Art & Design

BFA, BA, Minor Application Information

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Deadlines

Bachelor of Fine Arts: First-Year Applicants

What is a first-year applicant?

Fall Admission Only

Early Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: November 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: November 15
Decision : January 31

Regular Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: December 1
Mason Gross Supplemental Application: January 15
Decision posted by: April 1

Bachelor of Fine Arts: External Transfer Applicants

What is an external transfer applicant?

Fall Admission Only

Art & Design Transfer Policy

How do you evaluate transfer credit?

Early Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: November 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: November 15
Decision posted by: January 31

Regular Action Deadlines

Rutgers University Application: February 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: February 15
Decision posted by: April 1

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Current or Former Rutgers Students

Fall Semester Deadlines

Email admissions@mgsa.rutgers.edu by February 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: February 15
Decision: June 30

Spring Semester Deadlines

Email admissions@mgsa.rutgers.edu by November 1
Mason Gross Talent Assessment: November 15
Decision: January 15

To Apply

Students currently enrolled at another academic unit within Rutgers University (School to School Transfer) OR have taken a leave of absence (Re-Enrollment) from any Rutgers academic unit and would like to return and enroll in a BFA degree program at the Mason Gross School of the Arts must first complete the MGSA School to School Transfer/Re-Enrollment Interest Form. Learn more at Mason Gross Admissions.

Admission Requirements

From another Rutgers–New Brunswick school:

  • 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
  • A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
  • Expository Writing (01:355:101) or an acceptable equivalent course with a grade of C or better

From another Rutgers–Camden or Rutgers–Newark school:

  • At least two semesters, including the current semester, as a student in your present school or college at Rutgers University, also including at least 12 graded degree credits, excluding remedial courses
  • A Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.000
  • English Composition I and II (Camden 50:350:101 and 50:350:102) (Newark 21:355:101 and 21:355:102) with grades of C or better
Bachelor of Arts in Art

BA art major ceclarations are added to transcripts in the fall semester only

Students who have already been admitted, are enrolled in an academic unit at Rutgers–New Brunswick (i.e. SAS, SEBS, RBS, SOE, Nursing, Pharma, etc.) and have consulted with their matriculating school advisor about the potential declaration of the BA art major must first submit the MGSA BA in Art/BA in Dance/Minor in Dance Interest Form by February 1 and complete a portfolio review for approval by February 15 for priority consideration.

Once the MGSA BA in Art/BA in Dance/Minor in Dance Interest Form is received, the admissions office will send students instructions on how to submit their portfolio. Portfolio requirements can be found below.

Minor in Art

This track is for non-major students who wish to explore their artistic interests alongside academic pursuits and professional goals within the creative environment of Mason Gross. It is comprised of diverse foundations courses essential to artistic practice, and not medium specific.

All Rutgers–New Brunswick undergraduate students are eligible to apply for approval to declare a minor in art.  Space in this program is limited and not guaranteed.  Admission is based on the number of applications received, approval from the student’s unit of matriculation and availability in the required courses. Students may only apply to the art minor during the application period in the academic year prior to the fall term in which they will have the minor added to their transcript.

Note: New minor declarations begin in FALL term only.

Key Dates

Application period: December 1–March 1

Notification of approval: By March 20 for fall declaration.

Requirements

  • Submit a Statement of Purpose (600-word max) to the Department of Art & Design. The application will be open between December 1 to March 1.
  • SAS Students must declare art through MyMajor to be granted approval into the program. 
  • Students from Rutgers units other than SAS should contact their major advisor for instructions on how to officially declare the art minor at their school and have it added to their transcript. 

Once declared, students must receive a final grade of C or better for all required courses in the minor. Studio courses are sequential, and students are advised to complete the application to declare the minor no later than the second semester of their sophomore year which will allow for adequate time to complete the Art minor by their expected date of graduation.

Note: Typically, “A” studio classes are offered in the fall (07:081:121, 07:081:227 and 07:081:321) and “B” studio classes are offered in the spring (07:081:228).

Rutgers University Application

All external applicants (never attended Rutgers before) must complete and submit the Rutgers University Application. For instructions and additional requirements please click on the following link: https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply

Required University App Credentials

Optional University App Credentials

  • SAT (code 2765)
  • ACT (code 2592)

Mason Gross Talent Assessment

Requirements

  • $20 SlideRoom fee
  • Art & Design Questionnaire
  • Personal Statement
  • Portfolio

Personal Statement

In 300 to 600 words, include a description of who you are and your experience with art. Your statement should set out your major artistic and academic goals, including your reasons for pursuing a degree in Art & Design. This statement could tell us whether you’ve worked in art mostly on your own, or that you have had many studio courses. Please tell us about your experience of art, galleries, or museums that have inspired or influenced your own work and outlook.

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio should include 15-20 examples of artwork (produced within the past two years) that reflect your accomplishments and emphasize your strengths. The portfolio should tell us that you will be successful in our classes, including those that introduce you to new materials and ideas.The portfolio should include at least one page from a sketchbook and, if possible, include a variety of media such as painting, observational drawing, photography, print, or sculpture. If possible, include self-initiated work as well as classroom assignments. If your primary interest is video, include at least one video in addition to your other work. If your primary interest is photography, include other media in addition to the photographs in your portfolio.

Description of Work

For each upload, please include the following information:

  • Dimension (height precedes width)
  • Materials used
  • Date produced
Things to Consider
  • Be selective and only show your best work.
  • Show some personal work.
  • Show a variety of media, color, as well as monochrome.
  • Avoid cartoon action figures, monsters, graffiti art, cute pets, portraits drawn from photographs, images of vacations, in particular sunsets, and flowers.
  • Where possible in your portfolio, prioritize the inclusion of works that are not copies from photographs. If you choose to include digital work samples (made in ProCreate, Photoshop or another program), please only include “original” works (do not include someone else’s artworks or illustration that you have adjusted or added filters to).
  • Additionally, please indicate which software, including AI programs, any digital art was created on. It’s best to document and show only the artwork. The admissions software (ie, Slide room) provides an opportunity to list the title and caption separately, where it won’t distract from the piece.

Learn about the BFA Program

Learn about the BA & Minor programs