Art Studio Graduate Application Requirements

The 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Application is Open.

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.

Graduate Application Guidelines

Application Procedure

Deadline for M.F.A. Applications is January 5, 2025

Virtual Open House, Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio MFA Program:

December 13, 2024, 10-11am PST

RSVP here

Application

Apply online in two steps:

Applicants must complete both of these steps before their application will be reviewed for admission.  Both steps must be completed on or before the posted deadline date.  We strongly recommend that applicants submit their university online application and their online portfolio on the same day to ensure timely review of their materials.  Applicants who complete one part of the application process but not the other will not be considered for admission and will not be entitled to a refund of any application fees.

1. Apply at the Office of Graduate Studies website: https://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/apply-graduate-admission-uc-davis. The online application includes:

   • an application for admission and a fellowship application generated and sent to applicants who apply by the priority deadline.
   • an application fee ($120 domestic and $140 international), which can be paid by credit card or e-check. 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.
   • three (3) letters of recommendation. Recommenders must submit all recommendations online through the online application web site.
   • your artist statement under the “essay describing your research or professional interest”.  The artist statement should be no more than 2000 characters and sums up your vision as an artist.
   • 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.
   • TOEFL score, if you are International status. Minimum score of 90 required.

2. Your portfolio MUST be submitted as part of your online application. 

   You may submit up to 20 files offering a view of your best and most current work, in reverse chronological order, Please refer to the file format and size instructions on the submission page. 

   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.

   Upload Instruction

Applications will not be considered complete without step 1 or step 2 (above).  Completed applications are evaluated along with the supplemental materials submitted to the Graduate Program in Art. 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 late March through your Apply Yourself account. No decision can be given out over the telephone. This approval procedure applies to all applicants, including those admitted to UC Davis from another UC campus.

** 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.

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

The Dean of Graduate Studies will notify you in writing of your acceptance or denial, usually in March through your apply Yourself account. No decision can be given out over the telephone.

International Graduate Students:  University policy requires international graduate students to take the SPEAK test of oral English proficiency before they begin duties as teaching assistants or associate-instructors. All international TAs and AIs must meet this requirement and they must pre-register in-person at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, 1350 Surge III, in order to take the exam.

The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and University policy. The University is interested in the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal opportunity policies may be directed to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs (530) 752-2070. Speech and hearing impaired persons may dial (530) 752-7320 (TDD). 

International Student Information

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.

Once admitted, University policy requires international graduate students to take the English as a Second Language (ESL) test and the SPEAK test of oral English proficiency before they begin duties as teaching assistants or associate-ins. All international TAs and AIs must meet this requirement and they must pre-register in person at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, 1350 Surge III, in order to take the exam. Click here for more information on the ESL test; see the CETL site for information on the SPEAK test.