Admissions

Early Application Deadline

Upon acceptance to PNCA, early applicants are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship each year renewable for up to four years.

Fall applicants must apply by November 15, 2022.
Spring applicants must apply by November 15, 2022.

Priority Deadline

Apply by midnight on February 1st, 2023 to be eligible for all of our top juried scholarships and top merit-based scholarships for Fall 2023.

BFA Equity Scholarship Deadline

Application Deadline: Monday, January 31st, 2023 at 5:00 PM PST, For the Fall 2023 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

Merit Scholarships

All students applying to PNCA’s BFA program are automatically considered for merit/portfolio based scholarships. These scholarships start at $18,000 per year, and 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.)

BFA Equity 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 each year for up to three years at PNCA.

PNCA 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 per year, renewable for up to five years at PNCA. 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.

Oregon Scholastics Scholarships

PNCA offers scholarships for students who participate in the Oregon Scholastics event and receive a Silver or Gold Key. Speak with your PNCA Admissions Counselor to learn more!

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.

Artist Statement

Optional

It is not required, but we strongly encourage you to 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. Feel free to make the statement whatever you want it to be, but we are specifically interested in the interests and concerns that shape the art you make as well as your goals and ambitions.

Your statement should be between 2000 and 3000 characters (about 400 to 600 words). The online form will cut it off at 3000 characters, so check to make sure that the entire essay is included before submitting your application.

Transcripts

First time freshmen/high school students:
You may submit unofficial/in progress transcripts at the time of application submission. Upon graduating high school, please request your official transcripts from your high school and have them sent to the PNCA Admissions Office either via mail or email. If sending via email, they must come from a certified transcript service.

Transfer students:
Transfer students with less than 30 semester or 45 quarter credits must also submit their official high school transcript. For students with more than 30 semester or 45 college credits, please submit transcripts from all colleges attended. They can be unofficial upon applying, but must be official upon completion of courses. 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.

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