How to apply to Minneapolis College of Art and Design for art and design: foundation courses before declaring a major, the four recommended BFA portfolio subjects plus 8–16 finished works, Early Action and the scholarship competition, and portfolio requirements and timelines for students at high schools in China and Canada and for transfer students

Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a dedicated art and design college. This guide summarizes MCAD’s undergraduate majors, portfolio and application requirements from its 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 degrees

• Undergraduate majors (majors page): Animation, Comic Art, Creative Writing, Creative Entrepreneurship, Fine Arts (with Drawing and Painting, Print Paper Book, and Sculpture and Expanded Media), Graphic Design, Illustration, Media Arts (with Art and Technology, Filmmaking and Photography), and Product and Furniture Design.
• Foundation first: the majors page says first-year students take a series of foundation courses covering a range of techniques, tools and concepts before declaring a major and minor, which suits both students who arrive committed and those who are undecided or change course.
• BFA and BS: the Creative Entrepreneurship page calls it MCAD’s only Bachelor of Science degree, with team-based courses and real client or community projects. The application checklist splits undergraduate applicants into BFA and BS, with different requirements (below).
• A wording to check: the Graphic Design page describes it as a “Bachelor of Arts program”, which doesn’t match the checklist’s BFA/BS split; confirm the degree name with admissions.

2. Portfolio requirements

The checklist says that for BFA applicants the portfolio is the most important part of the application, judged on artistic and conceptual content, design, composition, technical skill and creative potential. All materials are uploaded through SlideRoom (from the Common App portal or MCAD’s own SlideRoom), and an application is complete only once both the form and the SlideRoom materials are in. Submitting a portfolio online is free.

• Four recommended subjects: landscape, still life, interior space and self-portrait. At least one must be an observational drawing—not from photographs or another artist’s work—with a full value scale from light to dark and a background. The other three may be in any medium.
• Finished work: add eight to sixteen finished pieces showing technical skill and idea development. A variety of media is recommended and any medium is acceptable. Sketches may only show the development of submitted finished pieces.
• Uploading: titles, dates, media, dimensions and notes can be added; both still images and time-based work can be uploaded.
• BS (Creative Entrepreneurship) applicants: no portfolio is required, though visual documentation of the team project described in the statement may be uploaded.
• The portfolio tips page adds: include only original work (no reproductions of other artists’ work), aim for variety in content and medium, scan flat work or photograph it in good natural light, shoot 3D work from several angles and crop to the edges. Before applying you can request a free written critique of up to three pieces from an admissions counselor, or book an on-campus portfolio review.

3. Other materials and deadlines

• Application: first-year applicants can use the Common App or the MCAD application; transfer applicants must use the MCAD application. The fee is USD 50, non-refundable; contact admissions about a hardship waiver.
• Transcripts: unofficial copies can be uploaded for review, with official transcripts showing the graduation date due before enrollment.
• Tests: ACT/SAT are optional, with no effect on admission if not submitted and no minimum score.
• Recommendation: one letter from a guardian, mentor, art instructor, teacher, counselor, advisor or employer—a short paragraph on your ability to succeed in college.
• Written statement: 400–600 words. BFA applicants choose one of three prompts: an artist who has influenced your work; a group project and your role; or how a critique improved your work. BS applicants describe a team project, its goal, your role and what you learned.
• Academic writing sample: optional, with no effect on admission if not submitted.
• Fall deadlines (the page shows no year):
  • Early Action: apply by December 1; decisions begin November 1; merit scholarships announced December 15.
  • Priority Decision: apply by February 15; decisions begin February 1; scholarships announced February 25.
  • Regular Decision: apply by April 1; admission and scholarship notification April 15; accepted on a space-available basis.
  • Enrollment confirmation is due May 1 in every round.
• Spring: Early Action October 1, Priority Decision November 1, Regular Decision December 1.
• The page says applicants who meet a deadline get admission and merit scholarship decisions within two weeks on a rolling basis, and Early Action applicants are eligible for the full-tuition scholarship competition.

4. International applicants

• English: required if English is not your native language, taken within twelve months of MCAD’s application deadline. Minimums: TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 for tests on or after January 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120, Michigan MET (B2) 57; ECCE and ECPE have no minimum. MCAD’s TOEFL code is 6411.
• Other documents: official English translations of all transcripts and proof of citizenship (a passport copy is fine). The international page also lists an interview but gives no details; confirm with admissions.
• Funds: a student visa requires proof of funds for tuition, housing and expenses for at least one year. After admission MCAD sends a financial certification form, to be returned with a bank letter showing the balance, together with the tuition deposit by the posted deadline.
• Students at high schools in China: MCAD does not say how the Gaokao or art exams are used, so this is not published; Chinese transcripts need official English translations. Ask admissions (admissions@mcad.edu).
• Students at Canadian high schools (including BC): no Canada-specific rules are listed, and the English rule depends on whether English is your native language. BC grade requirements are not published; ask admissions.
• AP and IB credit: the transfer page says AP, IB and other pre-college credit may transfer, with AP and IB guides showing which courses can meet foundation requirements. A-Level credit is not published.

5. Costs and scholarships

• 2026/27 tuition: USD 24,045 a semester for 12–18 credits, USD 48,090 a year; USD 2,004 per credit below 12 or above 18.
• Fees: student experience fee USD 400 a year, technology fee USD 400 a year; textbooks, course fees and supplies estimated at USD 1,500 a year; health insurance (optional) TBD.
• Housing: apartments USD 9,500–13,750 a year depending on unit, a required meal card of USD 3,000 a year, and a one-time USD 350 housing deposit.
• One-time costs for new students: a required MacBook purchase of USD 2,000 and a USD 300 enrollment deposit credited to tuition.
• Admissions merit scholarships: every admitted new undergraduate is considered automatically, based on a holistic review of the application and portfolio, with no separate application. Awards run USD 12,000 to 27,000 a year for up to eight semesters of full-time study if requirements are maintained.
• Competitive scholarships: eligible admitted students who meet the December 1 Early Action deadline are told in their admission letter that they qualify for a juried competition adding USD 1,000 to full tuition a year, announced by March 1.
• International students: the scholarship page refers to “all admitted undergraduate students” without addressing international students separately; federal and state grants require the FAFSA. Confirm which awards are open to you with admissions or financial aid.

6. Transfer

• Anyone who has enrolled in college after high school, regardless of credits earned, applies as a transfer; students taking college classes during high school apply as first-years.
• Transfers use the MCAD application and follow the undergraduate deadlines, plus official transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi and course portfolios where applicable. For fall these are due by the last Friday in June; for spring, in-progress artwork, descriptions and syllabi are due before December 1, and official transcripts and transfer portfolios by the first Friday in January.
• Credit: up to 30 liberal arts credits and 33 studio credits with a C or better from regionally accredited institutions. Studio credit needs a separate portfolio for each course.
• The page suggests community college students transfer after one year to limit credit loss; animation transfers must spend at least three and a half years at MCAD. Eligible students may use the accelerated Degree in 3 pathway.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Build the portfolio around the four recommended subjects plus 8–16 finished works, with at least one observational drawing
• Prepare TOEFL 80 / 4.5, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120
• To compete for full-tuition scholarships, finish by the December 1 Early Action deadline
• Prepare official English translations of transcripts and a passport copy; ask admissions about the interview and whether the Gaokao is considered

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Prepare the same portfolio and upload it through SlideRoom
• Ask admissions whether you need English scores and how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Use the MCAD application and prepare a portfolio, description and syllabus for each studio course
• Book an informal credit review with an admissions counselor first

Sources: Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Undergraduate majors; Creative Entrepreneurship; Graphic Design; Application checklist; Portfolio tips; Dates and deadlines; International students; 2026/27 cost; Scholarships and grants; Transfer to MCAD. Costs are 2026/27 figures and the deadlines page shows no year; check MCAD’s website for the latest.