Semester at SAIC

SAIC welcomes exchange students from our official international exchange partners and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) to study in Chicago for one semester. Interested students should consult with the exchange advisor at their home school to confirm eligibility. 

For the academic year 2026–27, incoming student application deadlines are as follows:

Fall 2026: March 19, 2026

Spring 2027: October 19, 2026 

Please review the information below for more details regarding the specific application processes.

To apply for an Exchange Semester at SAIC through one of our official exchange partners, you will first need to be nominated by your home institution during the nomination period. For the academic year 2026–27, the nomination deadline is March 17 for the fall term and October 15 for the spring term. 

After we receive your nomination, an online application link will be shared directly with the students who are nominated by their home schools. 

All applications must be submitted online, via Slideroom. 

The online application via Slideroom is comprised of the following items:

• Application form 
• Academic transcript in English (submitted as PDF file)
• Statement of purpose/artist statement, outlining reasons for wanting to study on exchange at SAIC
• A copy of the identification page from the student’s passport (submitted as a .pdf or .jpeg file)
• Portfolio of current studio work with a description of works including title, media, and date. No more than 15 items of media (supported formats: PDF files, images, videos, audio files)
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty who are personally familiar with student and work (submitted as PDF files)
• List of classes the student is interested in taking. We will use this list of classes to initially enroll accepted students when registration opens.
• If English is not a student’s first language, evidence of proficiency (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL or other English language proficiency test results) is required. In some instances, a telephone/video interview may be required. (submitted as PDF files) 
   

You can preview entire application here.

The application review process is typically completed within two to three weeks after the deadline. Decisions are communicated to the advisor and student by email. 

Course Selection

SAIC’s exchange program is non-cohort-based, and students can and should take courses across SAIC's many departments. Incoming exchange students enroll in courses with other SAIC students; space is subject to availability. We cannot guarantee in advance that particular classes will be available. It is unlikely that students will be able to take all of their courses in one department, and we encourage you to review course options across all departments.   

Exchange students must take at least 12 SAIC credits, typically four classes, and at most 15 credits, typically five classes, each semester. Unofficial transcripts will be sent to the home school's coordinator after completion of the exchange semester. Official transcripts should be obtained by the student directly via the online ordering service, the National Student Clearinghouse.

All incoming exchange students will automatically be enrolled in one 3-credit Global Advanced Research Studio course as a cohort, and this course is required.

If you are admitted as an international exchange or mobility student, your offer email will contain specific details and forms regarding important next steps. 

That said, you may have some questions regarding some of the common topics below.

Classes

Exchange students must take at least 12 SAIC credits, typically four classes, each semester, and no more than 15 credits, typically five classes. Keep in mind that one of your classes, 3 credits, will be Global Advanced Research Studio. This is a required course. 

Once you receive your initial enrollment based on the course selection you listed in your application, you will be able to make changes to your schedule. Until the end of the first two weeks of the semester (the “add/drop” period), you will have the opportunity to change your classes with the permission of instructors, possibly joining classes that were previously full. 

Housing and Transportation

The Study Abroad office will provide resources for housing options, but cannot make any housing arrangements for you. Housing and transportation arrangements are the responsibility of the incoming student. While SAIC has residence halls, these rooms are typically booked by full-time students and not available for exchange or mobility students. 

Immigration Matters

Incoming exchange and mobility students holding citizenship outside the United States attend SAIC on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. To obtain this visa, students must first request a certificate of eligibility (form DS-2019) from SAIC Study Abroad. You will receive details on the DS-2019 application process after acceptance.

With a DS-2019 in hand, students begin the visa application process. The first step is to pay a U.S. government fee called the SEVIS fee, and receive a receipt. Payment may be made online. 

After paying the SEVIS fee, students can make a visa appointment at their nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Information about application materials, wait times for scheduling an interview, and associated application fees can be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Orientation

SAIC Study Abroad hosts an orientation program for incoming exchange and mobility students. The orientation program is typically one day and is held shortly before the start of the fall and spring semesters. Admitted students will be sent orientation details, including date and time, in their acceptance materials. Attendance at orientation is mandatory, and incoming students are asked to plan their travel accordingly.