Art Studio Graduate Application Requirements

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Admission Requirements

To apply, you need to hold a degree from an accredited four-year university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; it need not be in art studio. You need to provide evidence of your ability and commitment to the art process. GRE scores are not required for admission to the M.F.A. program or for fellowship consideration.

Applicants must apply by the posted deadline date to be considered for admission and fellowships.

Application Requirements

The official application process takes place on the UC Davis Graduate Studies application portal. The Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio M.F.A. Program will specifically look for the following within the official Graduate Studies application:

• Artist Statement

Your artist statement should be submitted under the “Essay Describing Your Research or Professional Interest” located within the section of the application titled, “Plans for Graduate Study”. The artist statement should be no more than 2000 characters and provide insights of your vision and processes as an artist.

• Transcripts

UC Davis requires academic records from each college-level institution you have attended. You will be instructed to upload scanned copies of your transcripts after you have submitted your online application. For more details visit https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/prospective-students/admissions-application/submitting-your-transcripts.

• Statement of Purpose

(Max. 4,000 characters)

Describe your academic preparation, relevant experience, motivation for applying, research interests/intended focus of your studies, and professional goals as they relate to the graduate program and major field. This essay should complement but not duplicate the content in the “Essay Describing Your Research or Professional Interests.”

• Academic preparation refers to educational background, practical learning, extracurricular activities, self-directed research, and academic accomplishments/qualifications that demonstrate your potential for success as a master’s or doctoral student in the graduate program

  • Examples: related coursework, academic research and writing, fieldwork, internships, laboratory activities, scholarships/awards, independent study, presentations, publications, teaching, faculty or peer mentorship, studio projects, organizational membership, and study abroad.
• Interests, specializations, and career goals may include your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization, and professional objectives.
• Alignment may include how your preparation, experiences, and interests match, specific faculty or resources and characteristics of your graduate program at UC Davis. Please include specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how your interests align with the identified faculty member/s.
• Personal Statement

(Max. 4,000 characters)

All applicants are required to submit a Personal Statement as part of a complete graduate admissions application. While the Statement of Purpose is primarily focused on academic preparation, research interests/concept, and alignment with the graduate program, the Personal Statement is an opportunity to share the unique background, experiences, perspectives, and abilities that you will bring to a graduate program. 

Please describe how your background and life experiences shaped your academic and/or professional path and influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This may include formative experiences, environment, values, motivations, interactions, decisions, etc.

We encourage you to consider these potential scenarios when developing your Personal Statement:

• Commitment to overcoming significant obstacles despite economic disadvantage, challenging social environment, or other specific experiences of hardship.
• Unique talents, abilities or skills relevant to personal growth.
• Employment experiences, extracurricular activities, or community participation that inspired further education.
• Evidence of growth, maturity and commitment to graduate study or a graduate degree.
• Digital Portfolio 

You may submit up to 20 files offering a view of your best and most current work. Please refer to the file format and size instructions on the “Digital Portfolio” tab in the application.

Audio and video clips may be directly submitted or linked to SoundCloud, YouTube, Vimeo, DropBox or Box.com. If your URL is password-protected, password must be clearly provided.

If you are submitting a book as part of your portfolio, you may submit images of the cover and/or sample pages of the physical book, and a pdf file or a URL that presents the content of the book. 

Please DO NOT submit an entire portfolio in PDF or linked to a URL.

• CV (max. two pages)
• Fellowship Application

Please complete this application in order to be eligible for any fellowships that our department or the Office of Graduate Studies may award. It includes listing any fellowships you may already have as you apply to graduate school, and a statement of 2000 character max. describing how you plan to support yourself during your first academic year.

• Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders must submit all recommendations online through the online application website.

• Application Fee

Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee ($135 for domestic applicants or $155 for international applicants) to be eligible for admission. Please note: the application processing fee is nonrefundable. The fee must be paid before the application will be considered complete, and the fee must be paid for each application submitted.

** Applicants are responsible for making certain the Graduate Program receives all application supporting documents (transcripts, etc.). An application is not considered “complete” by the University unless all supporting documents have been received by application deadline. The Graduate Program is not responsible for any materials that are submitted after application deadline.

International Student Information

The Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio MFA Program offers generous fellowships for international students and we encourage interested candidates to apply for admission and financial support.

The minimum score required for the TOEFL examination is 90; minimum score required for the IELTS is 7 on a 9 point scale and Duolingo score of 115 for admission or 130 to be exempt from taking UWP courses.

English Language Requirements:

International students may be required to take additional English language examinations or courses. For additional information, please visit the following links on the International & Academic English website:

• First Year English Course Requirement - This site details whether you are required to take an additional English language course as a new graduate student at UC Davis.

• Qualify as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Associate Instructor (AI) - UC Davis requires higher levels of English language proficiency for graduate students who serve as TAs or AIs. Visit this site to learn what steps must be taken to qualify as a TA or AI.

Application for Financial Aid

If you will be applying for need-based grants, loans, or financial aid, you must submit a FAFSA form to the Financial Aid Office. This form may be obtained at any college or university financial aid office or on line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. For complete information regarding financial aid at UC Davis, see the Financial Aid and Scholarships page for graduate and professional students. Click on their Contact us tab for phone numbers and other specifics.

Acceptance

Completed applications are evaluated along with the supplemental materials submitted. The department’s Graduate Admissions Advisory Committee will submit its recommendations to the dean; final admissions decisions rest with the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies will notify you in writing of your acceptance or denial, usually in March through your Application Slate account. No decision can be given out over the telephone.