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Freshmen Admissions

Freshmen applicants interested in the Visual Arts must complete the UC Application in order to be considered for admission. Those who have completed the UC Application and are interested in pursuing a Visual Arts major may submit an optional art portfolio to enhance their overall UC application. The Visual Arts faculty will review the portfolios submitted and share their evaluation with the UC San Diego Admissions Office. The optional art portfolio may assist the overall application review. Deadline to submit: December 8, 2024.

Students who select Visual Arts as their major when applying to UC San Diego will receive a notice through the UC Application site with information regarding the portfolio and link for submission. Please note, you can prepare your optional art portfolio in advance but will not be able to submit it until your UC Application has been completed.

To prepare a portfolio if you are interested in Media, Studio, ICAM, or Speculative Design:

  • Determine 1-4 images (up to 5MB each) or up to 5 minutes of video content (up to 250MB each) that represents your art practice
  • Create an artist’s statement of no more than 500 words that briefly describes your art practice and how your selected Visual Arts program will help to cultivate this practice

To prepare a portfolio if you are interested in Art History:

  • Provide a previously written research paper or paper excerpt (no more than three pages) that showcases your interest in art or cultural history and research (you can draw on the disciplines of art history, history, sociology, anthropology, communication, literature and other areas of cultural inquiry).
  • Provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words that describes your interest in art history, your future professional goals, and your specific interest in the UCSD Visual Arts department.

It is important that those interested in UC San Diego and the Visual Arts department are knowledgeable about the college system, our majors, minors, and student opportunities. The more you prepare prior to your application, the better the fit will be if you join us in the fall as a Triton! Learn more about the UC Application and requirements.