Admissions

The College has fewer than 500 students, which means we can offer a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio with ample individualized attention to support your growth.

Our campus is situated in the heart of Portland, Maine, surrounded by galleries, performance venues, museums, shops (including some amazing art supply stores and thrift shops), movie theaters, great restaurants, hotels, and locally-owned boutiques. You’ll be within walking distance to the waterfront, beaches, parks, grocery stores, coffee shops, and more.

We see Portland as the right-sized city for our students to make a real impact and to have their work seen. Portland is also easily accessible to major cities like Boston, New York City, and Montreal.

Our majors are housed together in a six-floor, historic building with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the city and Casco Bay. All of our buildings, including the two first-year residence halls, are located within a two-block radius.

Yes! You have the opportunity to study abroad as well as take classes through one of our many cross-registration programs, including the AICAD Mobility Program, Greater Portland Alliance of Colleges and Universities (GPACU), and Bowdoin College Exchange Program.

At an art and design school like Maine College of Art & Design, we focus all of our resources on creating a specialized art and design education. Our whole community shares a passion for the arts, and our school is designed to support the unique learning environment you need to be successful. This is where you want to come to dive deep and really focus on your craft and development as an artist or designer.

Within whatever major you choose, you’ll be able to move seamlessly through different spaces, materials, and techniques while easily collaborating with others available at the College. Our interdisciplinary environment is designed to ensure you can gain the knowledge and skills of several disciplines without needing to take on the extra work of an additional major.

We offer classes like astronomy, botany, creative writing, business, film, and the history of protest music, in addition to our interesting and complementary minors. Looking for more opportunities? Our Registrars and Artists at Work teams will work with you 1:1 to identify your interests and help find tailored opportunities for your continued growth.

Our faculty are experts in their field, dedicated and focused on student learning. Many are practicing artists and working as art and design professionals. They are readily available for students, fully engaged with the curriculum, and champion student success.

First-year students go through our Foundation program, which includes two semesters of visual fundamentals to support a variety of technical skills. This year aims to teach you correct techniques and core visual languages while allowing you to explore a variety of media. No matter your background, previous artwork experience, or how you learned to create, your first year at the College will give you the tools and resources you need to help your practice evolve and grow.

Many of our students complete more than one internship, though internships are not required. We highly encourage our students to take advantage of the personal and professional benefits of interning. Our Artists at Work team will work individually with students to help them identify the right internship for their goals.

Our graduates work in all sectors - from the darkroom to the classroom to the boardroom. Many are entrepreneurs who start their own business. The Artists at Work team is a powerful resource for helping you discover how to turn your passion into a career that works for the lifestyle you seek.

Another great option we make available to students looking to teach art is our five-year dual degree program to earn both your Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees. After graduating from this five-year program, you will be equipped with the skills to pursue an independent art practice and receive full teaching certification in the State of Maine to teach K–12 Art.

Did you know that 100% of the graduates coming out of our MAT program have received job placements in the field of art education within just a few months for the past seven years running? For more information about our MAT program, contact Admissions Counselor, Elyse Grams, elyse.grams-staff@meca.edu.

The Artists at Work team is constantly working to create connections between our students and industry professionals. From sponsoring industry event field trips, where you can start networking within your field, to 1:1 introductions with industry leaders at our Portfolio Days, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your name out there and start making connections. Many of our students use Artists at Work to help find custom internships, fellowships, and other opportunities while attending school.

Students are required to take Professional Studio Practice. In addition, they can take the Art of Business or choose to minor in Art and Entrepreneurship. Throughout the four years, there are a variety of opportunities to sell your artwork and design services. Looking for additional support? Talk to us about what you’d love to see here!

We offer 24/7 studio access and private individual studios for third—and fourth-year students. A BFA degree puts you in the studio substantially more than a BA degree: two-thirds of your coursework will be in the studio, and one-third will be academic.

Students get to know one another in their first year through community living and Foundation courses, which everyone takes. Relationships will continue to grow within the majors and from student exhibitions on view around campus throughout the year. Our clubs are student-led and driven by student interests.

When not in the studio, students are out exploring Portland’s parks, shops, and cafes. There are many free and low-cost events in the city, including food truck festivals, public art events, discounted movie theater tickets, and First Friday art walks, where students often show and sell their work. Just outside of Portland, students can enjoy some of the most desirable activities and sights in the nation’s Vacationland state. From idyllic seaside towns and their coastal scenery to state and national parks, with their crystal rivers and lakes, countless public trails, and hiking, there is something for everyone and every interest.

We have an active student life community that participates in sports clubs like roller skating, ski club, skateboarding, running, and cycling. If there’s a sport you want to play, Student Life can help you start your own team! There are also local community leagues that students may consider joining.

Students who thrive at our College are creative, motivated, and unique individuals. They’re from across the US and around the world with varied life experiences and backgrounds. Our students live for studio time, are passionate about social issues, and are supportive of one another and the larger art community. They’re gamers, they’re roller skaters. They’re introverts, they’re extroverts. They have their own style and set trends. We’re a welcoming community and hope you’ll join us!

At MECA&D, we are most interested in understanding who you are as a person and an artist, and therefore do not require a minimum GPA. We review application materials holistically and value academics, artistic strengths, and engagement within your community.

Yes. A certificate of General Educational Development from the American Council of Education is considered equivalent to a diploma from a U.S. high school. We also accept the HiSET.

You can expect to receive a decision within 2-3 weeks after our first deadline (December 1). If you haven’t heard from us after 3 weeks, please reach out to admissions@meca.edu.

There are no specific classes required to apply. A portfolio is required, but skills may be acquired through self-exploration, community classes, a mentor, high school classes, or any combination of sources. We encourage applicants to connect with their Admissions Counselor to discuss their work before submitting their application, so we can help guide you toward submitting the best possible portfolio.

We are proud to offer financial assistance to 100% of our BFA students. Students may receive renewable merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, Federal grants and loans, and/or may qualify for work-study opportunities. Financial assistance opportunities don’t stop at admission: current students may be eligible to receive scholarships through juried exhibitions, faculty recommendations, and professional development grants.

Portland’s climate includes seasonal weather, with the temperature typically varying from 16°F to 78°F over the year, and rarely below 1°F or above 87°F. Fall is comfortable and beautiful — imagine the changing leaves, crisp air, and hot apple cider. Winters are snowy and sometimes windy — picture gloves, scarves, and hats, sledding, and sipping hot chocolate. Spring can be wet, but blooming — flowering trees, warming weather, and picnics in parks. Summer is beautiful and warm — think tank tops, beach days, and ice cream trucks.