MFA Application Guide – Fall 2025

Applications Now Open!

Classes begin on August 25, 2025

Start Your Journey

The New York Academy of Art invites you to begin your transformative artistic journey. Our supportive community is excited to guide you through each step of the application process.

2025 Application Deadlines

Early Consideration

• • • • Application Deadline: January 15  (Extended to January 22) 
        
      • Admissions Notification: February 24 – 28
        Early Consideration Applicants are given priority for admission and scholarships.

Regular Decision

• • • • Application Deadline: March 20
      • Admissions Notification: April 24 – 25
        Waitlist: Applicants may be placed on a ranked waitlist if spaces are filled.

Late Decision:

• • • • Application Deadline 1: May 9
      • Application Deadline 2: June 12
      • Application Deadline 3: July 11
      • Admission Notifications: admission decisions are sent out within one month of the deadline you applied by.
        Acceptance is subject to program availability.

Current CFA Students

• • • • Application Deadline: May 9
        Apply by this date for priority consideration.
        Application fee is waived for current CFA students.

Deposit Deadlines

To secure your place in the program and begin the onboarding process for Fall 2025, an $850 non-refundable tuition deposit is required (your $50 application fee will be applied toward this amount).

• • • • Early Consideration Deposit Deadline: April 1, 2025

      • Regular Decision Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2025

      • Final Commitment Deadline: July 25, 2025
        First Semester tuition deposit must be submitted by this date to hold your spot in the incoming class.

Before You Apply

Application Fee

• • • • A non-refundable $50 fee is due upon submission. This fee will be applied to your tuition if accepted.

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent)

• • • • Applicants to the MFA program must hold a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. For more details on degree equivalency, please see the Academy’s FAQs below or contact the admissions Office admissions@nyaa.edu.  

Select Concentration 

• • • • Applicants must select one concentration: Drawing, Painting or Sculpture. 

Application Instructions

Step 1: Create an Account

To begin your application, create an account and access the online application portal. Click here to start your application.

Step 2: Upload the Required Materials via the Online Portal

Portfolio

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio consisting of no more than 20 images in total, showcasing their strongest and most representative work.
Portfolios must consist of:

• • • • 15 Self-Directed Works: works may be in any medium.
      • 5 Life Drawings: drawings of the figure from observation in traditional drawing mediums (charcoal, graphite, ink).
        Paintings or sculptures do not meet this requirement.

Image files must be in .jpg format no more than 2500 pixels on the longest side.

You may submit up to two views of a single piece (one view per image), but the total must not exceed 20 images.

Your portfolio should represent your strongest work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your technical skill and ability. All work should be from within the last three years. For those with unique circumstances wishing to submit images outside the three-year range, please contact admissions@nyaa.edu.

After uploading your portfolio, click on each image to add title, year, medium, dimensions and sequence order for viewing.

Personal Statement

A one-page statement of educational objectives and career goals indicating why you believe these will be advanced by study at the Academy. Applicants are encouraged to discuss work in the portfolio, an understanding of the Academy’s unique mission and indicate how study at the institution will progress individual artistic development and aspirations.

Artist CV or Resume

Submission of a CV or resume enhances the MFA application by giving more insight into a candidate’s creative experience. Please include educational background, professional experience, awards, residencies, exhibitions, etc. For more details on developing a CV or resume, please visit the College Art Association’s resource page.

References

At least two letters of recommendation are required and letters from academic professionals are strongly encouraged. After creating your application account, navigate to the References tab and enter the name and contact information for each recommender. They will automatically receive an email with instructions for submitting their letter. Be sure to follow up with your references to ensure timely submission by the application deadline. If you have any questions, please contact admissions@nyaa.edu.

Transcripts

Certified official transcripts conveying an applicant’s academic history and proof of eligibility are required. Transcripts must be emailed or mailed from your previous school(s) to the Academy to be considered official. If you have attended more than one post-secondary institution, a transcript is required from each one.

The Academy accepts electronic transcripts. Please contact your previous institution(s) to have your e-transcript sent to admissions@nyaa.edu.

As many institutions do not issue e-transcripts, we also accept hardcopy. Please request transcripts be mailed from your previous institution to:

New York Academy of Art
ATTN: ADMISSIONS
111 Franklin Street
New York, NY 10013

Art History Requirement

Applicants to the MFA are expected to obtain proficiency in Art History prior to entering the program. For those with less than two semesters (less than two classes) of undergraduate level art history, an assignment will be required. This will help prepare you for entering the MFA program.

International Students

Transcripts
International Students must submit certified true copies of academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the original language issued. If not English, applicants must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services. www.wes.org

Evidence of English Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate evidence of English proficiency by supplying a TOEFL or IELTS score. For more information on English proficiency requirements, please visit our International Students page.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve uploaded all the required materials outlined, you may submit your application and complete the payment of the application fee.

Start your application today!

CFA Application Guide – Fall 2025

Applications Now Open!

Classes begin on August 25, 2025

Start Your Journey

The New York Academy of Art invites you to begin your transformative artistic journey. Our supportive community is excited to guide you through each step of the application process.

2025 Application Deadlines

Early Consideration

• • • • Application Deadline: January 15  (Extended to January 22) 
        
      • Admissions Notification: February 24 – 28
        Early Consideration Applicants are given priority for admission and scholarships.

Regular Decision

• • • • Application Deadline: March 20
      • Admissions Notification: April 24 – 25
        Waitlist: Applicants may be placed on a ranked waitlist if spaces are filled.

Late Decision:

• • • • Application Deadline 1: May 9
      • Application Deadline 2: June 12
      • Application Deadline 3: July 11
      • Admission Notifications: admission decisions are sent out within one month of the deadline you applied by.
        Acceptance is subject to program availability.

Deposit Deadlines

To secure your place in the program and begin the onboarding process for Fall 2025, an $850 non-refundable tuition deposit is required (your $50 application fee will be applied toward this amount).

• • • • Early Consideration Deposit Deadline: April 1, 2025

      • Regular Decision Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2025

      • Final Commitment Deadline: July 25, 2025
        First Semester tuition deposit must be submitted by this date to hold your spot in the incoming class.

Before You Apply

Application Fee

• • • • A non-refundable $50 fee is due upon submission. This fee will be applied to your tuition if accepted.

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent)

• • • • Applicants to the CFA program must hold a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. For more details on degree equivalency, please see the Academy’s FAQs below or contact the admissions Office admissions@nyaa.edu.  

Application Instructions

Step 1: Create an Account

To begin your application, create an account and access the online application portal. Click here to start your application.

Step 2: Upload the Required Materials via the Online Portal

Portfolio

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio consisting of no more than 15 images in total, showcasing their strongest and most representative work.
Portfolios must consist of:

• • • • 10 Self-Directed Works: works may be in any medium.
      • 5 Life Drawings: drawings of the figure from observation in traditional drawing mediums (charcoal, graphite, ink).
        Paintings or sculptures do not meet this requirement.

Image files must be in .jpg format no more than 2500 pixels on the longest side.

You may submit up to two views of a single piece (one view per image), but the total must not exceed 15 images.

Your portfolio should represent your strongest work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your technical skill and ability. All work should be from within the last three years. For those with unique circumstances wishing to submit images outside the three-year range, please contact admissions@nyaa.edu.

After uploading your portfolio, click on each image to add title, year, medium, dimensions and sequence order for viewing.

Personal Statement

A one-page statement of educational objectives and career goals indicating why you believe these will be advanced by study at the Academy. Applicants are encouraged to discuss work in the portfolio, an understanding of the Academy’s unique mission and indicate how study at the institution will progress individual artistic development and aspirations.

Artist CV or Resume

Submission of a CV or resume enhances the CFA application by giving more insight into a candidate’s creative experience. Please include educational background, professional experience, awards, residencies, exhibitions, etc. For more details on developing a CV or resume, please visit the College Art Association’s resource page.

References

At least two letters of recommendation are required and letters from academic professionals are strongly encouraged. After creating your application account, navigate to the References tab and enter the name and contact information for each recommender. They will automatically receive an email with instructions for submitting their letter. Be sure to follow up with your references to ensure timely submission by the application deadline. If you have any questions, please contact admissions@nyaa.edu.

Transcripts

Certified official transcripts conveying an applicant’s academic history and proof of eligibility are required. Transcripts must be emailed or mailed from your previous school(s) to the Academy to be considered official. If you have attended more than one post-secondary institution, a transcript is required from each one.

The Academy accepts electronic transcripts. Please contact your previous institution(s) to have your e-transcript sent to admissions@nyaa.edu.

As many institutions do not issue e-transcripts, we also accept hardcopy. Please request transcripts be mailed from your previous institution to:

New York Academy of Art
ATTN: ADMISSIONS
111 Franklin Street
New York, NY 10013

Art History Requirement

Applicants to the CFA are expected to obtain proficiency in Art History prior to entering the program. For those with less than two semesters (less than two classes) of undergraduate level art history, an assignment will be required. This will help prepare you for entering the CFA program.

International Students

Transcripts
International Students must submit certified true copies of academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended in the original language issued. If not English, applicants must submit an official evaluation from World Educational Services. www.wes.org

Evidence of English Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate evidence of English proficiency by supplying a TOEFL or IELTS score. For more information on English proficiency requirements, please visit our International Students page.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve uploaded all the required materials outlined, you may submit your application and complete the payment of the application fee.

Start your application today!

SURP Application Guide

Start Your Journey

The New York Academy of Art invites you to begin your transformative artistic journey with our Summer Undergraduate Residency Program (SURP). Our supportive community is excited to guide you through each step of the application process.

2025 SURP Application Deadlines

Application Deadline: February 25

Notification: March 5

Non-refundable Deposit Due: March 25

Tuition Payment Due: May 15

Before You Apply

To apply for the Summer Undergraduate Residency Program (SURP), complete the free online application form. The program is open to current students at U.S. and international institutions with demonstrated artistic ability. Students from all majors are welcome to apply.

Admission is competitive. Applications are reviewed by the Academy’s Admissions Committee through a multi-step process. Portfolios are evaluated blindly based on technical skill, formal awareness, and conceptual development. Final decisions also consider personal statements, recommendation letters, transcripts, and other materials.

If a student participates in SURP and is then accepted into the Certificate of Fine Art (CFA) or Master of Fine Art (MFA) programs, their SURP tuition may be applied as credit toward the cost of those programs.

Application Instructions

Step 1: Create an Account

Please click here to create your account and begin your free application.

Step 2: Upload the Required Materials via the Online Portal

Portfolio

Please submit 6 to 15 images of your work.

Image files must be in .jpg format no more than 2500 pixels on the longest side.

The portfolio should represent your strongest work, indicate your major interest and direction, and demonstrate your technical skill and ability. All work should be from within the last three years. Those submitting images of three-dimensional work should include no more than two views of each sculpture.

Personal Statement

A one-page statement of educational objectives and career goals indicating why you believe these will be advanced by study at the Academy. Applicants are encouraged to discuss work in the portfolio and indicate how study at the Academy will progress individual development.

References

At least one letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from academic professionals are strongly recommended. Please contact your references to ensure timely submission of your recommendation by the application deadline. If you have any questions, please email admissions@nyaa.edu for assistance.

Unofficial Transcript

A copy of your most recent undergraduate transcript must be submitted to the Academy. Please upload an unofficial copy.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you’ve uploaded all the required materials outlined, you may submit your application. For questions regarding the application or scholarships, please contact the Admissions Department at 212.842.5961 or admissions@nyaa.edu.

SURP Deposit Deadline: $500 enrollment deposit due by March 25, 2025. If requesting housing, an additional $500 housing deposit is required

SURP Tuition Payment: Must be paid by May 15, 2025

Apply today!

Accepted Students: Next Steps

Congratulations on your acceptance, and welcome to the New York Academy of Art!

To confirm your spot, please review the steps below and submit your non-refundable deposit through the Academy Portal or the link provided in your acceptance email.

Enrollment Deposit Deadlines

MFA & CFA Programs

To confirm your spot and begin onboarding for Fall 2025, you must submit a non-refundable $850 deposit, which will be applied to your first semester tuition. Your $50 application fee will be credited toward this deposit. The deposit is due no later than July 25 to guarantee your place in the incoming class.

Deposit Deadlines

• • • • • Early Consideration Deadline: April 1, 2025
        • Regular Decision Deadline: May 1, 2025
        • Final Commitment Deadline: July 25, 2025

SURP Program

Accepted SURP students must submit a $500 enrollment deposit by March 25, 2025. If you are requesting Academy housing, an additional $500 housing deposit is also required. Both deposits are non-refundable and will be applied to your final tuition and housing charges.

Deposit Deadline: March 25, 2025

• • • • • $500 enrollment deposit due
        • If requesting housing, an additional $500 housing deposit is required

Deferral Policy

Accepted students may defer enrollment for one year by submitting the enrollment deposit and deferral contract. After one year, students must reapply. Deferrals guarantee a spot in the next academic year, but scholarship awards are not guaranteed and will be reconsidered during the next admissions cycle.

Pre-Enrollment Requirements

Once you’ve confirmed your enrollment, it’s time to complete a few key steps to ensure a smooth start to your semester. These include housing arrangements, final paperwork, tuition payments, and academic prep.

Tuition Payment

Due July 25, 2025

Your first semester tuition is due 30 days before the start of classes. Timely payment is essential to secure your place in the program and complete your registration.

Art History Proficiency (MFA Applicants Only)

Due August 15, 2025

MFA students must demonstrate proficiency in Art History before beginning the program. If you have completed fewer than two semesters of undergraduate-level art history, you’ll be required to complete an assignment to ensure you’re well-prepared for graduate coursework.

FAFSA Submission

If you’re applying for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), submit your application during the pre-enrollment period to avoid delays in financial aid processing. For information, look at our Financial Aid Guide.

International Students: Visa Process

International students can begin the F-1 visa process after acceptance and submission of the enrollment deposit. NYAA will provide the necessary I-20 form and documentation. We recommend starting early to avoid delays.
Questions? Contact admissions@nyaa.edu for assistance.

Transfer of Credit

Due May 1, 2025

Students seeking to transfer prior coursework must complete the Transfer of Credit Form and email it to the Admissions Office at admissions@nyaa.edu. Transfer requests are reviewed separately from your program application. For questions about the form or policy, please contact the Registrar at registrar@nyaa.edu. You can review the full Transfer of Credit Policy here.

Orientation & Start of Classes

Orientation and classes begin on August 25, 2025!

All incoming CFA students are required to attend the mandatory Student Orientation on this day. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your peers, faculty, and staff, and get ready for the exciting semester ahead! 

Application Review Process 

Prior to applying, applicants to the Academy’s programs are encouraged to schedule a free portfolio review with an Admissions team member.

The Admissions Committee follows a comprehensive, multi-step evaluation process for all applications. First, each portfolio undergoes an initial blind review, during which committee members assess the work independently, without access to the applicant’s identity. This stage focuses on four key qualitative factors: technical skill, formal knowledge, conceptual awareness, and the quality of life drawings.

Following the initial review, the committee conducts a holistic evaluation of each applicant. At this stage, portfolios are re-examined alongside the candidate’s personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and other supporting materials. This thorough approach ensures that each application is considered fairly and that the applicant’s full artistic potential is taken into account.

Grade Scale

Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

The New York Academy is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current student in accordance with the law. It is the policy of the Academy not to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin or any other protected category in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other Academy-sponsored programs and activities. 

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