Important dates to keep in mind.
August 1: Application opens.
Please note that application dates and deadlines vary for 2D Character Animation and 3D Character Animation. For those specific details, please see Application Deadlines – 2D and 3D Character Animation below.
February 15: Presidential Scholarship deadline.
Students who complete their application and submit all required admissions materials prior to this date will be considered for the Presidential Scholarship (one awarded per major). Please note: students who apply as undeclared must declare a major by this date to be considered for this scholarship. Other merit-based scholarships are ongoing.
March 1: Priority FAFSA filing deadline.
Students who fill out a FAFSA by this date will be given priority by the Office of Financial Aid when awarding financial aid.
May 1: Deadline to request a refund for a confirmation fee (for all majors except 2D Character Animation and 3D Character Animation).
To request a refund for a confirmation fee, the applicant must email admissions@ringling.edu before May 1. Confirmation fees for both 2D and 3D Character Animation programs are non-refundable.
Application Deadlines
2D and 3D Character Animation
Our 2D and 3D Character Animation programs are the only majors at Ringling College with specific application deadlines. 2D and 3D Character Animation applicants may choose from three application options: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Space is limited for these programs; acceptance will be determined based on space availability.
Early Decision is binding, which means if an applicant is accepted, they are expected to submit a non-refundable confirmation fee and withdraw all applications submitted to other schools. If an applicant does not submit their confirmation fee by February 1, their place in the program is no longer guaranteed. Early Decision applicants who do not specifically choose the ‘Early Decision’ option on their application, or who do not submit all required materials by November 1, will be automatically deferred to Early Action.
Early Action is non-binding, meaning applicants who choose this option will receive a decision earlier, but will still have until March 1 (for 2D) or June 1 (for 3D) to confirm their intent to enroll. Early Action applicants who do not specifically choose the ‘Early Action’ option on their application, or who do not submit all required materials by December 1, will be automatically deferred to Regular Decision.
Regular Decision is also non-binding. Applications marked as Regular Decision will be reviewed monthly beginning in January. Regular Decision applicants must confirm their intent to enroll by June 1.
| Admission Plan | 2D Character Animation | 3D Character Animation | All Other Majors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (Binding) | App Deadline: November 1 | App Deadline: November 1 | n/a |
| Decision Received: December 1 | Decision Received: December 1 | ||
| Confirmation Deadline: February 1 | Confirmation Deadline: February 1 | ||
| No Waitlist | No Waitlist | ||
| Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable | Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable | ||
| Early Action (Non-Binding) | App Deadline: December 1 | App Deadline: December 1 | n/a |
| Decision Received: no later than January 15 | Decision Received: no later than January 15 | ||
|
Confirmation Deadline: March 1 (dependent on space available) |
Confirmation Deadline: June 1 | ||
| Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable | Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable | ||
| Regular Decision |
App Deadline: Aug. 1–January 15 (App reviews begin in January) |
App Deadline: Aug. 1–May 1 (App reviews begin in January) |
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the start of the Fall semester. |
|
Confirmation Deadline: June 1 (or until program filled) |
Confirmation Deadline: June 1 (or until program filled) |
No Confirmation Deadline | |
| Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable | Confirmation Fee Non-Refundable |
Confirmation Refundable until May 1 (must email request to admissions@ringling.edu) |
|
| Rolling Admission | n/a | n/a | Yes |
Early Decision (Binding)
Application Deadline: November 1
Decision Received: December 1
Confirmation Deadline: February 1 (Confirmation Fee is Non-Refundable)
If an Early Decision applicant is accepted but does not confirm by February 1, their place in the program cannot be guaranteed. There is no waitlist for either program.
If an applicant is not accepted into 2D or 3D Character Animation, they may receive an extended offer to enroll in another Ringling College program, pending application and portfolio review.
Early Action (Non-Binding)
Application Deadline: December 1
Decision Received: January 15
Confirmation Deadline (2D): March 1, pending available space (Confirmation Fee is Non-Refundable)
Confirmation Deadline (3D): June 1 (Confirmation Fee is Non-Refundable)
There is no waitlist for either program. If an applicant is not accepted into 2D or 3D Character Animation, they may receive an extended offer to enroll in another Ringling College program, pending application and portfolio review.
Regular Decision
Application Deadline (2D): January 15
Application Deadline (3D): May 1
Confirmation Deadline: June 1 (or until program is filled)
There is no waitlist for either program. If an applicant is not accepted into 2D or 3D Character Animation, they may receive an extended offer to enroll in another Ringling College program, pending application and portfolio review.
All other Majors
Ringling College accepts applications throughout the year on rolling admission for all majors other than 2D Character Animation and 3D Character Animation, meaning there is no specific application deadline.
Office of Admissions
We’re here to help!
Our admissions counselors are formally trained to help applicants navigate the admissions process and develop their portfolios.
Schedule a video appointment to get your art portfolio reviewed.
Apply now through the Common App.
Track your application status via our online portal.
