Apply — MFA in Graphic Design

Start your application via the button below. The application fee is $75.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate coursework should be sent directly from the institution either electronically via Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or email to [email protected], or they can be physically mailed to the address below:

Office of Admissions – MFA in Graphic Design
Vermont College of Fine Arts
36 College Street
Montpelier, VT 05602

Identify two references to provide letters of recommendation describing your qualifications for master’s level study and your aptitude for independent learning. The recommendations can be submitted directly into your Slate application. Your recommenders can also email their recommendations to us and we can upload them to your file. (You do not have to wait for the recommendations to be submitted to submit your application. However, you should contact references early in the process to avoid delays in reviewing your application.)

Note: Relatives and spouses are not eligible to provide references.

Submit 500–1000 words addressing the following:

• What are your current design goals and specific reasons for seeking an MFA in Graphic Design at VCFA?
• What experiences led you to this point, and how might they have shaped your current visual work?
• What do you hope to achieve during your MFA studies?
• What topics in design are you most interested in studying?
• As independent study is an essential feature of the low-residency model, it is important for us to assess your aptitude for defining your own educational direction. What other independent educational experiences have you pursued?

Submit a portfolio of design work demonstrating a commitment to the design field and an aptitude for expressing content and voice. Design work should convey an understanding of visual communication and basic design concepts. The portfolio may chronicle your development as a designer and tell the story of your interests and experience. You can choose to submit digital images of various visual media if you feel they represent and clarify your design goals. The committee assessing your aptitude for success will look less for polished professional experience and more at your potential to develop content and communicate visually, bringing context and richness to the generation of form and content. If collaborative projects are included, please clearly identify your role in the project.

Submit 20–40 single images or up to 5 projects or videos. Media sample excerpts should not exceed 8 minutes.

Please include an image list in PDF that identifies medium, date of completion, and a brief description of each piece.

Submit a resume/CV, including a list of exhibitions.

Domestic applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with their admissions application. The FAFSA is required for access to federal educational loans and is used for consideration of some merit- and need-based scholarships. International applicants should contact the Office of Student Services / Financial Aid at [email protected] to discuss their financial aid options.

Applicants are also asked to complete the VCFA Financial Aid form. This form provides us with important financial information that may not be captured on the FAFSA. It also helps the college identify financial need among our international students and others who are not eligible for federal financial aid.”

The VCFA Financial Aid form is available once the application for admission has been submitted.

For further information on tuition, scholarships, and financial aid, we encourage interested applicants to attend a financial aid information session.