Complete Program Application
We accept applications for first year students and transfer students online through Common App.
Any student graduating from high school or earning the equivalency may apply for admission to Maine College of Art & Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Whether you are currently enrolled at another college, are not presently in school, or are working full-time, you are welcome to apply to join our community of artists.
Applications are evaluated individually, with special consideration given to the strength of the portfolio, academic achievement, and community engagement and involvement. Every applicant is considered for merit-based scholarships upon acceptance into the College.
Begin or continue your application
Application Fee
The application fee is $70. The application fee is payable by credit card on the Common Application and is non-refundable.
To request a Common App fee waiver, please see the options listed in the Common App Fee Waiver section, which can be found under Profile, then Personal Information.
Personal Statement
Please write 500 words answering the questions Why art, why Maine College of Art & Design? or follow the essay prompts on the Common App. Your essay can be uploaded directly to the Common App.
Portfolio of 12–20 Works
Your portfolio should consist of 12–20 pieces of complete artwork in any medium, created within the last 18 months.
Please submit your portfolio via SlideRoom and/or your own website. We strongly recommend including the following information for each piece: date, dimensions, medium(s), description of concept or inspiration, and the time spent on each piece.
The work in your portfolio can be done in or outside the classroom, and you can use your portfolio to either show us a range of mediums or to focus on a particular subject or medium.
We prefer to receive works that showcase your original ideas. However, if you submit any works of fan art, you must include credits to the original design or idea. Not including this information may constitute an act of plagiarism, which could result in denial of admission.
For a tutorial on photographing work at home, watch the following video for tips on lighting, framing your photograph, and cropping here.
Applications will not be considered complete and ready to review until we receive your portfolio and all other required materials in this checklist.
Learn more about our portfolio requirements
Official High School Transcripts or equivalent
Applicants can request transcripts to be sent to the Admissions Office through their guidance counselors or other official representative. Transcripts will be considered official if they are sent by the issuing institution through the Common App, Parchment, SCIOR, or the National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Service, or if they arrive to MECA&D in an envelope that is stamped and sealed by the issuing institution.
Applicants may also opt to send an official scored report of the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
Please note that we strongly prefer receiving transcripts digitally through Common App, Parchment, SCIOR, or the National Student Clearinghouse. If they must be mailed, please send them to:
Maine College of Art & Design
Attn: Undergraduate Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Official College Transcripts
Applicants can request transcripts to be sent to the Admissions Office through their guidance counselors or other official representative. Transcripts will be considered official if they are sent by the issuing institution through the Common App, Parchment, SCIOR, or the National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Service, or if they arrive to MECA&D in an envelope that is stamped and sealed by the issuing institution.
We require transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, even if credit was not earned, in order to award you financial aid.
Please note that we strongly prefer receiving transcripts digitally through Common App, Parchment, SCIOR, or the National Student Clearinghouse. If they must be mailed, please send them to:
Maine College of Art & Design
Attn: Undergraduate Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Please note that if you have earned 60 credits or fewer, we will request an official copy of your high school transcripts in addition to any and all college transcripts.
One (1) Letter of Recommendation
Our preference is to receive your letter of recommendation from an art teacher who can speak to your artistic journey and potential in an art college. If you would like to submit additional letters of recommendation, we accept these from guidance counselors, current academic teachers, and/or employers. Letters from family members or friends are not accepted. Please submit letters of recommendation through the Common Application.
Recommendations will be considered official when they are uploaded directly by the recommender to the Common Application; we will also accept official recommendations through Parchment and SCIOR.
International Applicants
Additional steps required for international students
Due to the time involved in fulfilling legal requirements, we advise international applicants to complete their applications by the soonest deadline or no less than three months prior to the start of the program. If offered admission, we also advise you to enroll well ahead of the decision due date.
Tips & Notes
- For information on how to transfer, credit evaluation and placement, scholarships, and additional application requirements, see here.
- For more information on how previous students can re-admit to the college, the requirements and application, see here.
- Financial aid and merit-based scholarships are available, and 100% of our students receive financial assistance in the form of federal and/or state aid, grants, and/or scholarships. If you plan to apply for need-based aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), if you have not already done so. The 2023–2024 application is online here.
Note: The FAFSA is currently being redesigned and the 2024–2025 academic year application will not be available to complete until January 2024. We will update this page once the new application is available.
- If you have questions about applying for financial aid, please see this page or contact the Office of Financial Aid by email at finaid@meca.edu or by phone at 207.699.5073 or 207.699.5074. Maine College of Art & Design’s FAFSA code is 011673.
- For Portfolio Support, our Pre-College program offers a rigorous three-week residential or online session designed to help high school students discover their future as an art student, develop a portfolio, earn college credit, and meet other artists of the same age.
- Nondiscrimination Policy: Maine College of Art & Design does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs. We admit qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@meca.edu or 800.699.1509.