Schedule and Deadlines

All Fall 2026 and Summer 2026 applications and supporting materials must be received by January 15, 2026. Applications or materials received after the deadline will be reviewed, for each program, on a space-available basis.

Students enter graduate programs in the fall semester only (summer only for MFA Visual Narrative).

Please refer to the Graduate Admissions FAQ for additional guidelines about the application process. We also welcome you to contact Graduate Admissions with any questions at gradadmissions@sva.edu. Keep in mind that while Graduate Admissions can guide you through questions related to most application requirements, any inquiries regarding portfolios or the writing sample must be sent directly to your graduate program.

Answers to the most common questions about the application, guidelines for general and international application requirements, and how to submit application materials can be found below.

2025

Sunday, August 24 – Sunday, August 31

Orientation for Fall 2025 Semester. Updates can be found here.

Monday, September 1

Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 online application and SlideRoom portals open for all graduate programs; Labor Day Holiday; College Closed

Tuesday, September 2

Fall 2025 undergraduate and graduate courses begin

Wednesday, October 1

The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online. For more information, please click here or contact SVA Financial Aid.

September - December

Graduate Admissions and Graduate Departments host various events to introduce applicants to SVA and the graduate application process. For more information, please click here.

Thursday, December 18 - Sunday, January 4

Winter Recess; College Closed

2026

Monday, January 4

Graduate Admissions reopens following Winter Recess. All emails, applications, and materials received during the Winter Recess will be addressed in date order.

Thursday, January 15

Graduate Application Deadline: All Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 applications and supporting materials must be received by January 15. Applications or materials received after the deadline will be reviewed for each program on a space-available basis.

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; College closed

Monday, March 16

Admissions Notification: Applicants who have completed the application process by January 15 will be emailed an admissions decision by March 16. The College does not disclose admissions decisions via phone. All admissions decisions are sent to the email address used at the beginning of the application process. To avoid delays in notification, applicants should regularly check their inbox and spam folders. Please also add gradadmissions@sva.edu to your address book or contacts.

Wednesday, April 15

Reply date for Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 accepted graduate students. Enrollment Fees are processed as space in each program remains available.

Friday, May 1

Due date for Summer 2026 tuition

Recommended admissions completion deadline for international applicants requiring a student visa for the Fall 2026 semester.

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day Holiday; College Closed

Friday, June 19

Juneteenth Holiday; College Closed

Wednesday, July 1

Recommended date that Fall 2026 international applicants complete the enrollment process

Saturday, July 4

Independence Day Holiday; College Closed

Friday, August 1

Fall 2026 Tuition Deadline: All programs except MFA Visual Narrative. After this date, applicants must receive financial clearance from Student Accounts to register.