Various colors of yarn stitched across a plastic canvas.

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

In-Person Admissions Events

  • Graduate SAIC Days offer prospective students the opportunity to get feedback on your portfolio with faculty from individual departments during one-on-one meetings.

    Date and TimeCityAddressRSVP Link
    Saturday, November 11, 
    12 - 4 p.m. ET
    New YorkAIA- New York - Center for Architecture  
    Tafel Hall 
    536 La Guardia Place  
    New York, NY 10012
    RSVP
    Saturday, December 2, 
    12 - 4 p.m. CT
    ChicagoSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago  
    MacLean Ballroom  
    112 S. Michigan  
    Chicago, IL 60603 
    RSVP

  • 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
    Sunday, October 15,        
    12 - 4 p.m. ET
    New York, NYParsons School of Design,  
    The New School 
    63 5th Ave. 
    New York, NY 10003
    RSVP
    Saturday, October 21,      
    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
    Sunday, October 29,      
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT
    San Francisco, CACalifornia College of the Arts 
    1111 8th St. 
    San Francisco, CA 94107
    RSVP
    Monday, December 4,       
    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, December 2,        
    12 - 4 p.m. local time
    London, UKCentral Saint Martins, University of the Arts London
    Granary Building
    1 Granary Square
    London, England, N1C 4AA
    United Kingdom
    RSVP
    Sunday, December 3,      
    12 - 4 p.m. local time 
    Paris, FranceParis College of Art
    15 Rue Fénelon
    Paris, IDF, 75010 
    France
    RSVP
    Wednesday, December 6,      
    4. - 8 p.m. local time
    Florence, ItalyPalazzo dei Cartelloni 
    Via Sant’ Antonino
    11 Via Sant' Antonino Firenze, Toscana, 50123, Italy
    RSVP
    Friday, December 8,       
    4. - 8 p.m. local time
    Doha, QatarAl Luqta Street
    Education City
    Doha, Qatar
    RSVP
    Sunday, December 10, 2023
    12 - 4 p.m. local time
    Istanbul, TurkeyGrand Hyatt Istanbul
    1 Taşkışla Caddesi
    İstanbul, 34367 
    Turkey
    RSVP

  • Saturday, October 28, 1-4 p.m. PT 
    JagarHaus//Art & Design Gallery  
    1701 West Pico Boulevard 
    Los Angeles, CA 90015 
    RSVP 

    Join us for an informal reception in Los Angeles with SAIC Graduate Admissions. You'll have the opportunity to meet the admissions counselor for your specific program of interest, ask questions about applying, and learn more about graduate study at SAIC. All who are considering SAIC graduate study are invited to meet us and each other!

  • 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.

    Date and TimeCityAddressRSVP Link
    Friday, October 13, 
    Time TBA
    Providence, RITBAcoming soon
    Monday, October 16, 
    Time TBA
    New York, NYTBAcoming soon
    Thursday, October 26 + Friday, October 27, 
    Time TBA
    Los Angeles, CATBAcoming soon
    Monday, October 30, 
    Time TBA
    San Francisco, CATBAcoming soon
    Friday, November 10, 
    Time TBA
    Boston, MATBAcoming soon
    Monday, November 13, 
    Time TBA
    Baltimore, MDTBAcoming soon
    Wednesday, November 15, 
    Time TBA
    Detroit, MITBAcoming soon
    Monday, December 11,
    Time TBA
    Savannah, GATBAcoming soon
    Tuesday, December 12,
    Time TBA
    Atlanta, GATBAcoming soon

Virtual Admissions Events

  • App Prep Series: Choosing Your Recommenders

    Tuesday, September 26, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP 
    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.


    App Prep Series: Portfolio Overview

    Tuesday, October 10, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP 
    Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC.


    App Prep Series: Application Process & Submitting via SlideRoom

    Tuesday, October 24, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP 
    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.


    International Graduate SAIC Day

    Friday, November 3, 7 p.m. CT         
    RSVP coming soon.    
    Learn more about applying to and attending SAIC as an international student.


    Deep Dive: MFA Programs

    Tuesday, November 7, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP 
    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 MFA in studio programs.   


    Deep Dive: Design Programs

    Tuesday, November 14, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP    
    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 review season.


    Deep Dive: MA Programs

    Tuesday, November 28, 12 p.m. CT         
    RSVP coming soon.    
    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, Art Education, Teaching, and Visual and Critical Studies programs.

  • 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 30,         
    12 - 4 p.m. CT
    RSVP
    Sunday, November 19,       
    11 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
    RSVP

  • International Student Graduate SAIC Day

    Friday, November 3, 7 - 10 p.m. CT          
    RSVP    
    Learn more about applying to and attending SAIC as an international student.

Take a Campus Tour

On-Campus Graduate Campus 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, or 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

  • Tuesday, September 12, 2023 
    Watch the 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, September 27, 2022 
    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.

  • Thursday, August 17, 2023 
    Watch the 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, October 11, 2022 
    Watch the Recording 
    Meet with admissions to review the portfolio requirements for graduate programs at SAIC.

  • Tuesday, October 25, 2022 
    Watch the 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, November 8, 2022 
    Watch the 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 review season. This session will focus specifically on our MFA in studio programs.

  • Tuesday, November 15, 2022 
    Watch the Recording 
    Review the portfolio requirements for the following programs:

    • Architecture
    • Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture
    • Designed Objects
    • ​Design for Emerging Technologies
    • Fashion, Body and Garment 
    • Historic Preservation
    • Visual Communication Design

    We'll cover best practices and help you prepare for the upcoming review season.

  • Tuesday, November 29, 2022 
    Watch the 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 review 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, January 19, 2023 
    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.

  • 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