International Students (MFA)

The 2021 MFA application is available on SlideRoom and can be accessed here: https://meca.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/54770

The application fee is $70 for all applicants, and are payable by credit card on the SlideRoom application. Application fees are are non-refundable.

Please submit a letter of intent of approximately 750 words that describes your intended field of exploration. The letter of intent should include an analysis of the applicant’s current work and goals for graduate study. Goals should include a discussion of the work related to material, cultural, and critical contexts. We prefer your statement to be submitted as a PDF in order to preserve your formatting, but you may also upload a Word document if necessary.

Please submit a full curriculum vitae which includes your education, employment history, exhibitions, publications, and honors. We prefer your statement to be submitted as a PDF in order to preserve your formatting, but you may also upload a Word document if necessary.

Recommendation letters should come from professional and/or educational references who can speak from direct experience about your potential to thrive within a rigorous, cross-disciplinary graduate environment. Letters should address your ability to work independently, to contribute to an intensive learning community, as well as your artistic promise.

On the SlideRoom application, you will enter the names, titles, emails, and phone numbers for two recommenders as well as the nature of your relationship and how long you have known them. SlideRoom will generate an invitation to your recommenders automatically with a link for them to upload their recommendation letter directly to your application.

We require official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions. 3.0 minimum GPA is required. Transcripts will be considered official if they are sent by the issuing institution through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Service, or if they arrive to MECA&D in an envelope that is stamped and sealed by the issuing institution.

Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Please note: if transfer credit is being sought, applicants must request a “course by course” credential evaluation report through World Education Services.

All documents must be in English, therefore official translations are required.

If your institution is mailing your transcripts, they should be sent to:
Maine College of Art & Design
Attn: Graduate Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101

Your portfolio should be submitted for review directly on your SlideRoom application. Please submit 15–20 digital images of work, or up to 10 minutes of video.

If your primary language is not English, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. The following are acceptable forms of documentation:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): official score reports must be dated within two years of intended start date at MECA&D.
• Written TOEFL Test: minimum test score of 550.
• Internet TOEFL Test: minimum test score of 79.
• Pearson PTE Test: minimum test score of 53.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): official score reports must be dated within two years of intended start date at MECA&D, minimum score of 6.5.
• Graduation from a US high school with at least 2 years of high school English, not in conjunction with English as a Second Language (ESL), and documentation of a B average or higher.
• Completion of 2 consecutive semesters of English Composition taken at a regionally accredited US college while carrying a full-time course load and not in conjunction with ESL. A minimum grade of B is required in each semester.
• Completion of the equivalent of 2 years at an English speaking higher education institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Documentation can be sent to:
Maine College of Art & Design
Attn: International Graduate Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
USA

Questions? Contact Emily Brighi, International Student Counselor, at 207.699.5028 or ebrighi@meca.edu

+ Candidates may be interviewed via Skype by the Admissions Committee. Finalists may be required to make a presentation of their work to the Committee or submit additional written work as requested.

+ Accepted international students must complete and submit the Declaration of Finances (DOF) form to the Admissions office.