Application Checklist: Master of Fine Arts

The application will ask for your personal information and you can attach your Portfolio, Personal Essay, and current Résumé (or Curriculum Vitae) before submission. We also ask for your recommenders’ contact information so they can submit their Letters of Recommendation for you. Lastly, you will need to pay a $70 application fee to finalize your submission.

After submission, you can use the Applicant Portal to upload your college transcripts, track your admission progress, and make an enrollment decision. We require all materials on the application checklist to begin reviewing your application.

We offer application fee waivers when needed. Please be in touch with us at GraduateAdmissions@meca.edu for instructions to receive a fee waiver.

Please submit 10–20 digital images of work, or up to 15 minutes of video.

A strong portfolio should be properly documented to succinctly convey your studio practice and include detail shots as necessary. Although we are an interdisciplinary program, you are not required to submit a portfolio that spans multiple mediums if that does not represent your practice.

We encourage submitting your most recent work to demonstrate your skills and interests at the time of application.

The Personal Essay is an opportunity to convey your interest in the MFA program. All prompts are required to complete your submission:

• Outline your interest in our MFA program. Why are you pursuing an MFA and why now? How is MECA&D a good fit for you, and how do you see yourself being a strong addition to the cohort? If admitted, do you intend to be a low residency or full residency student?
• Describe your creative practice in the context of your portfolio and program application. Why are you showing us this body of work? Which contemporary artists’ work do you consider being in dialogue with your work, and why? How do you anticipate your practice evolving during your time as an MFA student at MECA&D?
• Share your goals for graduate studies. What do you want to achieve during your time in our MFA program? What are your career goals after graduate school? How can our community and network help you reach your goals?

A strong essay shows understanding of the relationship between your personal journey, your creative vision, and your artistic goals.

Please use your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to highlight your experiences and achievements beyond your essay and your portfolio. Upload your document as a PDF in the application portal.

A letter of recommendation is a written endorsement from someone who knows your work (such as a mentor or supervisor) and can speak to your ability to work independently and thrive in a rigorous, interdisciplinary graduate program.

In the application, you will be asked to provide contact information for two recommenders, and we will send each of them an email invitation to submit their letters. At least one of your recommenders should speak to your artistic capabilities.

You may submit your application before your letters of recommendation are submitted, but your application will not be complete without them. Please follow up with your recommenders and track their submission status in the Applicant Portal.

All applicants should hold a bachelor degree or expect to receive one ahead of the program start date. We also ask you to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above from previous and current degrees.

You can upload unofficial transcripts after submitting your application or request official transcripts to be delivered electronically to GraduateAdmissions@meca.edu. Official transcripts are only required at the time of enrollment.

Maine College of Art & Design alumni can request a transcript transfer from the Registrar office via email at registrar@meca.edu.

Note: We reserve the right to rescind your offer of admission if you fail to meet the GPA requirement upon completion of your undergraduate studies.

International applicants are asked to submit additional materials in order to be offered admission. See Requirements for International MFA Applicants.

Applicants may be invited to have a brief interview with the reviewers and admitted students will be considered for our one Full Tuition Scholarship (regardless of low or full residency interest).

We encourage international applicants and those seeking scholarships to apply by this deadline.

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We encourage applicants who want graduate housing to apply by this deadline.

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After the Priority Application Deadline, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits. Interviews will not be arranged during this application period.

The program begins with a student orientation and classes begin on the same day.

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