APPLICATION PROCEDURES

For MFA procedures click here.

LCAD has a rolling admissions policy. Our application form is available here. While many schools have a “hard” deadline for applications (meaning they won’t accept those either postmarked or received after that date), schools that use rolling admissions accept applications until they’ve filled all the spots in their freshman class.

•Freshman applying for the Fall term are encouraged to complete the application process by the February 2 priority date.


•Transfer students applying for the Fall term are encouraged to complete the application process by the March 2 priority date.


•Applications received after the priority date will be considered on a space-available basis.

LCAD accepts applications for the Fall semester as early as November 1 of the year preceding anticipated enrollment and for the Spring semester as early as July 1 of the year preceding anticipated enrollment.

FRESHMAN ELIGIBILITY

To gain admittance to a Bachelor of Fine Arts program, an applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent, have achieved above-average performance in academic subjects and display strong artistic ability.

• Application and Fees - Complete and submit an LCAD application with a $45 non-refundable application fee. LCAD honors the College Board Application Fee Waiver Form. The application fee is waived for applications submitted online.

• Transcripts - Submit an official transcript from your high school that shows proof of graduation or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). If you are currently enrolled in high school, please submit transcripts showing your current progress and projected date of completion. Official, sealed transcripts must be sent from your high school directly to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

• Test scores - SAT 1 or ACT scores are required for applicants currently in high school.

• Essay - Applicants must select one essay:

• Describe the first time you heard about LCAD and tell us two things we offer that you believe will be most beneficial for you.

• Tell us why you feel LCAD is a better fit for you over another college that you were considering and be sure to refer to that specific college for the comparison.
Your essay must be between 300-500 words (no exceptions).

• Portfolio – Submit a portfolio that represents your best and most recent work. The work can include class projects, professional work experience or professional assignments. The work may be executed in any medium, and may including drawings, illustrations, paintings, photographs, two-dimensional designs and time-based projects. Your work should show your technical skills and creativity.

Each major does have recommended portfolio guidelines. We strongly encourage each applicant to download the guidelines for the program(s) in which they are interested: Animation, Fine Art, Illustration, Game Art or Graphic Design.

 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

In addition to being responsible for following the same application procedures as first-time students, all international students have additional documentation requirements. International students are eligible for admission only after document validation and transcript and portfolio review evaluations have been completed.

• Submit official transcripts for high scho

ol and all college courses completed. Include listings of all coursework in progress.
• All international transcripts must be submitted to IERF (www.ierf.org) for conversion into US equivalents. There is a separate fee and time requirement for this service. Please visit their website and plan accordingly.


• Submit one letter of recommendation.


• Submit a one- to two-page typewritten personal statement.


• Submit one essay: Describe the first time you heard about LCAD and tell us two things we offer that you believe will be most beneficial for you. Or, tell us why you feel LCAD is a better fit for you over another college that you were considering and be sure to refer to that specific college for the comparison. Your essay must be between 300-500 words (no exceptions).


• Students whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL exam (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) and achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test and 79 on the Internet-based test.


• International students are required to take an English proficiency test during Orientation Week.


• The TOEFL exam may be waived only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, through the completion of English as a Second Language courses and/or having attended schools in the United States for an extended period of time. The Admissions Committee may determine that the student has the required proficiency in English and has the ability to communicate appropriately with proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Once a student has been admitted s/he will receive a formal letter stating so and asking for additional documentation so that we can issue an I-20. These documents include:

• Submit a Declaration of Finances Form from your parent, sponsor or sponsoring agency and an official bank statement. The bank statement must show a balance equal to or greater than the cost of attendance at the college for one year (Cost of Attendance may vary year to year—the official amount can be obtained from the Office of Admissions + Financial Aid).

Upon your acceptance to the BFA or Certificate program and once LCAD has received your Declaration of Finances and nonrefundable $250 deposit fee, we will send an I-20 document. The completed I-20 must be taken to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country to obtain an F-1 Student Visa.

ADMISSIONS NOTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of all admission requirements (Document Complete) and within three weeks of acceptance by the Admissions office, new students will receive written notification of their admission by the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. “Document Complete” confirms that an applicant has performed all necessary admission requirements and has submitted all transcripts, relevant test scores and all other required documentation. Newly admitted students will also receive orientation and registration information materials to assist them in preparing for their chosen courses of study. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 must be received no later than May 1, or by the date specified on an acceptance letter. The tuition deposit confirms a student’s attendance and reserves a place for him/her in the semester program. The deposit fee is credited to the semester tuition and is non-refundable.

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

To apply for admission to LCAD, applicants are required to present a portfolio of their best work that demonstrates their strengths, interests, and artistic growth. LCAD recognizes that students enter college with diverse artistic backgrounds; therefore, each portfolio is evaluated on an individual-specific basis.

Portfolio Guidelines
Each major does have recommended portfolio guidelines. We strongly encourage each applicant to download the guidelines for the program(s) in which s/he is interested in: Animation, Fine Art, Illustration, Game Art or Graphic Design.

Sending Your Portfolio

Submit your portfolio to:

The Office of Admissions
Laguna College of Art + Design
2222 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

PORTFOLIO FORMAT
Submit your portfolio to the Office of Admissions. When submitting your portfolio by mail, a digital CD is preferred. Digital portfolio images should be saved as .jpg files that are no larger than 1 MB each. A portfolio must include an inventory list that identifies each work by number, title, media and completion date. Each image should be labeled as follows 01_ (APPLICANT'S LAST NAME), 02_ (APPLICANT’SLAST NAME), etc. Portfolios with prepaid return postage will be returned via the US Postal Service. LCAD is responsible for neither lost nor damaged portfolios.

TRANSFER PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES / TRANSFERRING OF STUDIO ART CREDITS
In addition to the admissions application and portfolio requirements, applicants must submit a transfer portfolio for each studio art course to be considered for transfer. Because it serves a more specific purpose, a transfer portfolio will likely be different from the admissions portfolio submitted for admission. This is very important to understand for those applicants wishing to transfer studio art credits. Transfer portfolio evaluations must take place prior to registration. A Department Chair will look for evidence of equivalent learning outcomes in the work submitted. A review of the actual work is preferred, but works in a digital format are accepted. Submit 6 to 10 examples from each studio class.

REQUIRED COMPONENTS:
- Images from coursework—such as 2D and 3D design classes—that demonstrate organizational skills
- Images relative to area of concentration or major
- Title and description of the course in which the work was created, as well as any pertinent supplemental information
- Chronological presentation of the work
- Cover sheets for all fragile material
- Applicant’s name and “Transfer Portfolio” labeled on the outside of the submitted portfolio.

Portfolios cannot be evaluated until the Registrar has reviewed an applicant’s transcripts. Submitted portfolios will be evaluated by either a dean, department chair or designated department faculty. The evaluator will report the results to the Registrar. When newly admitted students register for LCAD classes, the results of their evaluations will be incorporated into their PowerCampus Self-Service Academic Plans. Transfer eligibility is dependent upon a minimum final grade of “C” or better from an accredited American postsecondary institution. International transfer is considered on a case-by-case basis. International students must provide an English translation of their foreign transcripts and evaluations of the transcripts into the American sedanmester unit system using a service such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).

TRANSFER OF LIBERAL ARTS UNITS
All course transfer eligibility is dependent upon a minimum final grade of “C” or better
and the course having been taken at an accredited American postsecondary institution.
International transfer considered on a case-by-case basis with the student providing an
English translation of the foreign transcript and an evaluation of the transcript into the
American semester unit system.

English – Students must take an English Placement Diagnostic upon admission to LCAD. This is done just before registration. If a student has passed an English Composition class at another college with a grade of “C” or better and, based on the diagnostic, performs according to the standards set for English Composition at LCAD, then the student will be given credit for the class taken elsewhere and placed into Critical Reasoning. If, however, the student’s diagnostic writing fails to meet the standards for LCAD English Composition, then he or she will be
placed in either College Preparatory English or Composition at LCAD.

Critical Reasoning – This course is a residency requirement. Students who have taken substantial courses in English and Critical Reasoning may speak with the registrar and the Dean or Chair of Liberal Arts about petitioning for credit. The decision would be made by the Dean or Chair and the Registrar, in consultation with the English faculty assessing the English Placement Diagnostic. NOTE: This course is taught specifically around issues that directly apply to visual artists
in particular, so even if a Critical Reasoning course could be transferred in, we would urge the student to take the course with us since the material would not be redundant and the learning would be new and relevant.

Speech – Any 2-semester-unit (or more) speech, acting or foreign language course. Also, many communications courses qualify. Please contact the registrar with questions about specifics.

Science – Any 3-semester-unit (or more) college level natural science course (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Earth Science, Physics, Marine Biology).

Foundations of Western Civilization - 3-semester-unit Western Civilization requirement found in the History of Humanities or History disciplines. The periods covered are generally identified as “through the 16th century”, or “to the Renaissance” and ‘since the Renaissance.”

Non-Western Cultural Experience – Any 3 semester unit course that has a Non-Western, foreign, or international focus, with preferences for coursework that includes a strong component of aesthetic or artistic traditions. This is often met by a Cultural Anthropology course, but may also be met by a course that involves the study of African, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islands, or primitive cultures. There may be other courses in the Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, or History disciplines that would qualify, as well.

Introduction to Psychology – Any 3 semester unit Introduction to Psychology course.

American Culture – Any 3-semester-unit American History or Political Science course. Further, there may be courses in the Sociology discipline that would also qualify.

Math/Quantitative Analysis – Any 3-semester-unit (or more) college level and transferable Mathematics course. Physics, Chemistry, Physical Anthropology, and many Economics and Accounting courses also qualify.

Liberal Arts Elective – Any 3 semester unit (or more) college level and transferable Liberals Arts or Art History elective. Please contact the Registrar with questions about specifics.

Art History – Incoming students may transfer in up to 6 units of Art History at time of Admission. Once admitted, all remaining Art History requirements become residency requirements and must be taken at LCAD. If one decides to take complete courses prior to admission, it is suggested that the two survey courses Western Art History 1 and Western Art History 2 be the ones since course sequencing is crucial.

TRANSFERS FROM UNACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
Students wishing to transfer from institutions that are not sanctioned by a regional accrediting organization (Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Middle States Association, New England Association, North Central Association, Northwestern Commission, Western Association or Southern Association) and national organizations such as NASAD may submit a portfolio for review of specific coursework and transcripts for academic work.  Upon completion of the review, the student may be granted a maximum of 12 units of transfer credit, including both studio and liberal arts.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CREDIT
A score of “4” or better is required for all English and Art History. For all other AP subjects, a score of “3” or better is acceptable. Because of the specialized nature of the studio programs, advanced placement of studio credit is not accepted.

For information on transferring liberal arts courses, please contact the Office of Admissions at 800.255.0762, ext. 248.