School of the Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), one of the most historically significant accredited independent schools of art and design in the nation located in one of the greatest American cities. Our accolades are many, including recognition by Columbia University’s National Arts Journalism survey as “the most influential art college in the United States” and our consistent ranking among the top graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. SAIC is one of the oldest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country.Founded as the Chicago Academy of Design in 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) provides a challenging education in the studio arts and exhibition opportunities for its students. The school incorporated as the Chicago Academy of Fine Art in 1879, and changed its name to the Art Institute of Chicago in 1882. The museum and school moved into a building designed and built for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Admission Criteria & Eligibility

  1. International students are vital to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). You bring diverse experiences and perspectives that encourage us all to question our assumptions, imagine new possibilities, and embrace a global outlook. Some undergraduate international students take English for International Students (EIS) classes before starting their Liberal Arts and Art History classes. EIS classes focus on developing academic English proficiency and fluency as it relates to the arts.
  2. In addition to the admissions requirements for our degree programs, English proficiency is a requirement for all students. English proficiency can be determined by submitting test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic). Students with TOEFL scores below 96, IELTS below 7.0 and PTE below 65 take EIS classes
  3. Students attending US-accredited high schools abroad are encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS scores. 
  4. SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing component scores of 560 or higher (for tests administered March 2016 and later); SAT Critical Reading component scores of 500 or higher (for tests administered prior to March 2016)*; or ACT Reading scores of 21 or higher are required for a TOEFL waiver. This requirement is also waived if you hold a 4-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college where English is the primary language of instruction. 
Test Score Minimums
TOEFL Internet Based Test 82**
IELTS Score 6.5
Pearson Test of English 55
Official test scores are required for admission:
In March 2016 the College Board began offering a redesigned SAT. SAIC will accept scores from both the current SAT and the redesigned SAT.For the BA in Art History degree, a 96 TOEFL is required.Phone- or Internet-based interviews may be requested.

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Dates for Applications

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* Tentative dates. Actual dates will be updated soon

Coming Soon

Campus

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1866

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Student Diversity

17:49

Male : Female

33%

Int. Students

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Full Time Students

35 %

White

11 %

Latin American

9 %

Asian

4 %

African American

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Contact Details

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

36 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, 60603

Phone: + 1- 800- 232-7242
Phone: + 1- 312- 629-6100
College Website