Cornish College of the Arts

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Application Overview

Cornish College of the Arts welcomes undergraduate students of all ages who have a passion for their art.  Within the active Cornish artistic community, you will have a continuing opportunity to develop both technical expertise and creative thinking skills. You will explore your chosen art form as a working artist while deepening your knowledge of its history and cultural significance. Students at Cornish demonstrate a strong interest in creativity, as well as in developing their skill and technique within a challenging academic and artistic environment.

Applying for Admission

Applying for admission to Cornish College of the Arts is a two-step process:

STEP 1: All applicants must submit an Application for Admission to the Office of Admission. An Application for Admission consists of:

In the Application for Admission, we look for demonstrated academic achievement, which is primarily shown through transcripts. We also look for written expression of artistic and professional goals. You might want to print or bookmark our Application Checklist to help you make sure you’ve collected all the information you need.

STEP 2: After submitting an Application, applicants must sit for a portfolio review or audition with the chair or faculty member of the department to which they are applying.

In the portfolio review or audition, we look for experience, technical skill, and creative thought. The portfolio review/audition may also include an interview with the department chair or faculty member. This interview provides applicants an opportunity to discuss their work, experience, and professional goals in more detail. The portfolio review/audition carries the most weight in the admission process. More information about the nature and expectations of portfolio reviews and auditions can be found on our Auditions and Portfolio Reviews page, or you may contact the Office of Admission.

Admission Requirements

All prospective students wishing to pursue a degree at Cornish must have graduated from high school with a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average (on a 4-point scale) or have passed the General Education Development (GED) Test. High school students should follow a college preparatory program, including courses in the visual or performing arts whenever possible. Transfer students should follow a rigorous,  broad-based curriculum that includes coursework in their artistic discipline.

Home schooled applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis. Applicants should supply as much information as possible about their home school experience. At minimum, transcripts and descriptions of all courses (with reading lists) should be submitted to the Office of Admission. If courses have been taken at a local high school or college, transcripts must be submitted. Cornish does not require SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests as part of the admission process for home schooled students. However, we strongly recommend applicants submit test scores, as these tests are particularly valuable for determining whether a home schooled student will be successful in the Cornish program.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and the ability to pay the annual comprehensive cost of attending school. For more information, see “International Students.”

Fee Waivers

Fee Waivers are available to students for whom the $35.00 Application Fee poses a hardship. Contact an Admission Counselor for more information. The Online Application has a Fee Waiver Request form linked to the fee payment page at the end of the application.

Application Deadlines

Cornish practices rolling admission, meaning applications are accepted at any time until a program has reached its maximum enrollment. Admission is selective, and each year we receive more applications than we have space. Space availability varies according to each department. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply as early in the year as possible.

Those applying to Cornish should contact the Office of Admission for current information on space availability, scholarships, and how best to apply. The Office of Admission can assist with questions about financial aid, auditions, and portfolio reviews. Admissions staff can also help applicants explore whether Cornish is the right place for them to pursue their artistic goals. Call the Office of Admission at 206.726.5016 or 800.726.ARTS, or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to set up an appointment with an admissions counselor, to schedule a campus tour, or to ask questions.

Office of Admission
Cornish College of the Arts
1000 Lenora Street
Seattle, WA 98121

Tel:  206.726.5016 or 800.726.ARTS
Fax:  206.720.1011
E-mail:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Web:  www.cornish.edu/admission/