The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is excited to share this information about our SAIC Scholars Program.
Students invited to participate in this highly
FOR MORE INFORMATION School of the Art Institute of Chicago Undergraduate Admissions 36 South Wabash Avenue, suite 1201 Chicago, IL 60603 312.629.6100 800.232.7242 ugadmiss@saic.edu
selective program take specially designed
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
courses. Throughout the scholar’s academic
• Students are exclusive participants in a
experience, students engage in specialized
winter or summer term study trip led by
discourse and activities, develop mentor
Contemporary Practices full-time faculty with
relationships with their instructors, and become
research interests, knowledge and experience
part of an active and collaborative community.
in the destination and SAIC. The study trip, Living the Past in the Present: the Art of
SAIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Only 5% of our admitted students have been
Archive will take place in Siena, Italy. Students
selected for this program based on a holistic
are awarded a $3,000 grant to defray
review of their admission applications. They
affiliated costs.
have shown: • SAIC Scholar students have the opportunity • A compelling portfolio of work that
to choose between specially-designated
demonstrates both conceptual and technical
First Year Seminar courses. Students will also
proficiency
take an Advanced Art History survey in their
• Academic excellence as exhibited through strong high school records • A well-organized, thoughtful and clearlyarticulated artist statement
first semester.
SAIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM COURSEWORK Fall 2024 As a cohort, students will take two shared courses together. Winter or Summer 2025 or 2026 Within the first two years (4 semesters) of enrolling in the Scholars Program, students will participate in a Scholars-only study trip to Siena, Italy. This trip will fulfill several degree requirements. Living the Past in the Present: | Siena, Italy Through a partnership with the Siena Art Institute (SART), students will experience the history, tradition and culture of Siena, one of Italy’s most important medieval cities and home to numerous works of art and architecture, as well as a wide array of archives, collections and research centers. Students will develop insight into how historical study can spark their growth as contemporary artists, designers, and visual scholars. Our study in Siena will be augmented by excursions to Florence to learn about seminal achievements in Renaissance art and architecture, and to San Gimignano to visit its medieval towers and Galleria Continua, an internationally known contemporary art space. Studio work will take place and faculty may require a final critique subsequent to the class during the following semester. SAIC Scholars students will be granted $3,000 toward the cost of their study trip. An Opportunity to Graduate with Distinction Scholars who successfully complete the scholars course requirements will have the opportunity to apply for a Bachelor’s degree “with Distinction” upon graduation, and their transcripts and diploma will reflect this achievement.
SAIC SCHOLARS PROGRAM Q&A Will I be taking more credit hours than my peers during fall and spring semesters of my first year? No. SAIC Scholars students take up to 15 credits in their fall semester and up to 15 credits in the spring semester. However, within the first 2 years (by the fourth semester), they will have the opportunity to participate in a 3-credit hour winter interim or summer study trip for studio credit. In total, they will likely take 33 credits in the academic year in which they participate in the study trip. Does the study trip fulfill any of my degree requirements? Yes. The study trip fulfills degree requirements and additionally, all SAIC students are required to take 6 credits of off-campus study. This trip fulfills half of that requirement. How do I ensure my place in the SAIC Scholars Program? Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please indicate your commitment to be a part of the program by May 1. Information on how to confirm your participation is included in the enclosed letter. Learn more about the SAIC Scholars Program at saic.edu/saicscholars
