Undergraduate BFA Portfolio Review Guidelines for: Freshman, Transfer, Current GMU and SOA Students’
For Freshman and Transfer Applicants:
Completion of a successful portfolio review is required to be accepted as a School of Art BFA candidate. For all freshman and transfer BFA candidates, consideration for acceptance is competitive. All portfolio reviews require the following to be submitted digitally through Slideroom. Portfolio submission for BA applicants is optional.
- A one-page, double-spaced essay that describes the candidate’s interest in a studio art degree, including possible area of concentration (sculpture, graphic design, etc.) and desired degree path (BA or BFA)
- 10 to 15 original examples of current or college-level work. Work examples should include observational drawing and at least one other media (Required for BFA/ Optional for BA)
- Applicants must submit a portfolio concurrently with their application to the university
For in-person feedback on portfolios, we also participate in National Portfolio Day events at various venues across the country. Due to the Covid-19 social distancing rules that have been put in place, all 2020 events will be conducted virtually. Please visit the National Portfolio Day website for updated schedules.
Please visit the Admissions website for application deadlines.
If you have any questions about the Undergraduate Portfolio Review, please call the main School of Art office, (703) 993-8898, or email, avt@gmu.edu.
For current School of Art students who wish to convert from a BA to a BFA degree track
For current Mason students in the School of Art BA program who wish to change to the BFA program, the deadlines for portfolio submissions through Slideroom are at the end of the sixth week of the fall and spring semesters each year by 4 pm. Students must receive at least one critique by a full-time AVT faculty member in their desired concentration prior to submitting their portfolio. Completed forms and vetted portfolios must be digitally submitted through Slideroom.
To be eligible:
- You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- You must be at least 30 credits from degree completion
Your portfolio must include:
- A two-page artist’s statement explaining why you want to pursue a BFA and what you intend to do as an artist
- Your portfolio including 10 to 15 examples of college-level work (over 2/3rds of your work must be concentration-specific)
Applicants will be notified via their Mason email accounts of the results of the review. If you have any questions about the Undergraduate Portfolio Review, please call the main School of Art office, (703) 993-8898, or email, avt@gmu.edu.
For current Mason students who want to change majors and declare the Art and Visual Technology Major
Current Mason students must have a current term GPA of 3.0 to be considered for a major change to Art and Visual Technology BA and BFA. A meeting with the School of Art Academic Advisor is required.
For current Mason students who want to change majors to an Art & Visual Technology BFA degree, a portfolio submission is required. All portfolio reviews require the following to be submitted digitally through Slideroom.
All portfolios must include:
- A one-page, double-spaced essay that describes the candidate’s interest in a studio art degree, including possible areas of concentration (sculpture, graphic design, etc.)
- 10 to 15 original examples of current or college-level work. Work examples should include observational drawing and at least one other media
If you have any questions about the Undergraduate Portfolio Review, please call the main School of Art office, (703) 993-8898, or email, avt@gmu.edu.