Apply — MFA in Graphic Design
We're so glad you've decided to take the next steps toward your MFA in Graphic Design at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Application Deadlines
SEMESTER |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
|
Winter 2025 | OCTOBER 1 (final deadline November 1) | |
Summer 2025 | APRIL 1 (final deadline May 1) | |
Winter 2025 applications are now open! |
At VCFA, we see every applicant as an individual. If your desired starting semester’s application deadline has passed but you’d still like to apply, please contact Admissions at [email protected] to inquire about flexibility.
Residency Dates & Locations
- Winter 2025: January 3 – 11, 2025
Valencia, California - Summer 2025: June 24 – July 2, 2025
Valencia, California
VCFA Information Sessions
Join us to learn more about our low residency MFA programs and the application process. In this session we will discuss:
- Overview of VCFA programs
- What does low residency look like at VCFA?
- What is expected in a typical semester?
- What is residency?
- Learn more about our faculty mentorship model
- First steps for preparing your application
- Financing your MFA overview
- Q&A
Visit the event page to learn more and RSVP.
Let's Get Started!
Here are the steps to apply:
- Fill out the application form
- Request two (2) letters of reference (through system)
- Submit program-specific credentials & upload creative materials
- Click “Submit Your Application”
- Pay the $75 application fee
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate college(s)
If you need any help along the way, you can contact admissions at [email protected].
Application Materials
Application Form
Start your application via the button below. The application fee is $75.
Transcripts
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
References
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.
Statement of Purpose
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?
Portfolio/Creative Work
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.
Resume/CV
Submit a resume/CV, including a list of exhibitions.
Financial Aid
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.
Undergraduate Degree Requirement
Applicants to Vermont College of Fine Arts must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
In very rare cases, Vermont College of Fine Arts will accept students who have not attained a bachelor’s degree. If you would like to apply and do not have a bachelor’s degree, speak to your program’s admissions counselor to learn more.
Students who are admitted with less than a bachelor’s degree and seek financial aid should contact the Financial Aid office at [email protected].
(featured image by Vic Rodriguez Tang ’22)