All graduate applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the nonrefundable $80 application fee.

You must enter valid credit card information in order to submit the online application.

This statement should describe in 500-1000 words the applicant’s reason for choosing to apply to the MFA Visual Narrative program and how they hope to advance their skills and craft as both an author and visual storyteller. In addition, the Statement of Purpose should answer the following question: Why are you interested in applying to a multimedia, low-residency program that focuses on storytelling and visual development, rather than a more traditional, industry or media-specific MFA program?

Please note that the Statement of Purpose should not be structured like a cover letter. Instead, statements should be personal and showcase who the applicant is as a person and artist.

Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the Statement of Purpose.

If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.

Applicants must submit a résumé with all contact information, including professional/online portfolio site link(s), social media URLs, and professional experience, as well as related activities such as research, awards, and exhibitions.

Online submission is available through the online application. After you submit your application, you will have access to a checklist to upload materials like the résumé.

If you are experiencing difficulty uploading your materials via the online application, please email them to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and date of birth in the email.

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from instructors or practicing professionals.

• Educators Scholarship applicants are required to submit four letters of recommendation.

Online submission is available through the online application. Applicants will be required to provide the email address and contact information for their references. A "Send Email" button for each recommendation is provided to send the online form to the email address you provided for your recommender.

If your recommender is experiencing difficulty (uploading the letter via the recommendation portal, receiving emails, etc.), please instruct them to email the letter to Graduate Admissions and include your full name and graduate program in the email.

Note: The School of Visual Arts does not provide letter of recommendation forms.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from each college or university they’ve attended. In order to be considered official, transcripts must come directly from the institution(s).

Please Note: Unofficial transcripts, screenshots, or PDFs emailed by applicants do not fulfill this requirement. There are no exceptions to this policy. Please follow the guidelines below.

Electronic Transcripts

• SVA accepts secure electronic transcripts from Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, and Credentials Solutions.
• Applicants from institutions in India should request and submit official transcripts directly through TrueCopy Credentials. Requests are processed by TrueCopy Credentials and will be sent electronically to SVA Graduate Admissions.
• Check with the registrar’s office at your institution to see if your school issues its own digital transcripts or if it’s a member of any of the organizations mentioned above. (Important Note: Please be sure that all electronic transcript submissions are directed to “Graduate Admissions” at gradadmissions@sva.edu.)

Mailing Transcripts

• Transcripts may also be submitted in an unopened envelope that is stamped and sealed by the college registrar of the issuing institution.

Please address to:

School of Visual Arts

Graduate Admissions

209 East 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010                                           

Special Notes

• Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their Bachelor’s degrees for the Spring or Summer 2026 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.
• All transcripts from foreign institutions must be officially translated into English and U.S. grading equivalencies. For more information, see the below accordion.

Applicants who have academic documents from institutions outside of the U.S. are required to provide original, attested, or certified true copies of academic records for all institutions attended. These records should be in the original language issued.

Please Note: SVA does not review PDFs or screenshots sent directly via email from applicants.

Records Not in English

For records not in English, applicants must also submit an official translation of all academic documents. Translations must be a complete, literal, word-for-word translation in the same format as the original academic document.

All foreign post-secondary (university-level) transcripts should be converted into U.S. educational equivalencies. Records that are not converted into U.S. equivalencies must be evaluated by an external evaluation agency. The evaluation should be course-by-course.

The School of Visual Arts should be listed as the recipient of the evaluation. The original academic records must be submitted in addition to the evaluation.

The School of Visual Arts requires that international academic records be evaluated by one of the following approved external evaluation agencies:

• The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)

Please note: Pending acceptance, all graduate applicants currently enrolled in school for their bachelor’s degrees for the Spring or Summer 2026 semesters are required to submit verification of graduation before they attend SVA.

In addition to the general application requirements, international applicants whose primary/native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. The following are acceptable ways to demonstrate English proficiency:

A preferred score* of 100 (internet-based or paper-delivered) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

• The CEEB code for the School of Visual Arts is 2835. This is the code that must be supplied to ETS in order to have TOEFL scores mailed to SVA.
• Please note this means a composite score for a single test date. SVA does not accept MyBEST TOEFL scores.

A preferred score of 8.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

• IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.

A preferred score of 130 on the Duolingo English Test.

• Scores can be sent to SVA directly via the student portal.

A preferred score of 9 in all categories of the English proficiency examination administered by the New York University American Language Institute in New York.

• For information on taking the NYU test, call 212.998.7040.

A preferred score of 68 on the Pearson PTE Academic.

Requirement Waivers

• This requirement may be waived for native English speakers who are citizens of any of the following countries and attend schools where English is the primary language of instruction: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, India, South Africa and Common Wealth Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago).
• SVA will consider waiving the English proficiency exam requirement for students who have earned a degree at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. Students seeking this waiver must submit a written request with their application materials.

Note: The MFA Visual Narrative program does admit applicants with lower scores and has an ESL program to assist. If you have any questions regarding the English Proficiency requirement, please contact the department directly (mfavn@sva.edu)

The MFA Visual Narrative submission to the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal includes four parts for a maximum of 20 files.

To access the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal, please click here.

Part 1 - Submit a copy of your Statement of Purpose as an individual PDF

Part 2 - Submit a copy of your Resume as an individual PDF

Part 3 - Portfolio: Upload 12-17 portfolio pieces as single or multi-page PDF (maximum 10 pages)

We consider one complete "story" or "project" as one, single portfolio submission piece. Each complete "story" or "project" submission should be submitted as a multipage PDF, with a maximum of 10pages. For example, a mini comic or a selection from a picture book project with multiple pages should be considered as one multipage PDF submission instead of separate PDF submissions uploaded to SlideRoom.

The portfolio should be a collection of professional-quality work that best represents the applicant’s visual storytelling skills. Applicants are encouraged to submit finished work as well as process documentation. All work should demonstrate an applicant’s abilities to visualize ideas, characters, and/or concepts clearly, make visual and narrative decisions, and present their vision and style in compelling ways.

MFAVN is open to non-fiction and fiction work with a range of aesthetics, media, formats, and concepts.

Portfolio submissions can include: photo essays, interactive media or websites; objects or industrial/packaging designs; sketchbook, character development and/or concept art; sculpture or 3D printed works; selections from full-length feature or short-form animation, documentary or live-action films, experimental animation or motion design reels; data visualization; illustration or graphic novel projects; children’s books; murals; branding/marketing packages; and/or visual memoir, community/non-profit or research-based visual projects, etc.

Process documentation submissions are encouraged for larger, sequential, time-based and collaborative works. This additional content can include: initial concept designs, mood boards, sketches, layouts/thumbnails, failed attempts, book dummies, working prototypes, etc.

Portfolio Format Requirements

File size requirements

• Still images are limited to 5MB each, and video is limited to 60MB each. If video files surpass the SlideRoom file size limit, please use the Vimeo Form available in SlideRoom to provide the link info.
• All digital portfolio images and assignment files must be between 1500 and 2500 pixels in width or height at 150 dpi.
• Multi-page PDF submissions should not exceed 10 pages. If full-length projects are over five minutes or ten pages, an excerpt should be submitted. The applicant may choose to submit the full-length video or print projects as supplementary works to the department separately from SlideRoom. Do not submit original artwork. Supplementary submissions will not be returned. See “Supplementary materials” tab for email and physical mail instructions.
• All website, social media, and portfolio sample links should be live.
• Vimeo or YouTube links are acceptable (with passwords provided if needed).

Descriptive context

For each submission, applicants must utilize the “Description” window to note the title, date, medium, dimensions, or running time for each file. In addition, please provide descriptive context for each submission, specifying the applicant's interest/reasons for submitting the work for consideration, their role(s) in the creation of the work if a collaborative project, and giving credit to all collaborators where credit is due.

Presentation requirements

For projects with pre-production, process, and/or visual development materials, please include these as a single, multipage PDF submission. Make sure to include supportive descriptions and list credits for any/all collaborators in the description box provided on SlideRoom.

Part 4: Writing Sample (Creative Writing Assignment)

Upload the creative writing assignment as one multi-page PDF in SlideRoom. This Writing Sample must be a new and original work created for the application. AI-generated work will not be accepted. All submissions will be reviewed for AI-generated content.

• PART 1 - (Background) A 250 - 500 word description of a defining or seminal moment in the applicant’s life that challenged or changed them forever, highlighting the moment’s personal impact and how they intent to adapt that moment into an original short story. This statement should be pure fact, with detail.
• PART 2 - (Story) Using 1000-1500 words, the applicant should create a new, original short story based on this defining moment. This story can be a work of non-fiction or fiction.
• There should be no overlap with the Statement of Purpose. 
• Your name and story title should be listed
• Proofread and double-space the final work before submitting it
• If these guidelines are not met, your submission will not be accepted.

Note: As a reminder, applicants can continue to edit their SlideRoom materials until they press the “submit” button. Once submitted, the application is viewable by the department, and no further changes can be made.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the department directly with any questions about preparing their SlideRoom submission (mfavn@sva.edu).

Materials in addition to the portfolio submission that outline the applicant’s expertise are encouraged but not required, for example:

• Full-length animation/audio/film files.
• Additional digital or analog portfolio samples.
• Physical packaging, product, or object design.
• Published works of literature, zines, comics, art, or professional writing samples.
• Any published works of visual narrative or sequential samples that the applicant has contributed to, along with a written statement describing the applicant's role, including accompanying challenges and achievements.
• Applicants should list specific credits in the making of the work.

Any additional samples should be sent separately to the MFA Visual Narrative department electronically at mfavn@sva.edu or by using the mailing address below. Please send an email if you are mailing something so that delivery can be confirmed. All physical items will be accepted, but cannot be returned. Mailing address:

Applications

SVA - MFA Visual Narrative

133 W. 21st Street

New York, NY 10011

212-592-2388

A working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is highly recommended. Accepted students without a working knowledge of these applications will be asked to build these skills before they start the program—this should not discourage candidates from applying.

Mastery of Adobe Acrobat and word processing software such as Microsoft Word, Pages, and/or Google Docs is required.

Applicants under consideration will be contacted to schedule a required interview with the Department Chair via Zoom.

The MFA Visual Narrative department is looking for visual storytellers from all creative disciplines interested in developing their own original content, defining their narrative voice, and elevating their professional practice—as both author and artist.

While we welcome applications from working professionals, educators, and up-and-coming professionals from all creative industries, we are also interest and looking for creative non-traditional applicants interested in developing their visual storycraft as both author and artist. Some of our non-traditional students have come from backgrounds in biochemistry, creative writing, engineering, advertising, puppetry, K-12 education, branding and PR, set design, publishing, editing, interactive design, theatre, and film production management. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline is welcome.

Because of the collaborative and professional nature of this low-residency program, successful students will demonstrate a high level of professional discipline, communication, and practice.

Visit the “Community” section of our department site to explore our storytelling community and their work.

• All applications are carefully reviewed by the Department Chair and an Application Review Committee, consisting of current faculty.
• Every component of the application is reviewed and carefully considered.
• Professional presentation, including proofreading and language clarity, is expected and part of the evaluation standard.
• Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by the priority deadline of January 15 to be considered first for merit and educators’ scholarships.
• The department will continue to accept applications after the January 15th deadline as space in the program remains available.
• For any questions about the application review process, please contact the department directly at mfavn@sva.edu.

The department offers modest scholarships that are awarded to both incoming and returning second-year students based on academic and artistic merit. All incoming merit scholarships are awarded upon acceptance, and no additional application is needed. The application deadline is January 15th for first-round review and consideration for Summer 2026 acceptances, merit awards, and housing grants. However, applications received after this deadline will continue to be reviewed for acceptance and considered for awards as long as space and awards remain available.

MFAVN also offers a limited number of merit-based housing grants, which awards a limited number of SVA on-campus housing grants to those who live outside of Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. SVA housing grants provide on-campus housing for the duration of the 2026 summer semester only. Students living outside of Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs may also be considered for housing grants for the following summer semesters, if they place a request with the department.

Educators may qualify for additional scholarship funding- please see the MFA Visual Narrative Educator's Scholarship tab and contact mfavn@sva.edu for details.

All US citizens seeking federal financial aid are encouraged to complete the FAFSA form as soon as it is available for the 2026-27 academic year.

For more detailed financial information, go to sva.edu, then Students, then Financial Resources.

The recommended deadline for all Summer 2026 graduate applications is January 15, 2026, however, applications received after this deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis. If an applicant is interested in the Educator’s Scholarship, it is highly recommended that they meet this deadline as these awards and acceptances will begin shortly thereafter.

Eligible candidates will be considered for scholarships providing up to 50% tuition. The candidate must currently teach full-time with the equivalent of six credits or more per semester (online acceptable) in an accredited college or university with at least two years of teaching experience (international experience is acceptable). Candidates teaching at the K-12 level will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should contact the department, outlining their relevant background.

In addition to the Required Application and Portfolio Materials, educators should also submit the following:

1. Educators Letter of Recommendation: A fourth letter from a senior academic colleague supporting the award nomination and the merits of the applicant’s teaching approach and methodology. Submit the contact for the Educator’s Letter of Recommendation along with the standard three required letters of recommendation.

Include the following two items as a multipage PDF submission as part of the applicants portfolio submissions in the Portfolio Section of SlideRoom:

2. Teaching Statement:  This statement should describe in 500-1000 words the applicant’s teaching method and practice, including why they teach and how this program and the educational award will benefit their personal professional practice, along with their students and academic career. There should be no overlap with the Statement of Purpose.

 3. Student Portfolio: Applicants should submit a collection of 3-5 assignments, including samples of student work, that exemplify their teaching method and practice. A brief description of each assignment’s course design and learning objective(s) should be included. Please proofread and submit double-spaced.

The structure of the MFA Visual Narrative program is low-residency, with three full-time summer semesters in NYC and two academic years online. This model currently allows for an I-20 educational visa each summer from May through September only, which includes the summer semesters in June and July. Unfortunately, due to the low-residency structure of the program, international students will not be eligible to apply for the 12-month Optional Practical Training benefit upon completion of studies. International applicants should carefully review all the details on the SVA site outlining the visa process and more.