File your
application forms
Send your
official transcripts
Complete your portfolio
and CHAVÓN Challenge
The portfolio should demonstrate an applicant’s general ability in the visual arts and highlight any special interests. To be most meaningful, a good portfolio should be comprised of relatively recent work.
Portfolios will be reviewed by an admissions professional at the time of the interview, and will later be reviewed by a faculty member from the department in which they plan to major.
Applicants are encouraged to present their portfolios in their original media rather than in a digital format. Works that by their nature require a digital presentation (such as film and animation) should be submitted in high resolution on a CD or thumb drive that is compatible with Mac OS so they can be viewed during the interview.
Original Artworks in the portfolio can be varied in size but should not exceed 20 x 32 inches (51x 81 centimeters). Works for The CHAVÓN Challenge that are presented on paper (see below) may not exceed 18 x 24 inches (46 x 61 centimeters). These size limitations do not apply to works submitted digitally.
International applicants and those who live beyond 50 miles of a CHAVÓN campus may send their portfolios of original work by post our courier (e.g. FEDEX, UPS, as well as Caribe Pack, Metro Pack or Sichoem for Dominican residents). They may also send them online through attachments or links via WeTransfer.com.
The portfolio must include a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 pieces. Although it should show a range of media, the portfolio can feature drawings, paintings, photographs, films, craft items, sketchbooks and/or designs. It may be completed independently, in school or in other instructional settings.
Film applicants may submit a portfolio as described above for Fine Arts and other majors; or they may present audiovisual works, short films or animations in which they had a significant production or creative role. For the in-person interview these should be submitted in high resolution to a USB drive that is compatible with Mac OS. If an interview is not possible, the files may be sent online to the Office of Admissions, as attachments or links via WeTransfer.com, or as a link to Vimeo with a password that expires in no sooner than six months.
Two-page letter of intent stating reasons why applicant wants to be a filmmaker.
One-page essay stating favorite movie and why.
Fashion Marketing and Communications majors are not required to submit a portfolio, but must complete The CHAVÓN Challenge.
To be submitted simultaneously with the portfolio.
The CHAVÓN Challenge is required of all applicants, except Film. It provides an additional insight into an applicant’s creative and technical abilities as well as his/her approach to the chosen major.
Work produced for The CHAVÓN Challenge may be submitted on paper (no larger than 8 x 24 inches (46 x 61 centimeters) or it may be submitted digitally.
If the Challenge is submitted digitally, it should be presented in high resolution on a thumb drive or CD for discussion at the time of the interview. For applicants living beyond 50 miles of a CHAVÓN campus, these may be mailed or sent by courier and should arrive prior to the scheduled interview so that their readability can be confirmed in advance. Digital material should be in high resolution and readable in Mac OS.
Regardless of the presentation format (digital or on paper), The CHAVÓN Challenge will be retained until an admissions (and/or financial aid) decision has been made.
International students or others who are unable to schedule an in-person interview may send their portfolios digitally, or can send their original artwork to the Office of Admissions by courier.
All work produced for The CHAVÓN Challenge, including thumb drives or CDs, will be retained by the Office of Admissions until an admissions decision has been made.
All Applicants (Except Film and Fashion Marketing & Communications)
Create an urban streetscape or a rural landscape as a collage, made from either colored paper, torn pages from magazines, other printed materials, or a combination of both. If you wish to use a different two-dimensional material that you think would work as well or better, feel free to do so.
(You may find inspiration here): Inspiration
Choose the assignment below that corresponds to your proposed major:
(If your major is undecided, chose the one that appeals to you most at the present time.)
(“Capsule” refers to a collection that contains varying essential and commercial pieces that do not go out of style with the main objective of being practical. It must contain pants, skirts, dresses, blouses, shirts, coats, jackets to be complemented with pieces of the season).
The outfits can be of the following categories:
Create a floor plan in 1⁄4 inch scale for a large, single-story residence with no basement.
You may draw this by hand, using an ink-roller pen or you may use one of the online drafting programs. There are a number of free programs on the web from which you can choose. An example is shown in the link below.
Your floor plan should Include:
Show the position of all furnishings plus amenities (sinks, bathtubs, commodes, etc.) Be mindful of the flow and efficiency of the layout as well as safety.
Also show the position of utilities (E.g. central air-conditioning units and air handlers, water and heating systems (if on the roof, simply state that in a note on the drawing). Do not try to show the position of window A/C units.
Then select pictures of the furnishing and fixtures that you would choose for this home, as well as pictures of your choices of materials for floors, wallpapers and/or paint colors, etc. Paste these pictures on as many sheets of paper as you need, but none larger than 18 x 24 inches.
Here is a link to a free online drafting program. You will find that there are several others. Choose the one with witch you feel most comfortable. If you chose to draw your floor plan by hand, you may find the following drawing aids helpful. They are usually available in a good art supply store, but if not, they can be ordered online. Amazon.com sells them and shows pictures of them as well.
Neither a portfolio nor section one of The CHAVÓN Challenge is required, but you must complete the following requirements.
Merchandising & Product Retail: Development of a pop-up store with a promotional character in response to seasonality.
STYLIST: Fashion editorial development addressing the preproduction, production and postproduction process
FASHION JOURNALIST: Development of interview with local or international emerging designer
Diagram the interview including brief biography and photography
Film majors are not required to submit The CHAVÓN Challenge. Applicants to this program will be evaluated on the basis of their academic records, interview, portfolio, letter of intent and essay.