Apply to CCAD

Apply through the CCAD Application or the Common App. The application fee is $50 and is nonrefundable. Contact the Admissions Office for information on fee waivers.

Your portfolio should showcase your creative skills and ideas. It can include anything you’ve created, designed, built or written. It’s an expression of your talent, so its contents are intentionally undefined, but it must include 8 to 15 pieces. Talk to your Admissions Counselor if you’re unsure what to include. Or as a starting point, you can find more tips on how to create your art & design portfolio here.

You must submit your official high school transcript. A school representative should send these on your behalf. Transcripts can be submitted directly from your school via Common App, Parchment, or sent through the mail in a sealed envelope. All paper credentials must be sent to:

Attn: Admissions Office
Columbus College of Art & Design
60 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215"

Undergraduate applicants from countries where English is not the sole official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting scores directly from any of the following testing agencies: 

• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 61 (TOEFL code for CCAD: 1085)

• IELTS total band score requirement: 6.0

• PTE Academic minimum score: 45

• ELS: completion of level 109

• Duolingo minimum score: 90

• We accept the TOEFL at-home and the IELTS online exams

International Transcript Evaluation

Official transcript evaluation for every high school and/or collegiate educational institution you’ve attended is required. CCAD requires a 2.5 GPA or higher. Please contact us if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement and you’d still like to apply. We do not accept international transcripts directly. All transcripts from secondary (high) school and college/university, if applicable, must be sent to either ECE, One Earth, or WES for evaluation.

• WES: Please order the Document-b-Document Evaluation or Course-by-Course Evaluation

• ECE: Please order a general with GPA evaluation. Please have it sent to Columbus College of Art & Design. This can be indicated on the Report Delivery screen.

• One Earth: Please order a general evaluation. Please have the completed report sent to [email protected].

Though not required, we recommend you submit any of the following items to help us learn more about you.

• A written essay.

• Official ACT or SAT scores.

• Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam results. We encourage you to send results from either of these exams in case your scores qualify you for academic credit.

• A letter of recommendation from a high school teacher, counselor, coach, employer or mentor. The letter should be from someone who knows you well, but is not a family member.

Complete a master’s degree application only if you have a four-year college degree or will have one prior to starting classes at CCAD and want to apply for graduate admission.

Your portfolio should highlight your creative skills and ideas. It can include anything you’ve created, designed, built or written. We’re not looking for a specific style or theme; rather, we want to see the depth of your creativity, your unique perspective, and your potential as an artist. Your portfolio must include 15 to 20 pieces. 

The personal statement is your opportunity to help us learn about you. Share your art and design background, both professionally and personally. Describe your influences and creative practice. Tell us your goals and what you want to accomplish in graduate school and how CCAD may contribute to your growth as an artist or designer. If you're coming to us from a different industry, address how your previous experiences have prepared you for advanced design work. Limit your response to 500 words.

These materials should be provided in PDF format and can include links to your professional website.

Transcripts from your last degree granting institution can be uploaded with your application. Official transcripts are not required for review, but will be required upon admission. Students applying with a minimum 3.0 GPA have the best opportunity to receive admission.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Your letters must be from faculty, advisors, professional artists, employers, or other professionals not related to you. These letters can be uploaded with your application or emailed to [email protected].

A $65 application fee is required and non-refundable. This can be submitted with your application. Limited fee waivers are available by contacting [email protected].

Undergraduate applicants from countries where English is not the sole official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency by submitting scores directly from the any of the following testing agencies: 

• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 61 (TOEFL code for CCAD: 1085)

• IELTS total band score requirement: 6.0

• PTE Academic minimum score: 45

• ELS: completion of level 109

• Duolingo minimum score: 90

• We accept the TOEFL at-home and the IELTS online exams

International Transcript Evaluation

Official transcript evaluation for every high school and/or collegiate educational institution you’ve attended. CCAD requires a 2.5 GPA or higher. Please contact us if your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement and you’d still like to apply. We do not accept international transcripts directly. All transcripts from secondary (high) school and college/university, if applicable, must be sent to either ECE, One Earth, or WES for evaluation.

• WES: Please order the Document-b-Document Evaluation or Course-by-Course Evaluation

• ECE: Please order a general with GPA evaluation. Please have it sent to Columbus College of Art & Design. This can be indicated on the Report Delivery screen.

One Earth: Please order a general evaluation. Please have the completed report sent to [email protected].