The Application Process

Apply at go.saic.edu/apply. You will be directed to first complete and submit a form with basic biographical information, unofficial transcripts, and test scores (if applicable). You may select up to 3 programs to which you are applying here as well. Payment will be collected at the end of this section and will cover the cost of all programs to which you are applying.

Application fee: $90.00
Reduced Application Fee Deadline: December 1. Application fees will be discounted by 50% before this date.

Application Details
SAIC requires applicants to apply online. Filing an online application requires a valid credit card and a current email address. You may apply to up to three programs with one application and fee. Applications must be submitted prior to 11:00 p.m. (CT) on the appropriate deadline. When you click the "submit" button on the Graduate Application form, you will be prompted to enter credit card information to pay the application fee. Your application form is not fully submitted until you have entered your credit card information.

Under no circumstances will an application fee be refunded. After you submit the application form, there will be a waiting period until your application portal is created, where you will be able to see each program-specific application(s) that you selected in the application form.

Once your program-specific applications are available, for each program you will be able to submit your program-specific application requirements (writing sample or portfolio), request the required recommendations, and see any additional checklist items.

Please note: in order to be reviewed for admission you will need to separately submit the each application for every program you selected. 

Official Transcript Details
A conferred four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent is required for admission to all graduate programs at SAIC. Transcripts are records of your studies that list the courses you completed, the grades received, and provide evidence of degree conferral. They may include grade sheets, exam results, final diplomas, degrees, or graduation certificates. Official copies are issued in the original language directly by your university. Copies must bear the official stamp or seal of the institution, as well as the signature of the appropriate official such as the dean, rector, registrar, controller of examinations, or office of teaching affairs. Photos, notarized copies, facsimiles, or email transmissions are not acceptable.

Official translations are expected for all educational documents issued in a language other than English. A translation agency or university language department should issue official translations typed on official stationary and the translator must attest proficiency in the original language and indicate their translations are accurate word-for-word.

During the application process an unofficial transcript is acceptable for review pending an Admissions decision. Official transcripts are required upon admission. Include transcripts both official and unofficial from all universities/colleges from which a degree was obtained or prerequisites were fulfilled. You can attach unofficial transcripts as .pdf or .jpg files in the Educational History section of the application form. If you are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree when you apply, a transcript showing your first three years of study is acceptable.

Transcripts are considered official if sent directly from the degree- or credit-granting institution to the SAIC Graduate Admissions Office. Hard copy transcripts are considered official if the documents remain in the registrar's original signed and sealed envelopes. Official transcripts can be sent both in digital and hard-copy format. Digital transcripts can be sent from the degree- or credit-granting institution to gradmiss@saic.edu. Hard copy transcripts can be mailed to:

SAIC Graduate
36 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603

Test Score Details
International applicants are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency. You are waived from this requirement if you meet any of the following conditions:

• Your native language is English
• You have an undergraduate degree conferred by a U.S. accredited university
• You have an undergraduate degree conferred by a university whose primary language of instruction is English

If you do not meet one of these conditions, you must submit official English language proficiency test scores. You are strongly encouraged to schedule a language proficiency test appointment as early as possible in order to receive official test scores prior to the application deadline. SAIC accepts official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and Duolingo. The TOEFL Institution Code for SAIC is 1713. Please upload an unofficial copy of your test score results to the International Requirements section of the application form.

For each program you selected in the general application form, you will need to submit a corresponding program-specific application and electronic portfolio, résumé/cv, statement, and references based on the requirements for each program. Your application is not complete until you have submitted both the general application form and each program-specific application.

E-Portfolio Details
Applicants are required to submit an ePortfolio, though the content varies by department. Please visit your individual program of interest to find details. You must submit a separate ePortfolio for each program or studio department to which you apply. After you pay the application fee and submit the application form, an ePortfolio for each of the programs you selected in the application form will automatically appear in your SlideRoom dashboard.

Submission Specifications
Submission specifications:

• Images: .jpg, .gif, .pdf (up to 5 MB each)
• Videos: .flv, .wv, .mov (up to 60 MB each)
• Audio: .mp3 (up to 10 MB each)
• Text documents: MUST be in .pdf format (up to 10 MB each)

Statement of Intent Details
A statement of intent is required for all graduate programs though the content varies by department. Please visit your individual program of interest to find details. You will upload your statement of purpose in your application portal. 

Reference Details
Letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically via the Letters of Recommendation section of the application form in each program-specific application. In the Recommendations section you will be asked to click Add Recommender, where you will be asked to provide an email address and other details for each of your references. Once you click "Send To Recommender" an email will be sent from your application portal to your references, with instructions on how to submit their recommendations securely through our online portal.

If your references are unable to provide an online recommendation please contact the Graduate Admissions office at gradmiss@saic.edu.

Résumé Details
A résumé is required for all graduate programs. Upload your résumé in the Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV) section of your application form.

Additional Item Details
Programs in Architecture and Teaching have additional admissions requirements based on licensure. Please visit your individual program of interest to find details.

For programs requiring an interview prior to making an admissions decision, we host an interview weekend on campus in mid-February each year. Keep an eye out for a Save-the-Date after applying! For students at a distance or unable to travel, interviews may be conducted remotely.

You will be notified of your application status by email and in your application portal. Depending on the program, decisions can be released as early as March 1 and continue through April and May. Make sure your email is set up to receive messages from SAIC, and that we have your current mailing address on file.  

Students will be automatically considered for merit-based aid during the admissions process and notified at the time of admission. Domestic students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to applying to expedite the Financial Aid Process. You can also find a list of outside scholarship opportunities for domestic and international students at saic.edu/cost-financial-aid. 

​Students will be notified of their deposit deadlines via their admission letter - most programs have an April 1 deadline in order to secure a space with a $500 deposit. Once received, you will work with your department to select and register for classes.