A portfolio is simply a collection of work that represents an individual's creative and technical experiences and accomplishments. No two portfolios are alike and each is reviewed based on an applicant's unique background and education. Ideally, portfolios should include work done from the direct observation of life. For more information, please check out our portfolio guidelines here after selecting type of student and citizenship status. 

Yes. High school seniors whose first choice is SVA can receive a non-binding early admission decision, early financial aid estimate, guaranteed housing and early registration privileges. In order to be considered for early action to the fall semester, applicants must submit their application and all requirements by December 1.

Yes, however entry into the spring semester is limited. First-time freshman entry is limited based on program availability. Transfer entry is contingent upon the department chair's approval, based on portfolio quality, credits earned and space in the program. 

Applicants are required to submit their application and requirements by the following deadlines:

Fall Admission

• December 1 - Early Action Deadline (non-binding early admission for first-time freshmen)
• February 1 - First-time Freshmen Deadline for Scholarship Consideration 
• March 1 - Transfer Applicant Deadline for Scholarship Consideration 

Spring Admission

• October 1 - Deadline for International Applicants
• November 1 - Deadline for Freshmen and Transfer Scholarship Consideration

After these deadlines, admission to the College operates on a rolling admissions basis; applications will be accepted throughout the year as space remains available in each program.

There is no separate application form to be considered for a merit scholarship. Applicants that possess a minimum 3.0 GPA and adhere to the deadlines above will be automatically reviewed for a merit scholarship.

Yes. In order to process student visas in a timely manner, there is a recommended application deadline of:

October 1 - spring semester

April 1 - summer semester

May 1 - fall semester

An applicant's academic history plays an important role in the admission process. It is SVA's belief that art doesn't come from an empty head. As such, it is important that students demonstrate the ability to succeed in a classroom environment and have an aptitude and interest in humanities coursework.

No. Applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores to complete the application. If you wish to submit your test results to supplement your application, use CEEB code 2835 for SAT score submission and test code 2895 for ACT score submission. For additional instructions, see the CollegeBoard and ACT websites. Transfer applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

SVA is test optional. The CEEB code for the College is 2835 for the SAT and 2895 for the ACT.

Because a large part of an SVA education focuses on the exchange of ideas and critiques, it is important that all students possess a strong working knowledge of English. All international applicants must demonstrate a level of proficiency that will allow them to participate fully in class discussions. This can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo. Note, SVA does not accept MyBEST TOEFL scores.

Approximately 30 percent of SVA students are transfer students. Transfer applicants follow the same procedures for admission as all other applicants. Transfer placement is based on studio coursework and the portfolio, not necessarily on the total number of credits previously earned. It is important that transfer applicants submit a digital portfolio that contains examples of work from each studio course for which transfer credit is sought. Copies of course descriptions of classes taken at other colleges and universities can be helpful to the transfer review process.

Transcripts must be sent to SVA by the issuing institution. Speak with your school counselor or registrar's office to learn how they submit official transcripts. We recommend contacting them early to be aware of any holiday or summer closures. Students cannot self-submit or upload their transcript in the applicant portal.

SVA accepts secure electronic transcripts from Parchment (Naviance), National Student Clearinghouse and SCOIR. Check with the registrar's office at your institution to see if your school is a member.

We also accept postal mail. In order to be considered official, physical transcripts must be mailed to SVA in an unopened envelope stamped and sealed by the issuing institution. Our mailing address is:

SVA Undergraduate Admissions

209 East 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010

International applicants are required to submit academic records that have been converted to their U.S. educational equivalents. For more information about transcripts from foreign institutions, click here.

Beginning in March, accepted students who have submitted the enrollment fee and student health forms* can register online for classes. Registration information will be sent to you once your enrollment fee has been received and processed. 

*International students must also submit sufficient DOF/VOF documents in order to register for classes. 

Visit sva.edu/orientation for full details on Spring and Fall Orientation.

Orientation for the fall semester typically begins the Sunday before the Labor Day weekend. Orientation for the spring semester usually begins the Thursday prior to the start of spring classes. Orientation offers new students the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, and other students and to gain a further introduction to the curricular and extracurricular life they are about to begin.

The Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-20 will be issued by the International Student Office to students who have paid the enrollment fee and have submitted a sufficient DOF/VOF through the Terra Dotta student portal. Access to the Terra Dotta portal will be granted after an applicant enrolls at SVA. You will receive an e-mail when the I-20 is issued followed by an e-mail with the FedEx tracking number for your package.

SVA is pleased to offer an undergraduate tuition that remains at the lower end of the spectrum for colleges of its size and stature. The full-time undergraduate tuition for the 2025-2026 school year is $53,400. Tuition typically increases by 3 percent to 5 percent each year.

Currently, 74 percent of SVA students receive some form of financial aid. To be considered for financial aid, applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available in the Office of Financial Aid and can be filed online at studentaid.gov. Be sure to indicate the Title IV School Code 007468 for SVA. Applicants are assigned a specific financial aid advisor who will assist in identifying a variety of financial aid and payment plan options.

SVA awards partial tuition scholarships to new students entering the fall semester through the Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship program. Scholarships are primarily available to full-time students seeking admission to the fall semester who possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarships are based on academic and creative merit. To be considered for a scholarship, first-time freshmen must submit all admissions and scholarship materials postmarked by February 1. Transfer applicants must submit all admissions and scholarship materials postmarked by March 1.

Spring applicants must submit all admissions and scholarship materials postmarked by November 1. All applicants, including international students, citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for scholarship. There is no separate scholarship application.

The Title IV School Code for the College is 007468.

The School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (msche.org), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267.284.5000. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

The Interior Design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (accredit-id.org), 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 305, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503-4014.

The School of Visual Arts has been authorized by the New York State Board of Regents to confer the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts on graduates of four-year programs in 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Advertising; Animation; Comics; Design; Film; Fine Arts; Illustration; Interior Design; Photography and Video; and Visual and Critical Studies.

All applicants must select one program to major in. Since SVA majors require students to complete an intensive four-year studio program it is not possible to double-major at SVA. However, cross-registration into other departments is available on a case-by-case basis, with the permission of departmental chairs.

Yes. Each year, more than 600 high school students enroll in pre-college studio courses held on Saturdays during the fall and spring and in an intensive three-week program each July.

The Admissions Office offers many tours, virtual events and opportunities for portfolio reviews. Please see our Visit Us section.

SVA houses approximately 1,400 students in its four residence halls. Students are permitted to stay in SVA housing throughout their four years of study. As such, not all students can be housed each year. It is recommended that applicants who are interested in housing and whose first choice is SVA complete the application for admission process as early as possible.

SVA offers both summer abroad and semester abroad programs. Summer arts abroad programs are up to three weeks in length and are open to anyone who meets the course prerequisites. Third-year matriculated students may apply to the International Exchange Program (IEP) to study abroad for one semester at an affiliated exchange partner institution. A list of affiliated schools is available in the Registration Book, available for download down below, or from the exchange program administrator. Countries currently represented in the IEP include Belgium, China, The Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

SVA does not require that students submit Advanced Placement (AP) test scores to complete their application. Students who complete an AP test and wish to have it evaluated for possible transfer credit must submit their score(s) before the start of the academic term, August 15th for Fall entry and December 15th for Spring entry. Please send AP scores via the CollegeBoard digital platform.

A complete list of qualifying AP exams can be found on Collegeboard. 

Below, you will find more information regarding our AP exam guidelines:

• Students who score 4 or higher may be awarded transfer credit. 
• A qualifying score in AP Art will be awarded as 3 Studio electives. 
• A qualifying score in select AP Art History courses will be awarded as 3 Art History elective credits.
• A qualifying score in select AP Humanities & Sciences courses will be awarded as 3 Humanities credits.
• Humanities & Sciences can be awarded a maximum of 12 credits. 
• Studio elective credits can be awarded in conjunction with Humanities & Sciences credits.
• Neither credits nor exemptions are given for the English Language AP examination.

Exam scores may take 2 to 4 weeks to process. Notification of awarded credits will be sent via email. For questions, please contact the Manager of Transfer Admissions, Miranda Levine, at mlevine4@sva.edu.

Career Development offers an internship-for-credit program for qualified juniors and seniors. SVA students have completed internships at over 600 different companies. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit here.