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:

Ringling College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2011! Please follow the directions below, and note that the application deadline for the Computer Animation and Game Art & Design majors is January 15, 2011. All other majors are on rolling admissions, but you must complete the application process by March 1, 2011, to be considered for merit-based scholarships.

Applying for the Fall of 2011:

Ringling College of Art and Design is a member of the Common Application, and we use the Common Application form exclusively. The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that streamlines the college application process by allowing students to apply to any number of its 400+ members by completing only one set of forms. Visit the Common Application website at www.commonapp.org, and find Ringling under "Search for Colleges" to get started.

Here are our requirements:

First-year (freshman) applicants:

1. Submit a completed Common Application Form, along with a nonrefundable $70 application fee.  The Common Application is at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms.
2. Submit the Ringling College of Art and Design Supplement to the Common Application, available at www.commonapp.org. Click on Download Forms, then search for Ringling under "College Specific Supplements." Please note that the arts supplement is not required.
3. Ask one of your high school teachers to complete a Teacher Evaluation Form, also at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms.*
4. Ask your high school counselor to submit the Secondary School Report, available at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms, OR submit a second Teacher Evaluation form.*
5. 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 academic grade-point average  to be considered for admission.
6. Submission of an art portfolio to www.ringling.slideroom.com is required for all majors except Business of Art & Design. The cost of Slideroom submission is included with your application fee. 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, under "submitting your portfolio."
7. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission. If you take either the SAT or ACT, we encourage you to submit your scores since they can be helpful in academic counseling.

* Letters of recommendation may be substituted for the Secondary School Report and/or Teacher Evaluation Form(s).

Transfer applicants:

1. Submit a completed Common Application Form, along with a nonrefundable $70 application fee.  The Common Application is at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms. 
2. Submit the Ringling College of Art and Design Supplement to the Common Application, available at www.commonapp.org. Click on Download Forms, then search for Ringling under "College Specific Supplements." Please note that the arts supplement is not required.
3. Ask one of your instructors to complete a College Instructor Evaluation Form, also at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms.**
4. Ask your college academic advisor to submit the College Official's Report, available at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms, OR submit a second College Instructor Evaluation form.**
5. Ask your high school and each college you have attended for credit 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. You must achieve a minimum 2.0 academic grade-point average at your last college attended to be considered for admission. Please note that a high school transcript is not required if you have earned 24 or more semester hours credit at a regionally-accredited institution.
6. Submission of an art portfolio to www.ringling.slideroom.com is required for all majors except Business of Art & Design. The cost of Slideroom submission is included with your application fee. 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, under "submitting your portfolio."

** Letters of recommendation may be substituted for the College Official's Report and/or College Instructor Evaluation Form(s).

Applying for the Spring Semester

In order to be eligible to enroll in the Spring Semester, you must have previously completed specific college-level studio art courses. These course requirements vary by major. Please note that spring semester admission is NOT available for the Departments of Computer Animation or Game Art & Design. For information about spring semester admission, please contact the Admissions Office at 941-351-5100 or admissions@ringling.edu.  

International Students

Ringling College students come from 42 countries! We welcome applications from international students. Because Ringling College does not offer English for Speakers of Other Languages courses, you must be proficient in English to be considered for admission. If you are a citizen of a country where English is not a common language, please submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score of  61 (internet version) or 500 (paper version) on the TOEFL; or 6.0 on the IELTS is required. In addition, please submit the International Supplement to the Common Application, available at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms.

Homeschool Students

Homeschoolers must achieve a standard diploma, recognized by their local school district, or a GED.  In addition to the admissions requirements above, home-schooled students must submit the Homeschool Supplement to the Common Application, available at www.commonapp.org under Download Forms.

Transfer Credits and Placement 

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 or Bachelor of 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 Credit

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.

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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.

Admissions Office

Ringling College of Art and Design

2700 N. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, Fla.  34234-5895

941-351-5100

admissions@ringling.edu

Non-Discrimination Policy

Ringling College of Art and Design does not discriminate the basis of age, gender, color, race, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status or any other basis prohibited by law, in its programs or activities.

Ringling College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2011! Please note that the application deadline for the Computer Animation and Game Art & Design majors is January 15, 2011. All other majors are on rolling admissions, but you must complete the application process by March 1, 2011 to be considered for merit-based scholarships.

Submitting your portfolio:

Submitting your portfolio is free and easy! Upload your portfolio to the website http://ringling.slideroom.com. There is no charge to use Slideroom with payment of your application fee. Please submit between 10 and 20 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.  Please note that we cannot accept original artwork mailed to us. 

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. Visit www.ringling.edu/admissionsevents for information and a schedule. Please keep in mind that you'll still need to post your portfolio at http://ringling.slideroom.com for formal review as part of the application process.

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.

Advertising Design

Computer Animation (January 15 deadline)

Fine Arts

Game Art & Design (January 15 deadline)

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.

Digital Filmmaking

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.

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.

Once you have completed these exercises, please upload them to http://ringling.slideroom.com following the instructions above.

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 $500 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. 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!