How to apply to the Art Academy of Cincinnati for art and design: eight BFA majors in a 1:2:1 curriculum, an 8–15 piece portfolio via SlideRoom or in person, a free online application and an entrance scholarship for every admit, a May 15 fall deadline for international students, and timelines for students from China, Canada and transfers

The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) is a private art college in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a different institution from the University of Cincinnati. This guide summarizes the undergraduate art and design majors, portfolio and application requirements from the college’s official website, for students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A-Level, IB, AP), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Majors and curriculum

• Eight BFA majors: Creative Writing, Design, Digital Arts Animation, Illustration, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Print Media and Sculpture. The curriculum overview lower on the programs page lists the majors without Digital Arts Animation; go by the majors list and admissions.
• 1:2:1 curriculum: a shared First Year Experience of two semesters of art history, English and studio; years two and three in the chosen major with studio and liberal arts electives and professional practice; a fourth year of Senior Pathways studios across majors, ending in a senior capstone (written statement, capstone project and review).
• Minors: any major can be a minor, plus minor-only Art History and Film–Video.
• Other degrees: a two-year Associate of Science in Graphic Design (apply as for the BFA) and a summer MA in Art Education.

2. Portfolio

• Size: the requirements page asks undergraduate and graduate applicants for 8–15 original works; the how-to-apply and international pages say 8–10. Both appear on the site.
• Content: artwork, design or creative writing in any combination, showing your ideas, interests and technical ability. Online, sketchbook or journal pages should take no more than two slots (they are encouraged at in-person reviews).
• Not accepted: Adobe certificates; the requirements page also excludes fan art.
• Submission: SlideRoom, an in-person appointment, National Portfolio Day, or a virtual meeting (international students get feedback from the International Coordinator).
• The homepage has a “Schedule a Portfolio Review” link that emails admissions.

3. How to apply and deadlines

• Application: AAC’s free online application or the Common App.
• Materials: application, portfolio, official transcripts and two recommendations (forms go to recommenders automatically when you submit).
• GPA, two statements: the requirements page says undergraduates need a 2.5 or higher to be considered; the how-to-apply and international pages say 2.0 or higher, with ACT 22, SAT 1020 or a personal essay accepted below 2.0.
• Deadlines (requirements page headed 2026-2027):
  • BFA and associate: fall Regular Decision May 1, 2027; spring Regular Decision November 1, 2026.
  • International BFA: fall application May 15, deposit June 1; spring application October 15, deposit November 1 (no year stated).
• Transcripts: current high school students can send initial transcripts; final transcripts with graduation date and GPA are due August 1 for fall and January 1 for spring. College, AP or IB credit needs official transcripts and scores before credit is transferred.
• Tuition deposit: USD 300, non-refundable; by May 1 for fall and October 1 for spring (requirements page).

4. International applicants

• Transcripts: if your school does not use the U.S. 4-point scale, get an evaluation from an accredited service such as WES, IERF or ECE; unevaluated or untranslated transcripts are not accepted. Transcripts already on a U.S.-style scale (A–F or 0–100%) do not need evaluation.
• English: TOEFL iBT 80 (paper 550, computer 213), Duolingo 90 or IELTS 6; tests older than two years are not accepted, and within one year is preferred.
• After acceptance: a color copy of your passport photo page and a notarized bank statement or loan evidence in USD covering at least one year of study and living. Email documents to international@artacademy.edu.
• I-20: issued after all materials are in, you are accepted and you have paid the tuition deposit.

5. Notes for students from China and Canada

• China: high school transcripts need an evaluation and English translation; whether the Gaokao or art exams are considered is not published.
• Canada (including BC): AAC does not say specifically whether Canadian transcripts need evaluation (it only exempts transcripts on a U.S.-style scale). BC diploma or grade requirements, and whether students taught in English in Canada can skip English tests, are not published; ask international@artacademy.edu.

6. Costs

• Tuition (fall 2026 and spring 2027): full-time USD 38,625 a year, USD 19,312.50 a semester.
• Four-Year Tuition Promise: tuition and fees for every first-time undergraduate (including transfers) stay the same for eight consecutive semesters; housing, parking, books and supplies are not included.
• Tuition and fees are due before classes each semester; a four-installment semester payment plan is available. Housing and parking costs are on the “Housing + Parking” page.

7. Scholarships

• Entrance Scholarship: the international page says every accepted student receives one, based mainly on the portfolio with academics considered. The scholarships page says you must be accepted to the BFA and the amount reflects the portfolio and all application steps; it renews for up to four years with a 2.0 semester GPA. Example given: USD 12,000 a year, USD 48,000 over four years.
• Other awards (mostly for U.S. students): USD 10,000 extra for accepted students with a 3.0+ GPA from Ohio or listed counties in northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana; up to USD 5,000 merit for U.S. applicants with a 3.0+ GPA; Teacher Award USD 2,500; Scholastic Gold Key USD 3,000, Silver Key 1,500, Honorable Mention 700, and others.
• The full-tuition Vision and CPS scholarships are for Pell-eligible U.S. students, and the posted deadline is still March 1, 2026.

8. Transfer students

• Application: the same materials plus official transcripts from every college; you may qualify for awards based on your portfolio.
• Credit: department chairs evaluate transcripts; only courses with a C or better that apply to AAC’s curriculum transfer, and the maximum is decided case by case. Credits older than 10 years may be declined unless a degree was awarded.
• Articulation agreements: Sinclair Community College graduates of listed associate degrees with at least 60 credits and a 2.0 GPA can transfer into a related BFA; UC Blue Ash graduates of a related associate degree with a 2.0 GPA are guaranteed admission, can transfer up to 90 credits and do not pay the application fee.

Checklist

Students from China:

• Prepare 8–10 original works (the requirements page allows up to 15), with no more than two sketchbook pages online, via SlideRoom or a virtual meeting
• Get your transcript evaluated by WES or a similar service; prepare TOEFL 80, IELTS 6 or Duolingo 90
• For fall, apply by May 15 and deposit by June 1; after admission, send bank documents for the I-20

Students from Canada (including BC and Vancouver):

• Prepare the same portfolio; you can book a virtual meeting
• Ask the International Coordinator whether you need English scores and whether BC transcripts need evaluation

Transfer students:

• Send all college transcripts; chairs review credit course by course
• If you are at Sinclair or UC Blue Ash, check the articulation agreement terms

Sources: Art Academy of Cincinnati, Requirements and deadlines; How to apply; International students; Transfer students; BFA programs; Tuition and Four-Year Tuition Promise; Scholarships. Deadlines are for spring 2026 and fall 2027 entry and tuition is for fall 2026–spring 2027; check the college’s website for the latest.