saa enrolls accepted students on a first come, first served basis. Due to limited class sizes, we begin a “wait list" as soon as the class is filled. You can complete and submit your FREE application online then follow the steps below to apply for admissions. Get in early because there is no magical Gold Pass that lets you cut to the front of the line.
applying for admission to saa
1. Complete online application at saa.edu.
2. Submit official high school and/or college transcript [or dated GED score report]. If the high school and/or college transcript reflects a grade point average below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or higher than 10% cumulative absenteeism during junior and senior years of high school, the student must complete the following steps:
a] Submit a brief personal essay describing why one or both of the criteria were not met.
b] Submit two letters of recommendation. These letters should be written by academic educators who are familiar with the student’s work ethic and potential for success at saa.
c] Schedule a personal interview with the Director of Education to discuss why one or both of the criteria were not met.
These applications will be reviewed and accepted at the Director of Education’s discretion. Each applicant will be notified by mail regarding his or her acceptance to saa.
In the event of home schooling, high school diploma based on the GED, or other non-traditional education, students must send a dated GED score report in place of a transcript. For more information, please contact the Director of Education at 877-300-9866.
3. Schedule an appointment to tour the college and meet with an admissions representative for an interview [college visits and interviews may also be completed during an Open House].
Students are required to present 8–12 samples of artwork in their interview. The work should show the skill level and experience of the potential student. Variety in medium and subject is greatly encouraged. Examples of acceptable artwork include: drawings, paintings, sketchbooks, digital artwork, and photography. Presenting original artwork is recommended. If artwork was created digitally or you are not able to bring the original work, it is acceptable to submit artwork on a CD or digital storage device. Download tips for creating a great portfolio.
If traveling to saa for an admissions interview is not possible, you may contact our admissions department to request an online portfolio review. saa strongly encourages prospective students and their families to visit our campus for a tour and interview, but we understand that this is not always feasible.
4. Acceptance will be granted once both the artwork and official high school and/or college transcript [or dated GED score report] are approved. Applicants will be notified by mail as to the status of their acceptance.
5. Once an applicant is accepted, he or she is invited to enroll by filling out and returning the enrollment agreement and paying the $100 enrollment fee [$50 if paid by January 1, 2010]. The enrollment agreement packet and fee may be mailed or personally delivered to saa. The enrollment fee must be in the form of check or money order if received by mail. saa must receive an official copy of his/her high school diploma or GED score report that meets the stated criteria before starting college the first day.
6. Once you have filed your 2009 Federal Income Tax Return, call to schedule your Financial Aid Appointment with the Financial Aid Office at 877-300-9866.
SAT/ACT scores
saa encourages students to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT] and/or the American College Testing Assessment [ACT]. Scores should be sent directly to saa through the appropriate testing report service.
saa code numbers: SAT: 5953 ACT: 6578
Request more information about saa today! Call toll-free 877 300 9866.
your portfolio
Download tips for creating a great portfolio.
why do you need a portfolio?
Your portfolio is the culmination of your artistic development to this point in your life. The creativity, ideas, observations, and progression of your skills as displayed in your artwork allows an saa admissions representative to determine how well you would be able to adapt to and succeed at our college.
what should be in a portfolio?
Your portfolio should consist of at least 8, but no more than 15 pieces of your own original artwork. At least half of your portfolio should be traditional illustration, utilizing graphite pencil, charcoal, colored pencil, pastels, or pen and ink. Computer design, paintings, and other mixed media may also be submitted to round out your portfolio [although they are not required]. Also, you may submit a sketchbook as one piece of your portfolio, demonstrating your artwork progression from brainstorming of ideas to basic concept to completed piece. The more variety you are able to provide, the stronger your portfolio will be.
The subject matter of your artwork should be as varied as the media with which you created them. Some excellent pieces to include in your portfolio include [but are not limited to] portrait/self-portrait, figure drawing, landscape/seascape, still life, geometric design, architectural drawings, perspective, and an animal in motion. When reviewing your collective works, choose pieces that have interesting contrasts [light/shadow, positive/negative space, etc.], and display strengths in shading, texture, depth, balance, proportion, color usage, and creativity.
can’t find your artwork? don’t have any artwork?
Follow these tips to create your own.
Draw four basic subjects: [1] Portrait/self-portrait - face only, [2] animal - consider texture or muscle structure, [3] still life- place three objects in an arrangement under a light source and draw what you see, and [4] nature - plant, flower or tree.
Materials: Drawing paper/sketchbook, No. 2 pencil [outlines], No. 4 pencil [shading]
Size: Drawings approximately 6in. x 6in. or larger
Time: Spend a minimum of one and a half hours on each drawing. Start your drawing and spend 15-20 minutes on it, then come back again and continue working on it.
Summary: Draw lightly [erasing as you go along is okay, but don’t scrub the surface of the paper when you erase]. First draw shapes, squares, rectangles, etc. Carefully, lightly outline your objects. To shade, add middle tones, working cautiously up to darker ones later. It is okay to outline, because when you add the medium and darker tones, the light lines will still be there, but the tonal values will dominate and show forms and shapes. Use your pencil to create shading, not your finger. Also, examine pieces of artwork that you like, and experiment with some original designs, interpretations and ideas of your own.
Still have questions? Contact Jessica Graves at 877 300 9866.
orientation
Orientation is an event that helps to prepare you for what to expect not only on the first day of classes, but also what to expect as a college student away from home for the first time. This event is required of all new students.
Saturday, August 14, 2010 [for students entering saa Fall 2010]
Addressed at Orientation:
What to Bring on the First Day of Classes
Attendance and Grading Policies
Apartments and Roommates
The Student Experience
YMCA Activities Pass [free for enrolled students!]
Laptops
Career Services
Counseling Services
Plus, you will be able to meet your future classmates!
Not enrolled yet? Need to Schedule an appointment? Contact Jessica Graves at 877 300 9866.
transferring to saa
Any students wishing to transfer to saa from an accredited college must still adhere to the regular admissions process, beginning with the application and portfolio review. Please note that saa only has one start date each year, either in late August or early September.
A student’s postsecondary schooling and experience will be evaluated and appropriate credit may be granted. This is a subjective assessment based on a review of course/grade transcripts and catalog and/or syllabus from college class[es] taken. In certain instances and at the discretion of the Director of Education, a combination of courses may be considered as a transfer credit.
No more than 2 academic classes [of the 6 required at saa] may be transferred and no more than 1/3 of art assignments may be transferred from previously taken college classes.
To Transfer Credits: Submit a college transcript, detailed syllabi/detailed catalog listings to the saa Director of Education for review and possible acceptance of credits. Art and academic classes with a grade of “B�? or better will be considered for transfer [student must submit a portfolio to the President of saa to receive possible credit for art assignments].
For more information about transferring to saa, contact Jennifer Lorenzetti at 877 300 9866.