Anything is possible when your imagination is in overdrive. And that happens every day at Ringling College.

No matter what your major, you'll change the way you see. And think. And live.

In small classes, you'll be inspired by faculty-mentors who are practicing artists. You'll work harder than you've ever worked in your life. And you'll express yourself in ways you never imagined. Ready to join us at Ringling College?

How to Apply:

1. Submit a completed application along with a nonrefundable $60 application fee. Please apply online.
2. Ask your high school to send an official copy of your transcript to our Admissions Office at 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida, 34234-5895. We also accept GED certificates. If you took any college courses, whether or not you received credit, request that the college send us the transcript as well. You must achieve a minimum 2.0 grade-point average in high school or at your last college attended to be considered for admission.
3. A portfolio is required for all majors except those applying to Business of Art & Design. The Admissions Committee reviews every portfolio individually. We take into consideration the amount and type of art training you've received. Please refer to the instructions below.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation. At least one should come from a current art instructor, if possible. A current or former instructor in an academic subject, a guidance counselor, an adviser, or an employer can write the other. Ringling College does not use a standardized recommendation form.
5. SAT and ACT scores aren't required unless the student has been Home Schooled.  If you take either the SAT or ACT, we encourage you to submit your scores since they can be helpful in academic counseling.
6. We welcome applications from international students. If you are a citizen of a country where English is not a common language, you must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of 173 (computer version) or 500 (paper version) or 61 (internet version) on the TOEFL; or 60 on the IELTS is required.

Homeschool Students

Homeschoolers must achieve a standard diploma, recognized by their local school district, or a GED.  In addition, SAT or ACT scores (including writing sections) will be required for final evaluation.  We encourage homeschoolers to submit an academic portfolio demonstrating documentation of the materials studied and academic performance achieved by the student.  Items to consider submitting include titles of textbooks used, samples of papers or projects, and a bibliography of high school literature covered.

Transfer Students

Ringling College will consider for transfer any liberal arts or studio art credit that meets our academic requirements and where a grade of C or better was earned from a regionally-accredited college or university. Studio art credit will be awarded based upon the criteria above and a portfolio review.

All of Ringling College’s studio courses are sequential and have pre-requisites.  Students have to complete the 1^st-year studio courses before taking 2^nd-year studio courses; 2^nd –year studio courses before taking 3^rd-year studio courses; and 3^rd-year studio courses before taking the 4^th-year capstone/thesis courses.  

If you have taken Liberal Arts courses at another college/university, those courses will be evaluated by the Academic Advisors in the Office of Advising, Records, and Registration Services to determine if they meet the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. The number of Liberal Arts classes completed has no bearing on your class level. Only studio classes determine your class level.  Students enrolling with an Associate of Arts or a Bachelor of Arts degree from a regionally accredited college or university will be considered to have met the Liberal Arts requirements for the BFA degree.

Please make sure you have requested a final transcript from all colleges/universities that you have attended so that you can receive the appropriate transfer credit.

Please note that admission to upper-level studies is contingent on space availability.

International Baccalaureate 

Ringling College recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.  Students with IB coursework may be given credit for individual liberal arts courses if they score 5 through 7 on the IB Higher-Level Examinations.  No credit is given for Subsidiary-Level or Standard-Level work.

Advanced Placement Credit

Ringling College will award up to six semester hours credit for advanced placement examinations in art history with a score of 3, 4, or 5.  Advanced placement examinations in liberal arts courses with a score of 3, 4, or 5 will be considered for credit toward the BFA degree.  Advanced placement examinations in English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition require a score of 4 or 5 to be considered for credit toward the BFA degree.  Advanced placement examination/portfolios in studio art with scores of 4 or 5 will be evaluated by Ringling College for credit and/or placement.

Please send all application materials to:

Admissions Office

Ringling College of Art and Design

2700 N. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, Fla.  34234-5895

Submitting your portfolio:

Submit at least 10 images (a minimum of 15 if you are a transfer student seeking studio art credit) of your recent work, following the directions for portfolio requirements for your chosen major below. Because we sometimes receive portfolios that are damaged in the mail and/or are not formatted properly for viewing, we strongly recommend that you submit your portfolio to the website http://ringling.slideroom.com. Slideroom will charge $10 for this service. We also accept portfolios on CD, DVD, or slides or photos that are mailed to the Admissions Office. Please note that we cannot accept original artwork, and do not submit your portfolio in any kind of notebook, folder or binder. 

We encourage you to gain valuable feedback by presenting your work to an admissions representative, either during a visit to Ringling College or at a National Portfolio Day (www.portfolioday.net.) Keep in mind that you'll still need to post your portfolio at http://ringling.slideroom.com or submit it on CD to the Admissions Office if you are applying for Computer Animation or Game Art & Design, if you are seeking transfer credit for studio art courses, or if you want to be considered for scholarships.

Portfolio requirements by major:

The purpose of the portfolio is to allow you to show us your creative ability and visual arts potential. Submitting an art portfolio is optional for applicants to the Business of Art & Design major. See instructions below.

Computer Animation

Fine Arts

Game Art & Design

Illustration

Painting

Printmaking

Sculpture

Since representational drawing is an integral part of the curricula for the majors listed above, you should show examples of drawing from life in your portfolio. This may include interior or exterior environments, human figures, animals, hands and feet, and everyday objects. Portfolios may also include class assignments, design projects, animations, photography, paintings, sculpture, etc. Please do not copy directly from another artist, or include such things as anime, tattoo designs, dragons, unicorns, etc. At least half of your portfolio should consist of drawing from direct observation.

Advertising Design

Digital Film

Graphic & Interactive Communication

Interior Design

Motion Design

Photography & Digital Imaging

For the programs above, the Admissions Committee reviews portfolios in the context of your chosen major. Although recommended, examples of drawing are not required. You may include work in any media - including class assignments, design projects, logos, flyers, websites, photography, film, quicktime movies, drafting, and multimedia. The work may be created by hand or digitally, but must be original.

Digital Film majors may choose to submit a short story following these guide lines:

Business of Art & Design

While Business of Art and Design students are not expected to measure up to the level of artistic achievement required for admission to Ringling’s other studio programs, they must demonstrate strong interest in the arts, a creative attitude, and an eagerness to work tolerantly and enthusiastically with other creative individuals. Potential students should demonstrate (1) general education competency, (2) a strong interest in business and (3) a history of creative activity and accomplishment. General education competency will be demonstrated by your academic record and letters of recommendation. Business potential can be shown through an essay describing your interests and experiences in business, by a personally created business website, or by a business-related portfolio that documents your interests and previous activities in a business setting. Creative accomplishment can be shown by an art/design portfolio or other means of demonstrating your creative interests and activities (writing, performing arts, attendance at museum/gallery shows, etc.). Evidence of leadership and organizational skills, such as involvement in sports, student publications or organizations, volunteer work, etc., is also considered.

If You Haven't Had Formal Art Training:

Don't worry-many of our incoming students each year haven't had studio classes.

If you don't have samples of artwork to submit, you can complete the following exercises. We understand that applicants have varying skill levels. We've designed these exercises to uncover your artistic potential in the areas of drawing, color, composition, and creativity.


The Five Exercises:

1. Select three to five objects that are familiar to you. Arrange them together, then draw them using line and tone.
2. Make a free-hand drawing of one corner of a room in your home. Include at least three pieces of furniture.
3. Create a self-portrait in any medium. Do not refer to a photograph.
4. Using "nature" as a theme, create a collage by tearing images from a magazine and pasting them on a sheet of paper.
5. Visually interpret and express the word "connection" in a drawing of any medium.

After You're Accepted

Congratulations!  Your acceptance letter functions as an invitation to join Ringling College of Art and Design. It is your responsibility to respond if you plan to enroll. We will not hold a space for you until you follow the steps below:

1. Complete and submit the Acceptance form, which was included with your acceptance letter. To confirm your space at Ringling, you must complete and mail the form to us along with a $250 confirmation fee. This holds your space in the incoming class. Acceptance alone does not guarantee that a space will be available to you.

2. If you want to live on campus, you must also complete and submit the Housing Contract along with an additional $100 housing confirmation fee. We guarantee campus housing to all new students who submit the Housing Contract and Acceptance of Admission Offer Form with fees by May 1 for the following fall semester.

3. If you are still enrolled in high school at the time of your acceptance, you must graduate with a standard high school diploma or GED. Home-schooled students must also achieve a standard high school diploma (recognized by their local school district) or GED.

4. Whether you are enrolled in high school or another college at the time of your acceptance, you must complete any coursework with a minimum grade-point-average of 2.0 or higher.

We're here to help if you have questions, and we hope to see you here!