ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Art requires for admission a high degree of capability and commitment. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or a diploma from a four-year accredited professional art school. Admission to the School of Art is on a highly selective and competitive basis.

Admission

Students are admitted only in September of each year. The admissions committee’s decisions on preliminary selection are mailed in mid-February and final selection decisions are mailed in mid-April. No decision can be given over the telephone or the Internet. To apply for more than one area of concentration, separate applications, fees, and supporting documentation must be filed. The work submitted should be representative of the applicant’s experience in that particular field.

Application files are maintained for a period of two years and reapplicants are advised to correspond with the director of academic affairs prior to submitting a new application to avoid unnecessary duplication of supporting documents. The minimum requirement for reapplicants is a new application form with fee and slide portfolio by the application deadline.

Preliminary Selection

All Applicants

An application to the School of Art requires a great deal of forethought and planning. It is important to read all of the application instructions carefully. Following these instructions will ensure that your application is viewed in the best light.

Application Deadline: Applications and all supporting documentation, including digital portfolios, must be postmarked before January 9, and none will be accepted after Friday, January 18, regardless of the postmark date..

All materials must be received by the Office of Academic Affairs, Yale University School of Art, 1156 Chapel Street, PO Box 208339, New Haven CT 06520-8339 by the stated deadline. Since Yale University has many departments and schools (including the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which is completely unrelated), please address all materials properly to the above address in order for them to reach the School of Art.

1. The application form, together with the nonrefundable application fee of $90 payable to Yale University in the form of a money order only. Money orders may be obtained at U.S. post offices or banks with U.S. branches. No personal checks will be accepted, and this fee cannot be waived. In order to establish an admissions file, the application form and money order must be submitted together before anything else is sent. The application fee alone cannot be used to open an admissions file, so please do not send it separately. Applicants are advised not to hand out reference forms or request transcripts to be forwarded until they have sent in their application form and fee. An admissions file may be opened as early as July. As it generally takes several weeks to complete a file, it is strongly recommended that applicants open their admissions file at least by early December to ensure a complete file for the admissions committee. International applicants should be certain to file at least by early November unless using a guaranteed courier service. Please note that the School of Art is not part of the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Art does not accept application forms used by the Graduate School or any other school at Yale. Make certain that only the School of Art application materials are used and that they are carefully completed in their entirety. The School of Art does not have online admissions. It is preferred that you request a School of Art bulletin at http://art.yale.edu/RequestABulletin, read it, and use the official application forms included therein; however, if necessary, School of Art application forms can also be downloaded from the Yale Bulletin Web site at art.yale.edu/~website/art_application2007.pdf. DO NOT SEND COPIES of your original application form with other supporting material. If it is necessary to change any data submitted on the original application form, please advise of such changes in a separate letter.

2. Official transcripts of the academic record for the bachelor’s degree and/or transcripts from professional art schools attended. Neither junior college transcripts nor Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Individuals who have had their last name changed since they were in school should make certain that when the transcript is sent, it refers to the name used on the application form.

3. References from three persons practicing or teaching in the field in which application is made, attesting to the applicant’s ability and competence in that field. Forms. are provided and should be sent directly by the writer to the address indicated at the top of the form, or included with the application in sealed envelopes.

NOTE: Because the admissions committee reviews applications shortly after the deadline, time limitations preclude the inclusion in the applicant’s file of any supporting documents received after January 18. Please impress this fact on the people who will be writing on your behalf.

All preliminary supporting documents except the portfolio that have been submitted as a requirement for admission become a part of the official file and cannot be returned to the student or forwarded to another institution either in copy or original form.

4. A one-page essay that addresses your influences, interests, life history, current direction, and your reasons for applying to a graduate program at this time. Essays should be printed in 12-point type on one sheet of plain white 20# (copier paper weight) 8-1/2×11 paper. List your name and area of study at the top and attach one image of a piece represented in your portfolio on another 8-1/2×11 sheet of paper. Do not include a separate “artist’s statement.” The essay/image may be forwarded with either the application form or the portfolio.

5. Portfolio of work. Applicants who fail to submit a portfolio as outlined in this bulletin by the stated deadline will not be considered. The portfolio should represent your best work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your ability; at least half of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. Portfolios may be submitted in digital form only. Portfolio requirements differ depending upon area of concentration; be sure to follow the instructions for the area to which you are applying.

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AREA OF STUDY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN:

Portfolio Requirements for Applicants in GRAPHIC DESIGN

In addition to a portfolio, all graphic design applicants should include a hard copy résumé, which will be reviewed for content as well as form of the typography; please do not submit this résumé in the form of a book or anything else that will not lie flat in an 8-1/2×11-inch file folder.

Disk Format

Digital files must be submitted on a Mac OS-formatted CD or DVD and adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below.

All image files must be presented on a single CD or DVD. You must also include an identical duplicate disk. The two disks should be placed in two separate paper sleeves and then enclosed in a single 7×10-inch clasp envelope. Your full name must be legibly printed on the disks, the sleeves, and the envelope. All disks will be discarded after the completion of the review process.

Portfolio Contents

Submit a total of twenty (20) still images and/or moving image files. A significant number of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. Three-dimensional works should show the surrounding space and context. Do not include detail photos of work in your portfolio unless you consider them absolutely necessary. Under no circumstance should more than two detail shots be included. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups. Within these groups, number all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Place all image files in a folder named with this convention:

LastnameFirstname (Area of study) [e.g., StorrRobert (Graphic Design)].

File Formats

Still images: To conform to our viewing format, all still image files must be sized up to 768 pixels in height by up to 1,024 pixels in width, with a resolution of 72 dpi. No image may exceed 768 pixels in height. Thus a file containing a vertical image will be 768 pixels in height, but less than 1,024 pixels in width. Similarly, a file containing an extremely long horizontal image will be 1,024 pixels in width but less than 768 pixels in height. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, or PDF), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still image files may be sent in tiff, jpeg, gif, or png format, and must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameTwodigits(Date).tif [e.g., StorrRobert01(2007).tif], or LastnameFirstnameTwodigits(Date).jpg [e.g., StorrRobert02(2007).jpg].

Videos and moving images: All videos must be formatted in QuickTime. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of twenty files, not as additional material. Do not include titles or credits within the video files. Videos and moving images must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigits(Date).mov

If you wish to submit a longer video, it must be broken up into segments of no more than two minutes each and labeled as such, according to the following convention: LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigitsA(Date).mov, and LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigitsB(Date).mov. Web sites: Although we do not accept links to Web sites, QuickTime movies of Web sites under two minutes in length are accepted. These movie files must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameWebsiteTwodigits(Date).mov

Inventory Format

A thumbnail inventory document must be included on your disk in addition to the folder containing your image files. This document must be named as follows: LastnameFirst nameInventory [e.g., StorrRobertInventory]. Head the document with your full name and the area of study to which your application is being made (Graphic Design). Numbered 1–20, each entry must include the year in which the work was made, the work’s dimensions, a description of the materials and techniques used, the title (if any) in italics, and a thumbnail picture of the work in the right-hand margin. The numbers used in your inventory document must match the numbering of your image files. In formatting your inventory entries, please follow this example:

1. 2007, 24´´ x 36´´, Digital screen shot of poster project. Working with Time. [thumb- nail picture]

Enclose a hard copy of this inventory page in the envelope with your two disks. The hard copy should be printed on plain white 20# (copier paper weight) 8-1/2×11-inch paper with a one-inch left margin.

Portfolio Requirements for Applicants in PAINTING/PRINTMAKING

Disk Format

Digital files must be submitted on a Mac OS-formatted CD or DVD and adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below.

All image files must be presented on a single CD or DVD. You must also include an identical duplicate disk. The two disks should be placed in two separate paper sleeves and then enclosed in a single 7×10-inch clasp envelope. Your full name must be legibly printed on the disks, the sleeves, and the envelope. All disks will be discarded after the completion of the review process.

Portfolio Contents

Submit a total of sixteen (16) still images and/or moving image files. Only work completed within the last three years should be included, and at least half (8) should be work made in the last twelve months. In the review process, the admissions committee is concerned with scale and the tactility of the work. For this reason, paintings and drawings must be photographed showing the surrounding wall or background. Paintings and drawings must not be digitally masked in black to the edges of the work. Three-dimensional works should also show the surrounding space and context. Do not include detail photos of work in your portfolio unless you consider them absolutely necessary. Under no circumstance should more than two detail shots be included. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups. Within these groups, number all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Place all image files in a folder named with this convention:

LastnameFirstinitial (Area of study) [e.g., StorrR (Painting/Printmaking)].

File Formats

Still images: To conform to our viewing format, all still image files must be sized up to 768 pixels in height by up to 1,024 pixels in width, with a resolution of 72 dpi. No image may exceed 768 pixels in height. Thus a file containing a vertical image will be 768 pixels in height, but less than 1,024 pixels in width. Similarly, a file containing an extremely long horizontal image will be 1,024 pixels in width but less than 768 pixels in height. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, or PDF), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still image files may be sent in tiff, jpeg, gif, or png format, and must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialTwodigits(Date).tif [e.g., StorrR01(2007).tif], or LastnameFirstinitialTwodigits(Date).jpg [e.g., StorrR02(2007).jpg].

Videos and moving images: All videos must be formatted in QuickTime. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of sixteen files, not as additional material. Do not include titles or credits within the video files. Videos and moving images must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigits(Date).mov [e.g., StorrRVideo15(2007).mov.

If you wish to submit a longer video, it must be broken up into segments of no more than two minutes each and labeled as such, according to the following convention:

LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigitsA(Date).mov, and LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigitsB(Date).mov.

Web sites: Although we do not accept links to Web sites, QuickTime movies of Web sites under two minutes in length are accepted. These movie files must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialWebsiteTwodigits(Date).mov

Inventory Format

A thumbnail inventory document must be included on your disk in addition to the folder containing your image files. This document should list the 16 images you have submitted, along with a description of the work in each file. Name the inventory document as follows: LastnameFirstinitialInventory [e.g. StorrRInventory]. Head the document with your full name and the area of study to which your application is being made (Painting/Printmaking). Numbered 1–16, each entry must include the year in which the work was made, the work’s dimensions, a description of the materials and techniques used, the title (if any) in italics, and a thumbnail picture of the work in the right-hand margin. The numbers used in your inventory document must match the numbering of your image files. In formatting your inventory entries, please follow this example:

1. 2007, 108´´ x 72´´, Acrylic on canvas. Untitled. [thumbnail picture]

Enclose a hard copy of this inventory page in the envelope with your two disks. The hard copy should be printed on plain white 20# (copier paper weight) 8-1/2×11-inch paper with a one-inch left margin.

Portfolio Requirements for Applicants in PHOTOGRAPHY

Disk Format

Digital files must be submitted on a Mac OS-formatted CD or DVD and adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below.

All image files must be presented on a single CD or DVD. You must also include an identical duplicate disk. The two disks should be placed in two separate paper sleeves and then enclosed in a single 7×10-inch clasp envelope. Your full name must be legibly printed on the disks, the sleeves, and the envelope. All disks will be discarded after the completion of the review process.

Portfolio Contents

Submit a total of twenty (20) still images and/or moving image files. A significant number of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups. Within these groups, number all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Place all image files in a folder named with this convention:

LastnameFirstname (Area of study) [e.g., StorrRobert (Photography)].

File Formats

Still images: To conform to our viewing format, all still image files must be sized up to 768 pixels in height by up to 1,024 pixels in width, with a resolution of 72 dpi. No image may exceed 768 pixels in height. Thus a file containing a vertical image will be 768 pixels in height, but less than 1,024 pixels in width. Similarly, a file containing an extremely long horizontal image will be 1,024 pixels in width but less than 768 pixels in height. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, or PDF), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still image files may be sent in tiff, jpeg, gif, or png format, and must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameTwodigits(Date).tif [e.g., StorrRobert01(2007).tif], or LastnameFirstnameTwodigits(Date).jpg [e.g., StorrRobert02(2007).jpg].

Videos and moving images: All videos must be formatted in QuickTime. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of twenty files, not as additional material. Do not include titles or credits within the video files. Videos and moving images must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigits(Date).mov

If you wish to submit a longer video, it must be broken up into segments of no more than two minutes each and labeled as such, according to the following convention:

LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigitsA(Date).mov, and LastnameFirstnameVideoTwodigitsB(Date).mov.

Web sites: Although we do not accept links to Web sites, QuickTime movies of Web sites under two minutes in length are accepted. These movie files must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstnameWebsiteTwodigits(Date).mov

Inventory Format

A thumbnail inventory document must be included on your disk in addition to the folder containing your image files. This document must be named as follows: LastnameFirst nameInventory [e.g., StorrRobertInventory]. Head the document with your name and the area of study to which your application is being made (Photography). Numbered 1–20, each entry must include the year in which the work was made, the work’s dimensions, a description of the materials and techniques used, the title (if any) in italics, and a thumbnail picture of the work in the right-hand margin. The numbers used in your inventory document must match the numbering of your image files. In formatting your inventory entries, please follow this example:

1. 2007, 16´´ x 20´´, Film negative, digital print. Butte, Montana. [thumbnail picture]

Enclose a hard copy of this inventory page in the envelope with your two disks. The hard copy should be printed on plain white 20# (copier paper weight) 8-1/2×11-inch paper with a one-inch left margin.

Portfolio Requirements for Applicants in SCULPTURE

Disk Format

Digital files must be submitted on a Mac OS-formatted CD or DVD and adhere strictly to the specifications outlined below.

All image files must be presented on a single CD or DVD. You must also include an identical duplicate disk. The two disks should be placed in two separate paper sleeves and then enclosed in a single 7×10-inch clasp envelope. Your full name must be legibly printed on the disks, the sleeves, and the envelope. All disks will be discarded after the completion of the review process.

Portfolio Contents

Submit a total of twenty (20) still images and/or moving image files. A significant number of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. Three-dimensional works should show the surrounding space and context. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups. Within these groups, number all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Place all image files in a folder named with this convention:

LastnameFirstinitial (Area of study) [e.g., StorrR (Sculpture)].

File Formats

Still images: To conform to our viewing format, all still image files must be sized up to 768 pixels in height by up to 1,024 pixels in width, with a resolution of 72 dpi. No image may exceed 768 pixels in height. Thus a file containing a vertical image will be 768 pixels in height, but less than 1,024 pixels in width. Similarly, a file containing an extremely long horizontal image will be 1,024 pixels in width but less than 768 pixels in height. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, or PDF), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still images may be sent in tiff, jpeg, gif, or png format, and must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialTwodigits(Date).tif [e.g., StorrR01(2007).tif], or LastnameFirstinitialTwodigits(Date).jpg [e.g., StorrR02(2007).jpg].

Videos and moving images: All videos must be formatted in QuickTime. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of twenty files, not as additional material. Do not include titles or credits within the video files. Videos and moving images must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigits(Date).mov [e.g., StorrRVideo19(2007).mov].

If you wish to submit a longer video, it must be broken up into segments of no more than two minutes each and labeled as such, according to the following convention:

LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigitsA(Date).mov, and LastnameFirstinitialVideoTwodigitsB(Date).mov.

Web sites: Although we do not accept links to Web sites, QuickTime movies of Web sites under two minutes in length are accepted. These movie files must be named following this convention:

LastnameFirstinitialWebsiteTwodigits(Date).mov

Inventory Format

A thumbnail inventory document must be included on your disk in addition to the folder containing your image files. This document must be named as follows: LastnameFirst initialInventory [e.g., StorrRInventory]. Head the document with your full name and the area of study to which your application is being made (Sculpture). Numbered 1–20, each entry must include the year in which the work was made, the work’s dimensions, a description of the materials and techniques used, the title (if any) in italics, and a thumbnail picture of the work in the right-hand margin. The numbers used in your inventory document must match the numbering of your image files. In formatting your inventory entries, please follow this example:

1. 2007, 7´ x 8´, Installation with steel, wire screen, and electronics. Untitled. [thumb- nail picture]

Enclose a hard copy of this inventory page in the envelope with your two disks. The hard copy should be printed on plain white 20# (copier paper weight) 8-1/2×11-inch paper with a one-inch left margin.

NOTE: The Office of Academic Affairs will acknowledge receipt of application and supporting documents only if the applicant provides self-addressed, stamped postcards for this purpose. This information will not be given over the telephone.

Final Selection

Applicants who have passed the Preliminary Selection Jury will be notified by mail in mid-February. At this time, applicants are required to send or deliver original work to the School and will be invited to schedule an appointment for an individual interview in late March. The interview is an important component of the final selection process.

APPLICANTS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN. Applicants should submit a portfolio of their work in any or all of these areas: graphic design print work, environmental design, broadcast/video graphics, letterform design, interactive media, and other related projects in the visual arts. Applicants are encouraged to present bodies of work that demonstrate special areas of interest. Academic or research papers may also be submitted in support of the application. Between ten and fifteen works may be submitted.

APPLICANTS IN PAINTING/PRINTMAKING. Applicants in painting should submit no more than six paintings and six drawings, studies, or graphic works. Applicants working in printmaking should submit no more than twenty prints. Arrangements cannot be made for the personal hanging/installation of the applicant’s work.

APPLICANTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY. Applicants should submit a portfolio of twenty-five to thirty photographic prints.

APPLICANTS IN SCULPTURE. Applicants should submit digital files that document the individual’s latest work as well as additional images representing earlier work. Video may be submitted only if it is necessary to the understanding of the work.

ALL APPLICANTS. All original works should be accompanied by a complete inventory, and each work should bear the applicant’s name and return address.

Final notification of admission will be mailed in mid-April. Offers of admission are good only for the year in which they are made. We do not practice deferred admission. The Financial Aid Award letter will be mailed shortly after notification of admission. No decisions will be given in person or over the telephone. Following this announcement, a certification of satisfactory completion of the senior year and award of the degree must be submitted. Admission is not binding unless this certification is received.

An individual’s acceptance of admission to the School of Art must be received by May 15 and must be accompanied by a tuition deposit of $200 (payable to Yale University in the form of a money order or cashier’s check only) to reserve a place in the entering class. If the School receives written notification, at least sixty days before registration for classes for the fall term, from an individual who has accepted admission indicating his or her decision not to matriculate, the tuition deposit will be refunded; if the School receives such notice less than sixty days before registration, no refund of the tuition deposit will be made. For those who do enroll, the tuition deposit will be credited toward tuition.

RETURN OF WORK. Original work delivered by hand must be picked up on weekdays during hours and dates to be specified at a future time. Any hand-delivered work not taken during the specified time will be sent to a commercial warehouse for storage at the applicant’s expense unless other arrangements are made in advance.

Work submitted by mail or United Parcel Service must be accompanied by the return postage. We cannot return COD. If UPS is used, you may request a “Call-Tag’’ for its return from UPS when you make your shipping arrangements.

Work shipped must be prepaid and will be returned to the sender collect via Air Freight unless other arrangements are made.

Every precaution will be taken to secure the safety of the works submitted for review. However, the School of Art assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to the works from any cause.

Admissions Open House

The School of Art does not offer individual interviews until the applicant has passed the Preliminary Selection Jury. Instead, there will be an open-house introduction to the School at which representative members of the faculty will discuss the programs and applicants will be given a guided tour of the facilities. All applicants are encouraged to attend this briefing. The Open House will be held at the School, 1156 Chapel Street, on Thursday, November 15, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those planning to attend should notify the Office of Academic Affairs in advance. Applicants should not bring examples of their work to this meeting.

Part-Time Students

Transfer, special, or part-time students are not accepted. There are no evening sessions.

International Students

In order to undertake graduate study, international students must present evidence of competence in the use of the English language. This may be done by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) which is administered by the Educational Testing Service, www.ets.org TOEFL code number for the Yale University School of Art is 3982_ Candidates for admission generally achieve a composite Internet-based score of at least 100, or a computer-based score of at least 250, with speaking and listening scores of at least 28. If the TOEFL iBT is not available in your area, you are required to complete the TOEFL that is available plus you are required to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is generally achieved for the pbt. The TOEFL score may be waived if the undergraduate degree has been obtained from a four-year, English-speaking institution.

It is preferred that the $90 application fee be paid by money order. Money orders can be obtained at international banks with U.S. branches or at Western Union or American Express offices. If the application fee can only be paid through a wire transfer, the applicant must submit a receipt with his or her application form.

In order to receive visa documentation, admitted international students must submit proof that income from all sources will be sufficient to meet expenses for two years of study. In 2007–2008 annual expenses (including tuition) will amount to $47,400 for a single student. Evidence of funds may come from the following sources:

1. Affidavit from a bank;

2. Copy of a letter of award stating that financial assistance has been offered from sources other than Yale University;

3. Certification by parents of their ability and intention to provide the necessary funds;

4. Certification by employer of anticipated income.

The School of Art can make no promise of financial aid to international students. Even when financial aid is awarded, however, in no case does a Yale scholarship cover the full financial need of an international student. There are no loans available to international students through the School of Art; however, international students may qualify for the Gate Y-Loan, a private bank loan.

All international students who wish to be appointed as teaching assistants during their second year must obtain a United States Social Security number in order to be paid.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications and all supporting documentation, including digital portfolios, must be postmarked before January 9 and none will be accepted after Friday, January 18, regardless of the postmark date.