Visit and Events

See events for admitted students at saic.edu/ugnext.

Transfer Day

Saturday, June 3, 2023
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT
Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash, room 327
RSVP

We are hosting an on-campus event to help you through the transfer process! Join us for:

• Portfolio advice for admission and merit scholarship
• A detailed transfer credit policy deep dive
• Academic Resources and Next Steps review
•A tour of our campus and our residence halls
and more!

*We recommend you start your Common Application before attending on this day, in case you have any questions. Apply here.

SAIC Days and One-On-One Meetings

SAIC Days are special 3-hour events that take place in select cities from September - November. These events are a perfect opportunity to get one-on-one feedback on your portfolio, meet with SAIC faculty and staff, and learn more about our interdisciplinary curriculum.

One-on-one meetings give you individual time with an admissions counselor to get feedback on your portfolio, or just ask any questions you may have!

Check back this summer to see the fall 2023 schedule.

National Portfolio Days

National Portfolio Days (NPDs) take place throughout the year, and SAIC participates in all of them. Representatives from SAIC are ALWAYS available to provide 10-15 minute portfolio reviews of prospective students' work, give you valuable feedback and guidance on your portfolio before you submit it as part of your application, and to speak about SAIC's curriculum.

Online National Portfolio Days

See events for admitted students at saic.edu/ugnext.

Watch Past Virtual Events

Take a live tour of our campus and residence halls with our current students, and ask any questions you have!

Virtual: 
Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. CT

On-Campus: Daily, Monday - Friday and select Saturdays (Please plan to arrive 15 minutes in advance for check-in.)

A maximum of 3 people are allowed per party, including the prospective student.
Advance registration is required.

Schedule a Virtual or In-Person Tour
Take an on-demand tour of our Residence Halls

We offer you the opportunity to meet with an admission counselor before or after our on-campus tours to have your portfolio reviewed, or just get more information about SAIC. Reservations are required due to a strict capacity limit. All guests must wear a mask throughout the duration of the tour.

Tour guests should arrive at the LeRoy Neiman Center at 37 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL, 60603 15 minutes in advance of the scheduled tour time. Tours typically last 90 minutes.

Our tours include the following:

• A brief presentation providing an overview of SAIC’s campus and curriculum
• A look inside our campus buildings (2) and facilities, including our Contemporary Practices department
• Visiting one of our residence halls
• Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago museum
• Introduction to our downtown campus—wear comfortable shoes!

Can't attend our live tour?

Check out our self-guided virtual tour.

Sign up for our Educator Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE: 2023 Teacher Toolbox Workshop and Luncheon

Friday, September 22, 2023

9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. CT (check in begins at 8:45 a.m.) 
Optional Campus Tours: 2:30–3:30 p.m. CT

SAIC MacLean Ballroom
112 S. Michigan Ave. 
Chicago, IL 60603

RSVP link and more info coming soon.

Illinois educators who attend this workshop are eligible for CPDU credit.

Contact us at 312.629.6100 or ugadmiss@saic.edu with any questions you may have.

Admitted Students: Understanding Your Financial Aid Award and Cost

Thursday, March 23, 2023
Watch 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.

Transfer Day

Friday, January 6, 2023
Watch Recording

Join us to learn more about transferring to SAIC, and get an optional portfolio review with an admissions counselor to get valuable feedback on your work.

Student Financial Services: How to Apply For Financial Aid Using the FAFSA

Thursday, December 1, 2022
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.

Transfer Friday

Friday, November 11, 2022
Watch Recording

Join us online to learn more about transferring to SAIC, and get an optional portfolio review with an admissions counselor to get valuable feedback on your work.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Don't Panic! Moral Support Before You Hit Submit

Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Watch Recording

SAIC Admissions is here to help with any questions you have leading up to our Early Action deadline on November 15th. Don't panic - we're hosting this live Q+A session to help you hit the "Submit" button with confidence.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: What to Include and NOT Include in Your Portfolio, Editing Your Final Portfolio

Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Watch Recording

How do you know what different schools are looking for in a portfolio? Is it the same for every degree program? Join us to learn how to research and follow portfolio requirements. We will review specific requirements for SAIC's 5 different degree programs.

National Transfer Week: SAIC Curriculum and Faculty

Thursday, October 20, 2022
Watch Recording

Meet with faculty and learn more about what it means to study within an interdisciplinary curriculum.

National Transfer Week: Transfer Process and Credit Transfer Info

Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Watch Recording

Join us online to learn more about transferring to SAIC, and get detailed information on how your credits will transfer.

Student Financial Services: How to Apply for Financial Aid Using the FAFSA

Tuesday, October 18, 2022
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.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Artist Statement A to Z

Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Watch Recording

Have you run into a case of writer's block? You've made some awesome artwork, but how do you write about it? Join us to learn everything you need to know about constructing an artist statement. We will explain the purpose of an artist statement and offer tips for getting started and editing your statement.

Transfer Friday

Friday, October 7, 2022
Watch Recording

Join us online to learn more about transferring to SAIC, and get an optional portfolio review with an admissions counselor to get valuable feedback on your work.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: How to Apply and Submit Your Portfolio

Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Watch Recording

You've created artwork, documented it, and made your final selections. Now, it's time to apply! We'll show you how to access the Common Application and walk you through the steps to complete and submit your application and SlideRoom portfolio.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Making Assignments Work for You

Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Watch Recording

How can you go beyond what's expected when working on an assignment? How have artists previously incorporated assignments and prompts into their creative practices? SAIC Admissions Counselors give you the inside scoop on how to approach assignment-based work so you can include it in your portfolio.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: What is a Portfolio & Where to Start?

Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Watch Recording

Applying to art school usually means providing images of your artwork in the form of a portfolio. But how do you get started? How do you know what to include and what to leave out? And how do artists use this important tool in their professional lives? Join us to find out!

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Pro Tips for Documenting Your Work at Home

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Watch Recording

Taking great photos of your work is just as important as making it! In this hour long workshop, SAIC faculty will walk you through how to capture and edit high quality photos for your application. We'll also cover tips for using household materials and a smart phone in this process.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Making Anime / Fan Art / Comics Your Own

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Watch Recording

Are you currently contemplating the age old question of "Is it okay to submit anime, fan art, or comics in a portfolio for art school?" We'll do a deep dive exploring the topics of authorship, originality, and appropriation in art to help you decide how to move forward if you have an interest in this style of work.

Portfolio Tip Tuesday: Sketchbook Deep Dive & Intro to Journaling

Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Watch Recording

Sketchbooks and journals are essential companions for artists. Together, we'll look at interesting ways to use them and how they can help you build a strong portfolio.

Transfer Days

June 8, 2022: Admissions Info
Watch Now

Join us to learn how to prepare your application and portfolio for admission and merit scholarship, and take a deep dive into the specifics about our transfer credit policy with a representative from the Office of the Registrar. 

June 9, 2022: Faculty and Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Watch Now

Faculty representatives will discuss SAIC's interdisciplinary curriculum and how it informs the creative process as they practice it and as they teach it.