Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland, OH, USA

Admissions

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Key Admission Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
66%
Acceptance Rate
932
Students Applied
29
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
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No
ACT
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No
SAT Subject Tests
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Yes
AP Course Credit
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Yes
Dual Enrollment
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Yes
Transcript
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Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.December 1
Fall Regular DecisionMarch 1June 1
Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Test Optional
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Yes
Application Fee
$40
Applications Accepted
Rolling Admissions
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Yes

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
62%
Out-Of-State Students
34%
US States Represented
31
Countries Represented
7
35%
Submitting ACT
21%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 24
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1145
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
500
75th
590
Reading
25th
540
75th
680
3.50
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
15
Top 25%
44
Top 50%
75

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 800-223-4700
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

What Students Are Saying

Work on a diverse portfolio showing skills in more than one medium. Also remember that it is better to have 10 strong pieces than 20 okay ones. Your portfolio is key in your admission to the Cleveland Institute of Art and should be your main focus from at least the beginning of your senior year in high school. All of the staff is extremely friendly so call admissions and ask away with any questions you might have. They knew me by name in that office before I had even applied, but I was able to get every step of submitting my artwork down pact and was granted a lot of financial aid. Good luck!
Maria from Struthers, OH
Work hard on your portfolio, but don't worry too much about getting in. I'd only been drawing for four months when I applied, and I got $19,000 in scholarships.
Sydney from Pahoa, HI
I would definitely recommend you go in with a portfolio. Around a dozen different pieces as a minimum. Its not required, but it helps a lot.

Because the practices and projects are more professional than any art project you did in high school, you will end up being taught almost from the ground up. Be prepared to force yourself to break habits that may have been accepted in high school.

Critiques are a major part of each project. That being said, they can be quite painful to listen to. Just remember that they are meant to help improve your piece. It may sound hurtful, but they are actually a blessing in disguise.
Adam from Strongsville, OH
If you are sure that art is the only think you will ever want to do, the only thing you are good at, want a better chance for a job, and like the smaller school setting. Then apply to this school for sure. If you are afraid of debt, don't apply :).
Rachel from Prague, Czech Republic
Be prepared to do things you would never think of doing. The professors here love to get to know you and make you put yourself out there. It is a life changing experience to attend here.
Rachel from Meadville, PA
Work hard on developing a good portfolio of 10-20 pieces. Observational drawings are a must, but when the board reviews your portfolio, they will take into account your intended major. Also, look for scholarships early! It's a pricey school, but it's totally worth it.
Alexandra from Painesville, OH