Application deadline: January 1, 2012
The admissions process for the MFA in Art & Design is highly selective. A maximum of 10 new students are enrolled each year. Applicants must hold a bachelors degree in any field, must demonstrate an ability to carry out creative work, have an interest in interdisciplinary work, a strong educational background, and substantive life experience to draw on in charting new directions for creative work.
The Art & Design graduate program is part of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, and admission to the School of Art & Design requires concurrent admission to Rackham. Application materials must be submitted to both Rackham and the School of Art & Design as outlined below.
1. Submit the Rackham Graduate Admission Application Form.
The Application Form will require the following:
- Creative Work Statement
- Personal Statement
- Résumé
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Evidence of English proficiency (for students whose first language is not English)
- Nonrefundable application fee
2. Mail an official transcript from ALL post-secondary schools you have attended, whether or not you received a degree from that school. The official transcript should provide proof of a Bachelors Degree or equivalent and list completed coursework. Transcripts should be sent in sealed envelopes directly from the post-secondary school to the following address and must arrive by the admissions deadline:
Graduate Selection Committee
School of Art & Design
University of Michigan
2000 Bonisteel Blvd
Ann Arbor MI 48109-2069
3. Upload a portfolio of work online at http://um.slideroom.com.
Applicants should upload a total of 20 images (jpg), videos (mov, wmv, flv), music (mp3) or PDF documents. For detailed recommendations, see Preparing Your Portfolio. SlideRoom charges an additional $10.00 fee for this service.
MFA/MBA
MFA/MBA candidates must complete the application steps above, and also apply and be admitted to The Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Each school will apply its own deferred admission standards to students who elect to take the first year in the other school. Application instructions to the Stephen M. Ross School of Business full-time MBA Program are available at the Business School’s website:
Stephen M. Ross School of Business full-time MBA Admissions
MFA/MSI
MFA/MSI candidates must complete the application steps above, and also apply and be admitted to the School of Information to enter the dual degree program. Each school will apply its own deferred admission standards to students who elect to take the first year in the other school. Application instructions to the School of Information MSI Program are available at the School of Information website:
School of Information Master of Science in Information (MSI) Admissions.
Design Science Ph.D.
The School of Art & Design is a participant in the Design Science PhD Program at the University of Michigan. Admissions instructions for the Design Science Program are found at the program's own website. Applicants apply to the Design Science Program and not to the School of Art & Design.
Design Science Program
Decisions
After admissions materials are reviewed, top applicants will be asked to schedule a required on-campus interview in mid-February. Interview invitations will be sent by the first week of February. Expenses associated with the interview trip are paid for by the School. Final candidate ranking will be determined after the interview process, and admission decisions will be made between mid-March and early-April.
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