Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1st to make their enrollment decision and make their deposits.

Early Action I Admission and Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines

Fall 2020

Early Action II Admission and Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines

Fall 2020

Early Action Application Process

Take a moment to review the step-by-step walkthrough of the Early Action application and admission process. And if at any time you have questions, you can reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410-225-2222 or admissions@mica.edu.

Step 1: Application Form

Apply using the Common Application. The application fee is $70 total ($60 application fee; $10 portfolio submission fee). If you are unable to use the Common Application, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410-225-2222 or admissions@mica.edu.

Step 2: Portfolio of Artwork

The portfolio should be a selection of recent artwork that represents your artistic interests and demonstrates your technical skills and ability. You should include examples of artwork that reflect the full range of your ideas, interests, experience, and abilities in the arts to date.

Applicants must submit a portfolio of 12-20 pieces of artwork. Please follow the instructions provided in the Common Application to upload your portfolio submission.

If you would like a personal review of your original portfolio by a MICA admission representative, you may present it at a National Portfolio Day,* during a visit to your school, or when you schedule an interview and portfolio review as part of your visit to MICA's campus.

*Portfolio Days are hosted by MICA and other members of the National Portfolio Day Association. For information regarding dates, times, and locations, visit the NPDA Web site at nationalportfolioday.org. You can also call MICA's Office of Undergraduate Admission for information about National Portfolio Days.

Please note: Freshman applicants who receive an "acceptable" review of an original portfolio by a MICA admission representative must still submit a portfolio with their application materials.

Step 3: Essay

Choose one of the writing prompts listed in the Common Application and write an essay (250-word minimum).

Step 4: Letters of Recommendation

The recommendations of teachers, college counselors, or other professionals who can comment on your art and academic experiences are important to your application.

Please follow the instructions provided on the Common Application to submit your recommender requests and allow them to upload their letters of support through the application service you selected.

Step 5: Activities and Interests

Compile a list of activities, interests, or honors as explained on the Common Application.

Step 6: Transcripts

Applicants must provide official transcripts of all secondary academic work. Your counselor may submit your transcript through Common Application (if you have chosen that application option), Parchment, email (records@mica.edu) or mail. If you are attending school in another country, your transcripts must be translated into English by an approved translator. World Education Services (WES) is recommended, but not required. Homeschool applicants must provide the equivalent of a high school transcript with course or subject titles, duration of study for each title, the content of study for each title, and an assessment of performance or "grade". Preferably, the courses completed at home are part of a curriculum developed and evaluated by a nationally recognized diploma-granting organization or agency. If not connected with such an organization and an official transcript from a state homeschool association or sponsoring public high school is not available, homeschool applicants must obtain and submit GED, TASC or HiSET exam results as confirmation of completing a generally acceptable secondary school curriculum. Individual homeschool transcripts with date of completion do not suffice as official proof of graduation.

Step 7: Test Scores

Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) and/or American College Test (ACT) results are required for all first-time freshmen. The ACT Writing Test is recommended, but not required. MICA's CEEB Code for the SAT is #5399; our ACT Code is #1710. Test results are evaluated in relation to your other academic materials as well as your portfolio of artwork on file.

If English is not your first language, it is strongly recommended that you submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores with your application. MICA requires a minimum TOEFL score of 75 or IELTS score of 6.0. Your application will not be reviewed for admission without at least one test score on file (TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, SAT).

Step 8: Campus Visit

As an applicant, you are encouraged to visit the College. Student-guided tours of the classrooms, studios, and residential housing, and discussions about portfolio preparation, programs of study, student life, and financial assistance will be provided. To schedule an appointment, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 410.225.2222. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Learn more about visiting MICA.