Transferring to SAIC
Transferring Your Credits
Preparing Your Portfolio
Scholarships & Financial Aid
CHART YOUR PATH AT SAIC
Transferring to SAIC
Whether you’re transferring from a two-year or four-year program, or looking to continue your education after a break, we are thrilled to assist you in your transition to one of the world’s leading art and design schools.
Our faculty of internationally acclaimed professionals and state-of-the-art resources are here to help you prepare for the future you envision for yourself.
15%
of our incoming class each year are transfer students
“Transferring from a community college allowed me to develop my conceptual and technical skills so that when I arrived at SAIC, I could get the most out of the wonderful resources and staff at the school. Transferring also enabled me to afford finishing off a degree at my dream school.”
KINGA SZOPINSKA, SAIC STUDENT, PAINTING AND ILLUSTRATION
THE BASICS
Transferring your credits
SAIC will accept most credits with a grade of “C” or above from accredited institutions. Your school’s accreditation status is typically in its catalog or on its website.
The curriculum for our five degree programs can be found at:
saic.edu/ug_programs
» Official transcripts will be evaluated from the prior college(s) you attended to determine the Liberal Arts or Art History credits that will transfer upon admission.
» Studio credits that may transfer will be determined by evaluating your transcripts and your admissions portfolio.
» Health, Nutrition or Physical Education credits will not transfer.
» Math credits will count towards our Natural Science requirement.
Test scores
U.S. residents, transfer students whose first language is English, or have attended a high school in the U.S., or international students who have earned 12 or more semester hours of college credit from an English-language university, are not required to submit language or any other assessment test scores. If you believe your scores provide additional insight into your academic abilities, please feel free to submit them.
All international students who do not meet the above criteria need to submit a language assessment from any of the following and must meet the designated minimum scores:
» Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: 82*
» TOEFL Essentials: 9 or higher
» International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
» Duolingo English Test: 110
» Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 55
* For the BA in Art History degree, a 96 TOEFL IBT or equivalent is required.
It starts with your transcripts
We can use “unofficial” transcripts to help determine potential transfer credit and standing at SAIC.
However, to receive credit for transfer courses, we must receive an official, sealed copy of your transcript from your college or university’s registrar.
For information on how to supply your official transcripts to SAIC visit:
Share your portfolio
We require that you submit your portfolio electronically by uploading your work through SlideRoom, our online e-portfolio submission site.
You will receive detailed information about uploading your portfolio online once you complete the first page of your online application.
You can access your SlideRoom portfolio through the Common Application and will be able to submit it once your Common Application has been completed.
Advanced student placement at SAIC
Students who have earned previous college credit in graphic, architectural, interior, or industrial/product design and who wish to continue their studies in these areas are required to submit additional work for advanced placement in the following departments: Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects (AIADO) Visual Communication Design (VCD) / Graphic Design
An AIADO student can transfer 12 studio credits to the BFA — AIADO Pathway programs prior to the department head’s review.
We strongly advise students who wish to study in these departments to submit a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in relevant areas. For example, if you are applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio — Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Designed Objects Pathway programs, submit a design-oriented portfolio that reflects your skills in interior design and architecture.
For more information:
Portfolio requirements Admission event information
saic.edu/ug_portfolio
saic.edu/ugevents
To schedule an online portfolio review, visit us at an admissions event, or schedule an in-person review at 1.312.629.6100
portfolio for AIADO & VCD Departments
The AIADO or VCD departments will review your portfolio and transcripts to determine placement and suggest classes for your first semester at SAIC.
The AIADO department will also assess transfer credit for studio classes for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio — Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Designed Objects Pathway program.
Nicole M. Maknawi Chandra Ovum, Samping, Stagger
A PORTFOLIO IS:
10–15 of your best and most recent works demonstrating your interests, skills, and creative potential.
We have no media-specific limitations, nor do we present portfolio assignments.
You can submit work created across media or focus entirely in one medium.
Are you a traditional transfer student?
For those from a two-year Community College/Junior College OR four-year college(s) who haven’t completed a degree.
Maximum credits that can be transferred
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio
Maximum transferable credit limit 60, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Art Education
Maximum transferable credit limit 60, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30 (Art Education credit is non-transferable).
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Writing
Maximum transferable credit limit 60, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30.
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Maximum transferable credit limit 60, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 15.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies
Maximum transferable credit limit 60, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 15.
SAIC has transfer agreements with select community colleges throughout the nation, allowing for seamless credit transfers between institutions.
For further details including transfer credit info: saic.edu/transfer
Off-campus study requirements
If a student is bringing in less than 36 transfer credits, three off-campus credits are required.
If a student is bringing in 36 or more transfer credits, no off-campus credits are required.
Automatic
credit acceptance
» Liberal Arts, with grades of “C” or above.
» Art History, with grades of “C” or above (upper-level Art History credits require departmental approval for the Bachelor of Arts in Art History).
Undergraduate degree studio requirement
ALL transfer students must enroll in Research Studio for Transfers in their first semester on campus. Core for Transfers, though highly recommended, is optional.
High
school transcripts
Transfer students must submit a final high school, GED or equivalent transcript.
Are you transferring with a previous degree?
For those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, these are the maximum credits that can be transferred by degree.
Maximum credits that can be transferred
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio
Maximum transferable credit limit 75, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30.
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Art Education
Maximum transferable credit limit 75, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30 (Art Education credit is non-transferable).
Bachelor of Fine Arts with an Emphasis in Writing
Maximum transferable credit limit 75, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 30.
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Maximum transferable credit limit 75, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 15.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies
Maximum transferable credit limit 75, of which there is a maximum studio credit limit of 15.
Off-campus study requirements
No off-campus study required.
Automatic credit acceptance
» Liberal Arts and General Electives with grades of “C” or above.
» Art History credits, with grades of “C” or above (upper-level Art History credits require departmental approval for the Bachelor of Arts in Art History).
Undergraduate degree studio requirement
ALL prior degree transfer students must enroll in Research Studio for Transfers or Research Studio: Advanced (Fall semester only). Core for Transfers, though highly recommended, is optional.
Exemptions
Prior degree students are exempt from:
» Liberal Arts requirements.
High school transcripts
Prior degree students do not need to submit high school transcripts. However, they do need to submit a final transcript with graduation date from the college that granted the prior degree.
Start here for financial aid
Eligible students who would like to be considered for financial aid (including grants, loans, and student employment) should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov.
KEEP THESE IMPORTANT DATES IN MIND FOR FALL
October 1
Estimated date Federal processor begins accepting FAFSA applications
December 1
Recommended deadline for IL residents submitting FAFSA for timely determination of financial aid eligibility
January 15
Estimated recommended deadline for all other applicants submitting FAFSA for timely determination of financial aid eligibility
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Everything else you need to know is right here: fafsa.gov
saic.edu/sfs
Merit Scholarship review is automatic
When you’ve applied by our scholarship deadlines as a transfer student, you will be automatically considered for our annuallyrenewable Merit Scholarships.
FALL DEADLINES
November 15
Early Action and Priority Merit Scholarship deadline
February 15 Merit deadline
June 1
Final Merit & Application deadline
Applications received by this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
SPRING
November 1
Priority Merit Scholarship deadline
January 1
Final Merit & Application deadline Applications received by this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For more information: saic.edu/ugmerit
