TCNJ Art Department Admission Requirements

Acceptance to the studio majors (Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, and Art Education) offered by the Department of Art requires portfolio acceptance as well as admission by the College. After the department has received a copy of the student's application from the Office of Admissions, it will review slide portfolios.

The deadline for submitting slide portfolios for January admission candidates and early-decision candidates is November 30, 2009. The deadline for slide portfolios for regular September admission candidates is March 1, 2010. The materials for both deadlines must be received by this date. Early submissions for both deadlines are highly recommended.

Acceptance to the College of New Jersey and permission of the Art Department chair are required for admission to the Art History major.

The portfolio should consist of

• slides or a CD
• a numbered slide list indicating the title, materials and dimensions of the work
• a one-page personal essay.

Slides or CD

Include 12 slides or images on a CD of original works, demonstrating the applicant's drawing and technical skills, creativity, and aesthetic ability. A substantial part of the portfolio should feature drawings (still life, figure, self-portrait, and assorted sketches). All work must be original. Copies of other artists' work should not be included in the portfolio. In addition, the slides may document work in other media (painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mixed-media, digital media, and video). If possible, please also include at least one slide from a sketchbook.

documentation that is in-focus, well lit and shows your best work. Send numbered slides in a 8.5" x 11" clear slide sheet, indicating the front of the slide. A large dot should be placed in the lower left corner of the slide telling us which direction is up.

If images are saved on a CD, please follow these guidelines.

• Format CD as MAC or cross platform.
• Save all images as .tiff, .jpeg or .gif files.
• Save each file with a name, lowercase and with no spaces. Do not begin a name with a number. Example: image_01.

Slide List

Include a numbered slide list along with your submitted work. Indicate your name, date of completion, materials, and dimensions of the individual pieces.

Personal Essay

Please include a one-page, single-spaced statement that includes a brief description of who you are, and your experience in art and life. Your essay should include your major artistic and academic goals, and your reasons for wanting to specialize in the visual arts.