Transfer Students

Admission to the Visual Arts BA track of the Department of Visual Arts is obtained through an application process. Admission is based on the following qualifications:

1. University admissions acceptance

   Admission to the University is a separate application process from the Visual Arts department application process. Information regarding admissions to BYU can be found here.

2. Department application form completion

   Applications to the Department of Visual Arts are to be prepared and submitted online. To apply, click here. Students must have the application completed by the due date. Applications are accepted twice a year (October 1st for Winter enrollment and March 15th for Spring/Summer/Fall enrollment). Students may have their applications considered ONLY twice.

   Have you taken these equivalent courses?

   VA 111 Seminar — 1.5 credits
   VA 114 Drawing Observational & Spatial — 3.0 credits
   VA 115 Two Dimensional Design, Composition, & Color Theory — 3.0 credits
   Figure Drawing (area specific) — 3.0 credits
   VASTU 133 3-D Design — 1.5 credits
   VAPHO 134 Intro to Camera Techniques — 1.5 credits
   VAPHO 170 Intro to Black & White Photo — 3.0 credits (Photo only)

   Whether or not art classes will transfer is subject to Department approval only after the student is accepted.

   For questions regarding admission to Brigham Young University please contact the BYU Admissions Office at 801.422.2507. For questions regarding the transfer of other college or university general education courses please contact the Transfer Evaluation Office at 801.422.3641.

   NOTE: Students looking to transfer into the Animation program as transfer students will need to fill out the same application as the New Students submit, with the deadline of June 8, 2012. (this deadline will always be in June of each year only the day will change.) This application is available on the Visual Arts website. Students are required to complete pre-requisite classes STANM 150, VAANM 131 and VAANM 160 and meet with a counselor in D-444 HFAC before applying to Animation. See the secretary in the department office for more information.

3. Transcripts/Progress Reports

   All applicants are required to submit an official transcript of courses completed. Current BYU students must also attach an up-to-date Progress Report.

4. Portfolio submission

   Studio and Art Education applicants must submit 10 digital images of their work as part of the online application. Applicants in the Design areas (Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration) are required to submit 15-20 original images of the work which best represent skill level and talent (the actual application will be submitted online).

   The Studio Arts and Art Ed student portfolios are submitted online along with the application. Specific directions on preparing the digital portfolio can be found in the following PDF files:

   1. Instructions for submitting Images Online
   2. Instructions for creating Reference Contact Sheets

   NOTE: It is vital that the students follow the directions closely and submit quality digital images of their work. The Department will evaluate the student's work based on how it looks, therefore it must be in a format that is consistent, and of good quality, especially with regard to image color, value and contrast.

• Applications for sophomore level Design and Studio Disciplines are due by 5 p.m., March 15 and October 1. Portfolios are due at the same time either online for Studio/Art Education or in E-509 HFAC for the Design areas.

The portfolio for applicants to the Art Education program should represent a broad spectrum of work in 2-D and 3-D design. Applicants are required to submit only 10 images for the portfolio. You must also include a one page statement about why you want to be an art teacher.

Applicants are required to submit 15-20 pieces of original work which best represent skill level and talent. Your portfolio should contain the best work from your previous art classes. Portfolios need to be packaged or in some appropriate container so pieces will not get lost or mixed with other students.

Graphic Design portfolios must be mounted on 15"x20" or 16"x20" black with black-core matte boards (photos should be mounted on white). 3D objects are to be clearly labeled with your name. Attach a copy of your transfer application with one piece of tape across the top.

Students coming from another university wondering if their credits will transfer the following conditions must be met for that to happen.

• Get accepted to BYU
• Get accepted to The Visual Arts Department as a Tranfer Student
• Make an appointment with the Area Head
• Get a "Transfer Equivalency" form from the Academic Advisement Center
• Bring the form and your portfolio to the meeting with the Area Head and see what he/she will accept
• Return the form to Academic Advisement with the Area Head's approval
• If he/she doesn't approve your classes from your other college via a review of your work, he/she won't fill out the form and you may be required to take some of the courses over again here at BYU

Portfolios are judged on drawing skill, design, and creativity. We prefer applicants with strong figure drawing skills. Drawing from life, that is, directly from the subject (people, animals, buildings, trees, still-life, etc.) rather than from photographs, is the best representation of the applicant's potential talent and level of preparation, and therefore is given more weight than drawings from cartoons, comics, or photographs in magazines. We are also interested in the applicants' creativity, which may be shown in personal paintings or illustrations that tell stories or develop conceptual ideas.

• Personal work (outside of class assignments) and sketchbooks are essential. Sketchbooks should contain studies from life and/or imagination. Sketchbooks should not contain classroom notes or thumbnails for class assignments
• All work must be original—work from life is essential. We will not consider copies of cartoon characters (or derivative work based on these) or drawings from pictures in magazines, etc.
• All work must be mounted or matted on white or black only. Because figure drawings are on large format paper they need not be matted, but should be packages together (not in a roll) and easy to review
• Include a maximum of 15 figure drawings
• Do not include framed work! Either remove or shoot photographic copies
• Include work that represents the best of your previous art experience
• Do not include work from high school

Applicants are required to submit 15-20 pieces of original work which best represent skill level and talent. Your portfolio should contain the best work from your previous photography classes. Portfolios need to be packaged or in some appropriate container so pieces will not get lost or mixed with other students.

When submitting your portfolio, five images should be of drawings from observation and five images should be work that represents a strong personal direction. Preference is typically given to work that appears to be self-motivated rather than work done for class assignments. Generally, students accepted seem to have a strong point of view and a sense of maturity in the selection of content for their work. The quality of images is critical, and every effort should be made to ensure that your work is represented accurately throughout your portfolio.