An exceptional education at an affordable price.
Learn about MassArt’s undergraduate tuition, cost of attendance, and financial aid options to help plan your college investment.
Undergraduate Tuition, Costs & Aid
Admissions → Transfer & Readmission Students
How to Transfer
Ready to apply to MassArt? Here’s an overview of how the process works for transfer students.
Applying to college can feel less overwhelming when you understand the different steps in the process. To apply to MassArt, follow these steps, and be sure to take note of the deadlines for each.
You are considered a transfer undergraduate applicant if you have enrolled in college level courses for credit after graduating high school.
We are currently reviewing transfer applications on a space-available basis. We welcome additional applications and continue to review candidates as space allows.
Undergraduate Transfer Admissions Deadlines
| Deadline | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Application Fall Admission | March 1 | Please submit all application requirements by the priority deadline to be given first consideration for admission, scholarships, and housing. |
| Priority Financial Aid Fall Admission | April 1 | You should apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission — don't wait until you receive your admissions decision. |
| Priority Application Spring Admission | October 15 | Transfer applicants who meet specific prerequisites* may apply for the spring semester. |
| Priority Financial Aid Spring Admission | November 15 | You should apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission — don't wait until you receive your admissions decision. |
Applications 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.
*To be eligible for spring admission to MassArt, students must have completed—or be currently enrolled in—at least three college-level studio courses. These must include one drawing course and one course comparable to Visual Language, such as Two-Dimensional Design or Design and Color Theory. Students who do not meet these prerequisites should apply for the fall semester.
Transfer Application Steps
Please complete the following steps by the March 1 deadline, or October 15 for spring applicants.
-
Submit your application through Common App
Complete and submit the Common App for transfer students, including your personal essay, and pay the $70 application fee by credit card. Do not use a school email address when creating your Common App account. -
Access the MassArt Applicant Portal
Within 48 hours of submitting your Common App, you’ll receive two emails from MassArt with a temporary PIN and instructions for accessing the MassArt Applicant Portal. Follow the instructions to log in and create a new password. -
Submit your portfolio and remaining materials
Use the MassArt Applicant Portal to upload your portfolio and check for any outstanding application materials. Submit any missing materials as soon as possible. -
Check your application status
Check the MassArt Applicant Portal regularly to confirm that your application is complete, monitor your application status, and view your admission decision when it becomes available.
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 prefer to mail materials, please address your package to:
Office of Admissions
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
621 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
USA
Application Requirements
The essay topic is open-ended; you can select one of the prompts Common App provides or choose your own topic. We recommend that you specifically address why you are interested in transferring to your chosen program at MassArt. Your essay should be between 500 and 750 words.
MassArt requires that students submit a portfolio of at least 15-20 pieces of artwork as part of their application. Transfer students must submit work samples from studio courses they’ve completed previously. Students who have completed studio classes at the college level are encouraged to submit between 20-30 pieces.
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 our guidelines for building, preparing, and submitting your portfolio.
Transfer students with fewer than 60 college credits (not including credits completed while in high school) must submit high school and secondary school transcripts when applying. High school transcripts are not required if you have earned an Associates Degree or higher. Transcripts must be official and can be sent in one of two ways:
- Directly to MassArt in an envelope stamped and sealed by a high school registrar
- Electronically through the 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.
College and Post-Secondary Transcripts
College and post-secondary school transcripts must be official and must include your most recent grades. Transcripts can be sent in one of two ways:
- Directly to MassArt in an envelope stamped and sealed by a college registrar
- Electronically through the Common App
MassArt no longer requires SAT or ACT scores, and we don’t factor them into admission or merit scholarship decisions. Eliminating these test requirements allows us to base our admission decisions on a more holistic review of applications.
If you decide to submit standardized test scores, we reserve the right to use them in institutional profile reports for enrolled students. 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 applying as an international student.
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 the 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.
You may complete the activity list on Common App or submit a separate resume if you choose. Your list of activities can include 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 proof of graduation for transfer students if you have earned less than 60 college level credits that were towards a degree earning program. 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
An official copy of documentation sent directly from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization indicating that a diploma has been awarded - Some national exam results: GCE/GCSE exams (O-Level and AS-level), India Secondary School Examinations, Caribbean
- Examination Council (CXC) Exams, and CAPE I, etc.)
- 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.
Start Your Application
Admissions Standards
Before applying, review our admissions standards to ensure you meet our academic requirements.
Decision Letters
Admissions decisions are released electronically via the MassArt Applicant Portal. Decisions are released on a rolling basis, beginning in early January. Please allow four to six weeks for your application to be reviewed and to receive a decision.
Questions?
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact your admissions counselor.
