follow application deadlines (see sidebar to the right) to ensure admission to CIA and eligibility for the highest amounts of portfolio scholarships and institutional financial aid. However, you may submit an application for admission any time before the first day of classes on a “rolling basis” and will be considered as long as space is available.
As a first-time freshman candidate, you will be considered automatically for portfolio grants and scholarships as long as all of your application materials have been submitted by March 1.
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Transfer Students
Students who have attended other accredited four- and two-year colleges, universities, and post-secondary professional schools are encouraged to apply as transfer students. Transfer students applying for the fall semester will be reviewed for scholarship beginning May 1 and will be considered as long as their complete applications are received by June 15. Students transferring in the spring semester will be reviewed for scholarship beginning November 15 and will be considered until January 1. Learn more about becoming a transfer student at The Cleveland Institute of Art.
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International Students
The Institute is especially pleased to receive applications from international students as we believe you contribute greatly to the school community. If your native language is not English, you must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency in addition to satisfying all admissions requirements. As an international student, you also are required to submit an International Student Supplemental form and a Certification of Finances form with your application. Learn more about becoming an international student at CIA.
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U.S. Veterans
The Cleveland Institute of Art encourages U.S. veterans to apply. We are participants in The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) and fully approved under Veteran's Law. This means if you are a U.S. service member or veteran who qualifies for Post-9/11 GI Bill funds, you may receive a significant amount of supplemental funds for your education from CIA. Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program at CIA.
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Special Admissions Students
At CIA, we recognize that you may have unique circumstances, and we are open to exploring your options as a potential candidate.
Depending on certain qualifications, such as an aptitude for art, we will accept applications from:
Home-schooled students
- Non-degree seeking students
- Part-time students
- Re-admissions students (i.e., students who withdrew or took a leave of absence from CIA)
- Probationary admissions students (i.e., any applicant judged generally admissible, despite academic deficiencies)
- Vocational rehabilitation students
Students wishing to return to CIA after a leave of absence or withdrawal must fill out a returning student application. Generally, a portfolio review is not required unless the student seeks advanced placement and the application fee is waived. Students who applied to CIA within the last three years but never enrolled must fill out a reactivation application. Students who are interested in taking classes at CIA but do not wish to pursue a degree must complete a non-degree student application. All other students should follow our standard admission procedures and criteria. For the best guidance on how to assemble your application materials, we suggest contacting an admissions counselor.
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