SAIC admissions counselors are happy to to answer any questions you have about our curriculum, application procedures, our faculty and resources, living in Chicago, and more. Please don't hesitate to reach out at 312.629.6100 or gradmiss@saic.edu.
Visit and Events
2021 Graduate Viewbook
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We are very proud to have been ranked as the #2 fine arts graduate program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
Office of Graduate Admissions
Sullivan Center
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Phone: 800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100
Fax: 312.629.6101
Email: admiss@saic.edu
Join graduate admissions staff select Mondays and most Fridays at 1:30 p.m. CT for a live virtual tour of SAIC's campus. We will be showing you around the graduate departments and answering any questions you may have.
Starting May 18, 2021, virtual graduate tours will be held on Tuesdays at 12 noon CT.
Note that all in-person campus tours have been cancelled until further notice, and will resume when it is safe to do so. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Can't attend our live tour?
Check out our on-demand virtual tour at your convenience!
Sign up to get reminders for upcoming info sessions.
September 15, 2020
Watch Now
The statement of intent is a key component of your application to SAIC and your opportunity to speak to the faculty review committee. Meet with admissions to talk about preparing a strong statement of intent.
September 22, 2020
Watch Now
The selection and timing of your references has the potential to greatly impact your application. Meet with admissions to talk about who to select, how to contact them, and when to start the process.
Tuesday, November 10
Watch Now
Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC.
Tuesday, November 17
Watch Now
Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC. We'll cover best practices for presenting your work online and help you prepare for your upcoming submission.
Tuesday, November 24
International Students: Watch Now
Students in the USA: Watch Now
Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for your upcoming submission with special attention on how best to present your work for viewing in the SlideRoom environment.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Watch the Recording
Representatives from SAIC's Student Financial Services department will be providing helpful information for prospective graduate students about the financial aid process. We will be discussing filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), SAIC’s financial aid timeline and outside scholarships. There will also be time during and after the presentation to ask questions.
SAIC’s dynamic Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) prepares graduates to revitalize the built environment through the comprehensive exploration of science, history, creative arts, politics, and technology. Join us to learn more about the program and how to apply.
SAIC's Low-Residency MFA program is open to artists, writers, educators, curators, and historians. Join us to learn more about the program curriculum, pedagogy and admissions requirements.
Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming review season. This session will focus specifically on our Arts Administration & Policy, Art Therapy and Counseling, Modern and Contemporary Art History, Dual Degree, New Arts Journalism, Art Education, Teaching, and Visual and Critical Studies programs.
Review the portfolio requirements for our Post-Bacc in Studio programs at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming review season.
Review the portfolio requirements for the Master of Architecture and Master of Architecture with an Emphasis in Interior Architecture degrees at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming review season.
This session focused specifically on our Designed Objects, Visual Communication Design, and Fashion, Body and Garment Programs.
Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming review season. This session focused specifically on our MFA in studio programs.
Libraries and Special Collections
Join us for a casual gathering with the admissions team along with a breakout room where you can meet with representatives from Libraries and Special Collections, see their spaces, and hear about these vital resources at SAIC.
SITE Galleries
Join us for a casual gathering with the admissions team along with a breakout room where you can meet with representatives from our student-run SITE galleries, see their spaces, and hear about their experiences at SAIC.
New Works at the Museum
Join us for a casual gathering with the admissions team along with a breakout room where you can meet with students in the Art Institute of Chicago, see their favorite new works, and hear about their experiences at SAIC.
Graduate Portfolio Days are online events for prospective students who would like to get feedback on their portfolio, as well as have the opportunity to learn more about the curricula, faculty, and application procedures from a number of colleges.
Upcoming Events:
- Saturday, May 22, 8 a.m. 12 p.m. CT Meet with Us
Representatives will be available from the following SAIC Departments:
- MFA in Studio: Architecture, Art & Technology Studies, Ceramics, Design for Emerging Technologies, Designed Objects, Fiber & Material Studies, Film, Video, New Media, & Animation, Painting & Drawing, Performance, Photography, Printmedia, Sculpture, Sound, Visual Communication Design
- MFA in Writing
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Architecture with an Emphasis in Interior Architecture
- Master of Design in Designed Objects
- MA in Art Therapy and Counseling
- MDes in Fashion, Body and Garment
- Low-Residency MFA
December 5, 2020
8:00am–3:00 pm (CT)
Present your work to faculty and fellow applicants for feedback prior to submission. Reviews can be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary, and provide an opportunity to meet faculty and members of your future incoming class! Join us at your convenience for any sessions you are interested in:
8:00 - 10:00 AM CT
- Architecture, Interior Architecture Designed Objects
- Design for Emerging Technologies
- Fashion, Body and Garment
- Historic Preservation
- Visual Communication Design
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
- Art Education
- Art Therapy and Counseling
- Arts Administration and Policy
- Modern and Contemporary Art History
- New Arts Journalism
- Teaching
- Visual Critical Studies
- MFA Writing
12:00 - 3:00 PM CT
- Art and Technology Studies
- Ceramics
- Fiber and Material Studies
- Film, Video, New Media, and Animation
- Low Residency MFA
- Painting and Drawing
- Performance
- Photography
- Printmedia
- Sculpture
- Sound
View and attend school-wide online and in-person events at saic.edu/events!
SAIC is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. While our physical offices are currently closed, our entire Admissions team is working, and ready to help you navigate your college search and selection process. Please feel free to call us at 312.629.6100, 800.232.7242, or email admiss@saic.edu with any questions you may have. SAIC is here for you!
