Illinois State University College of Fine Arts
School of Art
SPRING and FALL 2015
http://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/art/admissions/
Admission Portfolio Requirement
All students seeking to major in art must submit a digital portfolio for review directly to the
School of Art. Once you have submitted your completed application to Illinois State
University Admissions, you will receive an email from the School of Art. The email will
contain a link that will direct you to the School of Art Portfolio Drop Box, where you can
upload your digital portfolio and cover letter.
For admission to the Art Major, the portfolio will be considered in relation to all other admission materials,
including class standing, ACT/SAT scores, and prior college-level records
The digital portfolio must include the following materials:
1. 8 to 12 artworks in any medium and that you consider to be your best work:

Digital portfolios must conform to the following specifications:
--File Format: JPEG file format only
--Resolution: 300 dpi
--File Size:
approximately 700 x 700 pixels / approximately 1.0 MB (1000 KB)
--File Name: identify each image with name and number (e.g., Jones-001.jpg; Jones-002.jpg;…)
--Web page links (including YouTube and Vimeo) may be imbedded in a PDF or document file

If you do not use the School of Art Drop Box, you may mail us your digital portfolio using the
following format:
--Include all portfolio JPEGs in one file folder on a single CD.
--Include any other documentation in a separate file folder on the same CD.
--Include on a sheet of paper a list with the title/description, medium, and size of each
artwork in the portfolio; identify each artwork on the list with the same number as
the JPEG filename.
--Optional: include a “contact sheet” with small (approximately 1x1”) printed color
Images of the JPEG files (these printed images augment but do not substitute for the
JPEG files).
--Web page links (including YouTube and Vimeo) may be imbedded in a PDF or
document file
--Complete and include the “Application for Admission” provided below
Please do not use PowerPoint or other presentation programs or formats; the portfolio should be
comprised of clearly identified and properly formatted JPEG files. Check that your files can be
opened and are viewable from your CD; if reviewers cannot open your CD, your application cannot
be reviewed.
Tips for shooting digital images: Use a digital camera of no less than 3.2 megapixels; 4.0 to 6.0 MP
cameras are even better. Make sure that the artwork is squared in viewfinder, well-lit, and in focus.
Revised 11/07
It is important to record color and exposure accurately, so be sure to set the proper camera exposure
and “White Balance” for the lighting conditions (consult your camera manual). It is also important
to eliminate distracting backgrounds by filling the viewfinder as much as possible with the artwork
(but not cropping the artwork) and by using a neutral cloth or wall; if these cannot be controlled,
then you are encouraged to carefully crop out the distracting backgrounds in a photo editing
program. Accurate and simple representations of your artworks are paramount.
Transfer students: work submitted should reflect college-level art classes already taken.
2. Transcript:
 Freshmen: a copy of an unofficial high school transcript.
 Transfer students: a copy of an unofficial college transcript.
 ISU students: a copy of a Progressive Summary, available from the Registrar’s Service Center
located in Moulton 107.
Hard Copy Portfolio Delivery and Retrieval
Portfolios must be mailed or delivered to the office of the ISU School of Art, CVA 119. Portfolios will be held for
pickup, and will be discarded according to the following process: When the review committee has made a
decision, you will receive a letter from the department informing you of your admission status. You will have 3
weeks from the date of that letter in which to pick up your portfolio. Please note: any portfolios not picked up
within the 3-week time period will be discarded.
Revised 11/07
Illinois State University College of Fine Arts
School of Art
http://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/art/admissions/
Application for Admission—Please print clearly or type
Name_______________________________________ Phone Number________________________
First
Middle
Last
Address___________________________________________________________________________
Street
City
Date of Birth
State
Zip
E-Mail________________________________
Anticipated Sequence and Discipline Area to be pursued at ISU (check one)
□ Teacher Education Seq.
□ Ceramics
□ Painting
□ Graphic Design Seq.
□ Drawing
□ Photography
□ Studio Arts Seq.
□ Glass
□ Sculpture
(Discipline Area)
□ Intaglio
□ Video
□ Lithography
□ Wood
□ Metalwork and Jewelry Design
Current Institution: (please mark one) High School 
Community College 
College/University 
_____________________________________
Name of Institution
I have included return postage and container 
(OR)
I will pick the portfolio up** 
Please verify that ALL requirements are included in the portfolio and that each individual piece is
identified:


8-12 pieces of art
Unofficial transcript
Send materials to:
School of Art
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
Illinois State University
Campus Box 5620
Normal, IL 61790-5620
Phone for questions: (309) 438-5622
**When the review committee has made a decision, you will receive a letter from the department informing
you of your admission status. You will have 3 weeks from the date of that letter in which to pick up your portfolio
if you did not include postage. Please note: any portfolios not picked up within the 3-week time period will be
discarded.
Revised 11/07
PORTFOLIO APPLICATION DEADLINE CALENDAR
FOR SPRING AND FALL 2015 ADMISSION
Each review session lasts approximately 2-3 weeks. At the end of that time, decision letters will be mailed to
the address you supplied in your portfolio. Decisions will NOT be available over the telephone.
September 22, 2014: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Spring and Fall
2015). All portfolios received after September 23th will be held until the next session. Submission by this date
will ensure consideration for advanced registration.
October 13, 2014: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Spring and Fall 2015).
All portfolios received after October 14th will be held until the next session.
October 27, 2014: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Spring and Fall
2015). This is the FINAL SESSION available for SPRING 2015 admissions.
February 9, 2015: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Fall 2015).
All portfolios received after February 9th will be held until the next session. Submission by this date will ensure
consideration for advanced registration.
February 23, 2015: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Fall 2015). All
portfolios received after February 23rd will be held until the next session. Transfer students are strongly
recommended to submit the portfolio no later than this date.
March 16, 2015: Open to FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS (applying for Fall 2015). This is the
FINAL SCHEDULED SESSION available for FALL 2015 admissions.
Late portfolios will be considered.
Revised 11/07