2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

Admission Policies and Procedures

Applicants to all programs of study at NESADSU are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, ability to communicate purpose and commitment, and the appropriateness of the portfolio.

The Suffolk University Application for Undergraduate Admission details admission policies and procedures for freshmen, transfer, permanent resident and international applicants. Contact the Undergraduate Admission Office at 1-800-6SUFFOL(K) or e-mail admission@suffolk.edu to request an application. The application for admission may also be downloaded from the University’s website (http://www.suffolk.edu) or from http://www.commonapp.org.

All prospective applicants must follow a college preparatory program in secondary school, with courses in studio art and art history where possible. For freshmen, high school coursework, the level of courses taken, grades achieved, class rank, the essay, and SAT/ACT score results are an important part of the review process. Post-secondary coursework is emphasized for candidates who have successfully completed 24 or more credits at a regionally accredited college or university.

Applications are reviewed when all admission requirements are met and all credentials received by the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Suffolk University. International students and those interested in university housing should submit applications and all application credentials, including portfolio, by January for September admission.

All admission credentials, including portfolios, must be forwarded directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, 8 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.

The portfolio, an additional admission credential, should contain only the best and most recent work. There is no rigid formula for demonstrating visual experience and accomplishments. Freshmen and transfer applicants should review the portfolio guidelines to determine what is, and what is not, an appropriate submission.

Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Illustration and Interior Design Program applicants are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission process.

Admission Portfolio

Twelve to fifteen examples of recent, original, finished work are required for a freshman portfolio. Class assignments and personal work accomplished to date should be included. Representational drawing in an important part of the first year curriculum; therefore, a significant portion of the freshman portfolio (at least one-half) should be drawings done from direct observation. DO NOT submit cartoons, anime, work copied from photographs, or photography. There are no specific requirements concerning subject matter. Conceptual abilities and expression of visual ideas are more important than familiarity with media and techniques. Applicants may submit admission portfolios on a CD or by emailing images to BFAportfolio@suffolk.edu.

The Transfer Portfolio

In addition to the admission portfolio, transfer candidates who have completed studio courses through a regionally accredited college or university should be prepared to present an extensive portfolio (five to ten pieces per course) representing work from each course for which they are seeking transfer credit. All transfer portfolios will be reviewed at the departmental level once all admission credentials have been reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admission. For a list of Foundation Program transfer requirements by course, please contact the Admission Office.

Original Work

If they would like to visit Boston, applicants may schedule a portfolio review and campus tour by calling (617) 573-8460. Original work may be presented in person, by appointment only, at the time of the campus visit. Applicants who have scheduled a personal interview may also bring with them additional artwork such as sketchbooks, process drawings, and works in progress, but are not required to do so.

Transfer applicants may submit portfolios for evaluation of transfer credits once all other admission credentials have been reviewed.

All requests for transfer credit must be finalized before or during the student’s first semester of enrollment at Suffolk.

While every effort is taken to ensure the safety of an applicant’s work, Suffolk University will not accept responsibility for loss or damage.

NEVER SEND ORIGINAL ARTWORK THROUGH THE MAIL.

Statement of Use

Suffolk University reserves the right to retain artwork produced by students for exhibition and reproduction as part of their program of study while enrolled at the University and has a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to photograph, tape, reproduce or otherwise use or display student work for marketing, promotional, archival, reference, research, classroom, educational and other purposes.  Students will be credited for the use of such reproductions at the discretion of the University.  Reproductions of student artwork may be edited at the University’s discretion, but in doing so the University will make a good faith effort to act respectfully and responsibly so as not to unduly compromise the integrity of the original artwork.

Abandoned Student Work

Student artwork left on Suffolk University’s premises must be picked up within one week of the end of each academic semester because of limited space on campus.  Any property remaining after that date shall be considered abandoned and it will become the property of Suffolk University, unless a formal arrangement has been made with a faculty member or administrator to retain the work beyond this deadline.  The University will not be responsible for the location and/or condition of abandoned student artwork.

If You Do Not Have a Portfolio

Applicants who are interested in becoming BFA candidates, but who do not currently have a portfolio, should apply for admission to the University as Undecided majors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Undecided students who successfully complete two first-semester Foundation studio courses (ordinarily Foundation Drawing I and 2-Dimensional Design), with a combined GPA of at least “B” (3.0) for those courses with neither grade below “B-” (2.7), will be exempted from the portfolio requirement and are eligible to petition the NESADSU Department Chairman for entry into the BFA program. Undecided students who take NESADSU studio courses must register concurrently for Jumpstart Art (ART 01).

Undecided students who do not become BFA candidates may apply studio courses taken at NESADSU to an art minor or use them as electives. Please consult with your academic advisor.

Attention:
NESAD Graduates and Former Students

Since the 1996 merger of The New England School of Art & Design and Suffolk University, many NESAD graduates have returned to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree at Suffolk University. In brief, an applicant’s academic, studio and professional background is considered within the framework of current BFA degree requirements. In order to earn the degree, all applicants must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Suffolk University’s Boston campus in order to meet the residency requirement. BFA candidates may attend on a full- or part-time basis, may take day or evening classes, during the Fall, Spring and/or Summer semesters. There is no application deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, after the application form, requisite credentials, and portfolio review results have been received by the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Former NESAD students and graduates considering this opportunity are invited to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission to request a current catalog and application. Owing to the distinct academic and professional background of each applicant, telephone consultation with the NESADSU counselor is advisable as well.

Contact Information

All questions regarding admission policies and procedures should be directed to: Office of Undergraduate Admission, Suffolk University, 8 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-2770, telephone (617) 573-8460, e-mail admission@suffolk.edu, web: http://www.suffolk.edu