Step 1: Submit NYU Admissions Application
Learn more about the application process for undergraduate study:
Step 2: Artistic Review: Submit Portfolio & Statement Of Purpose
Portfolio Guidelines
Your portfolio should be a selection of recent artworks that represent your artistic interests and demonstrate your technical skills and ability. Work submitted can be in any style or medium (painting, drawing, sculpture, video, photography, digital art, installation, sound, etc.). Work should demonstrate the exploration of ideas and creative approaches to subject matter and materials.
Online Portfolio Submission Instructions
After you submit your Common Application, you will receive an application acknowledgment email that contains your NYU IDs. You may use these IDs to activate your NYU account at start.nyu.edu and sign in to your portal using the password you create on the NYU Start Page. On the application status page, you will navigate to the "Artistic Review" button and there you will submit your Studio Art portfolio.
Portfolio Submission Details
Your portfolio must include:
- 12-15 images of recent artworks done in any medium. Each image must contain the work’s title, year completed, medium and size (ex. Self Portrait, 2018, Oil on Canvas, 11”x14”). You have the option to include videos in your portfolio. Videos can be a compilation of various works, but the total runtime cannot exceed five minutes.
- For first-year applicants, a one-page “Statement of Purpose” describing:
- Your reasons for applying to an interdisciplinary studio art program.
- Your personal and/or academic background in art.
- The influences, experiences, common themes, and interests that have impacted your art practice.
- For transfer applicants, a one-page "Transfer Statement" describing:
- Your reasons for applying to transfer to the NYU BFA in Studio Art.
- The influences, experiences, common themes, and interests that have impacted your art practice.
- Summary of previous and/or current course work taken in art including all college-level studio art, art history, and/or art theory classes. List in the following format: class title, semester taken, grade received/in progress.
Application + Portfolio Deadlines
First-Year Applicants Entering Fall 2025
Submit the NYU Common Application and portfolio via the NYU Undergraduate Admissions Portal on or before the following deadlines:
Early Decision I:
University Application for Fall 2025: November 1
Portfolio for Fall 2025: November 8
Early Decision II:
University Application for Fall 2025: January 1
Portfolio for Fall 2025: January 8
Regular Decision:
University Application for Fall 2025: January 5
Portfolio for Fall 2025: January 12
Transfer Applicants
External Transfer Applications
For Spring 2025:
University Application: October 15
Portfolio: November 8
For Fall 2025:
University Application: March 15
Portfolio: April 8
Internal Transfer Applications
For Spring 2025:
University Application: November 1
Portfolio: November 8
For Fall 2025:
University Application: March 1
Portfolio: March 8
Your portfolio may arrive any time before the deadline, but will not be reviewed until your application for admission is complete. Portfolios received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
Note for Transfer Applicants on Transfer Credits
One of your major concerns as a transfer student will be how much credit you will receive for previous course work. We are committed to maximizing the number of credits you can transfer toward your program of study.
At the time of admission, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions awards credit for courses taken at other accredited two- and four-year institutions with grades of C or better that satisfy the requirements for specific liberal arts courses and unrestricted electives in the degree program for which you have applied. In those institutions where a grade of C is the lowest passing grade, then a grade of B will be the lowest grade considered transferable. The faculty director of your program will evaluate any specialization courses that might count toward your major.
You will receive a Statement of Transfer Credit with your offer of admission. A statement marked "tentative" means either that we are missing official transcripts for course work you completed during the application process or that we have asked the faculty director of your program to review specialization courses for possible credit. The program director may contact you for additional information—a course description or course syllabus—before making the decision about awarding credits. The faster you respond to requests for additional information, the sooner you will know how many credits you will transfer.
Questions about the transfer application process should be directed to bfa.inquiries@nyu.edu
Portfolio Reviews
At this time, we are not conducting online portfolio reviews. Any questions about the application requirements, please email bfa.inquiries@nyu.edu.
Contact Us
Email: bfa.inquiries@nyu.edu
Financial Aid Information
NYU Undergraduate Financial Aid Office
Paying for Your Education, NYU Steinhardt Office of Admissions