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 
    Event Passed

    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 TimeCityRSVP Link
    Thursday, October 12 + Friday, October 13Providence, RIRSVP
    Monday, October 16New York, NYRSVP
    Thursday, October 26 + Friday, October 27Los Angeles, CARSVP
    Monday, October 30San Francisco, CARSVP
    Friday, November 10Boston, MARSVP
    Sunday, November 12 + Monday, November 13Baltimore, MDRSVP
    Tuesday, December 5Miami, FLRSVP
    Monday, December 11Savannah, GARSVP
    Tuesday, December 12Atlanta, GARSVP
    Thursday and Friday, December 14 + 15Detroit, MIRSVP

Virtual Admissions Events

  • No events are scheduled at this time. 

    Watch past events in the "Watch Past Event Recordings" section at the bottom of this page, or see events for admitted students at saic.edu/grnext

  • 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

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

  • Thursday, January 18, 2024
    Watch Recording 

    The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) 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.

  • Tuesday, November 28, 2023 
    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

  • Tuesday, November 14, 2023
    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
    • Historic Preservation
    • Visual Communication Design

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

  • Tuesday, November 7, 2023    
    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 review season. This session will focus specifically on our MFA in studio programs.   

  • Friday, November 3, 2023      
    Watch Recording  
    Learn more about applying to and attending SAIC as an international student.


  • Tuesday, October 24, 2023      
    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.

  • Tuesday, September 26, 2023       
    Watch 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, 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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