How to apply to Maine College of Art & Design for art and design: eight BFA majors after a foundation year, a 12–20 piece portfolio, Early Action on December 1 and the full-tuition scholarship deadline on February 1, and portfolio requirements and timelines for students at high schools in China and Canada and for transfer students

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D), in Portland, Maine, is a dedicated art and design college; its academic programs page says the BFA program has fewer than 400 students. 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 degree

• Degree: the only undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). The BFA page says about two-thirds of a BFA is studio classes, against one-third for a BA.
• Eight majors: Animation & Game Art, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Textile & Fashion Design.
• Ten minors: Art & Entrepreneurship, Art History, Drawing, Metalsmithing & Jewelry, Music, Printmaking, Public Engagement, Sustainable Ecosystems: Art & Design, Woodworking & Furniture Design, and Writing.
• Credits: the academic programs page describes a four-year sequence of Foundation, Majoring and Core Seminars, with 120 credits across studio courses and Academic Studies (art history and liberal arts). Each major has its own studio with 24/7 access; the Graphic Design page says majors get private studios in their third and fourth years.
• 4+1 pathway: the BFA plus a Master of Arts in Teaching qualifies students to teach K–12 visual art in five years. Students indicate interest at admission and must keep a specified GPA, take a required art education course and meet other requirements to move into the MAT.

2. Foundation year and choosing a major

• First-year students take Foundation: two-dimensional design, 3D materiality (combinations of ceramics, woodworking, metals, sculpture and textiles), digital imaging (Adobe software), introduction to drawing, space and temporality (sound, video, installation and more), and a research course.
• The sample schedule: in fall, Digital Imaging, 3D Materiality, Two-Dimensional Design, a studio elective, Art History Survey I and First Year Seminar; in spring, Introduction to Drawing, 4D Space & Temporality, a studio elective, Art History Survey II and English Composition.
• The site says Foundation prepares students for all eight majors and can confirm or change their choice. When and how students declare a major, and the rules for changing majors, are not published; ask the registrar (registrar@meca.edu).

3. Portfolio

• Size and age: 12–20 works completed within the past two years, no fewer than 12 and no more than 20.
• Content: any medium, either showing range or depth in one area. Original work is preferred; fan art must credit the original design or idea.
• Label each piece with title, dimensions, medium, date, time spent and a short concept note.
• Submission: through SlideRoom, free for BFA applicants. Photograph 3D work from several angles (at least front and back), in natural light, in sharp focus and cropped to the work.
• Informal reviews: before submitting, you can book a one-on-one portfolio review with admissions (admissions@meca.edu), attend National Portfolio Days, visit campus or take the three-week Pre-College program. Informal reviews can include work in progress.
• No interview is listed among the BFA application materials.

4. How to apply and deadlines

• Platform: BFA applications go through the Common App only. The fee is USD 70, non-refundable, and a waiver can be requested in the Common App.
• Materials:
  • an official high school transcript (or GED/HiSET);
  • transcripts from every college attended, plus the high school transcript for applicants with 60 credits or fewer;
  • at least one recommendation, preferably from an art teacher;
  • the portfolio;
  • a personal statement of about 500 words on “Why art, why Maine College of Art & Design?” or a Common App prompt.
• GPA and tests: there is no strict GPA cutoff; review focuses on the strength and originality of the portfolio, then academic achievement, the personal statement and community engagement. SAT and ACT are not listed among the materials.
• Spring 2027: priority deadline November 15, 2026, then rolling review as space allows.
• Fall 2027:
  • Early Action closes December 1, 2026. It is non-binding; decisions and scholarship notices arrive before the new year, and you have until May 1, 2027 to confirm.
  • Full-tuition scholarship deadline: February 1, 2027.
  • Priority deadline: March 1, 2027, then rolling review as space allows; you can ask admissions whether seats remain before applying.
• The international page advises applying by the earliest deadline, or at least three months before the program starts.

5. International applicants

• English: applicants whose primary language is not English must show proficiency with one of: TOEFL 550 (paper) or 79 (internet), IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 100; graduation from a US high school with two years of non-ESL English at a B average or higher; two consecutive semesters of English Composition at a US college with a B or higher each; or two years at an English-medium higher education institution with a 3.0 GPA and a school statement confirming English instruction.
• Credential evaluation: applicants with postsecondary study outside the US need an official evaluation from a NACES member such as WES, converted to a 4.0 scale. The page does not say whether high school transcripts need evaluation; ask admissions.
• Visa documents: after admission and the enrollment fee, submit a Declaration of Finances (DOF), a Verification of Finances (VOF, a bank statement from you or a sponsor) and a color passport scan, which the college uses to issue the I-20. The DOF must cover one year of tuition, fees and living costs.
• International contact: Emily Brighi, Assistant Director of Admissions and International Student Counselor (ebrighi@meca.edu).

6. Notes for students in China and Canada

• Students at high schools in China: the site does not say how the Gaokao, provincial art exams or school-set art exams are used; this is not published, so ask admissions. Prepare English as in section 5.
• A-Level, IB, AP: under the transfer credit policy, AP scores of 4 or higher in liberal arts or art history earn 3 credits each, and AP studio art 4 or higher earns 3 credits toward studio electives or Foundation. IB HL 5 or higher in liberal arts or art history earns 3 credits each, and studio art HL 5 or higher earns 3 credits after the Dean’s assessment; SL scores and HL below 5 do not transfer. A-Level credit is not published.
• Students at Canadian high schools: the international page lists no exempt countries and says only that applicants whose primary language is not English must show proficiency. BC grade or diploma requirements are not published; ask admissions.

7. Costs (2026-2027 undergraduate)

• Tuition: USD 22,380 a semester, USD 44,760 a year; part-time USD 1,865 per credit.
• Technology and services fee USD 750 a year, estimated lab fees USD 675 a year, and one-time fees of USD 100 (orientation), USD 50 (transcript) and USD 150 (commencement).
• Estimated room and board USD 17,180 a year; estimated mandatory health insurance USD 3,550 (billed in fall), which can be waived with valid coverage.
• These total USD 67,215 a year. Estimated extras are books and art supplies USD 1,250, transportation USD 1,000 and personal costs USD 1,100 a year, plus a one-time USD 300 enrollment fee and USD 200 housing deposit.
• The housing page lists four residence halls by room type at USD 14,360 to 19,200 a year including meals (the page shows no year).

8. Scholarships

• First-year scholarships: awarded on acceptance to incoming first-year students, USD 15,000–23,000 a year, based on high school achievement, the portfolio and application, and community engagement, leadership and work ethic; renewable for four years in good standing. Graduates of Maine high schools are considered at USD 16,000–24,000 a year. The page says “all incoming first-year students” and does not mention international students separately; confirm with admissions.
• Full Tuition Scholarship: one renewable award a year for a first-time freshman coming straight from high school for fall entry. Submit a complete fall BFA application and a SlideRoom portfolio by February 1, 2027; the recipient is told by mid-March.
• US art award scholarships: Scholastic Art Awards national winners get USD 2,500 a year, and regional Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention winners USD 1,500, 1,000 and 500 a year; Maine Congressional Art Award winners also receive awards.
• Need-based aid requires the FAFSA.

9. Transfer students

• Deadlines: spring 2027 priority deadline November 15, 2026; fall 2027 Early Action December 1, 2026 and priority deadline March 1, 2027, then review as space allows. Transfers also apply through the Common App with the first-year materials plus transcripts from every college attended, even with no credit earned.
• Credit: up to 60 credits into the BFA, with no more than 30 in humanities, 15 in art history and 36 in studio; courses need a C or better, must be 100-level or higher and worth 3 credits (or 5 quarter hours), from regionally accredited institutions. Studio credit may require course descriptions and images of the work.
• Community colleges: articulation agreements with five community colleges let qualifying students enter the BFA in the third year.
• Transfer scholarships: admitted transfers are considered for USD 13,000–21,000 a year, mainly on prior GPA and the portfolio, renewable in good standing.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare 12–20 works from the past two years, each labeled with title, size, medium, date, time spent and a concept note, and submit through SlideRoom
• Prepare TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53 or Duolingo 100
• To compete for the full-tuition scholarship, finish by February 1, 2027; the college advises international applicants to meet the earliest deadline
• Ask admissions whether the Gaokao or art exam results are considered and whether high school transcripts need evaluation

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

• Prepare the same portfolio and apply through the Common App
• Ask admissions whether you need English scores and how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Send every college transcript with your portfolio, and book a credit review with admissions (207.699.5026) first
• Keep in mind the 60-credit cap and the limits for each type of course

Sources: Maine College of Art & Design, Admissions; How to apply to the BFA; International BFA applicants; Creating a portfolio; Transfer students; Bachelor of Fine Arts; Academic programs; Foundation; Transfer credit; 2026-2027 undergraduate costs; Housing costs; First-year scholarships. Deadlines are for spring and fall 2027 entry and costs are 2026-2027 figures; check the college’s website for the latest.