PNCA : admissions : reqs : general

BFA Requirements

All applicants, including transfer and international students, are required to submit the following items:

1. Free Online Application

2. Essays

Admissions essays are an important part of the application process. View the essays like an interview. This is your opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants, and combined with your portfolio and transcripts will help us to determine your ability to be a successful student at PNCA.

Please choose two of the three essays topics below and submit a one-page response for each essay chosen. Essays can be mailed to the admissions office or emailed to admissions [at] pnca [dot] edu.

Please choose two of the following:

If someone were to search for your name in 100 years on the internet, what would they find?
Describe your imaginary best friend.
You just received notice that you were awarded a $10,000 grant to produce an art or design project anywhere in the world. Describe where would you go, the project you would create and why.

3. High School Transcript

Submit official copies of current high school transcripts. PNCA requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C). Please note that faxed transcripts and transcripts stamped “Issued to Student” are not considered official transcripts by PNCA. If you did not complete high school, please submit an official copy of your General Education Development (GED) scores (not the certificate). Applicants who are currently enrolled in their senior year of high school must submit a final transcript documenting graduation with a 2.0 minimum GPA. Transfer applicants with more than 30 college semester credits or 45 college quarter credits (completed) do NOT need to submit official high school transcripts. This applies also to home school students who have 30 college semester or 45 college quarter units completed. Applicants who have previously earned a Bachelor’s degree are not required to submit high school transcripts.

4. College Transcripts

Students who have previously attended college must request official copies of all college transcripts sent directly to PNCA Admissions Office. Transcripts that are faxed, delivered in an unsealed envelope, or marked “Issued to Student” are considered unofficial and will not be accepted. PNCA requires transcripts from ALL colleges attended. College credit earned while enrolled in high school may also be transferred.

5. The Portfolio

General portfolio requirements: Your portfolio is an important part of your application. It will be evaluated on artistic and conceptual content, design and composition, technical skill, and creative potential. Submit 12-20 examples of your best and most recent work. Your portfolio in general may include classroom work, studio assignments, personal projects and/or sketchbook work.

How to submit: Portfolios may be submitted in person during a campus visit or to a PNCA representative at a National Portfolio Day or by sending a digital CD or DVD of your portfolio to the Admissions Office. In order to be considered for acceptance, we must have received a digital copy of your portfolio. All 12-20 digital images must be saved as JPEGs and file size must be kept under 1 MB. Do not send PowerPoint presentations, please keep it simple. Your digital portfolio can be e-mailed as attachments to admissions [at] pnca [dot] edu. In the body of the e-mail, please include your full name and address. You may have to send multiple e-mails, depending on file size. Please call or e-mail to confirm that we have received your e-mail. Digital portfolios submitted via mail must be on a CD-ROM or DVD sent to:
The Admissions Office
PNCA, 1241 NW Johnson St.
Portland OR 97209
Please include your full name and address clearly labeled on the front of the CD and/or case. Do not submit still images on a DVD. Moving images should be submitted in DVD format. IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT MAIL ACTUAL, ORIGINAL ARTWORKS TO THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE.
All admissions materials, including portfolios, become the property of PNCA and will not be returned to you or
released to another party.

Transfer applicants: In addition to the 12–20 pieces required for general admissions, transfer students are required to submit additional examples of their artwork if they have completed and received credit for studio art classes at another college. The additional pieces must reflect work completed in the art classes and must be submitted in digital format. An index identifying the size, medium, assignment, and the college course in which the work was executed must be included. All admissions materials, become the property of PNCA and will not be returned to you or released to another party.

6. Letter of Recommendation

Submitting a letter of recommendation is optional. However, if you choose to include a letter, we ask that you submit a reference from a current teacher, guidance counselor or mentor. Your recommendation letter could also be from an employer or from professional references. Do not submit letters from family members. The letter may be sent along with your application or mailed separately.

7. Interview

Although not required, we highly recommend scheduling a campus visit. During a visit you can tour the campus, meet with an Admissions Counselor and have your portfolio reviewed. Financial Aid and Housing information is also available during a campus visit.

8. Test Scores

Scores from the ACT or SAT test are not required for admission. If you are currently attending high school and plan to take the ACT or SAT test and submit the results to PNCA, be assured that your test scores will be used for advising purposes only.

Notification of Acceptance

Applications are reviewed once the Admissions Office receives all required materials. Within two weeks of the application review you will be notified by mail of your admissions status. If you accept PNCA’s offer of admission, a nonrefundable tuition deposit of $250 is required to secure a place in the incoming class. The tuition deposit is due May 1st or the date indicated on your letter of acceptance, whichever is later. The $250 deposit is credited to your student account upon registration.

Deferred Enrollment

Accepted students who wish to defer admission to a subsequent semester may request a deferment from the Admissions Office. Students who have taken courses since their initial acceptance into PNCA will need to submit official transcripts, and may be required to submit an updated portfolio. PNCA keeps applications on file for two years from the original application date.

Part-Time Non-Degree Attendance

Qualified students who wish to enroll part-time in the College’s BFA courses without applying to the BFA program may do so on a space available basis. No formal application is required, but students may be asked to provide college transcripts in addition to a portfolio. Part-time, non-degree registration takes place just before the start of each semester. Interested students must make an appointment with the Academic Advisor for a review and registration. Full tuition and fees are due at the time of registration. Note: Students matriculated in the BFA program are given priority in all courses.

Part-Time High School Students

Talented high school students may receive both high school and college credit for certain courses taken through PNCA’s Continuing Education Program. These classes are offered at night, on the weekends, and during the summer. Interested students may request a catalog by contacting the Continuing Education Office. High School credit is arranged through the Director of Off-Campus Learning in the student’s high school district.

Home Schooled Students

Students who have completed their secondary (high school) education by home schooling must demonstrate the federal standard of Ability to Benefit. Along with the home school transcript, home schooled students must submit a diploma recognized by their local school district or an official copy of the GED. Students must also include a letter explaining why the family chose to home school. pdf Download Home Schooled Requirements (PDF, 35k).

Advanced Placement

PNCA grants credit for specific requirements based on Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations of the College Board. Scores must be submitted to PNCA by the testing service. Credit is available in Art History, Literature, Natural Science, Mathematics and Social Science.

Veterans

PNCA welcomes veterans and children of deceased veterans who qualify under the provisions of the United States public laws pertaining to their education. A Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs must be submitted to the Registrar’s office. Veterans must be accepted into the BFA program to be eligible to receive benefits.