Graduate Admissions: Final Steps

Immunization Records

Illinois State law requires proof of immunization for all college students enrolled for six or more credits per semester. Proof of immunization is due to Health Services on August 1.

Download the Admission Health Record Packet [PDF] and return the required forms by mail as soon as possible to the Health Services office at:

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Attention: Health Services
37 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60603

Questions?
Contact the SAIC Health Services Office at 312.499.4288 or healthservices@saic.edu.

Review Health Insurance

Learn more about SAIC's health insurance policy here.

Accept or Waive Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage is required for all full-time domestic students and for all international students. If you wish to accept SAIC's coverage, you need not do anything further and the charge will be applied to your account.

You may waive health insurance by doing ALL of the following:

1. Complete a waiver form by the end of the first day of classes (available through SAIC Self-Service
2. Provide proof that your coverage meets SAIC's minimum standards
3. Allow SAIC's designee to verify your coverage

Please Note: If you are a full-time domestic student and then drop to part-time before the end of the add/drop period, the health insurance charge will automatically be removed from your account, and health insurance coverage will not be provided. Health insurance coverage can be reinstated if you request health insurance online through Self-Service.

Questions?
Student Financial Services
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1218
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312.629.6600
Fax: 312.629.6601 
Email: Finaid@saic.edu
saic.edu/sfs

Send Final Transcripts

Final transcripts are due in the Admissions office prior to the start of the fall 2012 semester.

Mail transcripts to:

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Graduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603

Attend Orientation

All new students are required to attend Orientation, where they begin the transition into the SAIC community.

International Spring Student Orientation: January 17, 2013

Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact International Affairs with any questions regarding Orientation at intaff@saic.edu or by phoning 312.629.6830.

Mandatory International and Exchange Student Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, January 17, 2013; it will continue into additional graduate New Student Orientation the following week (see below). Please plan your travel accordingly. Email updates will also be sent providing more detailed information. Graduate international students are required to attend both orientation programs.

All Student Graduate Orientation

SAIC hosts a mandatory orientation for all new graduate and post-baccalaureate students entering SAIC in all disciplines. Information will be provided about Critique Week, Exhibitions and Events, studios, and the resources of the institution as a whole. Representatives from all academic, instructional, administrative, and student services departments are on hand to introduce themselves and answer questions. Learn more.

Get Your SAIC ARTICard (ID Card)

ARTICard is SAIC's mandatory identification card which provides access to facilities equipment and library books as well as providing debit card capabilities on campus and at select off-campus sites. It can be used to make copies, print projects, do laundry, purchase books and supplies, and buy food. There is no membership fee, service charge, or minimum balance. The balance carries over from semester to semester, year to year until the account is closed.

Deposits to the ARTICard can be made by cash or check at the ARTICard Office, via mail, or online with a credit card or electronic check. To make a deposit by mail, send a check or money order to:

ARTICard Office
37 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603

For more information, please visit the ARTICard website.

Questions?
Contact ARTICard/U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.

Get Your CTA U-Pass

The CTA U-Pass, available during the fall and spring semesters only, is your ticket to UNLIMITED rides aboard CTA buses and trains. Use your U-Pass on CTA bus/rail system anytime, anywhere. It's your connection to shopping, sports events, social activities, art and entertainment centers, and all the Chicago hot spots.

The cost of the U-Pass is $105 per semester, a savings of nearly $200 when compared with regular CTA fares. This $105 mandatory fee is automatically charged to a full-time student's tuition and fee account each semester. The U-Pass is distributed throughout the first week of school.

Questions?
Contact ARTICard/U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.

Get Your Text Books

The DePaul University/Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, located at the corner of Jackson and State Streets (1 East Jackson Boulevard), is the designated primary provider for textbooks and course packet services. The store provides space in the textbook area of its lower level for all SAIC class book titles and course packets (all SAIC books and course packets are found under the department "SAIC" and are then organized alphabetically by SAIC department). The store accepts ARTICard for purchases and buys and sells used textbooks.

You can also gain access to SAIC class book lists online (select School of the Art Institute (SAIC) for the Campus and then select DePaul/SAIC-Loop Campus for SAIC). All of SAIC's departments begin with AIC (e.g., AIC Photo). You can use this online service to find out the textbooks and course packets required for a class as well as to purchase items online (ARTICard purchases cannot be made online, only in the store) and have them shipped to you (there is a fee for shipping and processing online orders). NOTE: Many courses do not publish their textbook lists until right before the start of each semester.

DePaul University/Barnes & Noble College Bookstore Operating Hours

Get Your Class Supplies

During the weeks up to the start of classes and/or during the first week of classes, faculty may share syllabi and suggested course supplies via their portal course group. SAIC's store, run by Blick, offers a comprehensive inventory of art supplies at competitive prices. Blick has one on-campus location on the first floor of the 280 South Columbus Drive building. The main Chicago-based store is located at 42 South State Street across the street from SAIC's 33 South State Street, Sullivan Center entrance.

For more information regarding Blick Art Supplies including store hours visit the Blick website.

Find a Job

The Careers and Internships assists students in finding on-campus, Work-Study jobs (which begin to be posted in late July/early August) as well as finding off-campus employment.

Starting with your first semester, you should make use of Career + Co-op Center resources including: developing career strategies; preparing résumés and portfolios; finding funding and writing grant proposals; pursuing exhibition opportunities and developing networking and interviewing skills.

Questions?
Contact Career Services at 312.629.6820 or careers@saic.edu

Teaching Assistantships (TAs) at SAIC

There are Teaching Assistantship positions (TAs) open every semester in most studio and academic departments, and all graduate students are eligible to apply. TA positions are much like part-time work in that they are paid hourly rather than in exchange for tuition costs and do not involve a stipend. Three to six hours of class time per week is required along with additional preparation time outside of class. These positions are primarily meant to provide students with valuable teaching experience and to offset a portion of living expenses. It is likely that all interested students will be a TA for at least one or two semesters over the course of their time at SAIC. Some TA spots are held for incoming graduate students, and there are occasionally other undergraduate teaching opportunities.

Students must apply via SAIC Launch by the semiannual deadlines. Semiannual application deadlines and information on how to apply is posted online and emailed to all graduate students in the spring and fall.

Pay Rates

A graduate student will be paid $20.00/hour for teaching his/her own class (TAA), and $12.00/hour for assisting a full- or part-time instructor (TAB). Federal Work-Study eligibility is not required for TA positions.

Contact the Careers and Internships at 312.629.6820 or careers@saic.edu for more information about Teaching Assistantships.