The Most Difficult Art School to Get into, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the art school you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:23
Choosing the right art school can be a pivotal decision for aspiring artists, shaping their future careers and artistic development. The complexity and competitiveness of admissions vary widely among institutions, often leaving applicants puzzled about their chances and what each school uniquely offers. Having a ranked list of the most challenging art schools to gain entry into can provide clarity and assist in setting realistic expectations.
By participating in our live ranking system, users contribute to a collective understanding of each art school's selectiveness and reputation. This interactive process not only informs prospective students but also creates a dynamic community dialogue about the quality and demands of top art institutions. Your vote matters in helping us paint a clearer picture of the art education landscape.
What Is the Most Difficult Art School to Get into?
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130votes
John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0RISD is considered one of the best art schools in the world, with an acceptance rate of only 16 percent. It has a rigorous curriculum and a highly competitive student body.The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a prestigious art school located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. It is widely considered one of the most difficult art schools to get into, known for its rigorous curriculum and high faculty standards.- Year Founded: 1877
- Motto: Ask relentless questions
- Type: Private art and design school
- Campus Size: 34 acres
- Number of Undergraduate Programs: 20
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217votes
Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Walt DisneyCalArts is a highly selective art school with an acceptance rate of only 23 percent. It is known for its experimental and interdisciplinary approach to art education.The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a highly esteemed art school located in Valencia, California, United States. It was established in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning specifically focused on art and performance in the United States. CalArts is renowned for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education, providing students with opportunities to explore various artistic disciplines and collaborate with artists from different fields.- Student-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
- Acceptance Rate: Around 24%
- Programs: Art, Dance, Film/Video, Music, Theater, Writing
- Notable Alumni: Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Sofia Coppola
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
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318votes
Alanscottwalker · CC BY-SA 3.0SAIC has an acceptance rate of 24 percent and is known for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on conceptual thinking. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in the country.The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a highly prestigious art school located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1866, SAIC has established itself as one of the most renowned institutions for art education in the world, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines of art and design.- Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Year of Establishment: 1866
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate and Graduate
- Disciplines: Various art and design disciplines
- Admissions Selectivity: Extremely competitive
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49votes
David Shankbone · CC BY-SA 3.0Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Peter CooperCooper Union is a highly selective art school with an acceptance rate of only 13 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its commitment to providing a tuition-free education to all students.The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a prestigious and highly competitive art school located in New York City. It was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, with the mission of providing a free education in the arts and sciences. Today, it is known for its rigorous curriculum and selective admissions process.- Location: New York City, USA
- Established: 1859
- Education Type: Private
- Admissions: Highly competitive
- Curriculum: Rigorous and interdisciplinary
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59votes
Yale School of Art
Yale UniversityYale School of Art is a highly competitive art school with an acceptance rate of only 7 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on critical thinking and experimentation.The Yale School of Art is a prestigious graduate art school that is part of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. It offers a highly competitive and rigorous program for artists to explore and expand their craft in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.- Location: New Haven, Connecticut
- Type of School: Graduate art school
- Affiliation: Yale University
- Admission Difficulty: Highly competitive
- Program: MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
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616votes
Colindunn · Public domainMICA is a highly selective art school with an acceptance rate of only 29 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration.The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a prestigious art school located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. With a history dating back to 1826, MICA is renowned for its rigorous curriculum, distinguished faculty, and vibrant artistic community. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various areas of art and design, catering to students with a range of artistic interests and aspirations.- Location: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Year Founded: 1826
- Degree Programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs in art and design
- Specializations: Various areas of art and design
- Faculty: Distinguished and experienced artists and educators
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712votes
Jchobanana · CC BY-SA 4.0ArtCenter College of Design
Edward A. AdamsArtCenter is a highly competitive art school with an acceptance rate of only 24 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on design thinking and innovation.The ArtCenter College of Design is a highly prestigious and renowned art school located in Pasadena, California. It offers degree programs in various artistic disciplines, including advertising, graphic design, illustration, film, photography, product design, transportation design, and fine art. The college is known for its rigorous curriculum, industry-focused approach, and commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation.- Location: Pasadena, California
- Founded: 1930
- Degree Programs: Multiple disciplines
- Admission Rate: Around 15%
- Campus Area: 175 acres
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810votes
Jonathan Bowen · CC BY-SA 3.0Pratt Institute
Charles PrattPratt is a highly selective art school with an acceptance rate of only 37 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on creativity and innovation.The Pratt Institute is a renowned art school located in Brooklyn, New York. It is considered one of the most difficult art schools to get into due to its rigorous admission process and high standards of artistic excellence. The institute offers a wide range of programs in fine arts, design, architecture, and media arts. It is known for nurturing creativity, innovation, and critical thinking among its students.- Location: Brooklyn, New York
- Programs: Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, Media Arts
- Admission Process: Rigorous and competitive
- Standards: High standards of artistic excellence
- Creativity Focus: Nurturing creativity and innovation
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94votes
Carnegie Mellon School of Art
Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon School of Art is a highly competitive art school with an acceptance rate of only 12 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration.The Carnegie Mellon School of Art is an esteemed art school known for its rigorous selection process and comprehensive art programs. It is part of the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school provides a diverse and collaborative environment for aspiring artists to develop their skills and creativity.- Competition: Highly competitive admission process
- Programs: Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in various art disciplines
- Faculty: Experienced and accomplished artists and educators
- Facilities: State-of-the-art studios, workshops, and exhibition spaces
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Encouraging collaboration across other departments at Carnegie Mellon University
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1012votes
Marc Meredith · CC BY-SA 2.5Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and DesignOtis is a highly selective art school with an acceptance rate of only 36 percent. It is known for its rigorous curriculum and its emphasis on experimentation and innovation.The Otis College of Art and Design is a prestigious art school located in Los Angeles, California. It offers degree programs in a wide range of art and design disciplines, including fine arts, fashion design, graphic design, and illustration. The college is known for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore different mediums and techniques. With a focus on developing both technical skills and conceptual thinking, Otis College prepares its students for successful careers in the creative industries.- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Programs: Fine Arts, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, and more
- Curriculum: Rigorous and interdisciplinary
- Mediums: Encourages exploration of different mediums
- Techniques: Develops technical skills
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Ranking factors for difficult art school
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Acceptance rateThe acceptance rate of an art school refers to the percentage of applicants who are admitted to the school. A lower acceptance rate is an indication of higher selectivity, making it more difficult to get in.
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Quality of portfolioThe quality of an applicant's portfolio plays a crucial role in their chances of getting into an art school. Schools with higher standards will expect applicants to have a stronger portfolio, reflecting their artistic abilities and potential to succeed in the program.
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Reputation and prestigeInstitutions with a strong reputation and history of producing successful artists are likely to be more selective, making it harder to get in.
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Admission requirementsSome schools may have more rigorous admission requirements, such as a higher minimum GPA, stronger letters of recommendation, or additional prerequisites like specific courses or experiences.
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Size of school and available resourcesArt schools with limited class sizes and resources may admit fewer students, making it more competitive to get in.
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FacultyHaving a well-known, experienced, and respected faculty is a good indicator of a school's level of competitiveness.
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LocationArt schools located in major art and cultural centers may be more competitive due to higher demand from students wishing to get involved in the local arts scene.
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Networking opportunities and alumni connectionsSchools with strong networking opportunities and alumni connections might be more selective, as students are often attracted to the benefits of these connections.
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Diversity of programs and concentrationsArt schools offering a wider range of programs and concentrations may be more difficult to get into since they attract a diverse pool of talented applicants.
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Financial aid and scholarshipsSchools that offer more generous financial aid packages may be more competitive, as these incentives attract a more extensive pool of talented applicants.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult art school to get into. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or academy is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
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More information on most difficult art school to get into
Background Information:
Becoming an artist is not an easy task, and getting into a prestigious art school is an even greater challenge. Art schools are known for their rigorous admission processes, and many applicants often face a highly competitive pool of talented individuals. However, some of these schools have gained a reputation for being exceptionally difficult to get into.
The most difficult art schools to get into are those that have a long-standing history of producing successful artists and designers. These schools have a highly selective admission process, which typically includes a portfolio review, academic transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. The admissions committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate exceptional creativity, technical skills, and a strong passion for art.
In addition to meeting the academic and artistic requirements, applicants must also be prepared to face intense competition. Many of these schools receive thousands of applications each year, but only a small fraction of them are accepted. This means that even the most qualified applicants may not make the cut.
Ultimately, the most difficult art school to get into is subjective and depends on individual factors such as the applicant's interests, skills, and artistic style. However, some of the most highly regarded art schools with low acceptance rates include Rhode Island School of Design, California Institute of the Arts, and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Getting accepted into these prestigious institutions is a great honor and a testament to an applicant's artistic abilities.
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