Various colors of yarn stitched across a plastic canvas.

Jamie Lynn Lewin, In An Instant, 2022, yarn on plastic canvas

Graduate Admissions

Meet SAIC

In-Person Admissions Events

  • Graduate National Portfolio Days are 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.

    Events in the U.S.A.

    Date and TimeCityAddressRSVP Link
    Saturday, October 19,      
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT    		Chicago, IL

    Grad Portfolio Day + Open Studio Night!
    More Info    		School of the Art Institute of Chicago  
    280 S. Columbus Dr. 
    Chicago, IL  60603    		RSVP
    Saturday, October 26   
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT    		San Francisco, CACalifornia College of the Arts 
    1111 8th St. 
    San Francisco, CA 94107    		RSVP
    Sunday, November 10,        
    12 - 4 p.m. ET    		New York, NYParsons School of Design,  
    The New School 
    63 5th Ave. 
    New York, NY 10003    		RSVP
    Monday, December 2,       
    4 - 8 p.m. ET    		Miami, FLFlorida International University
    Biscayne Bay Campus
    3000 NE 151st St.
    Miami, FL 33181    		RSVP

    International Portfolio Days

    Date and TimeCityAddressRSVP Link
    Saturday, September 28, 
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m.    		Seoul, KoreaVoco Hotel Myeongdong
    52, Toegye-ro
    Seoul, Jung-gu, 04634    		RSVP
    Monday, October 28, 
    4 - 8 p.m.     		Montreal, CanadaConcordia University
    John Mason Building, 9th floor
    1600 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest, 
    Montreal, Quebec H3H 1J5
    Canada    		RSVP
    Saturday, November 2, 
    12 - 4 p.m.    		Toronto, CanadaOCAD University
    100 McCaul St.
    Toronto, Ontario
    M5T 1W1
    Canada    		RSVP
    Saturday, November 16,
    11 a.m. - 3 p.m.     		Vancouver, CanadaEmily Carr University
    520 East 1st Ave.
    Vancouver BCV5T OH2 
    Canada    		RSVP
    Saturday, December 7,      
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m.    		Paris, FranceParis College of Art
    241 Boulevard Pereire
    Paris, IDF 75017
    France    		RSVP
    Sunday, December 8,
    12 - 4 p.m.    		Istanbul, TürkiyeGrand Hyatt Istanbul
    Harbiye, Taşkışla Cd. No:1
    34367 Şişli/İstanbul, Türkiye    		RSVP

  • Graduate Admissions counselors will be traveling to multiple cities this fall to meet with prospective students. Learn more about our graduate programs, ask questions about applying, and get feedback on your work as you prepare your application.

    CityDateRSVP Link
    CALIFORNIA: Los AngelesOct 22-24Meet with us
    CALIFORNIA: San FranciscoOct 26-27Meet with us
    GEORGIA: Atlanta, SavannahDec 3-5Meet with us
    MARYLAND: Baltimore Nov 2-8Meet with us
    MASSACHUSETTS: BostonNov 2-8Meet with us
    MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor, DetroitNov 21-22Meet with us
    NEW YORK: New York CityNov 2-8Meet with us
    OREGON: PortlandOct 6-9Meet with us
    PENNSYLVANIA: PhiladelphiaNov 2-8Meet with us
    RHODE ISLAND: ProvidenceNov 2-8Meet with us
    TEXAS: Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, HoustonDec 3-5Meet with us
    WASHINGTON: Olympia, SeattleOct 6-9Meet with us
    WASHINGTON D.C.Nov 2-8Meet with us

  • Saturday, December 7, 2024 
    12:00–4:00 p.m. 
    SAIC Ballroom 
    112 S. Michigan 
    Chicago, IL 60603 

    RSVP

    Engage with key faculty members from our graduate departments, meet current graduate students, learn about our curricula and facilities, and inquire about admissions and financial aid. While not required, you may wish to bring your portfolio for review. 

    Graduate campus tours will also be offered.

     

Virtual Admissions Events

  • Admitted Students: Understanding Your Graduate Financial Aid Award Letter and Costs


    Thursday, March 6, 2025
    6:30 p.m. CT
    RSVP

    Representatives from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)'s Student Financial Services department will discuss SAIC award packages, completing the budgeting worksheet, and outside scholarships. There will be time during and after the presentation to ask questions.

     

  • In addition to in-person Graduate National Portfolio Days, GPDs are also offered virtually 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.

    Date and TimeRSVP Link
    Saturday, September 28,         
    12 - 4 p.m. CT    		RSVP
    Sunday, November 17,       
    4 p.m. - 8 p.m. CT    		RSVP

Take a Campus Tour

On-Campus Graduate Student Tour

Join graduate admissions staff for a tour of SAIC's campus. We will be showing you around the graduate departments and answering any questions you may have. On-campus tours take place Fridays at 1:30 p.m. CT. Please plan to arrive by 1:15 p.m. CT for check-in. A maximum of three people are allowed per party, including the prospective student. Advance registration is required.  

Schedule a Graduate Tour

Virtual Campus Tour

Check out our On-Demand Virtual Tour at your convenience.

Contact Graduate Admissions

SAIC admissions counselors are here to assist you throughout the admissions process. You can schedule a one-on-one meeting with us. For general questions or to be connected to the counselor for your program of interest, please contact us at 312.629.6100 or gradmiss@saic.edu.

Watch Past Event Recordings

  • Thursday, January 16, 2025
    Watch Recording

    SAIC's Student Financial Services office is hosting an online information session to assist you in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applying for scholarships and identifying other sources of funding, and understanding your award. There will be time after the presentation to ask any questions you may have.

  • Friday, November 8, 2024
    Watch Recording
       
    Our International Graduate SAIC Day is an opportunity for international students to receive feedback on your work and portfolio, ask questions about international application requirements, and learn more about graduate study at SAIC during program-specific breakout sessions.

     

  • Tuesday, September 17, 2024
    Watch Recording   

    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 application season. This session will focus specifically on these programs:

    • Arts Administration & Policy
    • Art Therapy and Counseling
    • Modern and Contemporary Art History
    • Dual Degree
    • Art Education
    • Teaching
    • Visual and Critical Studies

  • Thursday, September 12, 2024
    Watch Recording

    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.   
     

  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024
    Watch Recording
        
    Review the portfolio requirements for the Architecture; Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture; Designed Objects; Visual Communication Design; Historic Preservation; and Design for Emerging Technologies degrees at SAIC. We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming application season.

  • Tuesday, September 3, 2024
    Watch Recording

    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 application season. This session will focus specifically on our MFA in Studio programs.

  • Tuesday, August 27, 2024
    Watch Recording
     
    Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC.

  • Tuesday, August 20, 2024
    Watch the Recording

    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, August 13, 2024
    Watch Recording

    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. 

  • Tuesday, August 6, 2024
    Watch Recording

    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, October 10, 2023 
    Watch the Recording 

    Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC.

  • Thursday, March 9, 2023 
    Watch the Recording 

    Representatives from SAIC's Student Financial Services department will discuss SAIC award packages, completing the budgeting worksheet, and outside scholarships. There will be time during and after the presentation to ask questions.

Check Out an Exhibition or Artist Talk

View and attend school-wide online and in-person events at SAIC!