Learn how to apply for financial aid at MassArt.
Learn MoreHow to Apply
Ready to apply to MassArt? Here’s an overview of how the process works for first-time undergraduate students.
Applying to college can feel less overwhelming when you understand the different parts of the process. To apply to MassArt, follow these steps, and be sure to take note of the deadlines for each.
Note: You are considered a first-time undergraduate applicant if you haven’t received any formal education beyond high school — even if you’ve been out of high school for several years.
Important Deadlines
Early Action Fall Admission: December 1, 2024
Early Action gives students the chance to submit their application early so that they receive an application decision sooner. It is a good option if MassArt is your first choice for college. Early Action decisions are released in early January. To be considered, you must:
- Submit all application requirements by December 1
- Be in good academic standing at your current school
- Indicate your interest in Early Action on your application
If accepted under Early Action, you are not required to attend MassArt. You will have until May 1 to make your decision. Please note that if you are not accepted for Early Action, you will not be reviewed for the regular deadline and you must wait a year to reapply.
Apply Now for Early ActionPriority Application Fall Admission: February 15, 2025
Applications received by the priority deadline are given first consideration for admission, scholarships, and housing. Those received after the priority deadline are considered on an ongoing, space-available basis. The earlier you complete your application, the sooner you’ll receive your admissions decision.
Apply Now for Priority ApplicationPriority Deadline for Financial Aid: March 1, 2025
You should apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission — don’t wait until you receive your admissions decision. You’ll only need to fill out one application — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — to apply for financial aid at MassArt. Learn more about the FAFSA and how it works.
MassArt Application Steps
Please complete the following steps by the priority deadline of February 15, or December 1 for Early Action applicants.
- Complete the online MassArt application on Common App, including the personal essay, and pay the $70 application fee by credit card
- Upload supplementary materials electronically or mail/deliver them to our Admissions Office
- Create a profile and log into MassArt’s Applicant Portal. Within one to two days, you’ll receive a link and directions to access the Applicant Portal. Complete your application by uploading your portfolio and submitting any remaining materials (such as missing transcripts or letters of recommendation) on the MassArt Applicant Portal.
- Once your application is complete and submitted, use the Portal to check its status and receive your decision letter.
Application Fee Waiver
You may apply for an application fee waiver through Common App, the College Board, NACAC, or by having your school counselor email a request to admissions@massart.edu.
Mailing Address
If you are mailing materials, please address your package to:
Office of Admissions
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
621 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
USA
The personal essay you write as part of Common App will provide the Admissions Committee with greater insight into who you are as an individual. The personal essay section of Common App provides a series of prompts you can choose from to write an essay that is 500 words or longer.
Submit a selection of 15–20 examples of your strongest and most recent artwork, reflecting your interests, skills, and willingness to explore, experiment, and express yourself. Your portfolio may concentrate on a single medium or may show a variety of media. We encourage you to include work representing a sustained interest and/or development over time.
Submitting your portfolio
To complete your MassArt application, you will submit your portfolio electronically through your MassArt Applicant Portal. Before submitting your work, you must photograph any artwork that’s not already in a digital format. Ensure that your photos represent your work in the best way possible. Review more detailed guidelines for building, preparing, and submitting your portfolio here.
High school or secondary school transcripts must be official and should include your most recent grades. If you have already graduated, please ask your high school to send us your final transcript. If you are currently in high school and have taken college-level classes, please request an official college transcript be sent in addition to your high school transcript. Transcripts can be sent in one of two ways:
- Directly to MassArt in an envelope stamped and sealed by a high school or college registrar
- Electronically through Common App
High School Equivalency
If you have completed the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or HiSET, please send your official score report including percentages, as well as your high school transcript. MassArt’s HiSET code is MA1001010.
Home-Schooled Students
To be considered for admission, home-schooled students must submit transcripts or the GED/HiSET. The college does not consider applicants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalency.
MassArt no longer requires SAT or ACT scores, and we don’t factor them into admissions decisions. Eliminating these test requirements allows us to base our admissions decisions on a more holistic review of applications. However, we may contact students during the admissions process to further determine their college readiness.
While we no longer factor test scores into our admissions decisions, we reserve the right to use them in institutional profile reports for enrolled students. Test scores will not be used for merit scholarship consideration.
If you decide to submit standardized test scores, MassArt’s SAT school code is 3516, and our ACT school code is 1846. Reports should be sent directly from the College Board, American College Testing, or through the high school guidance office.
Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo, or Pearson Test of English scores as part of the application process.
Learn more about MassArt’s English Language Proficiency standards.
A letter of recommendation can greatly enhance your application. Choose a reference who can effectively speak to your potential as a student and your motivations, skills, background, and character, as well as your art or academic achievements. We recommend asking someone such as an art teacher, liberal arts teacher, school counselor, employer, or mentor.
You should use Common App to provide the contact information of the recommender, and they will be able to submit an online form on your behalf. We will also accept a letter of recommendation via mail, or an email sent directly from the reference’s account to admissions@massart.edu. All recommendation letters must be sent by the reference, or be on signed high school, college, or business letterhead and sent in a sealed envelope. We will not accept recommendation letters sent by a student or a family member that have not been signed and sealed by the reference.
On Common App, include a list of your activities including employment, community service, school clubs, organizations, and extracurricular interests. Specify what positions you held (if any), the length of your involvement, and awards or prizes you may have received.
MassArt requires all first-year students to provide proof of high school graduation for both residency documentation and financial aid verification. To satisfy this requirement, please submit one of the following:
- A final high school transcript from a U.S. high school or U.S.-accredited high school, including date of graduation; signed, stamped, or sealed by a school official; and sent from your high school or a recognized third-party vendor
- Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) results, sent directly from the testing organization
- Home-schooled students have the additional option to submit a letter from a local school district official or state education agency certifying that the student received an education substantially equivalent to instruction given to students graduating from high school in a public or private institution
Legal permanent residents of the U.S. must submit a copy of the front and back of their permanent registration card along with their application materials to be considered for admission.
Before applying, review our admissions standards to ensure you meet MassArt’s academic requirements.
Admissions decisions are released electronically via the MassArt Applicant Portal. Decisions are released on a rolling basis, beginning in early January for Early Action applicants. Please allow four to six weeks for your application to be reviewed and to receive a decision.
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact your admissions counselor.
- First Time Undergraduates
- Transfer Students
- Re-admission Candidates
- International Students
- Graduate Students
- Certificate Students
- Resources for Veterans
- Admissions Policies
- Meet the Admissions Team
- Admissions Events
- Resources for Teachers & Counselors
- Accepted Students
- FAQs
- Schedule Your Visit
- Request Information