Various colors of yarn stitched across a plastic canvas.

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

Low-Residency MFA Info Session and Open Studio Night

In-Person Admissions Events

  • Friday, July 25, 2025
    4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
    Info Session: 4:30-5:30 PM

    RSVP

    NOTE: Guests will need to bring their ID with them to enter.

    Join us for Low-Residency MFA Open Studio Night. You will have the opportunity to see works in progress and finished pieces in the studios, as well as check out the 2025 Low-Residency MFA Show.
    Low-Res MFA Director Aliza Shvarts will also hold an Info Session for prospective students and answer questions about the program. You are invited to learn more about what the Low-Residency experience entails.

  • Thursday, September 18, 2025
    5:00–7:00 p.m. 
    SAIC Ballroom 
    112 S. Michigan 
    Chicago, IL 60603 

    RSVP

    Join us for an informal reception with SAIC Graduate Admissions. You'll have the opportunity to meet the admissions counselor for your specific program of interest, speak with current SAIC graduate students, and visit the Art Institute of Chicago.

    Graduate campus tours will also be offered.

     

  • 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 18, 2025
    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, November 2   
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT
    San Francisco, CACalifornia College of the Arts 
    145 Hooper St.
    San Francisco, CA 94107
    RSVP
    Sunday, November 9,        
    12 - 4 p.m. ET
    New York, NYParsons School of Design,  
    The New School 
    63 5th Ave. 
    New York, NY 10003
    RSVP
    Monday, December 8,       
    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 AngelesNov 5-7, 2025Coming Soon
    CALIFORNIA: San FranciscoNov 3-4, 2025Coming Soon
    GEORGIA: AtlantaDec 9-10, 2025Coming Soon
    MARYLAND: Baltimore Nov 6-8, 2025Coming Soon
    MASSACHUSETTS: BostonNov 10-13, 2025Coming Soon
    MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor, DetroitOctober 24-25, 2025Coming Soon
    NEW YORK: New York City, BrooklynNov 10-13, 2025Coming Soon
    OREGON: PortlandOct 2-4, 2025Coming Soon
    PENNSYLVANIA: PhiladelphiaNov 6-8, 2025Coming Soon
    RHODE ISLAND: ProvidenceNov 10-13, 2025Coming Soon
    TEXAS: Austin, HoustonDec 11-13, 2025Coming Soon
    WASHINGTON: Olympia, SeattleOct 2-4, 2025Coming Soon
    WASHINGTON D.C.Nov 6-8, 2025Coming Soon
    CANADA: VancouverOct 2-4, 2025Coming Soon

Virtual Admissions Events

  • Deep Dive: MFA Programs

    Tuesday, August 5, 2025
    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 application season. This session will focus specifically on our MFA in Studio and MFA Writing programs.


    Deep Dive: Architecture & Design Programs 

    Tuesday, August 12, 2025
    12 p.m. CT
    RSVP
    Review the portfolio requirements for the Architecture, Interior Architecture Track, 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.


    Deep Dive: MA Programs

    Tuesday, August 12, 2025
    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 application 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.


    Application Prep Series: Choosing Your Recommenders

    Tuesday, August 26, 2025
    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.


    Application Prep Series: Statement of Intent

    Tuesday, September 9, 2025
    12 p.m. CT
    RSVP
    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.


    Application Prep Series: Portfolio Overview

    Tuesday, September 16, 2025
    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, September 23, 2025
    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.

     

  • 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 27, 2025         
    12 - 4 p.m. CT
    RSVP
    Sunday, November 16, 2025
    11 a.m. - 3 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