Admission to the program is on a highly selective basis. Candidates must present work that suggests the capacity for sustained inquiry and growth; through their transcripts and essay they are also expected to demonstrate a well-developed ability to deal with ideas in the visual arts. A broad preparation in the history of art is valued as well as a clear indication of the candidate's capacity to profit from being at a major research institution.
The application process for admission and financial aid for all graduate programs in the Humanities is administered through the divisional Office of the Dean of Students. Please visit the Application for Admission and Financial Aid for instructions and deadlines.
Prospective students will find many of their questions answered on the Admissions Policy page and the Admissions FAQ page. Please also see DOVA's FAQ page. Further questions pertaining to the online application, test requirements, or letters of reference should be directed to the Humanities Division. Please refer to the contact information on the Humanities Division Admissions and Financial Aid page.
Supplemental Material
Portfolio:
Portfolios are submitted online as part of the online application. Information about file types supported and other instructions for uploading digital portfolios can be found on the application.
Artist's Statement:
The application should also include a one or two-page artist's statement that includes discussion of such questions as sources of influence, character of the inquiry, and some suggestion of future directions the candidate wishes to explore.
Letters of Recommendation:
Also required are three to four letters of recommendation. Please see the application or contact the Humanities Division for more information about submitting letters of recommendation.
Test Requirements:
GRE scores are not required for admission to Visual Arts. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the test administered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all foreign students. Domestic applicants whose native language is not English and who have not attended schools where instruction is in English may also be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. If you require any additional information about English language requirements, including minimum score requirements, or if you are wondering if you qualify to waive the English language test requirement, please see Test Requirements on the Office of International Affairs website for more information.
Please contact the Department of Visual arts with any questions about the MFA program or to schedule a visit: dova@uchicago.edu. Questions pertaining to the application should be directed to humanitiesadmissions@uchicago.edu.