
Jamie Lynn Lewin, In An Instant, 2022, yarn on plastic canvas
Meet SAIC
Low-Residency MFA Info Session and Open Studio Night
In-Person Admissions Events
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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.
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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 Time City Address RSVP Link Saturday, October 18, 2025
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CTChicago, IL
Grad Portfolio Day + Open Studio Night!
More InfoSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 S. Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60603RSVP Sunday, November 2
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PTSan Francisco, CA California College of the Arts
145 Hooper St.
San Francisco, CA 94107RSVP Sunday, November 9,
12 - 4 p.m. ETNew York, NY Parsons School of Design,
The New School
63 5th Ave.
New York, NY 10003RSVP Monday, December 8,
4 - 8 p.m. ETMiami, FL Florida International University
Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 NE 151st St.
Miami, FL 33181RSVP International Portfolio Days
Date and Time City Address RSVP Link Saturday, September 28,
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Seoul, Korea Voco Hotel Myeongdong
52, Toegye-ro
Seoul, Jung-gu, 04634RSVP Monday, October 28,
4 - 8 p.m.Montreal, Canada Concordia University
John Mason Building, 9th floor
1600 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest,
Montreal, Quebec H3H 1J5
CanadaRSVP Saturday, November 2,
12 - 4 p.m.Toronto, Canada OCAD University
100 McCaul St.
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 1W1
CanadaRSVP Saturday, November 16,
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.Vancouver, Canada Emily Carr University
520 East 1st Ave.
Vancouver BCV5T OH2
CanadaRSVP Saturday, December 7,
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.Paris, France Paris College of Art
241 Boulevard Pereire
Paris, IDF 75017
FranceRSVP Sunday, December 8,
12 - 4 p.m.Istanbul, Türkiye Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Harbiye, Taşkışla Cd. No:1
34367 Şişli/İstanbul, TürkiyeRSVP -
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.
City Date RSVP Link CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles Nov 5-7, 2025 Coming Soon CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Nov 3-4, 2025 Coming Soon GEORGIA: Atlanta Dec 9-10, 2025 Coming Soon MARYLAND: Baltimore Nov 6-8, 2025 Coming Soon MASSACHUSETTS: Boston Nov 10-13, 2025 Coming Soon MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor, Detroit October 24-25, 2025 Coming Soon NEW YORK: New York City, Brooklyn Nov 10-13, 2025 Coming Soon OREGON: Portland Oct 2-4, 2025 Coming Soon PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia Nov 6-8, 2025 Coming Soon RHODE ISLAND: Providence Nov 10-13, 2025 Coming Soon TEXAS: Austin, Houston Dec 11-13, 2025 Coming Soon WASHINGTON: Olympia, Seattle Oct 2-4, 2025 Coming Soon WASHINGTON D.C. Nov 6-8, 2025 Coming Soon CANADA: Vancouver Oct 2-4, 2025 Coming Soon
Virtual Admissions Events
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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 Time RSVP Link Saturday, September 27, 2025
12 - 4 p.m. CTRSVP Sunday, November 16, 2025
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. CTRSVP
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
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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
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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.
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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.