Undergraduate Application
Applications for Spring and Fall 2025 are now open!
If you have already created an application, log in HERE
step by step
How to Apply
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1
Learn how to prepare 10-15 portfolio items and materials you'll need below.
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Create your application using the Apply buttons above.
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Fill out the application, upload portfolio items, and request that your official transcript(s) be sent to PNCA from your high school (or college if applicable).
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Click "Submit."
application process
Application and Portfolio Preparation
Learn more about our application process and building your portfolio below.
Building your portfolio
How to prepare your portfolio
Your portfolio is your best opportunity to show us who you are as an artist or designer. Show us the work that is unique to you, work that showcases your ideas, imagination, willingness to experiment. We are looking for potential. You'll be able to give us insight into your point of view and your personal story.
Include a range of your best works showcasing core skills like drawing (emphasizing composition, contour, gesture, or life drawing) as well as experimental works such as mixed media or video.
Work is evaluated on conceptual content, design and composition, originality, technical skill, and creative potential.
First Year Application
Include a range of your best work and strongest interests. Applicants should showcase core skills like drawing (emphasizing composition, contour, gesture, or life drawing) as well as experimental works such as mixed media or video. Prepare 10 to 15 images or files which can include pieces like drawing, painting, sculpture, video, sound, animation, film, photography, graphic design, digital projects, performance, and installation, etc. For internet-based projects, submit a screenshot of the URL. Your portfolio MUST include a minimum of three traditional observational pieces from life. We recommend using charcoal, graphite, or ink, but we will accept any traditional medium (charcoal, graphite, ink, watercolor, pastel, paint, etc.). Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.
Examples of observational pieces:
- Figure drawing from life
- Portrait drawing from life
- Landscape drawing from observation
- Still life drawing from observation
Transfer Application
Transfer students must include three observational pieces and at least seven or more submissions that are applicable to their intended major. Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.
Examples of submissions that are applicable to the intended major:
- Animated Arts: Transfer applicants should include some basic experience with storytelling, character development, and sequential imagery.
- Creative Writing: Transfer applicants are required to include a visual portfolio of 10-15 images following the general portfolio guidelines.
- General Fine Arts: Transfer applicants should include a variety of studio and fine art-based work. Some examples include paintings, sculptures, installations, drawings, etc.
- Graphic Design: Transfer applicants should be able to demonstrate how they think about design through traditional and digital methods. Work can include logos, branding, typography, UX/UI, motion graphics, product design, etc. Showing your process is recommended.
- Illustration: Transfer applicants should include a variety of imagery that demonstrates their abilities with storytelling and narrative-driven work. Some examples include digital or traditional character or concept design, backgrounds and environments, patterns, picture books and/or comics, toy design, etc.
- Intermedia: Transfer applicants should include a wide range of work with a conceptual focus. This can include anything from installations, documentation of performance art, mixed media and/or new media, etc.
- Painting: Transfer applicants should include a variety of paintings and drawings. Observational drawing/painting, figure drawing/painting, and abstract drawing/painting are all encouraged. All mediums are acceptable including oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, charcoal, pencil, marker, mixed media, etc.
- Photography: Transfer applicants should include a variety of subject matter using traditional film or digital photography. This can include documentary/photojournalism, alternative and experimental processes, portraiture, landscape, etc.
- Printmaking: Transfer applicants should include printmaking techniques such as relief, etching, monotype, screen printing, lithography, etc. or other forms of traditional media.
- Sculpture: Transfer applicants should include examples of 3D work that is well documented. This can include traditional sculpture with clay materials, ceramics, wood, metal, mixed media, fabric/soft sculpture, etc.
Examples of observational pieces:
- Figure drawing from life
- Portrait drawing from life
- Landscape drawing from observation
- Still life drawing from observation
For ALL Applications
All submissions must be recent work, no older than two years.
All applicants (First Year and Transfers) MUST include a minimum of three traditional observational pieces in their portfolio. Submissions should be observational/from life. We recommend using charcoal, graphite, or ink, but we will accept any traditional medium (charcoal, graphite, ink, watercolor, pastel, paint, etc.). Your portfolio must not exceed 15 total submissions, including the observational pieces.
Examples of observational pieces:
- Figure drawing from life
- Portrait drawing from life
- Landscape drawing from observation
- Still life drawing from observation
Creative Writing Reminder
In addition to the 10 pages of writing samples, applicants are required to include a visual portfolio of 10-15 images following the general portfolio guidelines.
The following are NOT acceptable in your PNCA portfolio
- AI generated images
- Artwork made with Canva
- Artwork made with Adobe Spark
- Fan art
- Twitch or streaming game content (unless the game was completely created by the applicant)
- Master copies (i.e. Starry Night, Girl With A Pearl Earring, American Gothic, etc.)
- Celebrity portraits
- Group/collaborative artwork (art done in a collaborative setting by multiple artists including the applicant)
Please be aware, while PNCA at Willamette understands the use of AI programs are tools that can be helpful in the process of generating artistic ideas, an applicant should not submit any art that has not been created by the individual applicant.
If you have any questions about what to include, contact us in the Admissions Office at 503-821-8972 or pncaadmissions@willamette.edu.
For each piece you will upload to your portfolio on our application page, you will need
- Title
- Medium
- Dimensions (2D/3D artwork) / Length (Time-based work)
File format guidelines:
File Type | Size | Extension |
Images | Up to 5MB | .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .tga |
Video | Up to 60MB | .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, .mkv |
Audio | Up to 30 MB | .mp3, .wma, .ogg, .flac |
Documents | Up to 10 MB |
Please don't submit original works directly to the Admissions Office.
Writing Samples
If you are considering Creative Writing as a major, you will submit two writing samples in PDF format in addition to your visual arts portfolio. Samples may be in any type of writing genre (fiction, non-fiction narrative, plays, scripts, poems, etc.), and can be an excerpt from a longer work. Samples should be no longer than 5 pages, double-spaced, single-sided, with a 10 pt font and 1.25” margins. Please include your full legal name at the beginning of the sample.
Additional Requirements
Artist Statement
Required
Word count requirement: minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words.
Please submit an artist statement to help us determine your ability to be a successful student at PNCA. This is an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from other applicants and to share aspects of your work that are not reflected in your portfolio. We would like to hear about your interests and concerns and how they shape the art you make as well as your goals and ambitions as a student at PNCA.
The artist statement for application to PNCA at Willamette is intended to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and concisely and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. It also helps the Admission Committee learn more about you and what sets you apart from your courses, grades, and test scores. Please be aware, while PNCA at Willamette understands the use of AI programs like ChatGPT are tools that can be helpful in the writing process, an applicant should not submit an essay in which any portion of the writing has not been generated by the individual applicant.
Transcripts
First Year/High School Students:
Official transcripts are required for admissions consideration to PNCA. Counselors may submit official high school transcripts through the Common Application, Parchment, MaiaLearning, Slate.org, emailed to pncaadmissions@willamette.edu, or mailed to PNCA. Students who have difficulty obtaining their official transcripts should contact their PNCA Admissions Counselor for alternative options.
Transfer Students:
Transfer students with less than 60 semester or 72 quarter credits must also submit their official high school and college transcript. For transfer students with more than 60 semester or 72 college credits, please submit official transcripts from all colleges attended. They can be in-progress if currently enrolled, but must be official for application review. If this is not possible, please contact your PNCA admissions counselor for next steps. Please send all transcripts to the PNCA Admissions Office either via mail or email. If sending via email, they must come from a certified transcript service.
Send transcripts to: pncaadmissions@willamette.edu or mail transcripts to:
PNCA Admissions Office 511 NW Broadway Portland, OR 97209
PNCA reserves the right to rescind the admission and/or scholarships of any student should their credentials vary too greatly from the ones reported on their unofficial transcript. Please make sure that these transcripts include your full name, the name of your school, your birthday, and graduation date.
Optional materials
AP Scores
PNCA grants credit for specific course requirements based on Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations of the College Board. Scores must be submitted to PNCA by the testing service. Credit is available in Art History, Literature, Natural Science, Mathematics, and Social Science.
Letters of Recommendation
Submitting a letter of recommendation is optional. If you choose to include a letter, we suggest that it be from a current teacher, guidance counselor, or mentor. Your recommendation letter may also be from an employer or professional reference. Do not request a letter from a family member. The letter of recommendation must be emailed or mailed to the PNCA Admissions office directly from the person writing the recommendation letter. When you apply, there will be instructions on how your recommender can submit the letter of recommendation.
Special Circumstances
GED
If you did not complete high school, you will submit your General Education Development (GED) scores. For the purposes of the application process, unofficial copies of your scores will be accepted. If you are accepted by PNCA, you will be required to have official copies of your scores mailed directly to our Admissions Office before you begin classes.
Homeschooled Students
In addition to the application form and portfolio homeschooled applicants must submit one of the following:
- Official Copy of your GED or state authorized examination that is recognized as the equivalent of a high school diploma (i.e. CHSE)
- State issued Secondary School Completion Credential (if available)
- Diploma or Certificate from a Recognized Home School Association
View our Undergraduate Viewbook Online
Deadlines
Early Application Deadline
Upon acceptance to PNCA, early applicants are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship each year renewable annually.
Fall applicants must apply by November 15.
Spring applicants must apply by November 15.
Priority Deadline
Apply by midnight on February 1st to be eligible for all of our top juried scholarships and top merit-based scholarships for Fall.
BFA Equity Scholarship Deadline
Application Deadline: Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 5:00 PM PST, For the Fall 2024 application cycle.
International Application Deadline
If you are outside of the United States and need a visa to arrive, you must apply before the deadlines below:
Fall applicants: June 15th
Spring applicants: November 15th
Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
All students applying to PNCA’s BFA program are automatically considered for merit/portfolio based scholarships. These scholarships are renewable. Scholarships are available to both U.S. citizens and international students. (Students who have previously attended PNCA as an admitted BFA student are not eligible for these scholarships.)
Juried Scholarships
All students applying to PNCA’s BFA program for the Fall semester prior to February 1st are automatically considered if we have received your submitted FAFSA. The scholarships are available to both U.S. citizens and international students. (Students who have previously attended PNCA as an admitted BFA student are not eligible for these scholarships.)
Community College Transfer Partner/Transfer Agreement Scholarship
Students who have attended a community college from our Transfer Partner or Transfer Agreement list and have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter credits (and have received passing grades in each course) are eligible for an additional $5,000 scholarship on top of their initial admissions scholarship, renewable annually.
Click here for a list of Transfer Partner Schools and Transfer Agreement SchoolsPNCA Pre-College Scholarships
High school students who attend a PNCA Pre-College course (either online or in person) are eligible to receive a $1,000 renewable annually. In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must present proof of enrollment to your PNCA Admissions Counselor or include proof of enrollment in your PNCA application.
International Scholarships
International Students are eligible to receive a $1,000 renewable scholarship if they meet the following criteria:
- Do not hold U.S. citizenship
- Do not have a U.S. Green Card
- Is not eligible to fill out FAFSA
Please note that International Scholarships cannot be combined with the OR/WA/CA Transfer Scholarship.
contact us
We are here to help. For any questions about how to apply, get in touch Monday - Friday 9-5pm PST at 503-821-8972 or anytime at pncaadmissions@willamette.edu.
Acceptance
Notification of Acceptance
The Admissions Office reviews applications once we have received all required materials from the applicant. You will receive your admission decision by mail and email.
Make it official
Tuition Deposit
If you accept PNCA’s offer of admission, a non-refundable $500 tuition deposit is required to secure a place in the incoming class and gain registration privileges. The $500 deposit is credited to your student account upon registration.
Participation in peaceful protests and demonstrations
Pacific Northwest College of Art respects the First Amendment rights of those who wish to participate in peaceful protests and demonstrations. Applicants, admitted, and deposited students will not be negatively impacted in our admission process if they choose to participate in such protests. We will not rescind any offers of admission to students who choose to exercise their rights, regardless of their high school’s disciplinary policy.
Contact an Admissions Counselor today
We are here to help. For any questions about how to apply, get in touch M-F, 9-5pm PST
Office of Admissions
pncaadmissions@willamette.edu
503.821.8972
Office of Financial Aid
finaid@willamette.edu
503.821.8971