School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL · private nonprofit

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate76.4%
Applicants
Middle-50% SAT—–—
Middle-50% ACT—–—
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$49,822
Grad rate64%
Median earnings (10 yr)$40,151
Sourcescorecard_bulk · 2025

Application requirements

Early Action2025-11-15
Regular / Rolling2026-01-15
Application fee$65 (US) · $85 (intl)
Personal essayNot required
PortfolioVia SlideRoom
Test policysometimes required
Teacher recommendations1

Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

  1. One 500- to 700-word statement. An artist’s statement that addresses your writing/artistic practice, your reasons for applying to a creative writing MFA program, and your creative and critical influences.· ~700 words
  2. An MFA Writing Reflection in which you identify your creative influences, what have you been reading recently, and what are you excited to read soon.

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).