Apply to PNCA

Begin your PNCA undergraduate application now.

Your portfolio is your best opportunity to show us who you are as an artist or designer. 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. All submissions must be recent work, no older than two years.

Your portfolio must include one traditional observational drawing 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 drawing.

Examples of an observational drawing:

• Figure drawing from life
• Portrait drawing from life
• Landscape drawing from observation
• Still life drawing from observation

The following are not allowed 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)
• PDF portfolio submission with multiple images
• Powerpoint or slide style portfolio submission with multiple images

If you have any questions about what to include, contact us in the Admissions Office at 503-821-8972 or pncaadmissions@willamette.edu. Please don't submit original works directly to the Admissions Office.

For each piece you will upload to your portfolio on our application page, you will need the following:

• Title
• Medium
• Dimensions (2D/3D artwork) / Length (Time-based work)

File format guidelines

For Creative Writing Majors

If you are considering Creative Writing as a major, you will submit 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, or multiple shorter stories/poems, etc. Samples should be no longer than 10 pages, double-spaced, single-sided, with a 10 pt font and 1.25” margins. Please include your full name at the beginning of the sample.

For Common App Applicants

You will have seven days following the creation of your applicant portal to submit your completed portfolio. After seven days, your portfolio will automatically be submitted for review.

Fill out your application and upload your remaining required and optional application materials:

Required:

• Artist Statement
  • The artist statement 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.
  • Minimum 250 words, maximum 500 words
  • 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
  • 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.
  • ​​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
  • 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
• Dual Enrolled Students
  • If you are enrolled in a community college while in high school and will complete an associate’s degree, you may submit your community college transcript showing the degree conferred in lieu of a high school diploma.

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.