Transfer Your Creativity to CIA
If you have attended any other accredited four- or two-year college, university, or post-secondary professional school, you are encouraged to apply as a transfer student.
Transferring to a new college can be overwhelming and intimidating. But at the Cleveland Institute of Art, we do our best to personally ease you through the process. Take a moment to read about our application process and financial aid and scholarships for transfer students as well as how to transfer credits.
Transfer Student Application Process
Transfer candidates are accepted at CIA based upon artistic and academic qualifications as well as available space. To be considered for admission, a transfer candidate should follow standard application procedures and criteria. Transfer applicants also must adhere to the additional guidelines below.
1. Submit official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and post-secondary schools attended.
- If you have completed less than 24 college credits, you will need to submit your official high school transcripts.
- If you have completed more than 24 hours or attended a regionally accredited college or university full time for a year, you do not need to send your high school transcripts.
- If you have completed less than 12 college credits, please also request your SAT or ACT test results are sent to CIA. Our identification numbers are SAT-1152 and ACT-3243.
2. If you are a transfer international student and English is not your native language, you also must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency with one of the following:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 525 PBT (paper-based test), 213 CBT (computer-based test), or 80 IBT (Internet-based test)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System ) band score of 6.0 or higher
- SAT or ACT test scores
- Completion of Level 112 ESL coursework
3. Send one letter of recommendation.
The letter preferably should come from a faculty member or counselor who knows your artistic and academic work well and understands your desire to become a working artist.
4. Submit your portfolio.
In addition to abiding by our portfolio guidelines and format rules, please make sure to provide the specific elements required of transfer students.
5. Send all application materials to:
Office of Admissions
The Cleveland Institute of Art
11141 East Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
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Transfer Credits
Transfer applicants must submit official transcripts from any college(s) to the Office of Admissions. We will evaluate all transcripts to determine which courses will transfer into CIA's undergraduate program.
Transfer credit is divided into two categories: academic and studio credit. Generally, academic credit earned at another accredited institution will transfer as long as you earned a C or higher. Studio credits are considered separately. Credits for studio coursework are reviewed based on transcript, rigor of program from the transferring institution, and by portfolio review. Before submitting a final application, you are strongly encouraged to meet with an admissions counselor to discuss which classes most likely will transfer and at what studio level you will be placed.
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Transfer Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
In order to receive financial aid or loans, you must be accepted as a degree-seeking student. Review our general financial aid tips included in our application checklist or visit our Office of Financial Aid page.
Besides applying for financial aid, you also will be automatically entered in CIA’s Transfer Merit Scholarship Competition upon completion of your transfer student application. You do not need to apply for this scholarship. To be considered, complete your transfer student application by June 1 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester.
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Have Questions?
We pride ourselves on providing a personal connection to our prospective and current students, so if you have any questions about our requirements, please contact our Office of Admissions.
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